News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
A new checklist outlining the phases in property development has been created by the District of Port Hardy to expedite the process.
The Tour de Rock, which runs from September 20 to October 3, aims to raise $1 million for Camp Goodtimes and Children’s Cancer Research.
The Multicultural and Immigrant Services Association (MISA) has named the North Island Employment Foundations Society (NIEFS) as its recipient of the Ambassador Award.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Maritime Heritage Society is set to unveil its updated exhibit, What Lies Beneath, on Oct. 7. The new space showcases the area’s marine history alongside contemporary ocean science.
The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce will host its next B2B Mixer on September 25 at the Campbell River Museum, sponsored by IZCO Technology Solutions.
The Canadian Business Aviation Association welcomes its newest member, Regional Aviation Campbell River LTD.
COMOX VALLEY
Denny Featherstone
Denny Featherstone of RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty has achieved REMAX’s Hall of Fame status.
A new transit exchange, located on Port Augusta Street and Comox Avenue in downtown Comox, will be constructed by the Comox Valley Regional District and BC Transit. The project is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 22.
Courtenay’s Florence Filberg Centre will host the WorkBC Courtenay Career Fair on October 8th.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
The AI Upskilling Central Island for Small Business program (www.cfnanaimo.org/aiupskilling) is being introduced by Community Futures. It is intended to provide local business owners and their teams with practical, hands-on strategies for utilizing AI tools to increase productivity, reduce costs, and save time.
The Qualicum Beach Flying Club will hold Discover Aviation 2025 on September 27 at the Qualicum Beach Airport‘s Hangar No. 6 (Green Hangar).
Five applicants have been considered for funding under the Town of Qualicum Beach‘s new sponsorship program for special events, which was established last May. These applicants include the Qualicum Community Education and Wellness Society’s Pop Up Conversation Nook events, the Qualicum Beach Collective Society Moonlight Madness I-Spy event, the Qualicum Beach Farmers Market Christmas Night Market, the Qualicum Beach Curling Club Scotland to Canada Women’s Friendship Curling Tour, and the Qualicum Beach Merchant Society Moonlight Madness.
PORT ALBERNI
Comsense Kitchen Cabinets has opened a new showroom on Johnston Road.
Western Canada Marine Response Corporation have announced the winners of their 2025/2026 post-secondary scholarships: Edith Jobin, Kelsey Wasylenki, and Tyler Wright.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit continues leading efforts to safely reopen Bamfield Main Road in co-operation with Mosaic Forest Management, following recent wildfire impacts.
The ministry is aiming to reopen the road by the end of October 2025. A geotechnical assessment has been completed to identify hazard risks. Based on these findings, the ministry is developing an operating guideline.
Alberni Valley Hospice Society, operators of Ty Watson House have received a donation cheque of $4,140 thanks to Van Isle Ford and Pacific Chevrolet, as a result of the Goals for Ty Watson House during the Alberni Valley Bulldogs games.
FIFA 2026 Vancouver Island Festivities continue to grow, with School District 70 joining the working group and North Island College coming on board as a formal partner, contributing local expertise to the project.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Wickaninnish Inn has been named to The Edge List by Forbes Travel Guide.
Tofino has made headlines as the first municipality in Canada to implement a bylaw banning the sale of single-use plastic water bottles that are 1 litre and smaller, reinforcing its dedication to environmental stewardship.
NANAIMO
Spencer Hewson
Spencer Hewson, a former Nanaimo Clipper, has returned to the Harbour City as the new director of business operations and player development for the BC Hockey League team.
The Great Place to Work Institute® Canada (GPTW) has awarded Coastal Community Credit Union with another workplace distinction.
Odd Job Squad will begin offering its services on October 1, 2025.
VIU Chemistry Professor Dr. Kyle Duncan and VIU Nursing Professor Dr. Caroline Variath have been announced as recipients of the Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar and Health Professional-Investigator salary awards for 2025!
Four Winds, a two-day event taking place on September 27-28, is a collaboration between Malahat SkyWalk and Malahat Nation. The event is designed to commemorate and celebrate Indigenous culture and art.
Medicine Shoppe Departure Bay Nanaimo celebrates its 13th anniversary.
Snuneymuxw First Nation has reached an agreement with the Nanaimo Airport Commission, featuring a revenue-sharing component for the First Nation.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Gwen Gilson
Gwen Gilson has joined the team at Pemberton Holmes Ltd.
Residents of the Town of Ladysmith are being informed that as part of FortisBC‘s yearly gas line inspection program, low-level helicopter flights will be conducted from September 23 to October 23.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Original Udder Guys Ice Cream and Candy and The Brazen Fork are collaborating to host a sweet-and-savory takeover in Cowichan Bay on Sept. 24, welcoming the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce members and guests.
The governance committee recommends that the Cowichan Valley Regional District board raise directors’ pay to B.C.’s Consumer Price Index on Jan. 1.
For its 2025–2026 term, the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce is seeking enthusiastic, community-minded individuals to serve on its board of directors.
Outlooks Menswear Duncan, located at 53 Station St, will be closing its doors in October.
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