PORT ALBERNI
Murray Lawlor of Coombs Country Candy
An arrangement between Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot and Coombs Country Candy at 2101 Old Nanaimo Highway Road in Port Alberni will ensure the iconic business remains open after co-founders Murray Lawlor and Lenore Bailey retire. Leanne Hewitt, who has worked at the store for 19 years, will continue to manage the store.
Directors with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District have discussed the possibility of adding another library branch to the Alberni Valley. ACRD board chair John Jack suggested putting something on an agenda at a future meeting to have a larger discussion about Port Alberni’s library.
Visit Alberni Electric at their new store located at 3553 3rd Avenue. All of their electricians are Red Seal-certified. Give them a call at 778-421-4080, or check them out at www.albernielectric.ca.
A new, 18-hole disc golf course will open next year in Port Alberni’s Dry Creek Park after two years of work between the Alberni Valley Disc Golf Club (AVDGC) and the City of Port Alberni’s engineering department, wastewater management and biologists for Dry Creek’s fish habitat. The club hopes to have people playing by spring of 2021.
The City of Port Alberni is moving forward with refurbishment of the Harbour Quay clock tower in early 2021. The city has entered into a partnership with Tseshaht First Nation to create an art piece that will be installed on the top of the clock tower. The clocks on the tower will be replaced with artwork designed by Tseshaht artist Willard Gallic Jr. and manufactured by Electron Metalworks. Installation and refurbishment work will be completed by Bowerman Excavating.
WEST COAST
Chef Lisa Ahier
Chef Lisa Ahier of Tofino’s SoBo Restaurant made a successful pitch on the CBC’s Dragons’ Den program, landing a deal with Arlene Dickinson. Chef Ahier went into the show seeking $300,000 for 49 percent of a to-go frozen chowder business she hopes to launch with her smoked wild salmon chowder as the flagship product. Dickinson offered $340,000 for 10 percent of all of the popular chef’s products as well as the restaurant.
Four projects associated with salmon habitat rehabilitation and stock assessment in the Ucluelet and Tofino area received $76,590 in grants from the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) through its Community Salmon Program. The Cedar Coast Field Station Society’s juvenile salmon assessments in Clayoquot Sound received $1,500, Central Westcoast Forest Society’s Habitat Restoration at Suhum Creek $30,000, Hydro Hill Watershed $33,090 and Thornton Creek Enhancement Society’s Juvenile Chinook Survival and Hatchery Release Strategy Project was awarded $12,000.
Accent Inns Inc. DBA Hotel Zed has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) to add 3 additional liquor primary areas to the current food primary liquor licencing. They’re seeking a resolution from the District of Tofino Council in support of the application.
Andrew McLane
Island-based developer and president of ACMC Holdings Ltd. Andrew McLane has received approval from the Ucluelet City Council for a development permit (DP) for the 3.7-acre parcel of land near Brown’s Beach on the Wild Pacific Trail. Lot 13, also known as First Light at Marine Drive, will be home to a 33-lot affordable housing project, with three show homes expected by early 2021.