News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
Kevin O’Kane has been appointed as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. Northisle Copper and Gold will be featured at Michael Gentile’s European Road Show in October.
A $5,000 Rural Tourism Action Grant (RTAG) will be used to make improvements to the Mateoja Heritage Trail on Malcolm Island.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Tiicma Fisheries Inc., a KCFN enterprise, is applying to the Ministry of Transport for a tenure site and license to operate a sablefish facility in Kyuquot Sound on Vancouver Island’s west coast.
The Sayward Valley Firehall #2, located at 1306 Sayward Road, is scheduled to reopen on October 11.
The Permissive Tax Exemption program of the City of Campbell River is expected to be adopted on Oct. 23 after undergoing its third reading on Oct. 9.
COMOX VALLEY
Denny Featherstone
Denny Featherstone, a realtor at RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty, has been awarded the REMAX Hall of Fame award.
AnMarcos Furniture and Mattresses is celebrating 13 years in the Comox Valley.
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce has begun the nomination process for the 2025 Chamber Awards Gala, or “A Starry Night Gala,” which will honor distinction in 15 categories that underscore the extraordinary influence of local organizations, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
Van Isle Taste Trail will resume this autumn, from October 29 to November 16.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Spark House Coworking has opened at #110 – 198 East Island Hwy in downtown Parksville.
The Career Centre recently opened its new, fully accessible location at #3 – 187 Bagshaw Street in Parksville.
The 2025 ICAA NuStep Pinnacle Award, given by the International Council on Active Aging in partnership with NuStep, LLC, acknowledged Berwick Parksville as one of the best five senior living communities in North America.
A private donor has signed a conditional donation agreement with the Town of Qualicum Beach, which could contribute up to $2.125 million, which is 25% of the purchase price for the Eaglecrest Golf Course lands.
The most recent figures released by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board indicate that the benchmark price for a single-family residence in Parksville Qualicum Beach has increased by three percent compared to the same period in 2024, currently sitting just above $933,400.
The Society of Organized Services is seeking donations for the purchase of a new grocery bus, ensuring continued service in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area.
Knox United Church in Parksville will host the 22nd annual World Crafts Bazaar Parksville-Qualicum on October 18.
PORT ALBERNI
Summit Social Media is now open for business.
Gantner Mechanical Services is now operating in Port Alberni.
Blythe Beauty Cosmetic tattooing is now operating from Santosha Spa.
Ironhorse Crane Ltd has expanded and is now offering Hiab services.
Made Pretty has opened for business.
Councillor Cindy Solda has received a Union of BC Municipalities Long Service Award in recognition of her 20 years as an elected member of local government.
Alberni Valley Breast Connections Society, a new non-profit is launching with a fundraising event on October 18.
The City has installed speed bumps along Compton Road near Tsuma-as Elementary school.
North Island College is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary.
Beta Sigma Phi local chapter, Laureate beta Iota presents donation to the Alberni Valley Museum education curator Sylvia Gropp. The money is going to be used for students to attend the museum in supporting their transportation and special programs.
Lady Rose Marine Services has launched a water taxi service.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Tourism Tofino is currently in search of their next Executive Director.
Construction on the new water treatment plant in Ucluelet is scheduled to commence this winter, with the facility anticipated to be operational by the autumn of 2026. The plant will be constructed at the Lost Shoe Creek aquifer well site. Plans for the facility are now finalized.
NANAIMO
Sunshine Mountain Ford Lincoln (formerly Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln) is thrilled to announce its new name and revitalized identity.
Paul Healy, Partner of Futurus, will give a ground-breaking holographic keynote at this year’s Vancouver Island Economic Alliance ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit, which will be held October 28–30 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
Coast Capital Savings has recently announced a $12,000 donation to the Seniors Services Society of BC in order to provide support for its Rapid Access program.
Vancouver Island University‘s (VIU) Anthropology Department is looking for an Anthropology Instructor for January 2026.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce October Business After Business is on October 23 at the Nanaimo Harbour Heliport, hosted by Helijet.
Synergy Foundation announced this year’s 2025 Ecostar Award finalists!
- Circular Champion: Building Material Exchange (BMEx) – Vancouver Island, Surfrider Foundation Canada, and The Thingery
- Clean Oceans: COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies), Outer Shores Expeditions, and Pacific Wild
- Climate Action: Pacific Northwest Transportation Services (PNWTS), Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures, and Urban Thrive Developments Inc.
- Construction and Manufacturing: Green Island Builders Ltd, Holocene Distilling Project, and Ron Anderson Sons Ltd.
- Ecological Stewardship: Pauquachin First Nation Marine Department, Redd Fish Restoration Society, and Wilder Restoration
- Ecopreneur of the Year: Amanda Swinimer of Dakini Tidal Wilds, Meaghan McDonald of Salt Legacy, and Susan MacDougall of Focal Engineering
- Experiential Tourism: Ahous Adventures, Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours, and Hello Nature Adventure Tours
- Greenest Retailer: Easy Vegan Foods Inc, Recertified Furniture, and Stephen Whipp Financial
- Innovation: ALUULA Composites, COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies), and joni® 21st-Century Period Care™
- Inspirational New Venture: Sustain Grooming, Wise Hawk Environmental, and Your Place Victoria
- Leadership in Hospitality: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Naturally Pacific Resort, and Pacific Sounds Lodge
- Legacy: Archipelago, Nezza Naturals, and Rugged Coast Research Society
- Local Food: Easy Vegan Foods Inc, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, and
Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture
- Non-Profit of the Year: Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank, Power To Be, and Wild Wise Society
- Sustainable Workplace: Gathering Place Trading, Harmonic Arts, and Power To Be
- Waste to Resource: Alberni Valley Makerspace, Building Material Exchange (BMEx) – Vancouver Island, and The ReUse People of Canada
- Youth Leadership: Elspeth McGillivray of Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures, Janna Wale of Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, and Maddie Lemke of Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Provincial funding of up to $1.4 million will be granted to Canadian Bavarian Millwork and Lumber Ltd. in Chemainus to assist in the construction of its new facility and the acquisition of advanced equipment.
A commercial washer and dryer and a wheelchair-accessible shower are planned to be installed at the Neighbour House in Chemainus as part of the Dignity Project, an initiative of the Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association.
COWICHAN VALLEY – DUNCAN
Paul McGregor recently launched a new senior transportation business called Rise and Shine – Companionship Care & Rides, and it is now accepting reservations.
Khowutzun Heritage Centre has been launched by the Khowutzun Development Corporation, the primary economic development organization of the Cowichan Tribes.
Merridale Cidery & Distillery is set to host a variety of events this fall. Highlights include the Spirit Scavenger Hunt on October 18, 19, 25, and 26, and festivities for Thanksgiving weekend from October 10 to 13.
The Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre will serve as the venue for the upcoming Morning Member Meetup of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce on October 17.
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