July 8, 2024

This Week...

Be prepared for the heat, check out our weekly beach reports and head to Nanaimo’s parks for free summer fun. Read on for more!

Be prepared for the heat

Temperatures are expected to hover around 30 degrees Celsius this week. During this stretch of hot weather, follow these tips to 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.

LEARN MORE

Beach Reports

Going to the beach to cool down? Check out our Beach Reports page before heading there! Each year, during the summer months, we monitor water quality at some of Nanaimo's most popular swimming spots to make sure the water is clean for beach goers and for wildlife.

LEARN MORE

Be Bear Aware

Bears are out and about and looking for an easy meal. Prevention is key to keeping bears and other wildlife safe. Follow these guidelines, especially if you live within or nearby bear-frequented areas:

Keep carts secured on non-collection days:

  • Do not set your carts out the night before your collection day.
  • Place your carts out at the curb between 5:00-8:00 AM on the morning of your scheduled collection day.
  • Remove your carts from the curb after they have been collected.
  • Store carts in a secured location such as a garage or shed, especially if you live on the outer city limits, in a rural neighbourhood, near a park or in any location that may be close to a wildlife habitat.

Reduce odours in your carts:

  • Wrap smelly food in newspaper and freeze until collection day.
  • Use vinegar and/or baking soda to naturally eliminate odours.
  • Periodically rinse carts with soapy water.

Placing carts out the night before collection day goes against local waste collection bylaws and provincial regulations. Under the BC Wildlife Act, a person leaving attractants accessible to dangerous wildlife may be subject to a $230 fine(s) issued by the BC Conservation Officer Service. In areas frequented by bears, setting carts out the night before collection is considered an offence. Our local Conservation Officers remind us the public is legally responsible to secure their attractants, and not place garbage and compost carts out the night before collection.​​​​​​​

Commercial Street Night Market

Have you visited the Commercial Street Night Market yet?

There is still time this summer to check it out! Held every Thursday from 5 to 9 pm, the market features more than 200 vendors, over a dozen food trucks and musical entertainers.

Summer Fun in Nanaimo's Parks

The Parks, Recreation and Culture team is out in Nanaimo’s parks offering up free activities and events all summer long. This week:

  • The Playground Program is set up in Deverill Square Park from 9:30 am to 4 pm
  • The Roving Playground Program is heading to Elaine Hamilton Park July 8 to 9 from 10 am to 4 pm and Country Hills Park July 10 to 12 from 10 am to 4 pm.
  • Dagger Harbour will be playing in McGregor Park from 6 to 7 pm for the July 10 Concert in the Park.

Image: Dagger Harbour

FireSmartTM

It only takes one spark to ignite a wildfire. You can help reduce the risk by following some simple steps:

  • Completely extinguish campfires.
  • Don't throw cigarettes or other smoking materials out the car window.
  • No smoking in Nanaimo's parks or on Nanaimo's trails.
  • Going ATVing? Stick to well-worn trails and carry fire suppression equipment.
  • FireSmart your property.
  • Prepare a wildfire evacuation plan.
  • If you see a fire, call 911.

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Here’s a list of up-to-date information on City construction projects. Make sure to plan your commute and, if possible, plan an alternate route. When approaching construction zones, please make sure to slow down, follow any detours that may be in place and obey all signage and traffic personnel instructions. Thank you for your patience!

Midtown Water Supply Project

  • The trail that connects VIU, the Black Diamond neighbourhood and Third Street remains closed to the public.
  • At times, Black Diamond Drive between Coal Tyee Trail – Venuti Way and Jingle Pot Road will have traffic control, follow signs and traffic control personnel.
  • Commuters pay close attention to signage and for construction traffic as they enter and exit sections of the project:
    • Griffiths Road, end to Madsen Road
    • Third Street across from the Rotary Fieldhouse
    • College Drive, near the Parkway intersection
    • Jingle Pot Road, near Black Diamond Drive

Thank you for your patience! Learn more about this project: Midtown Water Supply Upgrades.

Midtown Gateway Phase 2B

  • Boxwood Road, to the north Northfield Road, will be partially or fully closed at times and will only serve exiting vehicle traffic from businesses at 2300/2310 Northfield Road when possible. Patrons can enter/exit businesses using their other access points on Northfield Road. Eastbound left turns from Northfield Road onto Boxwood Road will not be permitted. All businesses remain open and accessible.
  • The westbound lanes of Northfield Road, near the intersection of Boxwood Road, will be reduced to single lane. Westbound left turns from Northfield Road onto Boxwood Road will not be permitted at times.
  • Bowen Road, between Rosstown Road and Northfield Road will be reduced to one lane per direction at times.
  • The south access to Beban Park will be closed 24 hours a day this week, please use alternate access. When the access reopens, it will only serve as a one-way (entrance only) access. All park amenities and programs remain open and accessible.
  • Access to Beban Plaza may be affected at times, please use alternate access. All businesses remain open and accessible.
  • At times, Rosstown Road may be reduced to single lane alternating traffic between Bowen Road and Whitney Road.

Learn more about this project: Midtown Gateway.

Terminal Avenue

  • Terminal Avenue upgrades are ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street.
  • The mid-block crosswalk at Gordon Street has been temporarily reinstated without signals.
  • Traffic may be reduced to one lane in each direction as landscaping in the median and line painting are ongoing.
  • Water service replacement between Commercial Street and Comox Road will commence on July 3 and take approximately 3 weeks.

Learn more about this project: Terminal Avenue Upgrades.

Townsite Road Watermain Upgrade

  • Construction will be starting on Townsite Road from Vancouver Avenue and crossing Stewart Avenue.
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
  • Commuters are encouraged to avoid this area if possible. If that is not possible, expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
  • On Stewart Avenue, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. On Townsite Road, traffic will be single lane alternating.

Tenth Street Rehabilitation

  • Hub City Paving, on behalf of the City of Nanaimo, will be milling and paving Tenth Street from west of Lawlor Road to Island Hwy 1 from July 7 to July 11 between 6 pm to 6 am. The road will not be closed, however, delays should be expected and drivers are recommended to take an alternate route.
  • Lane closures on Tenth Street; traffic will be reduced to single lane in each direction from Lawlor Road to Hwy 1.
  • Speed limit reduction and lane closures on Island Highway 1 through the intersection with Tenth Street.
  • Pedestrians and cyclists will be accommodated and emergency services will be prioritized.

Extension Road Traffic Calming

  • Drivers can expect delays as construction continues this week in various locations.
  • Specifically, you can expect extended periods of single lane alternating traffic at Cranberry Avenue and Cowling Place and the installation of centre median pedestrian refuge islands.

Learn more about this project: Extension Road Traffic Calming.

Princess Street Area Utility Upgrades

  • Princess Street will be closed between Bing Kee Street and Needham Street from July 2 to August 2 due to utility upgrades.
  • Local and Emergency access will be maintained, no through traffic will be allowed.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

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

  • Trail Supervisor - Parks
  • Operations Support Supervisor
  • Civil Design Technologist
  • Planning Assistant
  • Financial Analyst
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Victim Services Worker
  • Assistant Manager, Procurement
  • Building Official
  • Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS
A view from the Mayor's chair in the Shaw auditorium looking toward the audience

Meetings This Week

Monday, July 8: Regular Council Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 7 pm.

Wednesday, July 10: Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness Meeting in the Service and Resource Centre boardroom starting at 4 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

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events