News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
K’odi Nelson, Chief ‘Maxwayalidzi of Alert Bay, has been granted the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
The 14th annual Port McNeill Logger Sports competition will take place on May 31st at Broughton Boulevard Waterfront.
First Class Facilities is increasing its fleet to address the rising need for flushing restroom trailers at job sites across BC.
The Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce is in the top ten of the fastest growing Chambers in Canada.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Dr. Pablo Mejia-Herrera
NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc. has announced the appointment of Dr. Pablo Mejia-Herrera as Vice President of Exploration. On March 27th, Northisle will present their work at the GCFF Virtual 2025 Gold Explorer Conference, where top industry leaders, investors, and experts will discuss the future of gold exploration and investment.
Revive Gear, a new outdoor sports store has opened in Campbell River at Unit E 2204 S Island Highway.
The North Island Outdoor Adventure Show is set for April 12 and 13 at the Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex.
The 2025 Federal Election All Candidate Debate will be held at the Tidemark Theatre on April 6th at 6:30 pm, sponsored by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board.
Oceanfix.ca Dive Centre is hosting the PADI Rescue Diver course on March 28 and 31, 2025.
COMOX VALLEY
Thomas MacGregor
Thomas MacGregor, CPA, is set to join the BDC Island team on April 1st.
Julie Keumbehdjian celebrates one year work anniversary at Uniglobe Carefree Travel.
BC Food & Beverage welcomes its new community member, Smith Lake Farm, a 90-acre award-winning lakefront property in Comox Valley
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) hosted a significant plaque reveal and acknowledgement ceremony on Thursday, March 20, to commemorate the donation of 4.5 acres to Maris Nature Park in Electoral Area C.
Jackson and Associates Valuation and Consulting celebrates 45 years in business and 25 years as a family owned business. The offer everthing from residential and commercial appraisals to depreciation reports for strata corporations.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
The Alberni Valley, Ucluelet, and Tofino-Long Beach Chambers of Commerce are releasing the Highway 4 Disruption and Resiliency Solutions Report, an analysis of the economic and community impacts of Highway 4 closures as a result of the Cameron Bluff’s Wildfire in 2023. The report outlines actionable solutions to strengthen regional resilience, ensuring long-term stability for businesses, residents, and visitors.
The deadline for early registration for the Indigenous Tourism Conference is March 31. The event is scheduled for April 28-30 in Ucluelet.
Green Land Projects Inc joins the Tofino Chamber.
PORT ALBERNI
Amix Marine Group has acquired a large waterfront property in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, allowing it to build a marine terminal that meets the company’s current needs and opens doors for a bright future for the company and community.
North Island College and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council recently partnered to offer students a field school trip to Hawaii’s University of Hawai’i Maui College to learn about Indigenous education and culture. The field school was developed in collaboration with Vancouver Island University’s education program.
Pacific Seafood is moving into Berth 1 at the Port Alberni Port Authority.
A new Co-op Cardlock is under construction next to the Co-op fuel station on Johnston Road.
Five Acre Productions is now offering KCC Venue Rentals.
The Alberni Valley Tyee Club donated $12,000 to the Alberni Valley Enhancement Society to help with equipment for the McLean Mill fish hatchery operations.
Port Alberni’s Buy-Low Foods was awarded the 2024 Small Format Store Leader of the Year award from Pattison Food Group.
West Coast General Hospital Foundation has donated $90,000 to the hospital for the purchase of a new Mammotome for the operating room. This biopsy device allows for earlier detection of cancers.
The Bamfield Society has begun work on the Bamfield Majestic Old Growth Trail. Island Coastal Economic Trust provided $50,000 towards work in the initial phase of the trail. The project will establish an accessible pathway to ancient forests, connect visitors to nature, and advancing cultural and economic development in the area.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation citizen Larry Johnson is on B.C. Premier David Eby’s new task force that focuses on provincial food supply and food economy. The task force was formed in mid-February and is chaired by leadership from the BC Agriculture Council with 15 representatives from across the province’s agriculture and food sector.
The Province of BC has invited residents of Port Alberni and surrounding areas to review online materials regarding the new Intersection Improvements at Highway 4 and Beaver Creek Road. Benefits of the roadway redesign include improved traffic flow, reduced congestion, and enhanced safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation has posted a number of career opportunities.
Coulson Aviation staff recently completed helicopter training, covering everything from avionics to hands-on scenario drills.
The 2025 Local offers Book promoting Alberni Valley businesses is available at Mobius Books / Nook Bakery, Santosha Spa, Riverbend Cafe, The Community Arts Council, The Salty Woodsman, Literacy Alberni, Alberni Colour Corner, the Port Alberni Visitors Centre / Alberni Valley Chamber of Chamber of Commerce, Flandangles, Alport Insurance, Bombers Cafe, Animal Ark and Treadsetter Shoes. The book was published by Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce and Vibe Media Group.
Applications are open for North Island College’s Furniture Design and Joinery program in Port Alberni.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce is set to hold its Annual General Meeting on April 17, at 7:30 a.m. at Morningstar Golf Club.
The Foam Guy store in Nanaimo has closed as of March 23rd and will reopen on April 2nd at its new address: #8 – 1343 Alberni Hwy, Parksville.
Annual Community Foundation Grants of up to $4,000 are available through the Parksville Qualicum Community Foundation‘s open application until April 30th.
The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region will host the 2025 Brant Wildlife Festival from Friday, April 4th to Monday, April 7th.
The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce will host its Business after Business event on April 3rd at Off the Hook. The Chamber is also hosting a Hiring Fair on April 11th at the Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 49, located at 146 Hirst Avenue, Parksville.
The Parksville Chamber welcomes new member: Parksville Autopro & Tire.
The Province recently announced that 111 spaces are now $10 a day childcare spaces at the Parksville Child and Family Centre, operated by BCG Central Vancouver Island.
NANAIMO
The Regional District of Nanaimo approved price increases for some fare items on the Transit System and the interregional Nanaimo Cowichan Express (NCX) route effective April 1, 2025.
Butterfly Run BC has rebranded to Butterfly Support Network, an expanded hub for: Support groups & Counselling services, Care cards & Bereavement Boxes, and Community events.
B.C. Emergency Health Services marks its 50th anniversary.
Nanaimo is reviewing proposals for a 102-unit multi-family development at 3400 Barrington Rd, designed by architect Paul Koopman of DHK Architects.
Tourism Nanaimo love to host you at their 2nd Outside the Box BC Hosted Luncheon at Glowbal Restaurant, downtown Vancouver on April 2nd, 2025.
The Cotton Club Restaurant at the Cottonwood Golf Course will be reopen on April 4th for the season.
Adora Nails and Spa is celebrating one year anniversary.
The Nanaimo Ultimate Association announced its partnership with Wildewood Health.
The nomination committee for the BC 55+ Games, headed by President Diana Johnstone and Vice-President Mary Smith, has announced the appointment of 11 individuals to the Board of Directors for the upcoming 55+ BC Games in Nanaimo. The appointed directors are: ▪ Director of Administration: Adrien Stewart; Director of Culture & Events: Leon Potter; Director of Friends of the Games: Corry Gervais; Director of Medical Services: Dr. Abe Avender; Director of Promotions: Jenn Houtby Ferguson; Director of Protocol: Sophia Maher; Director of Sport: Liz Williams; Director of Tech Services: Gord Robinson; Director of Transportation: Jim Turley; Director of Venue Operations: April Gale-Seixeiro and Director of Volunteer & Participant Services: Karen Hunter.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The first Ladysmith Cinnamon Bun Challenge has raised over $12,000 for the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association Food Bank.
Demand at the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank has increased by a record 60 per cent.
The Crofton Outdoor Pool will remain open this summer despite planned infrastructure repairs, according to the North Cowichan council.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Marc Stoiber of Victoria is assisting COREO, a carpooling startup, in setting up trials at UVic and other Canadian universities.
The sole radio station in Cowichan, Sun FM 89.7, has been recognized as the first-ever Community Builder Award recipient from the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.
A total of $12,300 has been raised by the newly established 100 People Who Care Cowichan group for the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation. In a significant move, Jimmy Pattison has pledged to match all donations up to $5 million for the fundraiser. This means that the contributions from 100 People Who Care Cowichan will effectively double, reaching a total of $24,600.
Malahat SkyWalk is offering free entrance to children and youth with one adult ticket from March 15 to 30.
Contract work for FortisBC‘s GasAMI Project has been provided by Khowutzun Development Corporation, the economic arm of the Cowichan Tribes, in partnership with EMB Management Ltd.
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