News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
The Namgis Wellness Centre Committee, the First Nation Health Authority, a team of architects, engineers, and planners at David Naime + Associates, and community input were instrumental in the collaborative development of the new facility, which will be located on the north end of Cormorant Island, west of the Big House, and was officially opened with a ground-breaking ceremony on April 29.
Staff members of the Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society (MWFLS) were present at the Decoda Literacy Conference in Richmond from April 17th to the 19th, joining Jackie Hildering, The Marine Detective from Port McNeill and a co-founder of the Marine Education and Research Society, who finished her keynote presentation.
The grand inauguration of Hoyalas Landing Restaurant, situated at 351 Coal Harbour Road, Coal Harbour, is scheduled for May 11.
Telegraph Cove is now open for the season.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Ministry of Education and Child Care allocated $2 million to School District 72 to fund various initiatives, such as repairing the roof of Sayward School and updating the HVAC system at Sandowne Elementary.
Campbell River’s first Primary Care Access Clinic is set to operate in the administrative building on the campus of North Island Hospital at 381 2nd Avenue.
The City of Campbell River announced the launch of its Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan and is hosting a drop-in style open house at the Maritime Heritage Centre, 621 Island Highway on May 14.
BC Hydro has announced that the Aecon-EBC Ladore General Partnership will serve as the general contractor for the Ladore Spillway Gate Seismic Upgrade Project.
Royal Lepage Advance Realty has a new Office Location in Willow Point at 2204 South Island Hwy.
The City of Campbell River is in the final stage of updating its Master Transportation Plan (MTP), and is seeking public feedback on the draft MTP. Residents are encouraged to participate by completing the City’s MTP survey, available now until May 30, 2024.
With the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) now an independent league, the Storm is allowed two international player slots to help fill their roster. On the same day the VIJHL announced their split from Hockey Canada and BC Hockey (April 29), the Storm announced the signings of Levente Birta and Trofim Godochkin. Both players are forwards.
COMOX VALLEY
Hanna Stoddart
Hanna Stoddart recently begun to work for the Town of Comox at the Comox Community Centre as a recreation programmer.
Providence Living at The Views, new long-term living model in Comox modelled after a dementia village, has received a $1 million donation from the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation.
Tree Island Yogurt, owned by Scott DiGuistini and Merissa Myles, has recently inaugurated its new location at 3747 Island Hwy South, Courtenay.
Learn more about local, Maxwel Hohn, a four-time Emmy-Award-winning underwater cinematographer in an interview with Radio Chatter with Mat Mosveen.
Uride will soon be available in Courtenay and Comox.
A BBQ was held for the grand opening of Cloverdale Paint, located at 743 28th Street, behind Canadian Tire.
On May 23, 2024, in support of the Dyke Road Park Green Shores® Demonstration Project, the parking lot and viewing platform at Dyke Road Park will be closed by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD).
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Ombré Restaurant is set to open at 311 Neill S., Tofino in June.
Harbour Air has recently introduced convenient direct flights connecting Richmond (YVR South) and Tofino.
The Den will be the exclusive retailer for Fox Fold, an innovative and eco-friendly solution for facial tissues and toilet paper. Pacific Sands Beach Resort has chosen to be the first resort in BC to implement this sustainable product throughout their property.
Wickaninnish Inn has been recognized as one of the finest luxury hotels in Canada, earning a prestigious spot on Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best Hotels.
PORT ALBERNI
TD Bank is looking for a Personal Banking Associate based in Port Alberni.
Pita Pit franchise has officially opened at Unit 311-3555 Johnston Road.
The Port Alberni Lawn Bowling Club, situated at 4255 Wallace Street, is hosting two additional open houses on May 11 and May 18 to mark the beginning of the season. The club is located between Echo Centre and the rear of Alberni District Secondary School.
Tseshaht First Nation has acquired a parcel of land located between Second and Third Avenues, at the base of Neill Street and Ship Creek Road in Port Alberni. The land was purchased from Western Forest Products and will be utilized for off-reserve housing.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Coastal Community Credit Union Nanoose Bay Business after Business event is scheduled on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce ammual general meeting is set on June 27th at the Beach Club Resort, 181 Beachside Dr, Parksville.
Endless Treasures Thrift & Gift has joined the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce as its newest member.
The City of Parksville announced that the upgrades in the Parksville Community Park are now complete.
Reports from the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board show that the average price of a single-family home in Parksville Qualicum Beach is now $885,000, as of this month.
NANAIMO
Thomas Bevan
Thomas Bevan will take over as CEO of the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) on June 1, 2024.
Jason Collier of EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc., will be at the 2024 BC Land Summit in Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo from May 8 – 10.
For the whole month of May, all Better Business Bureau Learning Courses and Certificates are 40 per cent off for Accredited Businesses and 25 per cent off for non-Accredited Businesses.
The East Wellington Road property is currently being sold by Ray Brittain, the owner of Brechin Lanes.
The Port of Nanaimo recently donated $5,000 to the BC Cancer Foundation in recognition of its efforts to improve the health and well-being of our local communities.
LIDA Construction Inc. annnouned that the development permit for the 884 Lampson condo project has been approved by the council.
The Nanaimo Indigenous Justice Centre (IJC) has been officially opened by Elder Lolly Good.
The ICS 300 course will be held in Nanaimo from June 10th to 12th, 2024, and is being organized by SpillConsult Ltd in collaboration with Western Canada Marine Response Corporation.
Connective, in partnership with BC Housing, opened Cornerstone, a 51-unit supportive housing program at at 285 Prideaux Street in Nanaimo.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The downtown area of Ladysmith will be even more inviting to locals and tourists alike with the addition of two new public art banners designed by artist Trisha Oldfield and set to hang down 1st Avenue.
The proposed four-story rental housing project at 9800 Willow St. in Chemainus features up to 24 units on the top three stories, as well as ground-floor office space. The project is being expedited by the Municipality of North Cowichan in collaboration with the province.
The province is providing up to $2 million to Ron Anderson & Sons Ltd., a Chemainus-based wood-product manufacturer that constructs and installs prefabricated wood-frame buildings for residential and commercial units, as announced by Brenda Bailey, the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
A development permit for the first phase, Somenos Views Residencies, was approved by the North Cowichan council. The project is being developed by Somenos View Holdings Inc. and will be located near the Hamlets at Duncan complex, near the corner of Beverly Street and York Road.
Duncan’s Uncle Albert’s Home Furnishings on Second Street, owned by Jill Ayearst, will be closing its doors this summer. After 51 years of service, the store has been a staple in meeting the furniture needs of the Cowichan Valley.
The Dine & Sip Cowichan Festival has successfully raised $5,000, which has been donated to the Cowichan Valley Basket Society, through the Island Savings’ Full Cupboard program.
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