News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
The District of Port Hardy is currently accepting expressions of interest from individuals or businesses who are interested in the installation and operation of a vending machine at Port Hardy Recreation, located at 7400 Columbia Street. Deadline for submission is on June 27, 2025.
The Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce will host the Regional Business Dinner, sponsored by the North Island College, on June 24th at the Seven Hills Golf and Country Club.
The Ministry of Housing has announced its 2025 Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking innovative housing solutions. The North Island Seniors Housing Foundation is developing a comprehensive prospectus and proposal for BC Housing to address the pressing housing needs of seniors and elders in the community. This initiative is supported by the development team at K’awat’si Management and Consultant Company.
The Virtual On-Demand Urgent Psychiatry service, launched by Island Health, is intended to improve timely access to mental health care by providing adult emergency patients in five rural and remote community hospitals with secure virtual technology for psychiatric consultation on the weekends and in the evenings.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Chris Callanan
Chris Callanan, Regional Manager of Employer Services at the North Island Employment Foundations Society (NIEFS), has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Directors for the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) of British Columbia has granted funding to the Sayward Futures Society to support the rehabilitation of Kelsey Bay Wharf.
Angler Adventures, a new fishing charter service located in Campbell River, is now booking for 2025.
The Campbell River Seniors Centre Society is holding a garage sale at 1434 Ironwood Street in the Commons Mall, adjacent to Thrifty Foods, on June 13 & 14.
Burnin’ Stuff Meals & More has officially opened in Campbell River at 871 13th Ave.
The Centennial Outdoor Pool in Campbell River is now open.
COMOX VALLEY
Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracey Clarke has been re-elected to the Canadian Chamber Executives of BC Board of Directors. The provincial board includes Chamber Executives from around the province including Island representation from Ladysmith Chamber E.D. Roberta Bowman, Westshore Chamber E.D. Julie Lawlor, and Sooke Chamber E.D. Deb Schenk.
A contract for the Town of Comox‘s firehall upgrade has been awarded to local firm MacDonald Hagarty Architects, who will prepare the schematic designs. The design work is expected to be completed by fall of 2025. The focus will be on replacing the 4,200 square-foot office wing with a new three-storey, 10,000 square-foot facility.
The Comox Valley Chamber is hosting webinar ‘Introduction to Procurement Assistance Canada‘ on Wednesday June 18th from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. During this webinar, Procurement Assistance Canada will help you explore the possibilities so you can decide if selling to the Government of Canada is appropriate for you. Registration required.
K’ómoks First Nation’s Nation Indigenous People Day activities are scheduled for June 21 at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds.
Comox will be holding an open house on June 24 to discuss the update to the Official Community Plan. The town is inviting community members to attend.
Select Furniture is now under new ownership.
The City of Courtenay has now mobilized crews to begin demolition of three vacant buildings on Anderton Avenue, the former Anderton Arms apartment, Cona Hostel and Bridge Lounge. The contract for demolition has been awarded to Milner Group.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
‘Everything Through Natural Law,’ a striking new window art piece currently on display at the Tourism Tofino Visitor Centre, has been released by Marika Swan from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations area on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – British Columbia (ACEC-BC) has nominated NAC, the general contractor on the recently completed Tofino Wastewater Treatment Plant and Conveyance System, for an Award of Excellence.
Tofino Finishing and Ahousaht Beaded Earrings have joined the Tofino Chamber of Commerce.
PORT ALBERNI
Port Posh Wash is under new ownership: Jessica and Tyler Horvath have purchased the business.
Bowerman Construction has completed work on the Kitsuksis Road Mainline project.
The “Waterfront Express” tourist train is back for summer, running weekends in June and September, and three days a week in July and August.
Funtastic Sports Society returns with the 35th Okee Dokee Tournament and Music Festival, June 28–30 at Bob Dailey Stadium.
A new zipline at Roger Creek Park, donated by the Alberni Valley Lions Club, is now open.
Summer Kick-Off, hosted by the City of Port Alberni, takes place June 20 at Bob Dailey Stadium.
The Port Alberni Port Authority will host Port Day on June 14 at Water Street Docks.
Port Alberni Family Guidance Association has secured $40,000 to expand counselling services.
Mane Street Barbershop has opened at 4933 Johnston Road.
Brittany Morgan RMT is now open in South Port.
Inclusive Play PA Society received over $7,000 in donations from local supporters including Tylers No Frills, AV Financial, Dave Ralla, Domtar and TD Bank, towards funding an accessible playground.
Alberni Co-op Equity Days will be celebrated June 17–18.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program is offering a Serving It Right course on July 2. Registration is open.
Cherry Creek firefighters FF Larissa McGillawee and FF Steph Maciol have completed their Exterior Attack Firefighter and Team Lead certifications.
The Alberni District Historical Society marks its 60th anniversary with an open house at Echo Centre on June 12.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
The Haven Society, which offers support and services to ensure the safety and integrity of women, families, and individuals who have been affected by violence and abuse, received $17,000 from the 100 Men of Oceanside at its second quarterly meeting of 2025. The event was sponsored by Isle Golf Cars, the Morningstar Golf Club and Motiontide Digital Agency. This $17,000 donation, which was made on June 4, 2025, will help the Haven Society sustain their program space in Oceanside and the operation of its 24/7 Crisis Line (250-756-0616 or Toll Free 1-888-756-0616).
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) announced the completion of the construction of the new Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department (DVFD) Fire Hall. The RDN and DVFD collaborated to create the new fire hall design, which adheres to current seismic and construction codes and offers an enhanced layout for equipment maintenance and training.
The city received an application for a zoning changes from technical consultant Nick Green and property owner Stephane Picard of Picard Enterprises Ltd. for a four-story mixed-use building that might include a dental clinic or medical office at 423 Alberni Hwy.
The new fire hall for the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department has been completed, according to the Regional District of Nanaimo. It was the result of a partnership between the RDN and DVFD and satisfies modern building and seismic codes while offering a better layout for equipment maintenance and training.
An outdoor patio, proposed by the Parksville Curling Club and to be constructed adjacent to the building’s south entrance, has been submitted to the city for approval.
Ivy League Chiropractic, run by Dr. Emily Roback, has just moved to 103–164 Alberni Hwy., in downtown Parksville.
NANAIMO
Dr. Dennis Johnson
Dr. Dennis Johnson has been appointed as the interim president and vice-chancellor of Vancouver Island University, with effect from June 16, 2025, for a maximum of two years.
Jennifer Hufnagel of Hufnagel Consulting has been announced winner of the Women in Business Award at the 2025 Nanaimo Business Awards.
Community Futures Central Island is proud to be awarded the Financial Services Award at the Nanaimo Business Award 2025.
BC Transit and its local government partners mark the 35th anniversary of the GradPASS program, popular for graduating high school students.
The China Merchants Industry (CMI) Weihai Shipyards has been selected by BC Ferries to construct four new ships after a worldwide procurement process that included a public request for proposals, thorough bid reviews, foreign site visits, and independent third-party reference checks.
The Indigo Foundation, which seeks to provide books to Canadian students, has selected Upland Park Elementary School‘s library to receive $30,000.
The Sandstone project, a 10-lot industrial subdivision south of Duke Point Highway, is being applied for by Seacliff Properties. It will be a new economic and employment centre with a variety of housing alternatives, parks, and open spaces, as well as retail services and commercial/office spaces and amenities.
The Dufferin Place long-term care facility received a “miracle bus” from the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation as part of its fundraising campaign.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Mack Wander and his brother have acquired the Big O Tire store in Ladysmith from longtime owner and community supporter, Tim Mitton, who is retiring.
The First Nation community of Ts’uubaa-asatx will be able to construct a new reservoir with the help of $6.2 million allocated by Indigenous Services Canada.
Bound to Be Fashion & Gifts, owned by Amy Hughes, has reopened at a new location in Chemainus.
The former E&N rail station, which will house the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor’s Information Station, will be renovated and revitalized through a $1 million grant from the provincial government to the Island Corridor.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
David Van Deventer
David Van Deventer has been acclaimed as the Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands representative on the BC Chamber Board of Directors.
Holcim has taken over The Langley Concrete Group of Companies, a prominent supplier of precast solutions employing 180 people. The acquisition includes two advanced production facilities located in Chilliwack and Duncan.
Red Arrow Brewing is celebrating their 10th anniversary on June 14th with local live music.
To handle all of North Cowichan’s emergency communications, the town has inked a $884,000 yearly deal with E-Comm 911, a police dispatch provider.
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association has chosen Dr. Al Longair, a former employee of Duncan’s Prevost Veterinary Clinic, as its 2025 Distinguished Member Award recipient.
The Cobble Hill Winery will host the return of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce‘s “Wine Down Wednesday” on June 25.
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members: Microtel Inn & Suites Oyster Bay, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, Sipu to Stalo Consulting, Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, Abbeyfield Houses Society of Duncan and Forge Technical Solutions.
Westfalian Bakery Cafe will open again on June 13th.
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