May 16, 2022

This week... 

Sign up to be a vendor at the upcoming Trunk Sale, a reminder to stay safe on the water and to be bear aware. Read on for more!

Public Works & Local Government Awareness

May 15 - 21 is both Local Government Awareness and National Public Works week. From operating machinery to fixing computers, fighting fires to balancing the books - it takes the work of many to help build and support a growing community. The city prepared this video designed for a classroom introduction for elementary students to learn about the many important roles they do that keep our city functioning and thriving. 
Get Vaccinated

Curbside Recycling Contamination Too High

We have the blue cart blues! This means, we need to reduce blue cart contamination. Recycle BC, the provincial authority overseeing recycling across the province, requires recycling collectors such as the City of Nanaimo to maintain contamination rates of less than three per cent to meet contract requirements. Currently, Nanaimo's recycling contamination rate averages more than 10 percent.

Contamination can lead to increased service fees and recycling ending up in the landfill. It can also put workers at risk and damage equipment used in the recycling process. To reduce contamination levels, the City has put together an action plan. It includes increased communications and education, along with curbside inspections of blue carts and firmer stance on collecting. Those who continue to contaminate their recycling will receive a sticker alerting them of the item(s) not accepted. The goal is to never leave a cart behind, but households that continue to contaminate could see their blue carts not being collected.

LEARN HOW WE CAN REDUCE CONTAMINATION

May Long Holiday Hours

On the holiday Monday, May 23, the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre will be open from 12-5 pm. A reminder that all other city facilities will be closed. Have a fun, safe long weekend and be sure to check the drop-in schedules before you visit the arenas or the pools. There have been recent swimming schedule changes as well as skating changes due to BCHL hockey playoffs. 

DROP IN SCHEDULES

Drop Zone

Set aside some time to spring clean your garden this long weekend and remove invasive plants. You can find a list of common invasive plants on the City website. Once you remove the plants, keep them tarped or bagged until May 28 when you can drop them off for safe disposal at the Drop Zone from 10 am - 2 pm in the lower Bowen Park parking lot (off Wall Street).

DROP ZONE

Water Parks Will Open

Community water parks will open May 21 for the long weekend. We just need the sun to arrive too! Four water parks will be open 7 days a week from 9 am to 9 pm:

  • Deverill Square Park
  • Departure Bay Kiwanis Park
  • Harewood Centennial Park
  • Mansfield Park

PARKS MAP

Bear Aware

There have been several bear sightings in our parks and around town recently. Garbage is the attractant named in more than 50% of problem bear calls in BC. Please make sure your household garbage and organic waste is stored safely and securely. Also, when visiting local parks, please do not leave any garbage behind. 

TIPS FOR WILDLIFE & WASTE

Sign up for the Trunk Sale

Residents interested in becoming a vendor at the Nanaimo Recycles Trunk Sale can register now on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of 100 vendor spaces are available. This event promotes the reuse and recycling of unwanted "garage sale" type items. Those looking to shop, mark your calendars for Saturday, July 16. It will take place in the Country Club Centre parking lot from 9 am - 2 pm. Bring your reusable bags!

TRUNK SALE INFORMATION

 GoByBike

There will be Celebration Stations, a Kickoff event, a Nanaimo (Handle) Bar Ride & much more during Spring GoByBike week from May 30 - June 5. Residents are encouraged to register at gobybikebc.ca/nanaimo and learn more about the sponsors, events and prizes! You can also visit @cityofnanaimo Instagram to enter a giveaway. Many amazing sponsors and volunteers have come together to make this event larger than ever and we would like to thank them all!

GOBYBIKE NANAIMO

Boating Safety

Stay safe while near or in the water. Each year 66% of drownings that occur in BC happen between May and September. The Lifesaving Society website shows that 24% of these drownings occur in relation to boating incidents (e.g. powerboats, canoes, & inflatable craft). Contributing factors to the drownings were a failure to use a personal floatation device (PFD) and absent or distracted supervision of children.

BOATING SAFETY REMINDERS

National Lifejacket Day

For many Canadians, the summer season means enjoying outdoor activities, such as swimming, fishing or boating. Ensure you have a safe summer by remembering to always wear a lifejacket when on or near bodies of water, and ensure it fits properly. Wearing a lifejacket saves lives! May 19 is National Lifejacket Day encouraging people to review tips on how to stay safe around water. Please see the Canadian Red Cross website for helpful information.

CANDADIAN RED CROSS

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

  • Metral Drive is still an active construction, so please drive slowly, respect the new 3-way stops, and expect delays while navigating the construction zone. Enterprise Way may be closed eastbound as required between May 16th – 18th. Please detour on Aulds & Hwy 19A during this period.
  • Metral Drive is still an active construction, so please drive slowly, respect the new 3-way stops, and expect delays while navigating the construction zone. Enterprise Way will be closed eastbound during the week of May 9th – 13th. Please detour on Aulds & Hwy 19A during this period.
  • Watermain upgrades are underway on Laguna Way east of the intersection with Lost Lake Road. Commuters can expect minor delays.
  • Nottingham Drive is closed between Hammond Bay Road and Cumberland Place. Commuters should plan to access Nottingham from the north end.
  • Utility upgrades are taking place on Cottleview Drive and Hillside Avenue between Caldwell Street and Pacific Edge Way. Commuters can expect minor delays.
  • Fourth Street between Bruce Avenue and Pine Street is closed in both directions to through traffic, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hamilton Avenue at Pine Street will be closed to southbound right turning vehicles. Local traffic is permitted. All businesses remain open and accessible. Road closures will remain in effect until May 2022 when the Fourth Street Complete Street Phase 1 project is completed.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Work With Us!

We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions:

  • Water Treatment Plant Operator
  • Recreation Coordinator - Temporary Full-Time
  • Bylaw Enforcement Officer
  • Police Records Clerk
  • Recreation Coordinator - Aquatics
  • 2022 General Municipal Election Workers
  • Planning Assistant
  • Human Resources Advisor
  • 2022 Seasonal Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Head Lifeguard/Instructor - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Engineering Services Technologist
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS

Meetings This Week

Monday, May 16: Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm

Wednesday, May 18: Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 9 am

Did you know? 

Council will be presented with the final report of the Downtown Nanaimo Community Safety Action Plan, detailing findings of the security review and recommendations at their meeting on May 16.

You can watch live meetings, view a list of upcoming meetings, read agendas and watch recordings of past meetings all in one place on the City website. 

MEETINGS

Here's a recap of last week's City News

CITY NEWSROOM

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