June 12, 2023

This Week...

Fire Station #1 officially opens, rebates available for electric vehicle chargers and property taxes are due next week. Read on for more!
South Forks Dam at the utility access with City vehicle on the right

New welcome pole unveiled at Fire Station 1

On June 21, Snuneymuxw First Nation and the City of Nanaimo marked the official opening of Fire Station 1 and National Indigenous Peoples Day with the unveiling of a welcome pole by Snuneymuxw Master Carver Noel Brown. Click below to find out more.

WELCOME POLE NEWS RELEASE
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Electric vehicle (EV) charger rebate

Do you have an electric vehicle (EV) or thinking of getting one? Rebates are available to support the installation of charging equipment for your EV.

All rebates are additional to the rebates offered through BC Hydro. While the application process will be similar a separate application must be submitted to the City of Nanaimo and BC Hydro to receive both rebates.

REBATE INFO
Photo of council seating at a council meeting

Beach reports

Each summer, the City of Nanaimo takes water samples from popular beach areas within City limits. These samples are tested for water quality to make sure the water is safe to swim in. If a sample comes back to show the quality is poor, it may lead to a beach closure. Results are published weekly.

BEACH REPORTS

Westwood Lake lifeguard update!

Great News! Starting July 1, not only will a lifeguard be on duty from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at Westwood Lake’s First Beach; but they will also be there on Fridays throughout the summer season!

The main beach area near the paved parking lot is Nanaimo's only lifeguard patrolled freshwater swimming spot.

There is a washroom and change room building on site along with a small playground located at the second beach near the gravel parking lot.

You can also enjoy a 5.51 km trail around the lake, popular with walkers and runners. The trail is well groomed and, apart from a steep knoll towards the west end of the lake trail, is considered an easy walking trail.  

MORE INFO
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Property taxes are due July 4

Did you know there are many ways to pay your property taxes?

  • Bank: online, in person or over the phone
  • In person from 8 am to 4:30 pm Mondays through Fridays at 411 Dunsmuir Street or use the drop box located outside 24/7

To avoid a penalty, payments must be received by the due date.

Please visit our website to learn more about payment options.

PROPERTY TAXES

Canada Day 2023

Join us this Canada Day for live entertainment (Doctors of Rock n Roll, Cameron Whitcomb and Cross Parallel), a photo booth, crafts, games, bouncy castles, interactive booths, food vendors, a multi-cultural community stage and so much more!

EVENT DETAILS
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The Board of Variance is looking for new members!

Residents interested in applying to be a member of the Board of Variance can submit a completed application form to the Legislative Services Department by 3:30 pm on Friday, June 30th, 2023

BOV INFORMATION

Albert/Fourth Complete Street and Utility Upgrades Project

While the road remains closed to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians are still able to enjoy direct passage through the construction zone on Albert Street.

This section, between Pine and Kennedy Streets, is expected to reopen after September 15.

MORE INFO
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FireSmart 29 protect your property

You can play an important role in wildfire prevention with some simple steps that reduce the risk of a wildfire spreading to your property.

  • prune all branches that are less than two metres off the ground
  • Keep your gutters clean
  • Make sure your trees are spaced at least three metres apart

Visit www.firesmartbc.ca for more tips

FIRESMART PRESS RELEASE
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Playground Program Locations

Children ages 5 to 12 are able to drop in to one of our neighbourhood playgrounds this summer and join in for free family fun! Activities could include games, arts and crafts and sports.  Locations include:

  • Harewood Centennial Park
  • Mansfield Park
  • Groveland Park
  • Country Hills Park 

FREE SUMMER PROGRAMS

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

Midtown Water Supply and Midtown Gateway Projects:

  • On June 26, westbound traffic on Northfield Road will be reduced to one lane, east of Boxwood Road. The northbound lane of Boxwood Road will also be closed north of Northfield Road. Left turns onto Boxwood Road from Northfield Road will not be permitted in both directions. Access to Petro-Canada & WAVES car wash (2300 Northfield) via Northfield Road only.
  • From June 27 to July 21, the northbound lane of Boxwood Road will also be closed north of Northfield Road. Eastbound left turns onto Boxwood Road from Northfield Road will not be permitted. Access to Petro-Canada & WAVES car wash (2300 Northfield) via Northfield Road only.
  • Labieux Road will be closed with no vehicle access between the Beban Park Main Entrance and the BMX and Public Works Entrances on Labieux.
  • Beban Park main entrance off Labieux Road will be closed, please access Beban Park from the north or south entrances off Bowen Road. The BMX and the Dog Off Leash Park accesses are open off Labieux Road.
  • All main parking lots, facilities and park amenities within Beban Park are open during construction. Certain areas of the park are fenced off and closed to the public for safety reasons. Detours will be in place to access all amenities within the park. Please obey all signage placed for your safety and follow the directions of any flag persons on duty.
  • Along the Parkway at the Millstone River there could be a visual distraction for drivers as construction begins on the bridge that the water supply main will cross the river within. Large equipment will be visible working alongside the Parkway.
  • Thank you for your patience! www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway and www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownWater

Departure Bay Road Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Upgrades

  • Local closures of Smugglers Hill Drive and Granite Park Road are scheduled for the week of June 26-30.
  • Beginning May 23, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm and 7 am to 5 pm when school is not in session, some traffic delays should be expected during working hours.
  • Single lane traffic on Departure Bay Road will be in place adjacent to active construction.
  • Residents and businesses will be notified a minimum of 48 hours in advance of any scheduled impacts to services or driveway access.
  • If you live in the area and have young children, please advise them of the dangers of construction and be aware that heavy equipment and trucks have limited visibility.

Albert/Fourth Complete Streets and Utility Upgrade project:

  • Albert Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic between Pine and Kennedy Streets from June 14 to September 15.
  • 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.

Hammond Bay Road - RDN Project

  • A contractor working on behalf of the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) will be surveying the south end of Hammond Bay Road over the next three weeks.
  • The surveying will be done from June 26 to June 29, July 4 to 6 and July 11 to 13.
  • Single-lane alternating traffic will be available during these surveying periods, with priority access given to transit.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

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

  • HR Intern
  • Tax Clerk - Temporary Full-Time
  • Building Official (2)
  • Community Safety Officer
  • Victim Services Worker (2)
  • Senior Victim Services Worker
  • Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
  • Director, Police Services
  • Human Resources Advisor
  • HR Associate - Disability Management/OHS
  • Civil Design Technologist
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • 2023 Seasonal Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Temporary Recreation Leader II - Inclusion
  • Municipal Services Inspector - Temporary Full-Time
  • Roads Management Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS
Photo of council seating at a council meeting

Meetings This Week

Monday, June 26: Governance and Priorities Committee meeting at 1 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
City of Nanaimo news and events

Recap of City News

City installs beach accessibility mats in parks around Nanaimo

Homeowners urged to be FireSmart and protect their property

New welcome pole unveiled at Fire Station 1

Council gives green light to Terminal Avenue upgrade project

City offers variety of free activities and events this summer

CITY NEWSROOM

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events