News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Work BC Centre – North Island‘s office is moving from Thunderbird Mall over to the former Monks Office location at 7160 Rupert Street.
A second electrical transmission line on the North Island is being proposed for by the Village of Port Alice. During their regular meeting on November 13, the council gave its approval to draft the letter of support.
A seasonal service adjustment is being announced by BC Transit and the Mount Waddington Regional District, and it will take effect on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Schedule adjustments for the Route 5 Coal Harbour on Saturdays and the introduction of Route 6 Woss are part of this service alteration. This modification will be in place until March 29, 2025, and will give Woss seasonal service.
The District of Port Hardy proposes to supply a standby diesel generator at the Trustee Lift Station and is requesting quotes for a generator to fulfill the following requirements: 600VAC, 3 PH, 200-amp service, 2 pumps, duplex system (32HP, NP-3171.181), stagger starting (Pumps both on soft starts), 120 VAC control circuit, Control Cabinet with PLC, Small cabinet heater, light and fan, and capable to be connected to an alarm dialer (Barnett Engineering). Proposals will be accepted by the district until December 11th.
CAMPBELL RIVER
More than 30 merchants will showcase one-of-a-kind products from all over the globe at the annual Campbell River Global Fair Trade Market, which takes place in the gym of the downtown community centre on November 30 and December 1.
The downtown McDonald’s, owned and run by Jens and Mary Rolinski, will have a grand reopening event on November 30th.
In addition to the property at 1302 Shoppers Row, which houses the Downtown Safety Office, acquired in 2023, the city announced on November 25 that it has acquired three additional properties in the 1300 block of Shoppers Row: 1342 Shoppers Row (Harbourside Inn), 1352 Shoppers Row (vacant lot), and 1362 16th Avenue (commercial building). These acquisitions are part of the city’s plans to revitalize its downtown.
A new seaweed bioreactor manufactured by Industrial Plankton has been delivered to NIC’s Centre for Applied Research, Technology, and Innovation (CARTI), located at the North Island College Campbell River campus.
The Campbell River Chamber is having their AGM on Monday, December 16 @ 4:30 at the Strathcona Regional District Boardroom, 990 Cedar Street. Please RSVP
COMOX VALLEY
Andy Everson, a K’ómoks First Nation artist, has been awarded the BC Achievement Foundation’s 2024 Polygon Award in First Nations Art.
Pharmasave Courtenay’s grand opening is on November 29th at 101-397 5th Street, Courtenay.
Waypoint Insurance has opened its newest location in Comox, at 101-841 Cliffe Avenue.
Susan Auchterlonie has been elected as the new Board President of the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation (CVHF), succeeding Bill Anglin, who served until August 2024, while Sandy Dreger has been elected the new Vice President.
G & H Furniture is closing its doors after 23 years in business. The furniture store is having its Black Friday Sale on November 29 and 30.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
The RCMP is pleased to announce the roll-out of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) to six communities in British Columbia, in its first phase, beginning November 24, 2024.
The Great Room, a restaurant at the Long Beach Lodge Resort in Tofino, has been launched to the public after a recent makeover.
Last week, Accent Inns Inc. was named among the winners for Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 2024 which celebrates the importance of culture the impact it can have on growth and performance. This is the second time the BC local chain, which includes Accent Inns, Hotel Zed and ROAR restaurant, has been honoured by award organizers, Waterstone Human Capital, for best-in-class cultures that have helped Canadian organizations enhance performance and sustain a competitive advantage.
The Tofino Hot Cocoa Trail starts this Sunday, Dec 1 for the whole month of December.
PORT ALBERNI
Cyndi Stevens and Jeanette Watts of Port Alberni were honoured with King Charles III’s Coronation Medals for their decades of service to the community. The awards were presented by MP Gord Johns. Ms. Watts is the former Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Nursing Manager and had a 40 year career in nursing and administration. Ms. Stevens is the Executive Director of the Port Alberni Friendship Centre and has been an advocate for its programs and services for nearly 47 years.
Finalists for the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Business Excellence Awards have been announced. The gala event takes place at the Italian Hall November 29.
The Port Alberni Khalsa Aid team has made a donation of bedding supplies to the Bread of Life Shelter.
The Cove Beauty Collective celebrates its grand opening on November 29.
Witches Brew Café & Bakeshop is preparing to relocate, with its last day at the current site set for November 27.
Alberni Electric is relocating to a new venue January 1.
The Dock+ has launched a Market Analysis Survey aimed at shaping the future of food innovation and entrepreneurship in Port Alberni.
The Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society hosts a Christmas Art Show and Market on December 7.
The Grove Art Gallery’s indoor Mistletoe Market is on now until the end of the year. The Market is hosted by the Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
The Town of Qualicum Beach is extending an invitation to the general public to attend a meeting on December 4th, 2024, at which they may voice their viewpoints on the Qualicum Beach Airport.
The City of Parksville invites everyone to a festive afternoon at the annual ‘Cookies, Carols and More’ event on December 7th, taking place at the Jensen Centre (132 Jensen Ave. E).
The Parksville Downtown Business Association has requested additional parking spaces in downtown Parksville, according to a statement made to the council by the city’s director of finance, Jedha Holmes.
Evergreen Hospitality Group has asked the Parksville Chamber of Commerce to host a Christmas Market on December 14 & December 15, 12 pm – 5 pm each day, at Paradise Mini Golf and Fun Park, 375 Island Highway West in Parksville.
The City of Parksville is trying the Bluesky platform to share news, updates and events.
Qualicum Beach Chamber is hosting their annual Christmas party at the Qualicum Beach Inn on December 11th at 5 pm.
Qualicum Beach Fire Rescue announced applications are open for Fire Camp 2025. Fire Camp is a one week live-in program during spring break where grade 11 and 12 students are introduced to fire and emergency services.
NANAIMO
Cathy Ray
Cathy Ray has joined the 4VI Social Enterprise Group as the Administrative Coordinator for 4TVI.
Jai Patel has recently opened Pharmasave Rutherford on Cedar Ridge Place in Nanaimo.
BC Food & Beverage is hosting the 2024 Rise Awards Night, to recognize the exceptional accomplishments in British Columbia’s food and beverage sector. The Anvil Centre in New Westminster will host this event on November 28, 2024.
DealBuilder, a cutting-edge business broker software platform, announce that it has merged with transaction Studio to form an all-in-one CRM and transaction management platform. Deal Studio‘s position as the top supplier of software tools for the brokerage sector is further cemented by the merger.
Array has received notable recognition for its exceptional creative achievements in web design, logo design, and environmental branding. The accolades include CommunityVotes Nanaimo 2024 for leading in graphic and web design, as well as the Summit Creative Awards for global recognition in creative innovation.
TB Vets Charitable Foundation has made a generous donation of $25,000 for a new Neonatal Ventilator at the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.
Genie Senior Services has expanded its reach to Victoria and all of Vancouver Island, through Franchise Partners Laura Adams and Tobin Adams.
The Regional District of Nanaimo has submitted an application to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, a provincial grant run by the Union of BC Municipalities, seeking a grant of $200,000. The award would be used to fund personnel training and the acquisition of shared equipment for the region’s fire departments.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The In The Beantime Café, owned by Campbell and Kristy McIntyre, will close its current location on November 30, as the building has been sold.
On November 28, the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan will visit Ladysmith as part of its cross-Canada trip during the town’s Festival of Lights festival.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley’ is officially open at Chemainus Theatre.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Carol Miller
Carol Miller is now the general manager of the BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan.
The council of North Cowichan voted 4-2 to approve the West Vista Terrace development project, which is close to the new Cowichan District Hospital.
Island Health – Vancouver Island Health Authority’s Department of Medicine has openings available for full-time General Internists at the Cowichan District Hospital located in Duncan.
With its $15 million pledge to BC Children’s Hospital fulfilled, Save-On-Foods, which operates a store in Duncan, is now formally the hospital’s greatest cumulative contributing corporate partner.
Members of the board elected Mill Bay/Malahat director Kate Segall to the position of chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), and Tim McGonigle, mayor of Lake Cowichan and director of the town’s CVRD, was elected vice-chair.
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