News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Scotiabank is hiring a Customer Experience Lead in Port Hardy.
Foundry Port Hardy, alongside the North Island Crisis and Counselling Centre Society, received a $450,000 donation from Lemare Forestry and other local businesses. The donation, presented on September 5, will support programs for youth aged 12-24, offering mental health care, primary care, and social support. The collaboration highlights community reinvestment and sustainable resource management, aiming to create long-lasting benefits for rural communities and youth development in the region.
The BC Rivers Day event will be held on September 22 at the Quatse River Hatchery. The event will feature live music, BBQ and drinks, guided trail walks, a tour of the salmon center and hatchery, art stations, fish dissection, and more.
Bluerock Studio, a music school and recording studio owned by Chad Matthews, has opened in Port Hardy.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Métis Nation British Columbia has successfully secured funding for two substantial housing projects that are specifically designed for Métis individuals and families on Vancouver Island. The Campbell River Project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the North Island Métis Association, will create 45 homes, while the Saanich Project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Métis Nation Greater Victoria, will create 55 homes.
The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting the All Candidate Debate at the Tidemark Theatre on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
The Rail Yard Market officially opened on September 13 at 1235 Shoppers Row, Campbell River.
Temprite Climate Solutions is hiring an HVAC Home Comfort Advisor.
The City of Campbell River Airport (YBL) is developing a five-year strategic plan and is seeking input from community members. Two engagement sessions will be held to enable as many residents as possible to participate. See website for more information.
Four North Islanders were awarded the King Charles lll Coronation Medals: Dr. Lisa Domae, Dr. Erika Kellerhals, Valery Puetz and Colin Gabelmann.
Tanille Johnston was announced as the new NDP candidate for the North Island-Powell River riding.
COMOX VALLEY
Daniel Dick’s family-owned CV Cedar Sales & Fencing made its 10,000th sale on August 29, 2024. CV Cedar has grown since moving from Courtenay to Old Island Highway and Miracle Beach Drive in Black Creek. Though known for fence installations, the growing lumber yard sells Red and Yellow Cedar full-dimension rough sawn boards and posts, cedar siding (T&G, Channel, Bevel, Haida Skirl), shingles, split rail, and ready-to-go fence panels and gates.
Expedia Cruises‘ Expo on October 19th at Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave, Courtenay, and October 20th at Greek Community Society, 4648 Elk Lake Drive, Victoria, welcomes eco-conscious travellers, sustainable tourism advocates, local community stakeholders, and cruise enthusiasts seeking responsible travel.
The Courtenay-based team from Uniglobe Carefree Travel Group has been nominated for the Comox Valley Record’s Reader’s Choice Awards Best Travel Agency.
The Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan is currently in its final stage, Phase Three, at the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD). The CVRD will use this Plan as a roadmap for the next twenty years or more as they prepare for, oversee, and finance the creation of the NEW system of regional parks and trails.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Wickaninnish Inn has received Two MICHELIN Keys in the MICHELIN Guide’s 2024 inaugural key distinction for Canada, recognizing hotels for their outstanding service, design, personality, and guest experience.
Sproat Lake Contracting has secured the contract for the District of Tofino’s Fourth & Gibson Street – Watermain Replacement & Pedestrian Improvements Project.
Under the direction of Brad Parsell, the Tourism Tofino team is collaborating extensively with the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) and ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht) First Nations, on whose unceded territory they operate, and setting new benchmarks for leadership in sustainable tourism.
Hooked On Miracles announced that the 2024 fishing event raised $132,000.00 to benefit the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation‘s groundbreaking and life-changing research.
PORT ALBERNI
The City of Port Alberni is pleased to announce the appointment of Sara Darling as the new Director of Corporate Services. Sara brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role, having previously served as the Deputy Director of Corporate Services for the City.
Non-profit organization Futurpreneur BC will be in Port Alberni to host the Owners Wanted program, a newly designed and free program to help locals selling or buying a business on September 25 and 26 at the Best Western Barclay hotel.
Timberline at North Park, promoting retirement living in the heart of Port Alberni is now open.
GoByBikeBC will celebrate the opening of the Quay to Quay Trail on September 23.
Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce will be hosing a breakfast on October 4th, at 8:00 am at Smitty’s Family Restaurant with guest speakers Wolfgang Zimmerman, Pacific Coast University & NIDMAR.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
District Group sold two four-story buildings with 130 apartments each to Skyline Apartment REIT for $48.8 million at 377 and 385 Moilliet St. S. in Parksville. Skyline Living will oversee the properties.
A development permit has been granted by Parksville council for the overall layout and design of a small-lot residential complex located at 625 and 633 Pioneer Crescent.
The BC Culture Days will take place in Parksville and Qualicum Beach, starting on September 20 and ending on October 13 at the Jensen Centre, 132 Jensen Ave E.
Oceanside Hearing Clinic is now open in Parksville at 103-543 Stanford Avenue E.
NANAIMO
Stephen Toth
Stephen Toth has been appointed Vice President of Infrastructure Construction and Delivery at Infrastructure BC.
Rob Pearlman, BCLS, has been promoted to the role of Remote Sensing Lead at Aplin Martin.
Tim Harris, a former education assistant, teacher, and principal, has secured a position on the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School Board after winning a byelection on Saturday. He previously served as an elected council member for Stz’uminus First Nation for 17 years.
Brechin Lanes, the only five-pin bowling alley in Nanaimo, is shutting down permanently.
Cascadia Liquor is hosting its annual liquor sale at its 12 locations across the island from September 20 to 23.
The Canadian government has pledged $25 million per annum to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, which will be used over the next four years to supply emergency food aid to areas hit by humanitarian crises all around the globe. The announcement was made at a farm in Abbotsford on September 12.
We’re Here For You Canada has successfully achieved charitable status in Canada.
The re-opening of Rutherford School is drawing nearer for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district, as eleven proposals were later approved unanimously by the board.
The Snuneymuxw First Nation has announced the addition of 59 new affordable rental apartments on Warpath Road, made possible by a collaboration between Indigenous non-profit housing providers and the provincial government’s B.C. Housing program.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The Ladysmith Resources Centre Association is partnering with Ladysmith Wholehealth Pharmacy & more to bring a free Flu/Covid 19 vaccine clinic on October 17 at Heart on the Hill, 314 Buller Street.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, is set to host a Provincial Candidates Forum on October 2nd, 2024, at Aggie Hall, located at 1111 1st Avenue, Ladysmith.
Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre welcomes its new member, All Renos Construction.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Garden City Pest Control is excited to announce the expansion of its services across Vancouver Island, now covering areas from Victoria to Duncan, including the Cowichan Valley Regional District and up to Ladysmith to commence in the fall of 2024.
Merridale Cidery & Distillery in Cobble Hill, owned by Janet Docherty, is set to host its sixth annual Cider Harvest Festival on September 22.
The Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area is encouraging business owners to boost their storefront’s visual appeal with its Facade Improvement Grants, offering up to $5,000 to create a lasting impression.
The Cowichan Campus of Vancouver Island University is now providing a micro-credential in Organic Vegetable Seed Production. This course, “Seed Security: Organic Vegetable Seed Production,” will be held every Tuesday from January 7th, 2025, through March 11th, 2025.
Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery in Duncan Village marks a milestone with its 25th Anniversary celebration.
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