News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
The District of Port Hardy Water Treatment Plant, which began operations in early 2025, has two sizable reservoirs that store water for the municipality as well as a treatment facility. Funded by BC Growing Communities and water reserves, the $1.6 million project will ensure a steady supply for residences, businesses, and fire protection for years to come.
Port Hardy Fire Rescue is holding an open house and recruitment drive on October 4th.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Dr. Amanda Sigouin
Dr. Amanda Sigouin has joined Shoreline Orthodontics as the newest Doctor-Partner, where she will work together with Dr. Michelle Kosmowski and Dr. Paul Helpard to provide orthodontic care to the communities of Campbell River and Courtenay.
Ocean Pacific Marine Store & Boatyard has upgraded its boat lift to a 150 metric ton capacity, enabling it to accommodate vessels with a beam of 30 feet and a length of 150 feet. The upgrade was designed by StoneCroft Engineering Ltd, in collaboration with Ryzuk Geotechnical and Pacificus Biological Services Ltd.
Macron Pacific has announced that it will be the official teamwear partner of the Campbell River Youth Soccer Association through 2029.
Campbell River Museum and GreenCoast Media‘s Elk Falls Alive App is live. This interactive virtual guide brings the natural & human history of Elk Falls Provincial Park in Campbell River to life.
A first-of-its-kind AI Upskilling Program has been launched on Vancouver Island by Hufnagel Consulting in collaboration with Community Futures Central Island.
COMOX VALLEY
Kyle Wells
Kyle Wells has been appointed as the new Manager of Communications & Impact at Island Coastal Economic Trust.
Fiona McQuillan has been appointed as the new Rural Business Advisor by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. Fiona will spearhead the Chamber’s initiatives to reach out to businesses and encourage their expansion in Electoral Area C through the Rural Business Retention and Expansion Project.
The Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada has granted national accreditation to the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Home Instead Courtenay celebrates six years of serving seniors and families across the Comox Valley.
PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH
100 Men of Oceanside’s next meeting will be on November 5, at the Morning Star Golf Club, 525 Lowrys Road in Parksville, and its members are expected to contribute $100 each at each meeting to support an eligible Oceanside charitable organization.
Faulkner Browns Architects and the Nanaimo Regional District created a new Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion design. A $7-million federal grant was awarded to the project earlier this year.
Spark House Coworking has officially opened its doors, becoming the go-to destination for business collaboration, flexible workspaces, and creative expression in Parksville and the mid-Vancouver Island region.
Tickets for the sip & savour and live music on October 3, at the QB Cafe Lounge are priced at $20 and can be purchased at Champagne Boutique, What’s Cooking, and Mulberry Books. The event will feature more than 22 participating businesses.
A motion has been endorsed by the Oceanside Services Committee, which requests that the Regional District of Nanaimo match the funds provided by the Qualicum School District for the replacement of the goalposts at the recently renovated field at Ballenas Secondary.
The Arrowsmith Health Care Society has successfully raised over $25,000 for an outdoor facility at Arrowsmith Lodge in Parksville. The funds will be allocated towards the construction of a gazebo and other amenities.
PORT ALBERNI
Chims Motel has changed its name to Chims Cabins.
RHM Donair & Subs is under new ownership.
Olivia Gentleman is this year’s recipient of Port Alberni Port Authority’s Gillian Trumper Memorial Staff Bursary.
Mosaic Forest Management has released the key findings from its first-ever public survey on recreational access, which received 7,600 responses. The comprehensive feedback has prompted Mosaic to engage an external consultant to help improve its recreation program.
PAACL Fun Fair takes place October 22 at the Glenwood Centre.
The Tseshaht Market beautification project is underway.
Sage Haven Society has received $4,550 from Alberni-District Co-op, raised during Fuel Good Day!
The Echo Aquatic Centre reopened October 1 after the annual maintenance and lifeguard training shutdown.
Construction of a new pavilion at Victoria Quay is underway, when completed it will house the Nuu-chah-nulth Whaling Canoe Sculpture that will be relocated out of the old pavilion.
The Weekly Sunday Craft Market at the Harbour Quay has now closed for the season.
Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot has Emergency loans available for Bamfield businesses affected by the road closure due to the Mount Underwood fire.
TOFINO/UCLUECLET
Brad Parsell, who has served as the Executive Director of Tourism Tofino for the past three years, has resigned. He will be taking the role of CEO of the Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association.
The UNESCO Biosphere Region of Clayoquot Sound marks its 25th anniversary.
The 2025 Tofino Hot Cocoa Trail is an invitational event for businesses to participate in the coziest trail of the year, which will be held from November 28 to January 4 as part of Tofino Winter Nights.
The Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes Moss & Milk Cafe as its newest member.
The new Ucluelet Health Centre has officially opened, offering primary and community health services to residents of Ucluelet, Hitacu, Macoah, Millstream, and Salmon Beach.
NANAIMO
The design advisory panel of the city has approved Paramorph Architecture‘s presentation of designs for a 69-unit multi-family townhouse development located at 4670 Laguna Way in north Nanaimo.
Off the Hook Surf and Turf Smokery was chosen as the top choice in the Best Gluten-Free Options category of this year’s Best of the City survey.
District Development Corp. has proposed a multi-family housing project for a 1.4-hectare property located at 5360 Bergen-Op-Zoom Dr. This project is expected to add 158 additional rental units to Nanaimo.
Kathy Parkinson
Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) introduces its newly elected Board of Directors including:
- Chris Williams of Houle Electric Ltd.
- Josh Fayerman – Milestone Equipment Contracting
- Devon Kray – Durwest Construction Management
- Kathy Parkinson – Ravenstone Construction
- Mark Wong – Kinetic Construction
- Mark Donahue – Ellisdon
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, The Blending Bar.
Budget Blinds of Cowichan Valley and Nanaimo, in collaboration with Stor-X Organizing Systems, will be hosting the Chamber Business Mixer on October 8th at 19 High St.
The Neck of the Woods General Store has announced the closure of its business due to the retirement of its owners.
Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary gives Tour de Rock a $15,000 donation.
COWICHAN VALLEY
United Floors will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Fall Flooring event from October 6-18.
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce welcomes GenThrive Benefits and Westcoast Kitchen as its newest member.
Cap-It Genuine Truckware celebrated its 1st anniversary.
The handyDART service in Cowichan Valley resumed operations on September 29.
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