COMOX VALLEY
Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery have been put up for sale by award-winning writer/director and Ontario-native James Cameron. Purchased in 2014 for $2.7 million dollars, the 84-acre property includes a number of buildings, a tasting room, wine bar and equipment. It is currently on the market for $5.6 million.
Owner Michael Sieb of Charlie’s Auto Wash in Courtenay is running the inaugural Car Wash for YANA (You Are Not Alone) starting August 31st. The YANA community organization offers Comox Valley families who must travel for medical services for their children a variety of assistance. Located at 380 Old Island Highway, the car wash event will see two dollars for every wash go to support YANA. For additional info on the non-profit, please visit www.yanacomoxvalley.com
Saratoga Speedway has been sold by the Hargrave family after 40 years to Rob and Lee Leighton. Rob is owner of Leighton Contracting in Courtenay. They hope to add a campground to the property and a new go-kart track.
Bryan Williams, BC Supreme Court Judge, has been selected as the 2020 Comox Valley Walk of Achievement recipient. He was raised in the Comox Valley and moved to attend university and then practice law in Vancouver at Swinton and Company where he remained for his 42-year career. He was appointed to the BC Court of Appeals in 1995.
Broadstreet Properties has submitted a rezoning application for an apartment complex at 801 Ryan Road. They are proposing a mix of one, two and three-bedroom suites.
Janice Swanson, currently deputy Chief Administrative Office of the Union Bay Improvement District has accepted the position of Acting Administrator. She will be aided by Gary Nason, who has been the CAO of three different BC municipalities.
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and the Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS) recently signed a revised service agreement to deliver economic development and tourism services for Courtenay, Comox and Electoral Areas B and C and a defined portion of Area A. CVEDS helps existing businesses grow and works with potential investors and entrepreneurs to realize the benefits of investing and doing business in the Comox Valley.
The Coal Valley Estates developer has submitted changes to future phases to accommodate the changing needs of the Cumberland community. The original subdivision dates back to 2011.
Ryan Isherwood
CARSTAR owners, Ryan and Marnie Isherwood, were recognized as winners of the Outstanding Community Partner award at the recent Cystic Fibrosis Canada BC/Yukon Chapter virtual awards ceremony. In total, the franchise has raised over $4 million for cystic fibrosis related charities and initiatives.
The Town of Comox Affordable Housing Society has amalgamated with the d’Esterre Senior Citizens Housing Society and applied to build a three-storey apartment complex for seniors, to begin next year. The complex is to be built at 1582 Balmoral.
Coastal Rides is the new ride-hailing service available in the Comox Valley. They offer carefully screened personal drivers as well as shared rides. A ride can be found by using their downloadable app.
True Dimensions Salon EFXZ has moved to 105-364 8th Street in Courtenay.
A proposed 42-townhouse development at 2310 Guthrie Road will soon be open for public feedback. The development would be a mix of townhouse units and commercial space.
The Mid Island Cabinets crew outside the company’s retail outlet and 30,000 square foot production shop in Parksville
Mid Island Cabinets, with locations in Parksville and Nanaimo, is now serving the Comox Valley and Campbell River areas.
Owner Andrea Wagemaker of On The Fly Café at the Comox Valley Airport has reopened and now added whole or sliced pies to their offerings as well as curb side pick up.
L’Arche Comox Valley’s executive director Christine Monier is now regional leader for Western Canada and will be replaced by Hollee Card.
Dewald Dierdricks
The newly renovated Comox Valley Physiotherapy clinic in Courtenay is now open. Registered physiotherapists Sue Bloxsom and Dewald Dierdricks are available for a variety of treatments, from sports injury relief to surgical rehabilitation and more. The re-opened clinic meets all COVID-19 safety policies and recommendations. https://www.cvphysio.ca
Nanaimo Youth Services Association Comox Valley has created the DiverseFutures paid employment skills and job placement program. Designed for anyone between the ages of fifteen and thirty, the program is run out of the LINC Youth Centre in Courtenay. Program Manager Isabelle Parry and her team are offering a four-week training course consisting of free career interest and aptitude testing, interview and resume skill workshops, and one-on-one professional job coaching. Those interested can reach Isabelle at 250-334-8138 ext. 229.
The newly launched Daily Wonder Home Learning Hub is the brainchild of local educators Jennifer Ross, Mareesha Nesling and Rebecca Watkins. Previous members of the Comox Valley Waldorf School, the Daily Wonder team provide a curriculum custom-built for homeschooling, a necessity during the current pandemic. Their cutting edge, hands-on approach to creative child learning will provide tutorials, parent education and step-by-step learning guides to parents signed up for the program. To find out more visit www.dailywonder.ca
Victoria toy wholesaler and manufacturer Outset Media have partnered with Walmart Canada to launch a limited-edition board game featuring the Comox Valley and its various offerings. Comox Valley-Opoly will provide a Comox-centric spin on classic Monopoly, showcasing landmarks like Lewis Park, Mount Washington, Driftwood Park and more. The game will be available at Walmart, and online via Walmart.ca.
Tara Petty and Sonia Leger have launched the Comox Box, an online self-care business specializing in gift boxes. From pre-made to build-your-own selections of bath and body products, chocolates, wines, CBD oil and more, the Comox Boxes will be fully available for purchase on August 31st, with day-after deliveries across the Comox Valley. Both stay-at-home mothers turned entrepreneurs hope to eventually branch out across the Island. – www.thecomoxbox.ca
Dr. Adam Myrfield
Dr. Adam Myrfield is taking the reins from his father, Dr. Lyle Myrfield, after the latter’s retirement from serving patients as an optometrist in the Comox Valley for thirty-eight years. Recently finishing his clinical practicum at a navy hospital in Japan, the younger Dr. Myrfield has returned to Courtenay to follow in his father’s footsteps as an optometrist at FYi Optometry Clinic, the practice the senior Dr. Myrfield took over in 1982.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The City of Campbell River has expanded Vancouver Island’s first open-access fibre optic municipal broadband network, CRadvantage. The network extension was completed along 11th Avenue to the corner of Dogwood Street and 12th Avenue on July 29.
NIC alumnus Dr. Dustin Banham has found international success in sustainable energy research in his position as Chief Technology Office of a fuel cell manufacturing company and CEO of a partner company focused on research and development.
NIC’s Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation (CARTI) is embarking on a new research project, investigating how kelp can help improve the health and sustainability of cattle farming. The research is being done in partnership with Beaver Meadow Farms in Comox.
Fin Crust Pizza is opening soon at 1011 Shoppers Row. They are featuring wood-fired Pizza and offer take out and dine-in, currently with limited seating.
Congratulations to Kendrah Paul who won $100,000 in the Beach Body Challenge after losing over 140 pound in two years.
Ron May is Salesperson of the month at Bill Howich Chrysler and Justin Lynn at Bill Howich RV and Marine.
The Homalco Nation has purchased the 30-year-old Homathko Camp north of Bute Inlet. The camp was built by Chuck and Sharen Burchill who hosted film crews, professionals and recreation enthusiasts at the remote site.
Re/Max Check Realty welcomes Dan Baranyai and Vanessa Monteith-Hird to their team of professionals. After working eight years in northern Alberta, Dan has returned to his roots to service the community with his sales skills. Vanessa brings 15 years of real estate experience and is excited to work with the Re/Max brand.