News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
The Kwakiutl First Nation is exploring opportunities in the composting sector and is considering the establishment of a composting facility. Megan Fee, Coordinator for the Nourish North Network/A’ek̓aḵilax̱a̱n’s Gukwalut, is collaborating with the Nation to develop a business plan and seek funding from the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET).
The Kwakwaka’wakw fashion show, taking place on March 12 at Port Hardy’s Fort Rupert Elementary School, will showcase both classic and modern attire.
Alert Bay 360 is scheduled to take place on August 2, during the BC Day long weekend.
CAMPMBELL RIVER
Foundation Rehab has relocated at 2780 S Island Hwy.
The major concrete pour for the building’s slab-on-grade foundation has now been accomplished, marking a key construction milestone for the Just Like Home Lodge housing project for health professionals in Campbell River.
Beginning on March 15, Revive Gear, Classy Katz, The Urbanary, New-2U Consignment, and Revival Vintage will join Sophie Lemieux of Sophie’s Boutique New and Consignment shop for a month-long Stamp Your Style passport shopping experience.
Local business owners are encouraged to apply to participate in The Rail Yard Market by the City of Campbell River.
Caremongering Campbell River, supported solely by private donations and fundraising efforts, celebrates six years of dedicated community care.
COMOX VALLEY
A new public park and green space has been acquired by the Town of Comox, with a concluded purchase agreement with the property owners at 1413 Balmoral Avenue. The park spans approximately 2.6 hectares.
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance for British Columbia, will be the featured speaker at a special 2026 Q1 Political Roundtable hosted by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce on March 19.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
Good Food Oceanside received a $20,000 award from 100+ Good Men of Oceanside during a meeting on March 4 that was sponsored by the Morningstar Gold Club, Isle Golf Cars, and the Motiontide Digital Agency. The next meeting of the 100+ Men of Oceanside will take place on June 3rd, starting at 7:00 PM at the Morningstar Golf Club, 525 Lowry’s Road, Parksville.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce will host its Business Excellence Awards Gala at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort on April 9, 2026.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members, CR Lawyers Parksville, Swayne Creek Ciderhouse, and Synced-CFO.
Registration has officially opened for the 27th annual Qualicum Beach Triathlon.
The Parksville Rotary Club has committed to using the March proceeds from their Rotary Bottle Drop at Speedy Glass to fund the trauma counselling for the locals in Tumbler Ridge.
PORT ALBERNI
Coast Animal Control Services is now serving Port Alberni.
Mobius Books is celebrating their 5th year anniversary.
Nook Baked Goods and Cheese Shop is celebrating their 3rd year anniversary.
Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bar – Port Alberni is celebrating their 4th year anniversary.
The City of Port Alberni has officially taken over the operations of Clutesi Haven Marina.
Arbutus RV is celebrating their 38th year anniversary.
Pacific Rim School District appoints Teri Fong new Secretary-Treasurer, effective mid-April.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District has released its draft financial plan for the next 5 years.
The Rotary Club of Port Alberni has donated $1,000 to Alberni Wrestling to assist the ADSS wrestling team with travel costs to attend the high school wrestling championships.
The City of Port Alberni is inviting residents to provide feedback on the next phase of the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) project.
NIC Fest returns to the Port Alberni campus on Thursday, March 26. The free, open-house-style event allows people to experience campus life directly, talk with faculty and staff about what is available or look first-hand at the opportunities NIC offers.
TOFINO-UCLUELET
Taking Flight: The Story of Tofino’s Airport, a new display at the Tofino Long Beach Airport, will honour “CYAZ’s” legacy, according to the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum.
The Pacific Rim Whale Festival marks its 38th anniversary.
Teri Fong, the former chief financial officer of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, will assume the position of secretary treasurer for the Pacific Rim School District.
NANAIMO
Geoff Scrase has joined West Coast Pre Fab Limited as the new Sales & Business Development Manager in Nanaimo.
Community Futures Central Island has released their most recent newsletter here.
Iain Morris Rankin will assume the role of Business Development Manager for the Atlantic Canada region at SEAMOR Marine Ltd. SEAMOR has announced that the next generation of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) will be unveiled at Oceanology International 2026 in London.
Low Hammond Rowe Architects has initiated construction on its most recent project in Nanaimo, 3425 Uplands Drive. This project, which is the second phase of an affordable housing project for the Nanaimo Association for Community Living, is funded by CMHC.
ReOptimize Ltd. is happy to announce the official start of construction at 1950 and 1960 Island Diesel Way in Nanaimo.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
Legacy Tourism Group and RC Strategies have been hired by Mosaic Forest Management as it moves forward with plans to update its access program.
Ladysmith Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition titled “From Crease to Canvas” featuring the artwork of legendary former NHL goaltender Richard Brodeur. The show will be on display from April 24th to May 3rd.
Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member Hire IQ Consulting, founded by Karen Borthistle.
COWICHAN VALLEY
Duncan’s All “N” All Mechanical Ltd. has acquired the OK Tire store location in Lake Cowichan.
Cowichan Links Bar & Grill, a brand-new restaurant, has just opened at the Cowichan Golf Club.
Cowichan Tribes is currently in search of experienced and community-minded leaders to serve as Board Directors for Quw’utsun Holdings General Partnership Ltd., the Master General Partner responsible for the Nation’s for-profit businesses.
Lake Occasion Rentals, owned by Alina Marie Godfroid, has officially opened its doors in the community, offering services for events such as birthdays, weddings, graduations, and parties.
Mosaic Forest Management is launching a pilot program on its private lands in the Koksilah watershed to explore new management strategies aimed at addressing ongoing issues in the area.
The 10th annual Dine & Sip Cowichan is currently underway, running from February 27th through March 22nd.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Leaders in Sustainability Awards by Call2Recycle Canada.
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