News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
Communities on North Vancouver Island will benefit from increased access to free education thanks to a recent grant from BHP. For the next three years, BHP will give Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society (MWFLS) $50,000 annually, for a total investment of $150,000.
Mamalilikulla First Nation is now a signatory to the Seaward-tlasta BC Timber Sales (BCTS) Business Area Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP #1000), and their licenses have been added to the South-Central Coast (SCC) Forest Development Unit (FDU).
Kwa-Wa-Aineuk Timber LP is soliciting public review and comment on the Forest Operations Map (FOM) for a 30-day period from March 19 to April 18, 2026.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Brett Hanson
Brett Hanson, the site superintendent of Silverside Pointe, received the Q4 2025 Golden Hammer Award from Seymour Pacific Developments for his exceptional leadership and performance.
Nancy Kolbeins, president of the Eagles #3097 Ladies Auxiliary, presents Carol Couture with a $2,500 cheque on behalf of the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association.
Poseidon Ocean Systems is in search of a Technical Procurement Specialist to support the procurement of engineered components, materials, and services for our marine technology initiatives.
Zoning changes for the downtown properties at 1302, 1342, 1352 Shoppers Row, and 1362 16th Avenue will be discussed by the Campbell River City Council during a committee meeting on March 24.
A tender for $5.78 million was approved by the Campbell River city council on March 12 to renew aging infrastructure as part of the Erickson Road Renewal project. The tender was awarded to Windley Contracting.
COMOX VALLEY
Anderton Nursery Ltd. is celebrating 30 years in business.
The Sid Williams Theatre will host this year’s Comox Valley International Film Festival from April 2–4.
The Comox Valley Neighbourhood Small Grant program applications is open until April 9.
The Town of Comox and Comox BIA announced that the gates to the Comox Marina main docks are now open to the public.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM BEACH
Paradise Fun Park will provide complimentary, limitless mini golf to guests of The Tide’s Inn.
Wiggles & Wags Dog Walking will be launching dog walking services & Pet Services starting in April, serving Qualicum Beach and Parksville.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce members are invited in the Business After Business event at Monteith Moving & Storage on March 19.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Humble Helpers Canada, NEWAY Traffic Management, and Synced-CFO.
PORT ALBERNI
Atwood Catering is celebrating their one year anniversary.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 293 in Port Alberni hosted a legion dinner and raised $17,000 for the 2026 Wounded Warriors BC Run.
A final Report highlighting the potential of the Alberni Valley rail corridor by the Working Group: the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Tseshaht First Nation, Hupačasath First Nation, and the City of Port Alberni has been released.
The CCGS Wilfred Laurier is currently docked until the end of April in Port Alberni for a refit.
Port Alberni Maritime Discovery Centre is hosting the Doug Harrison Exhibit.
China Creek Campground is hosting their opening weekend April 3 – 4.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
The Pacific Rim Arts Society is showcasing the works of numerous local artists at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet, as part of the Pacific Rim Whale Festival.
The 2026 Annual General Meeting for Tourism Tofino and the Tofino Chamber of Commerce is set for March 24 at the Tin Wis Resort, in the Wickaninnish Conference Hall.
NANAIMO
Shawna McPhillips
Shawna McPhillips is moving into a new role at Coastal Community as VP Strategic Initiatives & Transformation.
The nine-story, 172-room Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo hotel is now fully owned by Petroglyph Development Group.
Twin Cedars Veterinary Clinic is scheduled to close this summer due to the owner’s retirement.
The Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia announced that the upcoming Level 1 Bear Viewing Guide training course will be taking place on April 20–21, 2026 at the Nanaimo Museum.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Teo Counselling Services, Dave Hammond, and TrainingGlobally.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce‘s Annual General Meeting, will be held on April 1, 2026, at 1948 Bar & Bistro.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, Marmot Heating & Cooling and Hire IQ Consulting.
Godspell, the classic folk-rock hit from Wicked’s composer, Stephen Schwartz, will be on stage until March 29, and will be directed by John Michael Tebelak.
The Chemainus Theatre Festival Golf Tournament if happening on June 6, 2026, at Mount Brenton Golf Course, 2816 Henry Road in Chemainus.
COWICHAN VALLEY
The new Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Valley Hospital is now 75 percent complete, and is on schedule to open in 2027.
Mosaic Forest Management is advancing its plans to update its access program and has engaged RC Strategies and Legacy Tourism Group to enhance the system.
The ribbon cutting ceremony at École des Cascades: Une école publique Francophone on Sprott Road in North Cowichan took place on March 10.
Malahat Nation has teamed up with Ergo Eco Solutions to launch a new bio-based dust control product. This innovative solution can decrease water usage by as much as 99.5 per cent and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 98.5 per cent.
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