News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Ascent Helicopters, a contractor with two pilots, has been operating the air ambulance stationed in Port McNeill since June 1, according to the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS).
The North Island Music Festival is scheduled on August 24th at the Centennial Park in Port McNeill.
Hoyalas Landing Restaurant has opened its location in Coal Harbour.
Dr. Martin Barker is expanding his chiropractic practice to twice a week in Port Hardy.
The North Island Mini Film Festival is coming to the Gatehouse Theatre on Sept. 7 from 6 pm to 9 pm. The event is called a “mini” film fest because the films are going to be around 1-5 minutes long. The theme for the event is “North Island stories by North Island Folks.”
CAMPBELL RIVER
Domenico Iannidinardo
Domenico Iannidinardo has been appointed as the chief executive officer of Strategic Natural Resource Consultants Inc (SNRC), a natural resources consulting firm that is Indigenous-owned and headquartered in Campbell River.
Sealand Flight, a pilot training and flight school located on Vancouver Island, has been granted permission to operate the Pipistrel Aircraft Velis Electro, a two-seat electric aircraft. This authorization is specifically intended for licensed and in-training pilots.
The City of Campbell River hosted the soft launch of its micro-market, on July 24th at 1235 Shoppers Row. The following have signed a one year lease at $400 per month: Tina Setzer, Emma Heitzmann, Jennifer Warren and Rochelle Thomas and Michaela Adams.
COMOX VALLEY
Gary Sandhu has been promoted to Vice President, Auto Sales at Waypoint, and Ritesh Prasad to Vice President, Auto Operations.
The City of Courtenay has acquired the Anderton Arms Apartment Building, located at 426 Anderton Avenue. This acquisition is part of the City’s response to safety concerns. The City has plans to demolish the Anderton Arms once tenants have relocated.
Amy Englemark, an author, speaker, and business consultant, has been appointed as the newest BC Lead Ambassador by WEDO Canada.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Epic Pharmacy, located in Tofino, is looking for a full time Pharmacy Manager to join its team.
The Redd Fish Restoration Society is thrilled to announce the grand opening of their new headquarters at 1728 Peninsula Road in Ucluelet.
Multiple full-time Line Cook opportunities are available at Browns Socialhouse in Tofino.
Congratulations Ombré Tofino on your opening! A chic hideaway that brings the allure of the California Coast and the French Riviera to the heart of Tofino. Ombré offers light, produce-driven fare and exquisite seaside cocktails.
Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes, A-Frame Guiding Co. , the newest addition to the chamber roster They specialize in guided surf excursions and bring expertise and passion to every adventure.
PORT ALBERNI
Broughton Storage, the newest storage facility in Port Alberni, opens at 4924 Broughton St., behind Canadian Tire.
The Kackaamin Family Development Centre marked its 50th anniversary with a ceremony held at its facility on Beaver Creek Road in Port Alberni.
The new Timberline Seniors Community is set to open at North Park in Port Alberni.
Quality Care Drugstore is a new pharmacy located at 1st and Argyle, a couple of blocks up from the Harbour Quay. They are open 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm on holidays.
People in the Alberni Valley and surrounding regions will benefit from more accurate and faster cancer screening thanks to a new, state-of-the-art 3D mammography system at West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
100 Women Who Care – Oceanside has generously donated $34,000 to the Oceanside Hospice Society. This significant contribution will support the organization’s volunteer training and education program.
Jennifer Hufnagel will serve as the AI Panel speaker at the Empower Women event in Parksville on August 12, 2024. The Empower Women’s mission is to establish unparalleled opportunities for development and advancement, offering unwavering support to women as they pursue success.
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) will implement a waste diversion bylaw for all commercial, institutional, industrial, and multi-family buildings in January 2025. The Mandatory Waste Source Separation (MWSS) bylaw requires waste generators to sort rubbish, recycling, and organics into separate containers. Like the single-family residence program, the MWSS bylaw will apply to all properties in the RDN, which includes Electoral Areas A, B, C, E, F, G, and H, Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach.
NANAIMO
Dr. Tim Green
Tim Green, the Canada research chair in shellfish health and genomics at Vancouver Island University, is collaborating with researchers Chris Pearce and Clara Mackenzie from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Their objective is to selectively breed oysters that can withstand elevated levels of ocean acidification and to identify the specific genomes that contribute to the species’ ability to survive under these conditions.
Dr. Judith Sayers, VIU Chancellor and President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, has been awarded the Coronation Medal for her substantial contributions to Canada and the province.
Michael Pickup, who served as the Auditor General of British Columbia for four years, announced his retirement effective on November 15.
Lara Kareem, Human Resource Coordinator at Barkley Project Group Ltd., is celebrating her one-year anniversary with the company.
StaffQuest Placement Group Inc. has officially joined the Enigmatic Group of Companies.
Alison Dantas
Alison Dantas, CEO of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, has been elected to represent Vancouver Island on the board of the Federation of Community and Social Services of BC.
As the wine sector struggles with persistent climate-related issues and vine damage, the province has announced new regulations that would allow wines to be created with grapes and juice from outside the province for the 2024 vintage year. These provisions will go into effect on April 1, 2025, and expire on March 31, 2026.
The Melody project by Westmark Construction, located at 4961 Songbird Place in Nanaimo, is nearing its completion. When developer Primex Investments Ltd. completes this five-story multi-family project, 99 new rental units featuring one, two, and three bedrooms along with dens will be added to the community. Pacific Cove Properties will oversee property management.
The 18th Annual ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit, which will be held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo on October 23 and 24, is now accepting early bird registration until August 10th.
The Tourism Industry Webinar by Destination BC is set for August 1 at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). An update on the condition of tourism in British Columbia as well as the most recent information on our main initiatives and plans, such as marketing campaigns, travel industry and media relations, destination development projects, and more, will be covered at the virtual meeting.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The Town of Ladysmith is looking to hire a Financial Service Coordinator.
Ladysmith Days is taking place this weekend! Mark your calendars for August 3rd & 4th
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Thanks a Latte Coffee Shop in Saltair, owned by Danny and Precy Mendoza held its grand opening on July 21, at 10862 Chemainus Rd.
The 2024 Cowichan Valley Wine Festival will take place from August 1st to the month’s end and will feature tastings from twelve different local wineries spread out around the Valley.
Simcic Architecture Studio, located in Vancouver, will design the stunning new tasting room for Unsworth Vineyards, in addition to renovating its winery.
The 21st Annual Small Business BC honours are an invitation for small enterprises on Vancouver Island to participate for the largest entrepreneurship honours in British Columbia. Voting and nominations end on August 16.
The province has allocated $150,000 to the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, North Cowichan, and Duncan for their 2024 Emergency Operations Centre project.
The North Cowichan council has awarded a nearly $1 million contract on 20,650 organic and garbage carts to IPL North America Inc. The town is moving ahead with its plans to switch to automated waste collection by March of 2025.
Tzouhalem Spinners and Weavers Guild celebrates 50 years anniversary.