My Nanaimo This Week for February 1, 2021

February 1, 2021

This week...

We celebrate Nanaimo's wetlands, share some smart recycling tips and have a couple of projects in our parks. Read on for more!

The New Normal Continues

Masks Mandatory

In all public spaces at all City facilities, masks are mandatory.

Please refer to the City website for a list of front desk hours of operation.

Corporate Services

Safety protocols are in place to help keep both visitors and staff safe when visiting our facilities. Please check out our Online Services page to see how we can help you.

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Recreation facilities, the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and arenas are open and following province-wide COVID-19 safety protocols.

Outdoor amenities remain open for use as well, however please continue to practice physical distancing, hand washing and please stay home if not feeling 100% well.

VISIT COVID-19 INFO PAGE

Message from Island Health

COVID-19 cases in Cowichan Valley, Greater Nanaimo, Oceanside and Alberni-Clayoquot areas are rising.

➡️ From December 27 through to January 23, Cowichan Valley South (Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Shawinigan Lake, Cobble Hill and Mill Bay and surrounding areas) had 𝟮𝟬𝟱 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗗-𝟭𝟵 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀.

➡️ Greater Nanaimo saw 𝟭𝟭𝟲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗗-𝟭𝟵 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 during that same period.

So many of us are doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by:

✔️ Staying home when sick not travelling

✔️ Washing our hands A LOT

✔️ Wearing masks in indoor public spaces

✔️ Keeping that safe 2m/6ft distance

But we need 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 to pitch in! Ask yourself each day if you are doing all that you can to slow the spread of COVID-19. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨?

Please hold the line, stay strong and keep it up. 🙏 Thank you for each and every hand wash, mask wear and safe choice you are making during this pandemic. Your efforts matter.

ISLAND HEALTH COVID-19

Recycling Reminders

Flatten that carboard
The pandemic has led to an increase in online shopping. With this comes more cardboard to recycle. Please flatten and cut down cardboard boxes so they are two feet by two feet (60 x 60 cm) or smaller. Blue carts containing unflattened or oversized cardboard may not be collected.

Help unsortables become sortable
When Recycle BC audits our curbside recycling, "unsortables" are a top offender of unaccepted materials. Items that are bagged or bundled together, become unsortables. Please toss your recyclables loose in your blue cart.

Make space in your cart
To save space in your blue cart, squish milk jugs and metal cans and flatten cardboard. The only recyclables that can be stacked are identical items, e.g. a stack of clean plastic yogurt tubs.

What's next?
Want to know what happens to your recyclables after pick up? Visit our post-collection systems page on the City website.

GARBAGE & RECYCLING

Updates from Parks

The Lions Great Pedestrian Bridge on the waterfront walkway will be closed for necessary remediation work from February 8 to approximately February 17. Walkway users are asked to obey all posted signage and avoid this route during construction activities if possible. A detour will be available by means of the Pearson Bridge; however, this detour is not accessible for individuals with mobility challenges.
Your furry friends will have an easier time making their way through Beach Estates Park. Staff are installing rubber matting on the stairs to make it easier for dogs using them.

World Wetlands Day

February 2 of each year marks World Wetlands Day. This is a day to celebrate and raise awareness of these amazing ecosystems. Among some of the world's most productive ecosystems, wetlands act as Mother Nature's water filtration system and are vital for human survival. They provide us with fresh water, serve to mitigate climate change, control flooding and are home to countless species of plants and animals.

Nanaimo is home to a variety of wetlands including Buttertubs Marsh (pictured above), Richard's Marsh and Jingle Pot Marsh. Learn more about this vital ecosystem at www.worldwetlandsday.org.

Rebate!

Are you looking to upgrade your old woodstove to one that is low emission? The City offers rebates through our Woodstove Change-out Program. This program is meant to improve air quality by helping those with old smoky wood stoves purchase a new cleaner burning stove. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $400 in rebates for the purchase of a new low-emission woodstove. Some rules do apply. Find more information on the City website.

REBATE INFORMATION

Work with Us!

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

Manager, Facility Asset Planning - open until Feb 24, 2021
Manager, Fleet Operations - open until filled
Buyer (Temp. Full-time) - open until filled
Building Official - open until filled
Traffic Signal Technician - open until filled

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Stay informed on the City's Current Construction Projects page. Staff provide up-to-date information on City construction projects.

Mostar Road (Metral to E&N) is currently undergoing a sidewalk widening. During construction hours for the month of February, the sidewalk on the north side of the road will be closed and westbound traffic will be narrowed to one lane to make room for heavy machinery. Please respect signage and account for extra time in your commute whether you are walking, cycling, or driving.
Metral Drive (Turner to Mostar) is limited to residents and business traffic only. The road is closed to through traffic and on-street parking has been removed in front of Pacific Station until the roadworks have been completed. As an active construction site with large machinery working and deep utility trenches, road closures may occur and delays are to be expected. Please drive slowly and respect signage.
Rock City Rd between Ocean Pearl Terrace & Barrington Road is closed from 9 am-3:30 pm, Mon-Fri beginning Jan 25, 2021 for approximately 4 weeks to accommodate blasting and cleanup. Local traffic should expect delays and plan trips accordingly.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Meetings This Week

Mon, Feb 1: Regular Council Meeting at 7:00 pm

Thurs, Feb 4: Board of Variance at 4:00 pm

MEETINGS

Council in Action

Missed what decisions Council made at one of their meetings? Don’t worry. We have you covered! Check out our Council Meeting Summary page for quick overviews.

Did you know?

At their January 18, 2021 meeting, Council endorsed a letter of support for Federal funding for the BC Ferries Electrification project.The goal of the project is the full electrification of BC Ferries vessels and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the communities it serves, including Nanaimo.

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

CITY NEWSROOM

Here's the latest from the City Blog

Home heating rebates - save on heating and reduce your carbon footprint