This Week... Discover the vibrant new art wrap downtown Nanaimo, stay safe with essential extreme heat tips and get ready for the BC 55+ Games. Read on for more! | Urban Design Roster Program Among our colourful new additions downtown, is an art wrap designed by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm/ Tsimshian artist, Chase Gray. Commissioned as part of the City’s Urban Design Roster program, the art is a complement to the adjacent painted Pride intersection. The artist’s design reflects on Two-Spirit identity, becoming in the artist’s own words, “A utility box wrapped with queer joy in Snuneymuxw!” LEARN MORE | Preparing for Extreme Heat If an Extreme Heat Emergency alert is issued, it's time to put a plan into action. A few modifications to your home and routine can make a big difference. Pick and choose from the list below based on your needs. Even one or two changes can help you stay cool. - If you can, move to a cooler location.
- Transform the coolest space in your home so you can sleep there at night.
- Put up outside window covers to block the sun if you can do this safely.
- Close your curtains and blinds.
- Make sure digital thermometers have batteries.
- Make ice and have jugs of cool water ready.
- Keep windows closed between 10 am and 8 pm. Open them at 8 pm to allow cooler air in and use fans (including kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans) to move cooler air through your home.
- Find an extreme heat buddy who can check on you when it gets hot and who you can reach out to for help.
- Stay connected with your friends and neighbours - check on older people and those who are house-bound for signs of heat-related illness and pay attention to the media, Environment Canada and Island Health for more information.
BEAT THE HEAT | Commercial Street
Night Market Have you been to the Commercial Street Night Market (presented by the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce) yet? It takes place every Thursday evening from 5 to 9 pm until August 28. Stop by our booth to learn more about City services and programs, share your ideas and connect with City staff. | | City Podcast The 2025 55+ BC Games are coming to Nanaimo from September 9 -13, and 2,700 athletes will compete in 21 sports across the city. In this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast, Nanaimo Games President Diana Johnstone and Vice President Mary Smith share what’s in store and how YOU can be part of it, as an athlete, volunteer or fan. Subscribe and listen! | | Watering Restrictions Stage 2 watering restrictions remain in effect for the City of Nanaimo. This means even numbered houses can water on even-numbered days and odd-numbered houses can water on odd-numbered days. Watering can take place for two hours between the hours of 7 am to 10 am OR 7 pm to 10 pm. Veggie gardens and fruit trees can be watered anytime as well as hand-watering of flowers, shrubs, ornamental trees and hanging baskets. | | Concerts in the Park Come down to Mansfield Park on Wednesday, July 9 from 6 - 7 pm, bring a lawn chair and a picnic while enjoying some great musical entertainment. Son de Metal is a bold fusion of traditional Mexican music and rock elements to create the new truly North American Fiesta! LINEUP OF PERFORMANCES | | Free Summer Programs Join us in Nanaimo’s parks for free fun with our Parks, Recreation and Culture team! - Playground Program: Departure Bay Park, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am - 4 pm
- Roving Playground Program: This week, join us at Westwood Lake from 10 am - 4pm.
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Family Fun Nights, Wednesday, July 30, 4:30 - 7:30 pm at Harewood Centennial Park and Friday, August 22, 4:30 - 7:30 pm at Maffeo Sutton Park LEARN MORE | | Creative Writing Blitz Unleash your imagination in this fast-paced weekend writing workshop! Designed for young storytellers, this session will spark creativity through fun prompts, group activities and guided exercises. Whether you're into poetry, short stories or graphic novels, you'll gain new tools to bring your ideas to life — and share them with confidence. July 26 & 27 | 9:00 AM -12:00 PM ($70) REGISTER | | No Smoking in City Parks and Trails Please remember that smoking is not permitted in City parks or on City trails. We are already experiencing dry conditions, and they are expected to continue into summer so let's work together to keep our parks safe. LEARN MORE | | Old Victoria Arts Centre Did you know? The Old Victoria Arts Centre (the OV) in Nanaimo, BC is a bookable, City-owned performing arts venue and cultural hub that was formerly known as the Harbour City Theatre. It was renovated and reopened in June 2021 and at that time renamed the OV Arts Centre. The OV Arts Centre is now a multi-use space offering affordable creative spaces, entertainment, and events located at 25 Victoria Road. The Nanaimo Performing Arts Guild works cooperatively with the City of Nanaimo towards maintaining the OV Arts Centre and overseeing administrative and operational matters. LEARN MORE | | Youth Poet Laureate Paige Pierce Youth Poet Laureate Paige Pierce shared her evocative poem, Recollections of a Canadian Childhood, during this year's Canada Day celebrations. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt reflection, the poem explores themes of identity, memory, and connection to place. One line reads, “we run fast on bare feet / see the green of this life / stained on skinned knees,” capturing the essence of growing up in Canada. Photo by Shannon Pierce. | | E&N Trail Moving Mowing along the E&N Trail is currently underway as part of regular maintenance to keep the trail safe and accessible for all users. If you plan to use the trail over the next few weeks, please be aware of active mowing equipment and give workers plenty of space to operate safely. Your caution and cooperation are appreciated as we work to maintain this popular community pathway. Thank you for helping keep the trail safe and enjoyable for everyone. | | 2024 Annual Report 2024 was a milestone year for the City of Nanaimo. Not only did we celebrate our 150th year of incorporation, but we also made significant progress across a range of initiatives and projects. From community engagement to infrastructure improvements, there’s a lot to reflect on and be proud of. Dive into the full details in our 2024 Annual Report. LEARN MORE | | Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week? Here’s a list of up-to-date information on City construction projects. For more information on Nanaimo construction projects, visit the current Construction page on the City's website. - Expect single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Road between Turner Road and Rutherford Road intersections while crews work on replacing sewer and water mains.
- Commercial Street between Wharf Street and Church Street is closed to vehicles. FREE daily 2-hour parking is available along downtown streets and on Levels 2 & 3 of the Bastion Street Parkade for the duration of the project.
- Sewer upgrades along Railway Avenue will continue until the end of July. Intermittent road closures may be in effect weekdays from 7 am - 5 pm with local access only. Use alternate routes if possible.
- The Townsite Area Utility Upgrades will see utility upgrades and paving continuing in the project area throughout July. Road closures and detours will be in effect on Millstone Avenue in July and August for road reconstruction work there.
- From July 9 to 11, 24 hours per day, Northfield Road will be closed to thru traffic in both directions between Bowen Road and Boxwood Road. Detours will be in place. Access to Super Save Gas will be via Bowen Road only. There will also be daytime single lane alternating traffic on Rosstown Road and Powder Works Road. Get complete latest updates, including detailed maps at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway
Note: All businesses in the construction areas are open unless otherwise posted. When approaching construction zones, please make sure to slow down and obey all signage and traffic personnel instructions. Remember that construction zone speed limits are 30 km/hr unless otherwise posted. If you know your commute is taking you through any of the areas below, please allow for additional time and plan ahead. CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS | Work With Us! We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions: - Recreation Assistant II - Arenas
- Planning Assistant
- Planner
- Operations Support Supervisor
- Police Records Clerk
- Victim Services Worker
- Building Official
- Community Safety Officers
- Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
- Major Case File Specialist
- Casual Clerical Opportunities
- Casuals - Police Services
- Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator
- Manager, Revenue Services
- Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
- Water Technician
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