📬 My Nanaimo This Week - October 3, 2023

October 3, 2023

This Week...

Join the 2024-2026 Urban Design Roster, learn how to prepare an emergency kit and stay informed on upcoming Thanksgiving closures. Read on for more!

Calling All Artists!

The City of Nanaimo is seeking portfolios to be added to our 2024-2026 Urban Design Roster. This program offers artists and designers an opportunity to be involved in civic urban design and small-scale artwork related to city infrastructure. Open to artists across BC. Deadline: November 13, 2023.

Artwork featured by:
Upper left: Ay Lelum
Lower left: Hugo Bedard
Lower right: Becky Thiessen

URBAN DESIGN ROSTER

October is Emergency Preparedness Month in Nanaimo

For the fourth year in a row, the City of Nanaimo will be dedicating the month of October to raising awareness on emergency preparedness. The City encourages everyone to be ready for everything from fires and earthquakes to storms and power outages.

Vancouver Island residents are encouraged to prepare an emergency kit that will last for up to seven days.
Fire Prevention Week takes place from October 8 to 14 with a theme of "Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention".
On Thursday, October 19, get ready to drop, cover and hold on! The Great ShakeOut BC earthquake drill will take place at 10:19 am.
Also, beginning at 10:19 a.m. on October 19, a test alert of the City's emergency alert system, Voyent Alert!, will be sent out. Sign up today!

MORE INFO

Thanksgiving Closures & Activities

Monday, October 9 is Thanksgiving. City offices and facilities will be closed with the exception of Frank Crane Arena and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre where you can take part in a special Thanksgiving skate or swim.

Skate from 1 to 3 pm at Frank Crane Arena.
Swim from 12 to 5 pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.

ACTIVITY GUIDE

Sorting It Right

Be mindful of overfilling your carts! It's important to remember that overfilled carts can spill waste onto the street, attract wildlife, and won't be collected. It's our responsibility to make sure our waste is sorted and placed for collection as per the Solid Waste Bylaw.

Not everything with a recycling symbol can be placed in the blue cart – so make sure you double-check the “What Goes Where Tool” on our website or better yet, download the Nanaimo Recycles App, available on Google Play and the App Store.

GARBAGE & RECYCLING

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

Midtown Water Supply and Midtown Gateway Projects:

The trail that connects VIU, the Black Diamond neighbourhood and Third Street is closed to the public. This area is an active construction site for the installation of the water supply main. Construction traffic will enter and exit the work zone at Third Street across from the Rotary Field House.
East Wellington Road from Westwood Road to Bowen Road is an active construction site, use an alternate route over for the next couple months. Expect delays and intermittent road closures, construction traffic will be entering and exiting frequently from the work zones on the roadway shoulders. Speed limit is 30km/h 24 hours per day.
East Wellington Road will be closed to all west-bound vehicle traffic along the construction work zone between Madsen Road and Bowen Road. All businesses remain accessible, local traffic to access the business please follow the signage off Bowen for the detour to enter eastbound into this work zone.
East Wellington Road remains open to cyclists and pedestrians during this time. Cyclists are encouraged to dismount and walk. Watch for sidewalk closures and detours.
The Parkway Trail Parking Lot at Westwood Road and East Wellington Road is closed to the public. The Parkway Trail is still accessible.
Thank you for your patience!

Terminal Avenue

Terminal Avenue upgrades will be ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street
The mid-block crosswalk at Gordon Street is closed until the installation of the new signals, expected late this year
- Pedestrians please use the crosswalks at Commercial Street and Esplanade for safe crossing
Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction
Speed limit will be reduced as this will be an active construction zone
Obey all signs and traffic control persons

Fifth/Bruce Intersection Upgrade

Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
Obey all signs and traffic control persons.

Departure Bay Road Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Upgrades

Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 7 pm.
Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
Obey all signs and traffic control persons.

Albert/Fourth Complete Streets and Utility Upgrade project:

Albert Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic between Pine and Kennedy Streets until November 1
Closure will be in effect 24 hours per day
Please use an alternate route to avoid delays
Obey all signs and traffic control persons, who are there for your safety
Albert Street will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians during this time

Ross Road Watermain Upgrade

Construction work is continuing on Ross Road between Summit Road and Collishaw Road
Typical construction hours are Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 7 pm
Commuters are encouraged to avoid this area if possible. If that is not possible, expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area
Detours will be instituted where possible
Obey all signs and traffic control persons

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS