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February 18, 2025

This Week...

Renew your dog licence, learn more about the city tree donation program and explore our parks and trails. Read on for more!
Woman walking her dog at the beach

Dog licence renewal

City parks and public spaces are regularly patrolled by Animal Control Services to ensure all dogs (and dog owners) are acting responsibly so everyone can enjoy public spaces. All dogs over the age of four months are required to have a valid dog licence in the City of Nanaimo.

Did you know? 100% of the fees collected from dog licensing go towards the costs of operating the Nanaimo Animal Shelter, including care and adoption.

Get a $5 discount if you register and pay for your four-legged friend before the end of February.

You can apply for a new dog licence online by visiting our website. You can renew your dog licence online by logging into your online services using your account number and access code (located on the paper renewal slip sent via mail). Alternatively, visit us in person at the following locations:

  • City of Nanaimo Service and Resource Centre 
  • Nanaimo Animal Shelter

DOG LICENSING
walkway at Maffeo Sutton Park
people planting trees

The greenest gift of all

Did you know? Applications for the 2025 Tree Donation Program are now being accepted? A total of 30 trees can be donated. There are many reasons to participate in the program:

  • To give back and build our urban forest
  • To acknowledge the service of someone special
  • To remember or honour a family member or friend
  • To celebrate the birth of a child

Whatever the reason, the tree you donate will ensure Nanaimo remains green and full of beauty while providing you with a lasting memory.

TREE DONATION
Oliver Woods Community Centre lobby with a mock-up of the art showing draped fabric hanging from the ceiling

Ribbons in time

We invite you to participate in the City of Nanaimo’s 2025 Public Art installation, entitled “Histogram Histories,” developed by artist, Kiranjot Kaur. Make your mark by contributing to “Arrival Patterns,” a metric that tracks what decade residents arrived in Nanaimo.

What decade did you move to or were you born in Nanaimo?

Each member of your family or household can contribute an answer by providing their name and arrival year by filling out the survey.

The artist will write the names on ribbons and stitch them together per decade and wrap the ribbons around pre-made fabric cylinders to serve as a row in the hanging installation. If you would like to write your own ribbons, they are located at the Oliver Woods Recreation Centre.

SURVEY

Traffic control cabinets, more than just a metal box 

The City of Nanaimo’s Public Works and Culture teams have come together to bring art to the newest traffic signal control cabinets. The new approach is to use printed vinyl wraps, creating attractive cabinets featuring the artwork of local artists from the City’s Urban Design Roster. The roster is a diverse list of artists managed by the Culture and Events team. The artists participate for a two-year term and can be called on to work with the City on a variety of civic urban design projects.

Most of these cabinets will feature creative artwork, but for some locations, historical images are also considered. For each location, staff choose themes that fit the neighbourhood. These can include neighbourhood celebration, local history or a corridor theme. A similar process is used by other Public Works utilities for their kiosks (water supply, sanitary sewers, etc.). Once a theme is chosen, the Culture team matches suitable artists from the Urban Design Roster to each project. Each artist then provides original artwork for those traffic cabinets. Visit the Urban Design Roster Program page to learn more about the program and the artists.

WRAP INFO
child climbing play structure

Get outside and play!

Some of Nanaimo's greatest assets are its public outdoor spaces. With over 1,000 hectares of City parks and 180 kilometres of trails, there is something for everyone to enjoy and discover. Park hours (unless otherwise posted):

  • October to March: 6 am-9 pm
  • April to September: 6 am-11 pm

Looking for a park or park amenity? Visit Nanaimo Parks Search or visit the Explore Our Parks and Trail Brochure.

PARKS & TRAILS
People walking down Commercial street amidst construction

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Here’s a list of up-to-date information on City construction projects.

  • All businesses in the construction areas are open unless otherwise posted.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Thank you for your patience!

Bowen Traffic Signal Upgrade

Traffic lights will be updated with new equipment at the intersection of Bowen Road and Dufferin Crescent.

  • Work will take place from Feb 18 to 21, between 9 am and 3:30 pm.
  • Expect single-lane traffic each way.

Midtown Gateway Project

  • Areas currently affected:
    • Bowen Road, between Northfield Road and Labieux Road.
    • Boxwood Road, between Northfield Road and Tulsa Road.
  • Northfield Road, between the Parkway and Bowen Road. Eastbound right turns from Northfield Road onto Boxwood Road will not be permitted 24 hours per day from February 18 to March 3. Please use detour that utilizes new roundabout on Boxwood Road.
  • The new Bowen Road / Boxwood Road / Beban Parkway Intersection is open to pedestrian, cycling and vehicle traffic. Please use caution as all road users get used to the new changes.

Learn more about this project: Midtown Gateway

Midtown Water Supply Project

  • Be aware trailways in these areas will have occasional construction activity:
    • between Labieux roundabout and the E&N Trail.
    • between Third Street, VIU and the Black Diamond neighbourhood.
    • between Northfield Rd and Griffiths Rd alongside the Parkway.
  • All trail surfaces will remain gravel until the spring. Pavement restoration will occur when the paving plant reopens.

Learn more about this project: Midtown Water Supply Project

Commercial Street Improvements – Wharf to Church Street

Learn More about this project: Commercial Street Improvements - Wharf to Church Street

Townsite Area Utility Upgrades - Phase 1

  • Sections of Girvin Avenue, Oakley Street and Chelsea Street will be closed for water upgrades – open to local traffic only.
  • Millstone Avenue will be closed to through traffic at Cadogan Street from Feb 18-20. A detour around the work area will be in place on Sunderland Avenue.

Learn more about this project: Townsite Area Utility Upgrades - Phase 1

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Smiling faces of recreation leaders

Work With Us!

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

  • Manager, Development Engineering
  • 2025 Seasonal Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Seasonal Recreation Leader II - Inclusion Vacancies
  • HR Intern
  • Major Case File Specialist
  • Victim Services Worker
  • Manager, Financial Services & Special Projects
  • Water Technician
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Building Official
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
  • Planning Assistant
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities

JOB POSTINGS
Front of Nanaimo City Hall
Shaw auditorium looking toward the empty chairs of Mayor and Council

Meetings This Week

Wednesday, February 19: Finance and Audit Committee Meeting in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre starting at 9 am.

Thursday, February 20: Public Hearing in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre starting at 7 pm.

Monday, February 24: Council Meeting in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre starting at 7 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
the mountains
City of Nanaimo news and events

Recap of City News

Announcing the 2025 Culture Award Recipients

City offers grants for environmental projects

City reminds people to stay off ice on local bodies of water

CITY NEWSROOM
child looking up smiling sitting with other children in a gym

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events