Feb. 21, 2023

This Week...

Review the new list of accepted materials for recycling, apply for a Watershed Restoration Grant and Nanaimo is hosting a provincial artistic swimming competition this weekend. Read on for more!

Recycle BC Accepting New Materials

Recycle BC’s residential packaging and paper recycling program has been accepting new items, as of Jan. 1. Newly added items will be accepted either in Blue Carts for curbside collection or at depots, depending on the item. These changes resulted from an amendment to the Province of BC’s Recycling Regulation.

Some of these items were previously accepted in the program if the item was indistinguishable from packaging (e.g., foil pie plates, kraft paper bags). Here is a comprehensive list of the new official items you can refer to as a reference.

Plastic

  • plastic plates, bowls and cups
  • plastic cutlery, straws, stir-sticks and sample sticks
  • non-durable plastic food containers
  • rigid plastic gift bags or boxes
  • plastic plant pots and saucers
  • plastic tape dispensers
  • plastic dental floss containers
  • plastic hangers

Paper

  • compressed paper clothing hangers
  • coated paper plates, bowls and cups
  • single-use paper party décor
  • paper bags, gift bags, boxes
  • corrugated cardboard

 

Metal

  • aluminum foil
  • aluminum-foil baking dishes and pie plates
  • metal storage tins (thin gauge)

 

Examples of flexible plastics now accepted at depots only:

  • single-use foam party decor
  • plastic vacuum, sandwich, and freezer bags
  • plastic shrink wrap
  • soft plastic gift bag or box
  • flexible plastic drop sheets and covering
  • flexible plastic bubble wrap (no bubble wrap-lined paper)
  • flexible plastic recycling bags (blue, clear bags, or yellow or blue bags used for curb-side collection)
  • flexible plastic carry-out shopping bags (reusable, plastic only no PVC or vinyl).

All items have been added to the What Goes Where Waste Wizard tool on the Nanaimo Recycles App. Please visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/WhatGoesWhere to access this search tool or download the App from the App store or Google Play.

LINK TO NEWS RELEASE

Watershed restoration grant is available to help with projects like stream restoration or enhancement.

Watershed Restoration

 

The City of Nanaimo is inviting applications for a second intake of the recently launched Community Watershed Restoration Grant. The purpose of the grant is to support community organizations, environmental non-profits, and individual residents that aim to carry out watershed restoration projects focused on urban stream and riparian restoration or enhancement and natural environment protection.

Individual applications of up to $11,907.25 in funding will be accepted, however, funding of less than $11,907.25 may also be split between more than one successful applicant. 

RESTORATION GRANT

spring and summer activity guide will be available for viewing online february 24

Register Soon

The 2023 Spring and Summer Activity Guide will be available online for viewing this Friday, Feb. 24 and registration begins at 6 am on Mar. 1.

There are three easy ways to register:

1. Online at recreation.nanaimo.ca. Be sure to create your account and have a valid credit card ready. 

2. In-person during operating hours at Beban Park, Nanaimo Ice Centre, Bowen Park, Oliver Woods Community Centre and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre 

3. By phone 250-756-5200

ACTIVITY GUIDE INFORMATION

Look up Nanaimo's swim schedule

Artistic Swimming Provincials

BC Artistic Swimming is hosting a short course competition Friday, Feb. 24 to Sunday, Feb. 26.  More than 350 people are expected to attend. Please note the following:

  • NAC Weight Room is open as usual (6 am to 9 pm)
  • Pools will be closed for an extended cleaning on Feb. 24, 1:30 to 2:45 pm
  • Limited 25M length swimming during the event
  • 50M length swimming not available
  • Diving boards are not available

To view the latest swimming options, please see our online schedule.

SWIMMING SCHEDULE

Look up the Bastion Lighting Calendar

Bastion Lighting Calendar

Did you know, the Bastion has six lights surrounding the structure and organizations can request the Bastion to be illuminated in specific colours to promote their cause?

Feb. 22 - Blue for Guiding Lights Across BC, Girl Guides of Canada

Feb. 28 - Blue, green, pink and purple for Rare Disease Day 

Mar. 15 - Red for Amyloidosis Awareness Month

Mar. 24 - Yellow for Endometriosis Awareness

BASTION CALENDAR

Lions Free skates held on Sundays at Frank Crane Arena

Lions FREE Skates

The City of Nanaimo, Lions Club of Nanaimo, Save-On-Foods and many other community sponsors are proud to present the Lions Free Skates, held Sundays at the Frank Crane Arena from 12 to 1:30 pm. On Clipper game days (Mar. 12) the schedule will change slightly to 11:30 am to 1 pm.

LIONS FREE SKATE SCHEDULE

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

  • A utility upgrade is underway on Farquhar Street between Irwin Street and Fry Street. Expect delays. If possible, plan an alternate route.
  • Richardson Road is closed from Tait Road to Porter Road Feb. 13 to Mar. 3.
  • The temporary access road that connects Mountain Vista Drive to Northfield and Boxwood Roads will be permanently closed to vehicle traffic as of Tuesday, Feb. 21. Please use Rosstown Road to access Mountain Vista Drive, and please obey the school zone. 

For the City of Nanaimo’s Midtown Water Supply Project:

  • Construction crews will be entering and exiting the northbound lane of Highway 19 (Nanaimo Parkway) south of Northfield Road. Drivers must slow down in work zones and pay close attention to signage.
  • The project will adjust traffic flow along Northfield Road, between the Nanaimo Parkway and Boxwood Road for this critical infrastructure project. Traffic should avoid this area if possible and delays are to be expected. Drivers must slow down in work zones and pay close attention to signage. Commuters should also expect minor delays along Boxwood Road between Meredith Road and Tulsa Road.
  • The trails between Black Diamond/VIU/Third Street are closed to cycling and pedestrian traffic for site preparations. The trail closure will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the end of April. As part of this work crews will start construction of an entry/exit access off Third Street across from the Rotary Fieldhouse this will create visual distractions and minor delays for commuters on Third Street.
  • Beban Park has detours within the park and areas of restricted access for the project. Access to the Stevie Smith Bike Park and Community Gardens is off Bowen Road past the tennis courts and golf course. All main parking lots, facilities and park amenities are open. In an effort to protect the public and provide a safe working area, certain areas of the park are fenced off and restricted for all non-construction personnel.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Work With Us!

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

  • Municipal Services Inspector
  • Casual Police Information Clerks
  • Lifeguard/Instructor
  • Project Accountant
  • 2023 Seasonal Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Buyer
  • Roads Management Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Recreation Coordinator - Aquatics
  • Building Official
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS

Meetings This Week

Monday, Feb. 27: Regular Council Meeting 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