News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
The Port Hardy Civic Center will host Culture and Creativity Days on February 22nd, organized by the Immigrant Welcome Center and the Welcoming Communities Coalition.
The Town of Port McNeill celebrates their 60th birthday!
A tender package is available on BC Bids for civil, mechanical and electrical work related to a new sanitary lift station and force main, located at 390 Poplar Street – The Cabins at Alert Bay, in Alert Bay, BC. The project is overseen by the ’Na̱mg̱is Business Development Corporation (NBDC).
A brand-new studio space opened in Port Hardy, called The Cove Studio.
An important step in resuming emergency services following almost three years without overnight hospital coverage was the January 15 opening Columbia Court, a new housing complex in Port Hardy designed to draw medical professionals to the North Island.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Govinda Advani
Govinda Advani has been named Ocean Pacific Marine Store & Boatyard’s incoming Chief Executive Officer.
Campbell River Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members: Nine Peaks Tree Care and Vancouver Island Labour Services Inc.
The Naturally Pacific Resort in Campbell River has received AAA Four Diamonds.
The Pacific Ocean Discovery Station (PODS), a cutting-edge marine research, education, and tourism facility, is one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to a $300,000 investment from the Trust’s Capital & Innovation funding program.
The Campbell River Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Grants. Funding is available to support projects that enrich our community, from arts and culture to environment and social services. Application window: January 15 – February 15, 2026
COMOX VALLEY
Coastal Community Private Wealth Group is pleased to have sponsored the Mount Washington Freestyle Ski Club in Comox Valley for three years.
The Town of Comox has approved the submission of Class A cost estimates for the fire hall upgrades and will approve construction if the estimates fall within budget. The estimated project cost is approximately $6.1 million, with a total of $7 million including contingency. The cost will be shared between the Town of Comox (two-thirds) and the Comox Fire Protection Improvement District (one-third). Additional funding sources include Development Cost Charges and a $50,000 commitment from the Comox Fire Association for furnishings.
A regional chapter of BC + AI Ecosystem, a human-centered dialogue on AI that affects education, community, authenticity, and society overall, is being launched.
The Town of Comox celebrated their 80th anniversary on January 14th.
The Comox Valley Women’s Business Network and the Women’s Enterprise of BC (WeBC) are hosting an event on March 4th at the Sid Williams Theatre.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
Peter van Dongen
Charlene Smith and Peter van Dongen are the two keynote speakers joining the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce for the Welcome Back & Chamber Appreciation Dinner, on January 29, at the Bradley Centre.
The Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Spas for 2025 by Spas of America.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, It’s Nat-cho Ice Cream and Berwick Parksville.
PORT ALBERNI
The three-story former post office building at 4835 Argyle St., across from City Hall, is being purchased by the City of Port Alberni for $3.4 million with the intention of using it for more permanent office space.
Mudge Barber & Tattoo Co. has extended their hours and is now open 7 days a week.
Witch’s Brew Café 7 Bakeshop has reopened after a period of closure for renovations.
Port Alberni Marine Fuels and Services Ltd has rebranded and is now operating as Orca Marine Fuel and Supply.
Together with the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society and the Alberni Valley Healthcare Fund Society, Community Futures is leading the proposed development of Port Alberni’s “Campus of Care”. They will be hosting a community information session on the ‘Campus of Care’ Facilities, Feb 8 at Capitol Theatre.
Alberni Valley Food Security Society have extended the submission deadline for the Farm–Fish–Forage Directory to February 20.
The City of Port Alberni has purchased 4835 Argyle Street for expanded administrative use.
The Riverbend Café is temporary closing for maintenance and renovations Feb 2 – March 2.
Capelli Hair Design is celebrating their 46th anniversary.
Parks crew from the City of Port Alberni will be replacing the 15th Avenue bridge on Maquinna Trail on Tuesday, January 27.
The Fenton Group has rebranded and is now operating as Loyal Homes – Vancouver Island Real Estate.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
The Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes Pacific Rim Gymnastics as its newest member.
VI Power Guard has officially opened, servicing Vancouver Island, from Mill Bay to Campbell River, including Port Alberni, Tofino, Bamfield, and surrounding areas.
NANAIMO
The City of Nanaimo has been named among Canada’s top cities for quality of life.
The foodservice contract for “Taste the Beautiful Game – BC Style,” which will take place during the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026TM in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, has been formally secured by the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA).
West Coast Pre Fab is participating in the Nanaimo Cancer Centre project, supplying structural steel fabrication and installation services.
Members are invited to a Leadership Series Luncheon with Tamara Kronis on February 19 at the Nanaimo Golf Club by the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.
The Nanaimo Regional General Hospital will house the first Senior Friendly Emergency Unit in British Columbia, which is entirely funded by the money earned during the winter campaign of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.
The City of Nanaimo has been named among Canada’s top cities for quality of life.
Maid By The Sea, a locally owned and operated cleaning company, has launched its services in Nanaimo.
The Spud Barn is celebrating its 1-year anniversary.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
The Chemainus sawmill will be closed for the remainder of 2026, and Western Forest Products will be reducing the operations of the mills in Ladysmith and Saltair for a minimum of two weeks.
Crafty Chick has moved to its new location at 9772 Willow Street, Chemainus.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
Silken Laumann
Silken Laumann and Wayne Pommen have each personally committed $100,000 to support the development of the NTC in North Cowichan, cementing a strong and lasting home for Canadian rowing. Their commitment includes matching contributions up to $200,000 in total.
The 26th Annual Seedy Saturday, scheduled for March 21, is now accepting vendors at the Cobble Hill Farmers Institute.
The North Cowichan Council overwhelmingly approved the third reading of a plan for a cannabis production facility at 3925 Cowichan Lake Road during a meeting on January 21.
The Machine Shop, a historic waterfront structure that is a part of the Arts and Heritage Hub, has two rooms that the Town of Ladysmith is asking the public to offer names for.
EXIN Custom Detailing has a new shop at 3012 Boys Rd unit 3 Duncan.
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