May 13, 2024

This Week...

Join us to celebrate Public Works Week, enjoy Concerts in the Park and visit one of our Community Water Parks. Read on for more!

Public Works Week

To highlight Public Works Week, join us on May 22, in a free, semi-guided tour of the Public Works yard. Work/information zones will provide examples of “Advancing Quality of Life for All”. This theme showcases how Public Works employees are dedicated to improving the quality of life for its citizens to live, work and play.

There are a limited number of spots available, registration is required for this tour. Log into your recreation account at www.nanaimo.ca/parks-recreation-culture/register-for-a-program and choose between six different timeslots for the tour.

REGISTER

Concerts in the Park: "Mostly Motown & Turnpike"

This summer, bring a lawn chair and a picnic while enjoying some great musical entertainment in some of Nanaimo's most beautiful and popular parks. These concerts are FREE and are great for the whole family!

Our second performer is Mostly Motown & Turnpike and they will be performing at Maffeo Sutton Park on Friday, May 17 from 6 - 7:15 pm.

Image: Mostly Motown

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

Commercial Street Night Market

The Commercial Street Night Market brings to life, the colour, and the sounds of summer to downtown Nanaimo. Over 11 weeks, the Market will host nearly 200 artisan vendors, more than a dozen food trucks, multiple musical entertainers, and a kids’ zone creating a festive family vibe.

The Night Market was created to bring locals and tourists into the heart of our city to showcase our local restaurants and businesses. The artisan vendors help demonstrate the creative community you’ll find in the mid-Island.

Water Parks Now Open

The City of Nanaimo Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture has turned on the taps at the four City water parks - just in time for warmer temperatures. The parks will be open seven days a week from 9 am to 8 pm:

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

PARKS MAP

Bear Aware

Garbage is the attractant in 50 per cent of problem bear calls in BC. Food-conditioned bears are a safety threat to both bears and humans. We need to eliminate the attraction of garbage and organic waste.

Protect bears and other wildlife:

  • Do not set carts out the night before.
  • Place carts at the curb between
    5 and 8 am on the morning of your scheduled collection day.
  • Remove carts from the curb after collection, no later than 9 pm.
  • Store carts in a secure location such as a garage or shed, especially if you live in/close to wildlife habitat.

GARBAGE BASICS

Information Sessions

Prepare your property for wildfire season by signing up for a FREE FireSmart information session workshop this month:

  • Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 pm in Beban Park Social Centre, Room 3
  • Wednesday, May 29 at 6:30 pm in Nanaimo Ice Centre Lounge (upstairs)

For more information, please email fireinfo@nanaimo.ca, and for everything you need to know about preparing for a disaster, visit the Prepared BC website.

RDN/BC Transit Fare Review Survey

BC Transit and the Regional District of Nanaimo invite you to provide feedback on potential fare changes as a part of the fare review process. As a part of this process, the Regional District of Nanaimo is looking for feedback from the public to aid in establishing fares that balance affordability, ridership growth, and cost recovery. 

SURVEY

Invasive Action Month

Don’t let the Red Eared Slider turtle from the pet store loose! It gets into our lakes and ponds out competing our native Western Painted Turtle for habitat.

The City of Nanaimo is supporting the Western Painted Turtle monitoring program at Diver Lake and Buttertubs Marsh. Please report sightings of both the Red Eared Slide Turtle and the Western Painted Turtle to the Government of BC by emailing FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Here’s a list of up-to-date information on City construction projects. Make sure to plan your commute and, if possible, plan an alternate route. When approaching construction zones, please make sure to slow down and obey all signage and traffic personnel instructions. Thank you for your patience!

Midtown Water Supply Project

  • 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. There will be flaggers controllig traffic by Black Diamond later in the week as work will occur.
  • Commuters can expect minor delays and visual distractions along many streets in the City while construction continues on this project. Drivers, pay close attention to signage and the construction traffic as they enter and exit these sections of the project:
    • Beban Park, near Bowen Road south entrance
    • Labieux Road, off the Labieux Rd/Kenworth Rd roundabout
    • East Wellington, Westwood Road to Bowen Road
    • Griffiths Road, end to Madsen Road
    • Third Street across from the Rotary Fieldhouse
    • College Drive, near the Parkway intersection

Thank you for your patience! Learn more about this project: Midtown Water Supply Upgrades.

Midtown Gateway Phase 2B

  • Starting Monday, May 13, there will be nightly construction and a full road closure on Northfield Road, between Bowen Road and Boxwood Road, while BC Hydro installs new infrastructure as part of the Midtown Gateway project. This will be in affect 6 pm to 6 am nightly, excluding weekends and Victoria Day (May 20). Use detour or expect delays. Pedestrians and cyclists watch for a separate detour around the work zone. For your safety, please obey all signs and traffic control persons. Commuters are encouraged to avoid this area during this time if possible. All businesses remain open and accessible. Thanks for your patience!
  • At times, Rosstown Road will be reduced to single lane alternating traffic between Bowen Road and Whitney Road.
  • At times, southbound traffic on Bowen Road will be reduced to single lane between Rosstown Road and Northfield Road.
  • Typical work hours will be 7 am to 5 pm.

Learn more about this project: Midtown Gateway.

Terminal Avenue

  • Terminal Avenue upgrades will be ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street.
  • Signal installation has commenced at Esplanade and drivers should expect delays travelling through the intersection.
  • The sidewalk in front of Vancouver Island Convention Centre along Terminal Avenue will have rotating closures and pedestrian traffic will be provided with a detour onto Terminal.
  • 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.

Meredith Road Watermain Upgrade

  • Construction work is continuing on Meredith Road between Spencer Road and Thunderbird Drive.
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 5 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.

Weber Street & Bruce Avenue Area Utility Upgrades

  • Line painting on Bruce Avenue and Weber Street
  • Asphalt curb installation on Plecas Crescent, Glen Crescent and Weber Street
  • Pedestrian walkway between Glen Crescent and Plecas Crescent is now open
  • Traffic on Bruce Avenue, Weber Street, Glen Crescent and Plecas Crescent will occasionally be reduced to single-lane-alternating.
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5 pm.

Princess Street Area Utility Upgrades

  • Construction is starting on Princess Street from the south end to Bing Kee Street
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
  • Traffic will be reduced to single-lane-alternating. Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control persons.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

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Work With Us!

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

  • Executive Assistant, Police Services
  • Police Records Clerk
  • Operations Support Supervisor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Transportation Engineer
  • Business Analyst/Project Management Specialist
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Assistant Manager, Procurement
  • Building Official
  • Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS

A view from the Mayor's chair in the Shaw auditorium looking toward the audience

Meetings This Week

Monday, May 13: Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 1 pm.

Wednesday, May 15: Finance and Audit Committee Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 9 am.

Wednesday, May 15: Special Council Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 12 pm.

Thursday, May 16: Public Hearing Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 7 pm.

Thursday, May 16: Special Council Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 7 pm.

MEETINGS

If you are not able to attend or tune in live, you can always review decisions made at each Council meeting simply by reading the Council Meeting Summaries. These summaries are typically posted the day after each meeting.

COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARIES

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events