News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
Patricia Rusch is celebrating 20 years of service with the Sayward Fire & Rescue Department.
The Province, Island Health, and Mount Waddington Regional District have all pledged a total of $45 million to upgrade the Port Hardy Hospital.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Stonehouse Teas introduced SereniTEA, a new Signature Tea blend with proceeds supporting Upper Island Counselling (UIC), a local nonprofit that provides mental health and counselling services on upper Vancouver Island.
Windley Contracting was awarded a $5.78-million contract by the Campbell River city council to replace old infrastructure as part of the Erickson Road Renewal project.
The Campbell River council has approved a total of $250K upgrades at the Campbell River Airport. The departure lounge, arrivals façade, and parking lot will be upgraded to accommodate the anticipated increase in passenger traffic that will result from the introduction of WestJet’s seasonal service in the spring.
The largest independent owner, operator, and developer of shared wireless infrastructure in Canada, Terrion, just finished building a new cell tower that offers wireless service to the Village of Quinsam in the We Wai Kai Nation, the northwest Campbell River, and a section of the Inland Highway.
A Wingspan Tournament and fundraiser are being organized by Greenways Land Trust to commemorate the organization’s 30th anniversary at the end of March. The event features, 9 simultaneous games, bird-themed fun, and community prizes.
COMOX VALLEY
Stuart Albert, a McDonald’s owner/operator, is commemorating 15 years of service with McDonald’s Canada. This includes over a decade of service to the Comox Valley and Port Alberni communities.
The Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North is set to relocate its administrative office to the newly-renovated Coastal Community Credit Union building located at 291 4th St. in Courtenay on April 1.
From March 5th to June 4th, the Comox Valley Arts is hosting a series of rotating micro-exhibitions in the salon style showcasing the work of current CV/Arts members at Tin Town Café, a central location within the community.
The Comox Valley Airport celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
Extreme Eatz Restaurants Inc. has been chosen to run the Eaglecrest Golf Course restaurant and its operations.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members Arrowsmith Independent School Society, Sean McCaul P.R.E.C. , and All Canadian Maintenance Company Ltd.
Monteith Moving & Storage has moved to its new location at 979 Shearme Rd, Parksville.
PORT ALBERNI
Valley Fish and Chips is opening at their new location at Coombs Country Candy Retail Store.
Steampunk Café is celebrating their 6 year anniversary.
Scotia Bank made a donation of $6,100 to Sage Haven Society, raised through their annual Bake Sale.
The McLean Mill 10K – Supporting ADSS Athletics is taking place March 29.
Vape Alley has opened for business.
The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a Chamber Mixer and will co-host with the Community Arts Council the launch of the new Local Artisan Gift Shop at the Visitor Centre March 26.
Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program is hosting the annual Career Fair April 9 at Alberni Athletic Hall.
TOFINO-UCLUELET
Tofino Ucluelet Culinary Guild received the People’s Choice Award and Wickaninnish Inn won the Judge’s Choice Award in the Chowder Chow Down competition at the Ucluelet Community Centre on March 15.
The District of Tofino has chosen three locations—Kennedy Lake, the Lost Shoe Creek, and the Ahkmahksis reservoir on Meanes Island—to explore the possibility of constructing new water infrastructure or enhancing the current one in response to Tofino’s long-standing water scarcity problems.
The compensation for elected officials has been revised by the Ucluelet council, and the new remuneration will be implemented following the municipal election in October.
Tofino Photo Booth is now officially open.
NANAIMO
Sam Zeremariam celebrates his two-year work with Barkley Project Group Ltd.
Proposals are being sought from qualified firms for the design, manufacture, delivery, and installation of a new playground at Cedar Community Park. All submissions and inquiries should be directed to: Keona Wiley, Parks Planner.
The East Wellington-Pleasant Valley area of the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is seeking Statements of Qualifications from qualified and experienced firms to conduct a risk assessment and mapping of precipitous slopes and floodplains. Questions and submissions should be addressed to Stephen Boogaards, Senior Planner.
La Belle Vie Bed & Breakfast & Wellness celebrates its 9th year of service.
The Regional District of Nanaimo will move forward with its plans to give high school kids in Nanaimo-Ladysmith free public transit.
The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District has offered to fund concept and business development for a catheterization lab at NRGH, advancing the project but keeping it out of provincial finances.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
Registration is now open for the 17th Annual Golf Classic, the signature fundraising event hosted by the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
Two parcels of land in Duncan, at 261 and 265 Third St., are being considered for a 24-unit residential complex with six stories.
The $27.4 million supportive-housing facility on White Road in Duncan is set to open during the week of March 23.
Shane Ryan, a small company owner, is standing for Mill Bay/Malahat (Area A) on the Cowichan Valley Regional District board in the upcoming municipal election this fall.
The Centre for Health Design has chosen Quw’utsun Valley Hospital as the Gold Level winner of the 2026 Touchstone Award. The hospital is set to open in 2027.
The Overhang, the newest attraction at Malahat SkyWalk, is the only one of its kind in Canada and the world’s first enclosed glass cube coupled to a spiral tower. It will be unveiled during the Victoria Day long weekend in May.
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