News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
The Scarlet Ibis Pub in Holberg, which connects Port Hardy to Cape Scott Provincial Park and has served as a landmark for nearly 50 years, has been listed for $889,000.
Megan Fee was chosen to serve as the A’ek̓aḵilax̱a̱n’s Gukwalut: Coordinator of the Nourish North Network, formerly also referred to as the Mount Waddington Food Hub.
A Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) grant has been applied for by the Village of Port Alice in order to finance the hiring of an economic development officer.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Nufloors Campbell River now officially open at 1931 Island Highway.
Aurum Fenestration is collaborating with Heatherbrae Builders and HCMA Architecture + Design on the Strathcona Gardens REC-REATE Aquatic Centre project in Campbell River.
The independent optometrist in Campbell River’s Specsavers Tyee Plaza is seeking an associate optometrist to join their expanding team.
Amanda Rentiers Photography is celebrating 10 years in business.
Steve Sierzputowski is recognized by the Strathcona Regional District for his outstanding 40 years of dedicated volunteer service with Campbell River Search & Rescue (CRSAR).
COMOX VALLEY
Old House Notary is expanding its services with the opening of a second location in Courtenay, introducing the new Oceanside Office. Dale Roberts will lead this branch, offering clients greater flexibility with appointment times — including evenings and weekends upon request.
The public has been informed by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) that work on the Mount Washington Fire Hall is scheduled to start in the early spring of 2026.
Edible Island Whole Foods Market is celebrating its 45th anniversary.
Online appointments are now available through the Planning and Development Services department of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD).
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM BEACH
Patrick McClary has been appointed as Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort‘s new general manager, effective November 3, 2025, by True Key Hotels & Resorts.
Charlene Smith has been appointed as the Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation’s (PQCF) first Executive Director, marking an important milestone in the organization’s 26-year history.
The Christopher Foundation has been recognized as the donor that contributed $2.13 million towards the purchase of Eaglecrest, according to the Town of Qualicum Beach.
PORT ALBERNI
The Madman’s Wife will be reopening after a four month closure due to fire on Nov 20.
Tim Hortons at 10th and Redford has reopened after undergoing renovations.
Spotless Sparkle Cleaning Co. has opened for Business.
Cloud Nine Collective Wellness Spa is celebrating 5 years at their current location on Johnston Road.
Turn of the Tides, Thrift Store and Curated goods is opening on 3rd Avenue.
Creekers Pub Port Alberni is under new ownership and management, with extended hours.
Louizandre Dauphin has been named the new director of parks, recreation, and culture for the City of Port Alberni.
Tseshaht First Nation has secured limited funds to improve the saaʔaḥi (Papermill Dam) Park and is looking for community feedback/engagement.
The North Island College Foundation has announced it’s launching the Future 50 Legacy Match campaign, which is a six-month initiative with a two-fold impact. Legacy gifts will create opportunities for future generations of North Island College students. At the same time, matching funds will support those enrolled today.
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley and the City of Port Alberni announced the merging of the Harbour Quay Light-Up and the great Sail Past. The event takes place Nov 28.
BC Hydro has opened a new electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in Port Alberni with eight new charging ports. The site is located in the parking lot at Save-on-Foods at 3756 10th Avenue.
Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses has partnered with Nova Harvest and invested in new equipment to help process aquaculture products within the region.
Uchucklesaht Tribe Government is collaborating with Port Alberni-based Forest For Dinner, to bring sweet gale seeds – a unique, sustainably harvested product – from the Uchucklesaht Territory to the marketplace.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
Nominations are officially open from now until November 30 for the Tofino Chamber of Commerce‘s Business Excellence Awards.
The Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new member, Lara Palmer Creative.
The Tofino Adventure Film Festival is coming to the Ucluelet Community Centre Hall for the Best of the Fest show on Nov. 22.
NANAIMO
Matthew Sherlaw has joined the D. Fritz Appraisals team in Nanaimo.
Vanessa Craig, Chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), has resigned and has nominated Stuart Mclean as her successor.
The Tula Foundation is hosting the British Columbia Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Action Forum, which will take place at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo on March 3, 2026.
The City of Nanaimo has received the BC Municipal Safety Association’s 2025 Safety Improvement Award.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
Mizu Real Fruit Ice Cream the new Country Grocer locations at 83 Lake Cowichan Rd and in Cobble Hill at #33 – 1400 Cowichan Bay Road.
The Great Canadian Dollar Store at the Chemainus Village Square announced the it will be closing its doors permanently on January 1, 2026.
Citizen Design Build and the Halalt First Nation in the Cowichan-Chemainus area of Vancouver Island have collaborated on a creative collaborative training and development initiative. SkilledTradesBC is funding the training seats for this Community-Based Training project, while the Construction Foundation of BC is arranging funding and offering administrative support.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
Ed’s CoffeeHouse received the Business of the Year award at the Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Business and Community Awards.
The Flower Guys, owned by Scott Hayes and Kenyon Fairs, has officially opened at 121 Station Street.
RE/MAX Generation proudly recognizes its Top Producers for October 2025 including: Sandy Stinson, Michael Pickard, Jennifer Allen, Denise Perrin, and Katherine McCammy.
The about $1.5 billion hospital being built on Bell McKinnon Road in the Cowichan Valley is now referred to as Quw’utsun Valley Hospital (Quw’utsun Hulitun-ew’t-hw). North Cowichan council plans to use the Cowichan District Hospital for addiction treatment and rehabilitation after the new CDH opens on Bell McKinnon Road in 2027.
The annual Christmas Kick-Off in downtown Duncan takes place on November 21 in City Square, Friendship Square, and other downtown areas.
The Duncan Cowichan Duncan Chamber of Commerce will hold its AGM on November 25 at the Cowichan Golf Club.
Unsworth Vineyards will be holding its Holiday Open House on the weekend of November 29th and 30th.
Kate Segall, the elected representative for Mill Bay/Malahat within the Cowichan Valley Regional District, has been re-elected as chair of the board.
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