The Port of Nanaimo continues to make significant progress, as their latest announcement was announced at the end of July: Signing a 25 year lease agreement with Western Canada Marine Response Corporation to build a $10 million, 130,000 square foot office/warehouse headquarters for their Vancouver Island marine response operations.
It is expected that the new facility will be home to 35 full-time employees.
This follows on the recent announcement of a new vehicle processing operation at the Nanaimo Assembly Wharf.
The Port of Nanaimo also announced they have signed long-term leases with the Nanaimo Yacht Club, Protection Island Neighborhood Association and Western Stevedoring.
· · ·
Congratulations to Ken Slawson on celebrating the 20th anniversary in the trucking business at Penta Transport Ltd. at 1620 Herold Road in South Nanaimo.
· · ·
Congratulations to dealer principal John Wynia and his family upon celebrating 35 years with their Harbourview Volkswagen. The dealership recently underwent a spectacular, major building transformation at the corner of the Island Highway and Mostar Road.
John was also the owner of the Nanaimo Clippers franchise in the B.C. Junior Hockey League, and his son Sjon won a national championship while playing with the Vernon franchise.
· · ·
Congratulations to Central Drugs upon holding the official grand opening of their newest location, in Pacific Station near RE/MAX of Nanaimo on Metral Drive.
Kylee Power, Pharmacist and Central Drugs owner, Jordan Mark, Compounding Pharmacist and Central Drugs Owner, and Mark Rogers, Pharmacist and Central Drugs President, were joined by local dignitaries at the July 18 ribbon cutting ceremony.
· · ·
Walker’s Saw Shop at 3653 Shenton Road is now offering U-Haul products and services.
· · ·
Michael Kluthe has opened Four Crows Barber and Shave at 15-1925 Bowen Road.
· · ·
Wesley Fortin is the branch manager of the new Prairie Coast Equipment operation that is a John Deere dealership in south Nanaimo, next to the Island Highway.
· · ·
Luke Bouma has joined the real estate sales team at RE/MAX of Nanaimo.
· · ·
Smythe LLP is pleased to welcome Maggie Puhacz as new partner in the firm. They’re at 201-1825 Bowen Road.
· · ·
Angie Barnard of The Network Hub is restarting the popular Downtown Quarterly Coffee meetings, co-hosted by Caroline Moncrieff of The Caroline Affect.
The first meeting is 7:45 a.m. Thursday, August 23 at 120-256 Wallace Street.
For further information contact Angie at Nanaimo@thenetworkhub.ca.
· · ·
Vancouver Island University’s men’s hockey team is entering its second season, and the team’s executives played in a recent Hockey Fights Cancer tournament, with part proceeds going towards the hockey team.
Doug Johnston, Bryan Murphy, Bill Wilkie, Grant Starko and President Myles Parsons – who also organized the tournament – participated in the gathering.
· · ·
The Salvation Army is expanding their Nanaimo Thrift Stores to include a furniture and donation centre.
· · ·
The old Patricia Hotel at 525 Haliburton Street has been torn down. The property is for sale, and is expected to be redeveloped once sold.
Seaspan Shipyards has announced that Mark Lamarre has been named Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Brian Carter.
Mark was most recently CEO of Australian Shipbuilding Company.
· · ·
Trees, a cannabis dispensary, has opened in University Village on Bruce Avenue.
· · ·
Darren Hauca, Grant McDonald and myself are again organizing the Big Cheese Charity Classic hockey game for business owners, which celebrates its 10th year with a game in Nanaimo on October 26. The event has raised close to $40,000 for various local charities.
There are still a few spots on the roster if you own a business and want to join an event that features a great hockey game, lots of food, drink, prizes and laughs. Just email me if you would like to discuss participation and the registration fee.
Mark MacDonald writes about business in Nanaimo. Tell him your news by emailing him at mark@businessexaminer.ca