News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
The Dollarama store in the Thunderbird Mall in Port Hardy is now officially open.
Billy Proctor, a renowned figure in Echo Bay, has been awarded the 2024 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement.
The Growcer hydroponic greenhouse containers from Namgis Business Development Corp have just arrived at Alert Bay’s Atli & Gatu Street location.
Mike Jennings from BC Men’s Sheds will be presenting information on how to bring a shed to the North Island on Jan. 23. Better at Home is inviting the community to attend the meetings, which will be held in the Lions Room at the Recreation Centre in Port Hardy and Room 5 at the Old School in Port McNeill.
Port Hardy Chamber‘s Membership Luncheon & Industry Update on January 29th, from 11:45am-1 pm at the Kwa’lilas Hotel will feature guest speaker, Brian Kingzett of the BC Salmon Farmers Association.
CAMPBELL RIVER
School District 72 has approved a new 10-year Long Range Facility plan and has partnered with Studio Hub, a consulting firm, to guide the district in implementing the plan.
The Village of Gold River, which is supported by the province’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, is requesting input from its citizens and business community regarding its Economic Development Plan.
The City of Campbell River is seeking a Fitness Instructor to join their Recreation and Culture team, on a permanent, part-time basis.
The 12th Annual Wounded Warrior Run BC is happening on Vancouver Island from Feb 23-March 2, 2025.
The Canadian Cancer Society is seeking passionate individuals to join their Wheels of Hope and Community Connector programs in Campbell River.
The Campbell River Chamber is holding their first B2B Mixer on Thursday January 30 from 5-7 pm at Chances Playtime Campbell River.
MNP is holding a celebration of their Campbell River office re-opening on February 6th from 4:30-6:30 pm at 100-1334 Island Highway.
COMOX VALLEY
Kristen Scheuer (Pronick) has joined Muir Engineering.
Mary Brown’s Chicken, owned by Preet Singh and Harpreet Kaur, has opened at 789 Ryan Road in Courtenay.
Council gave a second reading to a bylaw to amend the zoning on a multi-family affordable housing lot at 3345 Second Street to enable four storeys and more units on Jan. 13, 2025. The Council will consider a variance permit to lower parking and rear setback and a third reading and ultimate acceptance of the bylaw on Jan. 27, 2025.
The Sid Williams Theatre will host a final screening of the 34th World Community Film Festival, a collection of documentaries about social and environmental justice, on January 31 and February 1.
Men in need can get a free haircut at The Parlour in Comox (2310 Guthrie Rd) until April 6. To take advantage of this offer, they must bring a card from the Comox Valley Food Bank, the Salvation Army, or the Immigrant Welcome Centre. The new salon is owned by Chelsea and Ava Sieben.
The 50th annual Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce awards will be held on January 25th at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay.
The CVRD is launching a Unified Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to engage with you on some important community initiatives. The AAP will take place between January 15 – February 18, 2025. For more details on the AAP and to review the initiatives, visit comoxvalleyrd.ca/aap.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
ERIF Sustainable Solutions plans to develop a new neighbourhood on a 25-acre site on Minato Road in Ucluelet, featuring residential units, vacation rentals, and a commercial building.
On December 11, 2024, the Wickaninnish Inn hosted its fifth annual Holiday Light Tour & Fundraiser, which has earned $3,430 for the Food Bank on the Edge and Fish and Loaves Tofino.
The District of Tofino is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the casual relief position of Facilities Maintenance Worker as well as a qualified candidate to fill the full-time position of Senior Planner.
The District of Tofino announced that the Mackenzie Beach Road Washrooms project is complete, and the washrooms are now open to the public.
PORT ALBERNI
The Port Alberni Port Authority’s Dock+ Facility Expansion Project is underway. Construction projects have been awarded to Glacier West Construction working with Bowerman Construction.
Lashin’ Out Esthetics has opened for business at The Cove Beauty Collective in Port Alberni.
The Somass Lands project achieved a significant milestone with the completion of phases one and two of the environmental remediation process. The City of Port Alberni hired local contractors and trades to systematically deconstruct each building on the 43-acre site and recover any materials that held value in the secondary market. The City also partnered with the Synergy Sustainability Foundation and North Island College to offer a unique learning environment for students to work alongside contractors to develop their skills in building deconstruction and salvage. Through the sale of old equipment, steel and lumber recovered from the site, approximately $1.4 Million was recouped by the City and 90-95% of the materials were diverted from the landfill. Over 50 local contractors, trades and partners were involved in the salvage and remediation program.
The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Board Governance workshop January 28th.
Alberni District Secondary School is set to host the 40th annual Alberni School Invitational Wrestling Tournament from Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2025, with James Messenger and Mike Roberts serving as co-chairs.
The Port Alberni Fire Department and volunteers raised $1,444 from their annual holiday tree-cycling event for Kidsport, which helps pay registration fees for youth to participate in organized sports.
Island Health is hosting Code Hack 2025, a hackathon taking place March 7-9.
On March 5 North Island College’s Port Alberni campus is hosting CareerCentral LIVE 2025, an in-person job fair connecting their students with local employers.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) is recruiting volunteers to join the Beaver Creek Water Advisory Committee.
On March 23 the Alberni Valley Museum hosts “Into the Vault: Emily Carr” a behind-the-scenes look at iconic works of art from Emily Carr in the museum’s collection.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation’s Economic Development Team invites citizens to its upcoming Economic Development Plan Summit in Anacla at the House of Huu-ay-aht, January 24th.
The Alberni-Clayoquot regional District is partnering with Hupacasath First Nation and North Island College to present a Greenhouse Propagation & Production Course Feb 18 – Mar 27.
Fall 2025 registrations for North Island College’s (Port Alberni campus) Furniture Design and Joinery Program is open for applications.
CBC’s All Points West program is coming to Port Alberni’s Capitol Theatre to host an evening of conversation and live music featuring Tla-o-qui-aht musician Tsimka and DJ Michael Red.
The Alberni Valley Community Foundation’s Community Fund is open for applications from local registered charities.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Ruby Youngman from Royal LePage Parksville-Qualicum Beach Realty has been named the 2024 Royal LePage® Rookie of the Year™ in British Columbia and across the nation.
The newest addition to the Qualicum Beach dining community is Off the Hook Restaurant; located at the Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course. They are new to the area, but have perfected their craft of authentic Texas BBQ and seafood dishes, what with their 6 other locations in and around Vancouver Island, including a Grab-N-Go kitchen located in Parksville.
Cindy and Len Thomson‘s Bailey’s in the Village in downtown Qualicum Beach will close its doors for the last time on February 27.
The McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville will be hosting three new exhibitions starting on February 4th: Joyce Huson‘s Ancestral Impressions, Laurel Karjala‘s Seeking Space, and the Fibre Arts Network’s Resist exhibition.
The 21st Annual Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday is scheduled for February 1 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, located at 747 Jones St., Qualicum Beach.
On January 25th, the Oceanside Repair Cafe will be located at St. Stephen’s Church Hall, 150 Village Way.
An open house for the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region is scheduled for January 24, 2025, at the MABR Education Centre, 124 West 2nd Ave, Qualicum Beach.
The Town of Qualicum Beach and City of Parksville welcomed new physicians and nurse practitioners to their communities: Dr. Edward Aasman, Dr. Chandni Desai, Dr. Neil Ingram, Dr. Kendra Losch, Dr. Olajumoke Badmus Noorat, Dr. Robert Tremblay, NP Nadine Clark and NP Melanie Tait
Parksville Chamber welcomed new members: Musically Inclined Guitar Studio and Oceanside Chefs/LOAF by Oceanside Chefs.
NANAIMO
Captain Edward S. Dahlgren will return to the Port of Nanaimo for his tenure as Harbour Master, which will take effect immediately.
Maia Etheridge-Pedden is the December Employee of the Month at Woodgrove Chrysler.
TELUS Living Nanaimo has achieved Salmon-Safe certification.
Petroglyph Development Group Ltd. (PDG) has completed the previously announced acquisitions of Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria from Great Canadian Entertainment (Great Canadian Entertainment), marking historic transactions for both companies.
The city’s highest honour, the Freedom of the City, was presented to John Ruttan, the 24th mayor of Nanaimo, at a recent council meeting on January 20.
The Clean Energy Association of BC (CEBC) has announced that Stephen Rayner (n̓aasquʔisʔatḥ), previously the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, will take on the role of Interim Chair after Colleen Giroux-Schmidt‘s resignation from the position.
Lahal Management is seeking a dedicated and experienced professional to join our team as the Director of Compliance & Surveillance.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is holding Nanaimo Business Awards on May 15 at the Coast Bastion Hotel.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Robyn Grey, the superintendent of SD68, is back in the school district with the aim of advancing its ongoing progress.
The Arts Council of Ladysmith + District is set to conclude its current exhibition, Fibre & Clay, this month at the Ladysmith Gallery, located at 32 High St., running until Jan. 26.
The Ladysmith Spring Art Escape, which was previously known as the Spring Art Tour, is currently accepting applications from artists to participate until January 31.
Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member: Rotaflow Fire & Utility.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Jimmy Pattison, a prominent philanthropist in Canada, is collaborating with the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation on a campaign aimed at raising up to $10 million. Pattison will match funding contributions up to $5 million to acquire equipment for the new Cowichan District Hospital, currently under construction.
Mckayla Vancoughnett is now the new owner of Jac’s on Queens Sports Bar, located at 60 Queens Rd. in Duncan.
Brickitty-dooda is relocating to 303 Festubert St. since its Willow Street location at the Chemainus Public Market will close at the end of January.
Nominations for the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s Black Tie Awards will close on January 26. The 25th annual event is set for April 11 at the Chemainus Theatre.
The Cowichan Pet Emporium at 170 Cowichan Lake Rd. is partnering with non-profit Su Casa Rescue to feed animals in need. Anyone who no longer needs animal food can donate it to one of their bins.
The WorkBC Cowichan Valley Job Fair will take place on March 6th, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Cowichan Community Centre.
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