My Nanaimo This Week - February 14, 2022

February 14, 2022

This week...

We're back with our Out and About video series, learn the stories behind the new artwork in Beban Pool and get ready for Family Day long weekend. Read on for more!

X̌e̕x̌e̕ Sq̓upa̓stul u tu T̓hewum Qa̕ ̓ i ̓ K̓wat̓lkwa - Sacred Gathering of the Freshwater and Saltwater

Over 2020 and 2021, artist Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, created new artwork for the Beban Park pool. Inspired by the Nanaimo River Estuary, Eliot designed giant wall paintings and a series of colourful fabric banners about the life that exists here in Nanaimo, on the lands of the Snuneymuxw people. This vibrant artwork honours and celebrates waters, land, plants, animals and humans, and points to how all of these elements are deeply connected.

To accompany the artwork and make it widely accessible, the project includes a free take-away booklet, available at the pool, which features White-Hill’s version of the Snuneymuxw stories his murals are based on, written especially for a young audience. QR codes on interpretive signs at the pool and in the booklet link to audio recordings of White-Hill telling the stories and pronouncing the Hul’q’umi’num names of the beings in the artwork.

LEARN MORE

Nanaimo's Growing!

Did you know? Nanaimo is one of the fastest growing urban centres in Canada! The 2021 Canada Census was released last week and it showed Nanaimo's population increase by 10.3% from 2016 -2021. Seeing how beautiful our city looks from Jack Point Park, it's no wonder why people want to live here!

Propsperity Corp Seeking Members

The Citys economic development corporation, Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation (NPC), is seeking three members at large to join the inaugural board. Members of the business community and those with an interest in the shared prosperity of the community are encouraged to put their names forward.

LEARN HOW TO APPLY

Fun for All this Family Day

The Family Day long weekend is fast approaching and our Parks, Recreation and Culture department has you and your family covered! Check it out and start planning!

Take part in a Then & Now scavenger hunt to win a family fun pack.
Get your creative juices flowing with a rock painting activity.
Drop into Oliver Woods for the free Fam Jam 2022 family play time (space is limited, registration required).
Take part in skating and swimming sessions.
Go on a StoryWalk® featuring the book, "Monkey with a Tool Belt" by Chris Munroe.

FAMILY DAY ACTIVITIES

Bastion Lighting

When you see the Bastion lit up in a colour, it's for a special reason such as a holiday or awareness for a cause. This month, the Bastion will be lit:

Red on Feb 14 for Valentine's Day
Red, Green and Black on Feb 17 for Black History Month
Blue on Feb 22 for World Thinking Day/Guiding Lights Across BC
Pink on Feb 23 for Pink Shirt Day

BASTION LIGHTING REQUESTS

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

Ninth Street is closed between Bruce Avenue and Plecas Crescent. Detours will be in place and commuters are asked to plan their travel accordingly and account for extra time when navigating the area.
Metral Drive is still an active construction site, so please expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area. Enterprise Way to Turner Road is now LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY, so please detour on Highway 19a. If you live in the area or are visiting a business, drive slowly and respect the construction zone and workers.
Hammond Bay Road (between Bonnie Drive and Overlook Drive) will be single-lane, alternating traffic 24 hours a day.
Watermain upgrades are underway on Laguna Way east of the intersection with Lost Lake Road. Commuters can expect minor delays.
Nottingham Drive is closed between Hammond Bay Road and Cumberland Place. Commuters should plan to access Nottingham from the north end.
Fourth Street between Bruce Avenue and Pine Street is closed in both directions to through traffic, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hamilton Avenue at Pine Street will be closed to southbound right turning vehicles. Local traffic is permitted. All businesses remain open and accessible. Road closures will remain in effect until May 2022 when the Fourth Street Complete Street Phase 1 project is completed.