PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH
Mark and Neelam Nagra have expanded their repertoire, opening M&N Sofa Gallery next door to their original business, M&N Mattress. The multiple BBB Torch Awards-winners have been serving Parksville for twenty-years. Visitors in the market for comfy things to sit and/or lay on can drop by their 291 East Island Highway location, or visit www.parksvillemattress.com or www.mnsofa.ca
The Town of Qualicum Beach intends to apply to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (Rural and North Communities Infrastructure) to fund a roundabout project at the intersection of Village Way and Highway 19A. If funding is granted, Qualicum Beach would receive $1,787,859 to cover the project’s costs, estimated to be $1,986,510. The town would contribute $198,651 from its own reserve funds.
The Town of Qualicum Beach is seeking $4,553,091 in funds via Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (Community, Culture, and Recreation Infrastructure) to upgrade its playing fields with an all-season turf surface in the Community Park. The grant funding would contribute 73.33 percent of the project, the federal government 40 percent, and the province 33.33 percent, totaling $3,338,782. The town has agreed to allocate $1,214,309 for the upgrade.
Vancouver Island Real Estate Network welcomes Carolyn Watts. The Vancouver Island-raised agent resides in Qualicum Beach, and left sixteen years of work in the world of dentistry to follow a new passion; helping people find their dream homes in BC.
The Salvation Army has opened a new furniture store in Parksville at 464 Island Highway East.
NANAIMO
James Crockett
James Crockett is now Managing Partner at Nanaimo Chrysler.
Robb Hunter
The Nanaimo Clippers have hired Robb Hunter as their Director of Business Operations. Robb holds a Business of Hockey MBA from Athabasca University.
The City of Nanaimo has announced the opening of a new mountain bike skills area at Steve Smith Bike Park at Beban Park.
The Yellow Point Ecological Society is proposing a 22-kilometre multi-use trail connecting local parks, schools, businesses, markets and community centres in a circular route around Yellow Point and Cedar roads. In their presentation to the Regional District of Nanaimo, the society estimated trail costs would be between $300,000 to $1 million per kilometre of trail.
The Regional District of Nanaimo will partner with Nanaimo Recycling Exchange to evaluate waste streams of industry and businesses. The recycling exchange and executive director Jan Hastings presented a project proposal to the RDN in August, the board approving a $24,750 contract for the non-profit to conduct up to fifteen waste assessments for the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors. The RDN has a goal of diverting ninety-percent of the waste from its landfill by 2027.
Don Singbeil
Regional District of Nanaimo employees Don Singbeil and Lorena Mueller have been recognized for their exemplary service. Don, an RDN transit body shop technician, was presented with the BC Transit Rodi Award. Lorena, RDN wastewater program coordinator earned the 2020 Asset Management Professional Capstone Award.
Lorena Mueller
City councillors, at a recent finance and audit meeting voted unanimously to reallocate $200,000 within the current budget to develop an architectural concept and cost estimate for upgrades to public works facilities on Labieux Road. The total upgrade for Nanaimo’s 4.8-hectare public works property is estimated at $40 million or more. The fleet maintenance shop would be the first phase of potential upgrades.
The City of Nanaimo has announced the opening of a new mountain bike skills area at Steve Smith Bike Park at Beban Park.
Two Nanaimo breweries are winners. Longwood Brewing captured silver in two categories for their Honey Hop Pale Ale and Bourbon Barrel Aged Triple Stout, while White Sails Brewing won a bronze for their Snake Island Cascadian Dark Ale at the 2020 Canadian Brewing Awards.
Nanaimo’s Woodgrove Centre has been purchased from Ivanhoe Cambridge by Chinese businesswoman Weihong Liu via her family business. Independent estimates valuing the deal at approximately $200 million for Ivanhoe’s fifty-percent stake in the centre. Activities and educational opportunities for children and seniors are Liu’s vision for Woodgrove, including health and wellness facilities, and an expanded global food court.
LADYSMITH
The Service Clubs of Ladysmith and Mid Island Soccer Club have teamed up to create an all-access walking trail around the Forrest Field Soccer pitch. Members of the Ladysmith Rotary, Kinsmen, Eagles and the Soccer clubs recently began prep for new paving from the parking lot and around the soccer pitch. Work will include widening the existing concrete sidewalk to allow wheelchairs and walkers to navigate around spectators during games. The clubs have raised close to $20,000.00 for the project through fundraisers.
SYFY’s RESIDENT ALIEN television series is returning to Ladysmith for a second round of filming between October 4th and 6th, with setup beginning on the 1st, and tear down completed by October 8th. Most filming will occur near the intersection of Roberts Street and 1st Avenue and along 1st Avenue and High Street.
Lift Haus Fitness has opened at Unit 2, 19 High Street in Ladysmith. The 24- hour, full-service fitness facility is ready for membership signup at www.lifthaus.ca.
COWICHAN VALLEY
Brad Lesiuk
Brad Lesiuk has returned to lead Island Savings Credit Union’s Chemainus branch as manager after ten years away from the location. Brad has worked in a variety of roles for Island Savings for the last twenty-three years.
Russell Farm Market & Garden Center is open once again after seven months of repairs and renovations due to massive flooding in early February, and COVID-19 delays. Locally-grown produce, garden supplies and an excellent deli are available at the Chemainus mainstay, founded by Russell Stewart in 1951. Give them a visit at 2711 Mt Sicker Road.
Mark Lakeman
Mark Lakeman has presented draft designs to Duncan’s city council for Whistler Street and 85 Station Street in Duncan. Lakeman, principal of Portland-based architecture and planning firm Communitecture, is a co-founder of the City Repair Project. The firm was hired by the City of Duncan to conduct a public place-making design project for the property and the street, held after a series of public workshops to gather ideas for what residents want to see there.
The province has committed approximately $6.5 million in annual funding to improve health care for those without family doctors in the Cowichan Valley. The Ministry of Health has announced intent to establish a primary-care network that will bring additional resources and support to the region. Over the next four years, the network will connect 16,750 patients to a consistent primary care provider in the region.
The Chemainus Theatre is taking first steps to reopen the Playbill Dining Room on September 9th. Open Wednesday through Saturday, all dine-in visits will be by reservation only.