News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Anna Kindy, a BC Conservative, won the North Island riding.
The rehabilitation project for the indoor swimming pool in Port Hardy has come in under budget, following the receipt of the final invoices. The district gathered community feedback regarding the council’s direction.
While the Island Aurora temporarily operates on BC Ferries‘ Blubber Bay (Texada Island) – Westview (Powell River) route before to its own planned refit, the Quadra Queen II will be in operation from October 2 to December 15. In the middle of December, the Island Aurora will resume its regular itinerary.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Michael Johnstone
Michael Johnstone has been appointed as the new General Manager of Naturally Pacific Resort.
Beach Fire Brewing has unveiled its latest award-winning creation, Moscow Mule Ale, which recently secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Canadian Brewing Awards’ Canada Beer Cup.
Royal LePage Advance Realty Ltd. opens its Willow Point office at 972 Shoppers Row.
Sports Experts located at 1245 Shoppers Row in Campbell River is having its 25th anniversary sale.
Susan Mowbray, Chief Economist at MNP, will present Campbell River’s economic progress, backed by data from the State of the Island Economic Dashboard. This will take place on November 27th from 7:30 am to 9:30 am at the Anchor Inn & Suites.
The Campbell River Museum will be holding their annual Festival of Trees fundraising event. This festive event has become a beloved tradition, attracting over 3,800 visitors and school children last year alone. Sponsorship opportunities available.
Downtown Campbell River Halloween Extravaganza – will take place Saturday October 26th, Tuesday October 29th and Thursday October 31st.
COMOX VALLEY
Temprite Climate Solutions is seeking to bring on a new Comfort Advisor (Residential and Commercial HVAC Sales) and a Journeyperson Refrigeration Mechanic.
Temprite Climate Solutions, offering Heating, Cooling, Ventilation and Electrical to the mid and north Island – will be moving offices and operations to Cumberland effective November 1, 2024. New location: #4 – 2799 Beck Ave, Cumberland, BC V0R 1S0.
All veterans are invited by Royal Canadian Legion Comox Branch 160 to a luncheon on Friday, November 1 at noon at the Comox Legion (1825 Comox Ave., Comox).
The Comox Valley Photographic Society (CVPS) marks its 60th anniversary.
The Comox Valley Hospice Society is hosting a Mocktails and Magic Auction Fundraiser on November 2 at the D’Esterre Seniors’ Centre in Comox.
Big Wheel Burger is the newest member of the Downtown Courtenay BIA.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Wickaninnish Inn is hiring a new Guest Service Representative in Tofino.
The Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art will host Lara Palmer‘s inaugural gallery group exhibition, “Interface,” from November 7 to 30. The exhibition will feature the work of accomplished local artists.
Slegg Building Materials‘ DEWALT Sales Event will take place at their Tofino location on October 24th.
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is a finalist for the 2024 Ecostar Awards‘ Leadership in Hospitality category.
PORT ALBERNI
Nomad Barber Company officially opened its doors on October 29th at its Uptown Port Alberni location at the former location of The Madman’s Wife. The shop will be appointment based and is offering men’s cuts and hot towel shaves.
The Madman’s Wife has moved to a new location on lower Johnston Road/Highway #4.
The Alberni Healthcare Auxiliary recently purchased five new food carts for the West Coast General Hospital. The Auxiliary raises funds through the Attic Thrift Shop on Johnston Road, as well as the hospital gift store. Each year, the auxiliary gives the hospital a financial commitment and hospital administration in turn gives the auxiliary a “wish list” of extra items they would like to have for the hospital. The auxiliary chose to spend their latest $250,000 donation on the food carts.
Furever Endeavour Rescue Network (FERN), a registered non-profit society that helps dogs who need re-homing, recently partnered with the Capitol Theatre and Portal Players Dramatic Society to produce a Variety Show fundraiser. The society works with remote communities that are struggling with overpopulation and collaborates with other rescue organizations to build an effective and compassionate network. The rescue is located on a fully-fenced, five-acre property in Beaver Creek electoral area.
The Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council’s Disability Access Committee is hosting its annual Health-Ability Fair on Oct. 23 and 24 at the Alberni Athletic Hall. ‘Living in Balance’ is the theme, and the event features two days of presentations and free offerings geared to improve mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing of Nuu-chah-nulth members.
Former Huu-ay-aht chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr. was presented with the Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement through the foundation’s Indigenous Business Award program.
The Bamfield Community School Association is hosting its12th annual fundraiser, Oysters, Authors and Ale on Saturday November 9th at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.
The Port Alberni Port Authority has announced that Austin Kuc is the recipient of the 2024 Gillian Trumper Memorial Bursary. The $3,500 Educational Bursary recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a positive attitude, and the ability to motivate and inspire their peers. Austin has shown remarkable leadership and a genuine ability to connect with everyone around him while working at Fisherman’s Harbour, Harbour Quay Marina and the Ice House.
Ocean Blue Day Spa opens its doors on October 26th at 4929 Argyle Street. The business has relocated from Parksville.
The City of Port Alberni’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan Ideas Survey is open until October 25th
The Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation is hosting a Governance-Nation Building workshop November 7th, facilitated by Dr. Manley Begay. Dr. Begay is a citizen of the Navajo First Nation and an internationally recognized planner of the Nation-Building Approach.
Nominations are open for the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Business Excellence Awards. Nominate online at https://albernicc.awardify.io/
Coastal Rides is now offering services in Port Alberni. The business is a ride-hailing service based on the Sunshine Coast and available in Tofino, the Comox Valley and Port Alberni.
Tseshaht First Nation’s Fisheries Department recently completed training in micro-trolling and fish identification with a team of biologists. Tseshaht’s participation in research projects and data gathering efforts helps to ensure that the best information on fish health and future run size is available, as well as helps to better understand the effectiveness of Alberni Valley hatcheries such as Robertson Creek.
Mitch McLean is the new Community Manager for Loaves and Fishes, which supports the Port Alberni Backpack Program.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
The Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort and Conference Centre‘s Toy Drive Breakfast (midweek only Monday-Friday) will run from November 18th – 29th between 7:30 am – 11:30 am.
The council of Qualicum Beach has received a proposal for a development that aims to construct a five-storey, mixed-use building featuring a medical clinic on First Avenue West. The developers submitted a zoning amendment application for the site of their proposed building, as the area is designated Residential 20 (R20). The amendment aims to modify the zoning to Comprehensive Development Zone 22 (CD22).
The Regional District of Nanaimo is requesting bids from suitable housekeeping providers for Little Qualicum Hall (1210 Centre Rd, Qualicum Beach) for a three-year contract. For submissions and enquiries, please contact Percival Catbagan, Chief Facilities Operator-Aquatic Services and Recreation Facilities.
NANAIMO
Thisal Rodrigo
Thisal Rodrigo is starting a new position as Sales Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo.
The Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) officially opened the doors to BC’s first ocean-focused co-working space—the COAST Ocean Innovation Hub. An open house was scheduled on October 22.
More than two hundred wines from all over the globe and British Columbia will be shown at the Grand Hotel Nanaimo’s annual wine festival on October 25.
The Vault Cafe is set to welcome Canadian folk singer Sam Singer for his inaugural performance on October 25 as part of his tour across Western Canada.
Experienced and qualified consulting teams are invited to conduct a feasibility study on the design and construction of an accessible beach access ramp in Descanso Bay Regional Park’s day use area on Gabriola Island. Questions and submissions should be sent to Jordan Vander Klok, Parks Planner.
PharmaChoice Canada is pleased to announce the addition of Nanaimo Compounding Pharmacy as a new PharmaChoice location in Nanaimo which specializes in Non-Sterile customized compounding and is a proud member of the Nanaimo community.
The British Columbia Library Association (BCLA) is accepting proposals for the 2025 BC Library Conference, taking place May 7-9 at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre in Nanaimo.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
The 16th Garden House Book Sale will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 and 27 at at Bonner School in Mill Bay.
Devonshire Vape & Cigars owned by Anoop Dhami recently opened a new location in Beverly Corners.
In 2024, the local WorkBC Centre recognized 23 businesses and organizations in Duncan and Ladysmith with Diversity & Inclusion Awards. The recipients include Just Desserts, Island Auto Spa, Island GM, Winners, Cowichan Green Community, Walmart, Thermoproof, Dancia Motors, By the Bay Lavender, Cowichan Hospital Foundation, Prolux Windows and Doors, Gideon Plumbing, Mettra Pharmacy, Lucky Dog Daycare, Ravenstone Construction, Real Canadian Superstore, Cobble Hill’s Country Grocer, Mid-Island Co-op Liquor, Ironwork Cafe & Creperie, B.C. Infrastructure Benefits, Neufeld Furniture, Footprints Security, and Just For Kids After School Care.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board of Directors recently approved a plan from Emergency Management Cowichan to provide emergency response warming services for the 2024/2025 winter season. The CVRD has signed a lease to use the parking lot of the Ramada Inn on Highway 1 to operate an emergency warming centre as needed between November 15, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is inviting community members to provide input on Agricultural Zoning in the Electoral Areas. This feedback will help shape the development of a new region-wide Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw for the CVRD’s nine electoral areas. The event takes place at the Heritage Hall on November 5th from 6-8 pm. Pre-registration is requires.
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