This Week... Get ready for holiday events with Parks, Recreation and Culture, recycle right this holiday season and head downtown to see some new illuminated art. Read on for more! | Recycle Right This Holiday Season This year, let's reduce waste and choose decorations, cards and gifts that have less of an environmental impact. When decorating, use popcorn, cranberries and dried oranges instead of plastic garland and tinsel. Consider swapping holiday cards for e-cards and giving an experience instead of a thing! We realize that some gifts will be given, but if you use 100 per cent paper wrapping, skip the plastic bows and make sure items end up in the right cart, it will make a huge difference. If you don't know which cart something should be put in, please use the handy What Goes Where tool. | Greener Giving - Give an experience instead of a thing.
- Choose items with as little to no packaging as possible.
- Bake/create/upcycle something as a gift.
- Choose sustainable wrapping options, avoid plastic bows and wrapping that can't be recycled.
| | Meal Prep & Planning - Meal plan and stick to your list.
- Don't overserve and have a plan on how to recreate a new meal with leftovers.
- Ask guests to bring reusable containers to take home their favourite leftovers.
- A reminder that all plastic cutlery (regular, compostable and bio-degradable) go into BLACK carts.
| | Wrapping Paper, Bows & Cards - If made of or coated with foil or plastic, it is NOT recyclable and must be put in your BLACK cart.
- Wrapping paper, bows, cards and tissue paper made of paper can be recycled and placed in your BLUE cart.
- Try to remove as much tape as possible.
- Please remove any electronic parts (which can be recycled at the nearest battery depot).
- Store reusable bags to use next year.
- Save old cards to use for crafts.
| | Winterfest Nanaimo's downtown is adding festive cheer this December with Winterfest, featuring late night shopping between 4 pm and 9 pm on December 11 and 18 staged by the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association. There will be activities in Diana Krall plaza, including music and food trucks. | | Illuminating Commercial Street Just in time for Winterfest, Commercial Street has been illuminated with artwork projected onto the sidewalks. The installations titled “Sensing Nanaimo” are by Urban Design Roster member Amy Pye. They feature ten circular light- projected designs that celebrate Nanaimo through an expanded lens of human sensation, moving beyond the traditional five senses to embrace ten: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, balance, movement, temperature, direction and intuition. The illuminated art installation can be seen after dark along Commercial Street on either side of Bastion Street and will remain as part of a permanent series of art projections integrated into Design Commercial. URBAN DESIGN ROSTER | | EV Charging Station Maintenance The electric vehicle charging station located at Bowen Park will be undergoing scheduled maintenance from December 9 through December 23. During this time, the station will not be available for public use. Please plan ahead and consider alternative charging locations during this maintenance period. For other available locations, please visit our website. | | Skate with Santa Skate with Santa on Wednesday, December 17, from 6:30 to 8 pm at Frank Crane Arena and Thursday, December 18, from 6:15 to 7:45 pm in Nanaimo Ice Centre. Lace up your skates and glide into the festive spirit as Santa makes a special appearance at the rink. Families can enjoy cheerful music, holiday décor, and plenty of photo opportunities with Santa. Don’t forget to bring your holiday cheer—and your wish list! (regular admission rates apply). | | Winter Wonderland We are getting ready for Winter Wonderland! Trees are arriving and decorations are being assembled. Join us for this popular event on December 24, and from December 26 to 31 where the Frank Crane will be transformed into a West Coast Winter Wonderland. All sessions will be free thanks to the generous support of local businesses and community organizations. See our website for the schedule. | | Activate 2026 2026 is only a few weeks away and Activate 2026 is happening! Join us for Nanaimo’s New Year’s Day family event held at Beban Park on Thursday, January 1, from 12 to 5 pm. There will be swimming, skating, games, a magic show, bouncy castles, crafts, entertainment, food trucks and more! The cost is only $10 per person with children 2 years and under free. Get your tickets now at Beban Park, online using barcode #158270 or at the door. See our website for details. LEARN MORE | | Nanaimo Bar Does your holiday baking include Nanaimo Bars? Did you know we have a webpage dedicated to the beloved treat? If you haven't tried the "Official Nanaimo Bar Recipe" yet be sure to have a look. We would love to see your creations. Tag us on Instagram. Share your favourite Nanaimo Bar recipes & tips! NANAIMO BAR RECIPE | | 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. - On Tuesday, December 9, Fitzwilliam Street will be closed from Pine St to Kennedy St while crews work on replacing underground utilities in the intersection of Fitzwilliam and Machleary St. The rest of the week, expect delays and single lane alternating traffic on Fitzwilliam St between Pine St and Milton St and on Howard Ave between Third St and Armishaw Rd. Avoid delays by planning an alternate route.
- Expect significant delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd between Turner Rd/McGirr Rd and Kenwill Dr intersections while crews continue to work on replacing sewer and re-paving the road. Avoid delays by taking Rutherford Rd and Uplands Dr as an alternative route.
- Expect slight delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Dickinson Rd between Groveland Dr and Medd Rd intersections while crews continue to work on replacing water mains. Avoid delays by taking Schook Rd and Dover Rd as an alternative route.
- Cienar Drive is closed, except for local traffic while crews work on replacing the watermain.
- Expect single lane alternating traffic or eastbound lane closures at times on Jingle Pot Road at the intersection of Holland Road. Eastbound traffic watch for possible detour using Holland Road and Ashlee Road.
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: - Assistant Fire Chief
- Fire Fighters
- Aquatic Supervisor
- Lifeguard/Instructors
- Casual Arena Maintenance Worker
- Building Official
- Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
- Casual Clerk Opportunities
- Casuals - Police Services
JOB POSTINGS | Fitness Instructors Needed Are you passionate about health and wellness? Parks, Recreation and Culture is looking for experienced, certified fitness instructors to join our team on a part-time basis. You’ll have the opportunity to lead engaging fitness classes for adults and seniors, helping our community stay active and healthy. Email your resume today to parksandrecreation@nanaimo.ca and become part of our dynamic team! | | Stay up to Date with the City | | | | |
.png?1764970894574)
.png?1764871380790)
.png?1764956763843)
.png?1764872231593)
