News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
The Port Hardy Water treatment plant’s powerline needs repair, and the District of Port Hardy is seeking bids for the job. Tasks needed to be completed: The accompanying report titled “DOPH 25KV Distribution Line” details the necessary work. 1220-20-595-2025 RFQ Bid Document Distribution Line for Doph 25KV The District will accept proposals until the tender period ends, due on May 30, 2025.
Rumble Beach Gallery & Gifts, located on Marine Drive in Port Alice, close to Foggy Mountain Coffee Co. and Port Alice Pharmacy, opened its doors on May 9.
The Telegraph Cove is open for the 2025 season.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Discovery Passage Aquarium reopened on May 17th.
The $30-million Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Program of the New Relationship Trust will provide food security funding to three Indigenous initiatives in the Campbell River area: North Island Metis Association, We Wai Kai Nation, and Tiicma Fisheries.
Discovery Pier‘s southern section will reopen on May 24 after the City of Campbell River has extended the reopening date to late June.
COMOX VALLEY
Kent Jesse will take over as CEO of Coastal Community Credit Union on June 1.
The Comox Valley Chamber has recently announced its most recent partnership with the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA). As a result, the Chamber Members are now eligible for a 25 per cent discount on Island Good membership.
The government has allocated $75,000 to the perseverance watershed initiative, which will help the Village of Cumberland better understand the region’s water scarcity, drought, and flood problems by collecting hydrometric and soil data.
The Vintage Velvet concert is scheduled for May 29 at 40 Knots Winery in Comox.
Select Furniture is now open under new ownership.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Little Beach Resort Cottages is officially open for the 2025 season.
On May 24, the Ucluelet Aquarium will host a variety of family-friendly activities and hands-on learning opportunities to commemorate the conclusion of West Coast NEST‘s Biodiversity Discovery Days.
Workbc Centre Tofino office at 381 Main has reopened.
PORT ALBERNI
Tseshaht’s Linda Thomas is recognized for her contributions to the new book “She Means Business: Stories From Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs”. The book was a collaboration with the NACCA Role Model Campaign.
The Mid-Island Kidney Association recently donated $10,000 to Port Alberni’s Ty Watson Hospice.
Witch’s Brew Café & Bakeshop celebrated their one-year anniversary.
Quick & Slick Deliveries in Port Alberni is now open for business.
On behalf of Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, Port Alberni City Council proclaimed May 30, 2025, to June 6, 2025, as ‘Island Good Days’ in Port Alberni.
On behalf of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Port Alberni City Council proclaimed June 1, 2025, as ‘Wild Salmon Day’ in Port Alberni.
City of Port Alberni Council released notice of its intent to extend the Railway Operation and Maintenance Agreement with the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society and City of Port Alberni for a period of 5 years to include an annual City grant of $60,000 + CPI for the duration of the agreement for the cost of operating insurance and miscellaneous operating expenses.
City of Port Alberni Councillor Verbrugge will be attending the BC Community Forest Association 2025 Conference and AGM May 26-28, 2025, in Nanaimo.
The Mount Klitsa Garden Club recently celebrated its 70th anniversary.
The MV Frances Barkley is back in the water after 14 weeks in Point Hope Maritime Ltd. shipyard for a regular refit.
The annual Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation‘s annual career fair took place at Alberni Athletic Hall with displays from both local and Vancouver Island-based businesses.
The City of Port Alberni is seeking a new Director of Parks Recreation and Culture.
Mclean Mill National Historic Site operated by Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce, reopens May 16th.
The City of Port Alberni is installing a zipline at Roger Creek Park, opening in June.
Free consulting for businesses in Port Alberni, Bamfield, Tofino, Ucluelet available from Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot.
Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation is offering Basic Security Training in Port Alberni June 16-24.
New parking lot at Harbour Road and Argyle Street is now open for use. There are now six new parking stalls and one motorcycle stall available for use.
Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society has a refurbished passenger coach. Cloverdale Paint donated paint and supplies to repaint the floors in all the coaches, and Cokely Wire Rope Ltd performed the hydrostatic tests on all of the emptied fire extinguishers free of charge.
Alberni Pacific Railway – summer steam express. The No. 7 Steam Locomotive is back for the summer season. Steam runs on June 29 – July 1, July 19 – 20, August 2 – 4, and August 30-September 1.
Ez Vape Port Alberni had a mural completed by artist Danial Martens.
West Coast General Hospital Foundation hosted an appreciation event at Rim Rock Casino for their donors and partners. Dr. Wijay’s gave a presentation about the new MOLLI medical device the foundation will begin fundraising for to bring to West Coast General Hospital.
Westland Insurance recently donated $1000.00 to the Port Alberni Backpack Program.
The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce introduced its new Board of Directors for the upcoming term 2025-2026: Executive Officers: Chair: Christine Washington (Flandangles / Gibson’s); Vice-Chair: Angela Skaley (Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley); Second Vice-Chair: Abu Hasan Muhammed Jahangir (Agrohope Farms & Products Inc); Secretary: Katy Carlisle (SQSP Queen / Community Box) and Treasurer: Alexandra Ashwood (Wildflower Café). Directors: Dylan Ashwood – Wildflower Café; George Gorton – Grassroots Cafe Inc; Alaina Nadig – World Financial Group ; Thomas Senecal – Ramsay Lampman Rhodes; Erin Williams – West Coast General Hospital Foundation; Evan Jolicoeur – Full Circle Consultancy; Sarah Johnson – HFN Hospitality LP; Denay Piatka – Re/Max Mid-Island Realty and Pam Craig – Member at Large.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Liette Masse
Liette Masse has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce, effective Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Adam Elwakeel has joined the management team as General Manager at Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort in Parksville.
The Career Centre, an initiative of the Central Vancouver Island Job Opportunities Building Society (CVIJOBS), is pleased to announce its relocation, effective July 2, to the new commercial-residential West Wave building, located at #3 – 187 Bagshaw Street in Parksville. With upgraded technology, ample parking and a larger footprint, this intentionally designed and completely accessible space will support growth and a commitment to enhancing the job seeker and employer experience.
The Town of Qualicum Beach‘s tap water has won the “Best of the Best” title in the BC & Yukon Tap Water Taste Test.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce‘s Annual Joint Chamber Dinner Meeting will be on May 22 at The Beach Club Resort, sponsored by the Career Centre.
NANAIMO
Allison Schneider, Recreation Coordinator for Arenas at the City of Nanaimo, has received the 2025 Joyce Fordyce Facility Programming award from the Recreation Facilities Association of British Columbia (RFABC).
Lesley Anderson (she/her) joins Mosaic Earth Travel as a part-time Operations Manager and Guide for the summer season.
Herold Engineering Limited is now part of the Englobe family.
Seaside Smile Clinic is celebrating its 2nd year in Nanaimo.
BC Housing has submitted a rezoning and development permit application for the site at 1850 Boxwood Road, paving the way for around 20 complex-care homes to be established in Nanaimo.
LIDA Construction is a finalist in 14 categories for the 2025 Vancouver Island Building Industry (VIBI) Awards.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce honours the following businesses and individuals at this year’s Nanaimo Business Awards:
- Community Builder of the Year – Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation
- Creative Services – Pye Design
- Diversity & Inclusion – Nanaimo Child Development Centre Society
- Downtown Business Impact – Black Rabbit Kitchen
- Family First – Nanaimo Community Hospice Society
- Financial Services – Community Futures Central Island
- Food & Beverage – Red’s Bakery
- Health & Wellness – Sea Wolves Men’s Cancer Pack
- Innovation – VEGAIN Nutrition Inc
- Major Employer – 100+ Employees – Mid Island Co-op
- Micro & Home-Based – Aligned Kitchen and Cabinets
- New Business of the Year – Kinsu Chocolates
- Not-For-Profit – Island Crisis Care Society
- Personal & Aesthetic Services – Candice Deanna | Makeup | Hair | Photography
- Property Developer – Gulf Island Builds
- Retailer – Red Shelf Decor
- Small & Medium Business – Berwick on the Lake
- Trades & Skilled Labour – ServiceXCEL
- Young Entrepreneur – Precise Mechanical Repair
- Women in Business – Jennifer Hufnagel – Hufnagel Consulting
- People’s Choice – Purple Cactus
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Bryan Webber will begin his new role at Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS) as Executive Director of Executive Education, Continuing Studies, and Professional Development.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Island Beachcomber Hot Tubs owned by Brian Martin, recently opened in Duncan’s Village Green Mall at 14-180 Central Rd.
The Cowichan District Hospital, which is currently under construction on Bell McKinnon Road, is expected to be operational by 2027.
The Westfalian Bakery at the end of Kenneth Street in downtown Duncan is currently closed.
This year, five Tim Hortons stores in the Cowichan Valley were part of the annual fundraising that helped Tim Hortons earn a record-breaking $22.6 million. The campaign was held at locations throughout Canada and included the sale of Smile Cookies.
“Torn Canvas: Art and Times of Zeljko Kujundzic” is an exhibition that will be on display at the Cowichan Public Art Gallery from June 12 to August 23, 2025. The exhibition will commemorate the extraordinary life and work of one of the most influential yet under-appreciated artists in British Columbia.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE
