News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Dr. Serag Elhendy has joined the team at North Island Community Health Centre and will be working full-time beginning next month.
The KSM Skate Park in Port Hardy is now officially open.
The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Housing Society began construction on an Indigenous community housing project at 8925 Park Drive in Port Hardy on July 22. The project is subsidized and will cost $18.4 million.
Hotel 19, which was previously known as the North Shore Inn, has been entirely booked and has received a five-star review three days after its opening.
The first-ever Evening Street Market event is planned for August 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. along Market Street in downtown Port Hardy.
Dylan Shaw Excavating Ltd recently marked 13 years in business in Port Hardy.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Public art, programs in public spaces, and area-specific beautification projects have all received preliminary approval from the Campbell River City Council. The Downtown Business Improvement Association will get $17,566.06 from the program in 2025, while the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association and Willow Point Business Improvement Association will each receive $10,000 in matching funds.
Campbell River City Council heard a presentation on the Airport Fuel Systems Expansion and approved a budget increase of $170,000, with funding from the Airport and Financial Stabilization Reserves. This increased funding is required as the successful proposal from WS Nicholls Construction Group exceeds the current budget.
IWC Excavation won the contract for 25-52 RCMP Parking Lot Expansion and Upgade in the amount of $1,289,989. Work will include the expansion of the parking lot to the rear of the Police and Public Safety Building, installation of automatic entry gates and replacement of the current perimeter fence.
No Frills – Campbell River is looking to hire part-timers for their September opening.
Aquanauts Swim Academy has expanded and is now providing private and semi-private swim lessons at two indoor pool locations in Campbell River.
BC Chamber of Commerce announced its 2025–2026 Board of Directors led by Chair Chris Callanan:
Laura Thurnheer, MBA, CPHR, Vice Chair, Thompson/Okanagan
Julie Ziebart, Immediate Past Chair
Alexander Pietralla , Dipl.Ing., Director, Northwest BC
David MacKenzie, Director, Lower Mainland/Southwest
Nicole C., Director, Thompson/Okanagan
Ray Noonan, Director, Audit Committee Chair, Central BC
David van Deventer, Director, Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands
Prab Lashar, Director, Kootenays
Kerstin Renner, Director, Kootenays
Melinda F., Director-at-large
Kimberley Adkin, Chair, HR Committee
COMOX VALLEY
The Comox Valley Sport Centre is celebrating its 50th anniversary on September 6th.
Dawson Wallace Construction Ltd. was awarded the Crown Isle Shopping Centre – Building D project in Courtenay. With construction underway in this existing development, the project will bring an additional 6,468 SF of retail space including one restaurant tenant. The client is Crombie REIT Property Holdings Limited; the Prime Consultant: WA Architects Ltd., Civil: McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd.; Electrical: Nemetz (S/A) & Associates Ltd and Landscape: PMG Landscape Architects Ltd.
BC Transit will provide complimentary service on B.C. Day, August 4, 2025, allowing riders to navigate the community with ease.
The City is getting ready to transform an 11.8-acre parcel of riverside property near downtown into a nature park which was donated to the City of Courtenay and The Nature Trust of British Columbia in 2011 through Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program by the late Robert McPhee, who wished to see the site maintained as a public wetland park.
A $5,000 donation has been made to the Comox Valley Recovery Centre (CVRC) by Gee Gibson & Associates Private Wealth Management of IG Wealth Management. The CVRC has been a vital part of the region’s addiction recovery care system for almost fifty years.
Beaufort Ave Pub in Comox has officially launched their new website, featuring the latest event listings, food and drink specials, and all the live music happenings at this local pub. www.beaufortavenuepub.ca
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce will gather on July 31 at 5:30 p.m. to learn about the award-winning products that Natural Pastures Cheese Company produces in the downtown Courtenay. While networking with the local business community, explore the cheese shop’s diverse selection of products and gain insight into the cheesemaking process. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: www.comoxvalleychamber.com/events
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Jackie Hildering, a humpback researcher and co-founder of MERS, and the Marine Education and Research Society have recently launched a complimentary 90-minute online course on Whale Safe Boating. Hildering has been developing this course for nearly 15 years.
The Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members, Big Hens, Tofino Bitters, and FoxiPrint.
Earlier this year, The Tofino Wilderness Resort in Quait Bay, BC, was acquired by Ahousaht First Nation as part of their land reclamation and economic development efforts. 50th Parallel Public Relations was invited to work on a rebranding project to reflect this change as the resort reopens as Wahous Wilderness Lodge.
PORT ALBERNI
The Cabin at Shannon Farms has expanded its agri-tourism offerings by offering a genuine “farm to table” experience through summer culinary events.
The Foundry Port Alberni, a hub for youth services, is undergoing a transformation within the former Boys Project facility in Port Alberni.
The former San Group site on Stamp & Roger has been acquired by IGV Housing, which intends to construct a manufacturing facility for a hybrid housing model.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Robert De Clare
Robert de Clare has been appointed as Area Manager for E.B. Horsman & Son‘s branches in Duncan and Parksville, starting August 1st, 2025.
Mayor Doug O’Brien‘s resolution to instruct staff to assemble an amendment to the city’s fees and charging bylaw was unanimously approved by the Parksville council.
The town council of Qualicum Beach approved a motion to amend its approved 2025-2029 financial plan to incorporate the capital expenditures for the acquisition at a special meeting on July 23, which involved the allocation of funds for the purchase of the Eaglecrest Golf Course.
A conditional development permit was issued by the Qualicum Beach council for a property located on Fern Road. The property is zoned industrial, and the proposed use of the property is in accordance with the zoning requirements, and will serve as the location of a future car wash business in town.
As part of the city’s pilot initiative, the Parksville council has granted Realm Food Co a license of occupation for an additional downtown street patio.
The Qualicum Beach Civic Centre will serve as the venue for the Emergency Preparedness Expo, which is being organized by Emergency Management Oceanside on Saturday, September 6.
Garrdal by Steep Slope Solutions is growing, we welcome ABC Parksville to their list of dealers.
Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara has recently unveiled its new Garden Oasis, a stunning, nature-inspired retreat that seamlessly integrates wellness, water, and forest.
NANAIMO
Ishita Singh, PFP®, MBA, has joined the Dickinson Crossing Branch in Nanaimo as a member of BMO‘s “Team Vancouver Island” and SSG Financial Planning team.
Devon Properties is expanding its reliable property management and real estate services to Nanaimo.
A new Bartlett Tree Experts office will be opened in Nanaimo on October 1.
The Nanaimo Ultimate Association is expanding and is in search of dedicated, community-focused individuals to join its board.
During its meeting on Monday, July 21, the city council granted a development permit to Low Hammond Rowe Architects Inc., standing on behalf of Ballenas Housing Society, for the properties located at 55, 65, 69, and 73 Prideaux St.
The request from SitePath Consulting on behalf of Rogers Communications for a letter of land use concurrence to Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada to install a cell tower at 2517 Jingle Pot Road was approved by the Nanaimo city council during a meeting on Monday, July 21.
A $7-million grant is being requested by the District of Lantzville to construct a new fire hall on Clark Drive West.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce welcome its new members Flamez Chicken and Upsmash Media.
Alair Nanaimo has been nominated in Nanaimo’s Best of the City 2025.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Roberta Bowman
The Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada awarded Roberta Bowman, executive director of the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, the Accredited Chamber Executive designation.
The Ironworks Cafe and Creperie has been renamed Beans and Banter Cafe and Creperie by its new owner Karen Love, who has brought new flavours to the menu while preserving the old ones.
The grand opening of Red Barn Antiques Gallery at the former location of Highway Antique Emporium in Chemainus is scheduled for August 1.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Sarah Green has assumed ownership of Mill Bay Paint & Hardware.
Ally Easterbrook has resigned from the Downtown Duncan BIA, where she had been the creative director, to start Blacktail Creative, a graphic design firm.
On July 30, the Malahat Skywalk will host the opening event of the 2025 Cowichan Valley Wine Festival, which will span a month.
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