NORTH ISLAND
Land-based fish farm, Kuterra Salmon has received Ocean Wise certification for their farmed Atlantic salmon. The farm is owned by the ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay.
A 50-unit independent living seniors home has moved ahead with their rezoning applications. There is currently no assisted living senior’s housing in Port Hardy. The project is set to be located on eight acres of land next to North Island Mall. Gord Patterson is the chair of the North Island Senior Housing Foundation and said they hope to break ground sometime this year.
Telegraph Cove Resort opened June 1st to self-contained campers as washrooms, showers and all other amenities have to remain closed.
Paige Quansah of Wavin’ Flags taxi service has applied to take over the bus service between Port Hardy and Campbell River. Tofino Bus Company, owned by the Wilson’s Group has applied to cancel he service due to low ridership. Wavin’ Flags began in 2014.
CAMPBELL RIVER
North Island College will be launching the Coastal Forest Worker certificate and the Coastal Forest Technology diploma Campbell River in October.
Destination Campbell River has received $65,400 in Provincial grant money which will help cover the peak-season operational losses incurred from May to October this year.
Eagle Ridge Patio Housing Community will begin construction soon. The development will include duplexes, ranches as well as level entry homes.
Choice Hotels Canada awarded Comfort Inn & Suites Campbell River with their fourth Platinum Award recognizing them for operational excellence and superior guest services. Jonathan Shead is General Manager and owner.
Campbell River-based Seymour Pacific Developments recently had its first project in Brandon, Manitoba approved. The new developed called Aspen Greens includes 208 units and offers residents a playground, dog park, community garden, dog wash and a community lounge.
Seawatch Medical Clinic has added Dr. Amelia Stegeman to their practice at Suite #203 – 2276 South Island Highway. Dr. Stegeman is a recent graduate of Seawatch’s family medicine residency and attended UBC Medical School in Kelowna.
COMOX VALLEY
Land & Sea Brewing Company on Guthrie Road has been given support from the Town of Comox for their 38-person outdoor patio proposal. Jason Walker is the owner.
The proposed seniors’ residence at 925 Braidwood Road is awaiting approval for a development permit. The five-storey Atrium at Braidwood residence will contain 161 suites which would be combination of assisted, and memory care units as well as independent living. Courtenay council is said to be waiting on more public feedback before making a decision.
Far Fetched Grooming as opened at 720 30th Street in Courtenay in the old Pets in the City building. Owner, Jessica Termuende, grew up working in her parent’s pet store on Salt Spring Island. The store will include grooming, daycare and retail.
Jan Sterk starts her new role as Comox Valley Hospice Society’s executive director July 1st.
Island Health has signed a project development agreement with Providence Living to build and operate a 156-bed dementia village in the Comox Valley. The dementia village will feature 148 publicly funded long-term care beds and eight publicly funded respite beds. It will be built on the site of the existing The Views long-term care home and the former St. Joseph’s General Hospital. Once completed, the dementia village will replace the existing beds at The Views.
PORT ALBERNI
The City of Port Alberni has received a $21,950 grant to support the development of an Uptown District Revitalization Strategy (UDRS). The grant funds, provided by UBCM and Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, will further a number of the City’s strategic priorities and goals as outlined in the 2019 – 2023 Corporate Strategic Plan. One such priority is for the City to respond to demographic change in the community and improve quality of life, specifically by revitalizing the Uptown District.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Port Alberni is planning to develop affordable housing at a city-owned site on Second Avenue. New Commons, a non-profit real estate developer that is working with CMHA recently appeared before city council. Dion White is project lead. The goal is to build a four to five storey building with 30 to 40 affordable rental housing units.
San Group officially opened their new Coulson B Mill in Port Alberni at the former home of Coulson Mill, fulfilling the companies promise of increasing value-added wood production in the province. The site now includes two mills – one of which handles larger sized logs while the other handles logs as small as four inches in diameter. The company is planning on shipping its first lumber by barge by the end of July from Port Alberni terminals. The new mill marks the first new coastal sawmill to open in the province in over 15 years.
The City of Port Alberni and the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce have partnered to launch a gift card site called Better Buy Port Alberni. The site encourages people to shop local during the COVID-19 pandemic and is open to almost every business that is willing to provide redeemable services. Businesses interested in signing up for the service can visit betterbuyportalberni.ca/sign-up.
The Alberni Aquarium and Stewardship Center recently marked its 5th anniversary though it is still closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions. The aquarium recently became a non-profit organization, though the pandemic closures negatively impacted their revenues. The organization hosted over 60 school groups in 2019 and provides important environmental education and awareness resources for the community. For those interested in helping out the local aquarium please visit alberniaquarium.ca/how-to-help.
Azalea Flowers and Gifts celebrated its fifth anniversary in May at its store on Adelaide Street. The shop is owned by Lyndon Cassell and Pam Fong and offers custom flower arrangements, plants, gift baskets and more.
PARSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH
The Town of Qualicum Beach has received $250,000 from the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) for their downtown revitalization project. The project will enhance the East Village’s vitality and business profitability. The project’s overall cost is $1,153,458 and expects to begin in the fall.
Sadly, Smoke’n Water Restaurant in Nanoose Bay will not be reopening due to the financial impact of COVID-19 and reopening restrictions, according to owner Michael Scheuerman.
NANAIMO
Jake Rudolph
The City of Nanaimo‘s Chief Administrative Officer, Jake Rudolph has been elected as the new President of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA), following a term as CAMA’s First Vice President. The election took place at CAMA’s virtual annual general meeting on June 2, 2020. Jake has been on the CAMA Board since 2014 and has served as chair for the Strategic Plan Review Committee, Awards Committee and CAO Employment Contract Toolkit Committee. He also served as a member of the Conference Committee and Code of Conduct Committee.
Atlas Engineered Products announced the completion of a new engineered wood supply arrangement with Taiga Building Products for all of its operating facilities across Canada. This national arrangement replaces the regional supply arrangement announced last year for Eastern Canada.
Vancouver Island University (VIU) has appointed Dr. Eve Stringham as Dean of Science and Technology. Dr. Stringham holds a Ph.D. from UBC and an M.Sc. and BSc. from the University of Manitoba.
WestJet has added two additional weekly flights on its direct route from Nanaimo Airport to Calgary between July 5th and August 4th.
A 280-unit residential development has been proposed close to Island Highway and Ware Road by Lantzville Projects Ltd, covering three parcels of land. Lantzville Council has passed the first and second readings and now await a pubic hearing.
Kirsten Michieli is May Salesperson of the month for Nanaimo Toyota.
Clinton King is Code Brew’s new kiosk manager. Net profits from Code Brew help fund medical equipment at NRGH.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
Wizards Arcade opened for business in the Chemainus Public Market. The arcade is equipped with 11 pinball machines, basketball and foosball games, 10 arcade games and more. Archie’s Ice Cream Parlour and Diner is expected to open in the next few days, while Captain Andy’s Fish and Chips is expected to open closer to the end of the month in the Public Market.
Ladysmith’s new tourism and investment websites launched on June 9 at tourismladysmith.ca and investladysmith.ca respectively. Among other features, the websites list Ladysmith’s key investment zones, local businesses and tourism opportunities.
Christy Wood
Christy Wood left her position as executive director of the Ladysmith Resource Centre Association (LRCA) to serve as the coordinator of community policing and community safety for the City of Nanaimo. Ladysmith Town Councillor and former LRCA board president Marsh Stevens is taking over Wood’s role as executive director.
COWICHAN VALLEY
Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan is BC’s first educational institution to install a thermal imaging system for the reopening health and safety plan. QMS head of school David Robertson feels it will have benefits beyond the schools June opening.
Chocolate Pearl has been named “Business of the Year” by the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area. Located on Craig Street in Downtown Duncan, Chocolate Pearl is an independent retail shop that specializes in handmade artisanal chocolates using local ingredients. Now entering its fourth year, it is owned and operated by Cheryl and Nigel Yonge.
The Town of Lake Cowichan, which heavily relies on tourism, has announced it will allow tubing for the summer. The Tube Shack has worked with the town to address crowds by allowing groups of 20 to set out at a time.
The Cowichan Nation Alliance (CAN), which consists of Halalt First Nation, Cowichan Tribes, Penelakut Tribe and Stz’uminus First Nation, has received $1.49-million in funding for an Indigenous Employment Hub. The Hub will offer 150 skills assessments and as well as skills training courses for 100 participants to help meet future labour needs for infrastructure projects in BC.
Ampersand Distillery now has an online store selling their Amerpsand Gin, Per Se Vodka, Brand Apparel and hand sanitizer. The online store began with making and distributing hand sanitizer to compensate for the shortage.
2020 Downtown Duncan Facade Improvement & Beautification Program has been launched by the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area in partnership with the City of Duncan. The grants will cover 50 per cent of the improvement up to $1000.
Costa Canna cannabis store is opening its second location at Cowichan Commons with the possibility of two more locations in Colwood and Saanich according to company president Phil Floucault. The store is a partnership headed by Cowichan Tribes.
Brother and sister duo Mike and Sue Hallatt are opening a restaurant on Cowichan Lake Road called Black M. The Old Gas station site will be transformed into a burger joint specializing in boar meat and locally grown vegetables and should be open in July.
Jen Wolke has joined The Agency as Office Coordinator. It is located at 725 Canada Avenue.
Russell Farm Market is set to open mid-July. The main building was destroyed 4 months ago due to flooding of the Chemainus River but they have been able to operate their garden centre.