March 6, 2023

This Week...

On March 19, Nanaimo will welcome 1200+ athletes for JANT, take part in March skating events and don't forget to change the clocks ahead on March 12. Read on for more!
Junior all native tournament

Nanaimo Welcomes JANT

The City of Nanaimo is excited to welcome over 1,200 Junior All Native Tournament (JANT) athletes, families, coaches, supporters, sponsors and media for this epic basketball tournament, March 19 to 24.

Tournament Information: JANT takes place on Snuneymuxw Territory, promoting wellness, sportsmanship, leadership and pride amongst First Nation youth and communities. This basketball tournament showcases the athleticism of First Nations youth and is the biggest youth sport tournament in BC.

Opening Ceremony: Sunday, March 19 at the Frank Crane Arena, Beban Park Complex from 6 to 8 pm.

Game Days/Times: March 20 to March 24, 8 am to 8 pm. Tournament game locations are at secondary school gymnasiums across South Nanaimo, and include John Barsby, NDSS, Wellington, Cedar, Dover Bay and Snuneymuxw Youth Centre (recreation and wellness centre).

JANT Marketplace: You are invited to visit our JANT Vendor Marketplace at John Barsby Secondary (March 20 to 24). The Marketplace will feature Indigenous and community art, fashion and food, along with information booths from various organizations and supporters.

Championship Games and Award Ceremony: Friday, March 24 at John Barsby Secondary 10 am to 6 pm.

Volunteer Sign-Up: They are looking for volunteers! Please share this JANT 2023 Volunteer Sign-up Form with those who might be keen to assist. Each individual volunteer will need to complete their own form. Once interested volunteers have signed up, they should receive communication and instructions from Myrna Seward, JANT 2023 Volunteer and Staff Coordinator.

Event Seating and Parking: Seating and parking at all sites, for all events, will be on a first come, first serve basis. We advise you to arrive early to avoid disappointment, especially for the Opening Ceremonies and the Championship Games.

JANT EVENT

Daylight Saving Time

There will soon be a little more light in the evening. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 am, March 12, when clocks are to be turned forward one hour.  

Did you know? The concept of Daylight Saving Time was introduced in 1918, during the World War I, to provide an extra hour of daylight in hopes of increasing production. The practice lapsed after the war ended, only to be reintroduced during World War II. 

Early on, municipalities regulated the time change but after a while, the confusion became too much and in 1987 the federal government oversaw it. 
art agora activity N A N A - I M O

Art Agora Project

Participate in Art Agora activities! The first one, Nana-IMO, is asking you to summarize (in your opinion) what Nanaimo means to you in 20 words or less on a handwritten note. Take a photo of your note, then email it to nanaimo@artagora.ca March 6 to March 24 to be entered to win Indigo gift cards! Winners will be announced March 31.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ART AGORA
Recycle bc expands the list of accepted items in residential blue cart pick up program

Skating Fun

Don't miss the last Glow in the Dark skating session of this winter season. Skate in an atmosphere of dimmed lighting and special effects on March 7 from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Frank Crane Arena. Regular admission rates apply and glow necklaces are available for purchase. 

The last Starlight Skate of the season will take place March 19 from 4 to 6 pm at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Escape the hustle and bustle and get some exercise with friends and family under softly-lit stars and passive LED lighting. Regular admission rates apply. 

EVENT INFO
sign up for spring break camps

Spring Break and Pro-D Camps Still Available

Spring break starts next week and if you are wondering how to keep your kids entertained, there are still a few spaces left in day camps. There are options for one-day camps or you can sign them up for a full week. There are also two Pro-D days coming up in May. Flip to page 28 to view the options. 

ACTIVITY GUIDE
for mid town gateway project visit project page

Infrastruction Projects Work in Sync

The City of Nanaimo's Midtown Gateway Project and the Midtown Water Supply Project are teaming up to install critical underground infrastructure across Bowen Road and into Beban Park this month. This approach is efficient but will restrict access and delay traffic.

Construction work will typically take place Mondays through Fridays, from 7 am to 7 pm; however, it will expand to 24 hours per day from March 11 to March 26 in order to complete the works across Bowen Road as quickly as possible.

All businesses will remain open and accessible during construction.

NEWS RELEASE

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

  • Night construction has begun on Mary Ellen Drive. Parkway access will be closed from 6 to 11 pm. Please use the Old Island Highway to access businesses within Woodgrove Crossing. From 11 pm to 6 am, the road will be completely closed to traffic. Please exercise patience as drivers get used to the roundabout configuration.

For the City of Nanaimo’s Midtown Water Supply Project:

  • Traffic flow is adjusted along Northfield Road, between the Nanaimo Parkway and Boxwood Road for this critical infrastructure project. Traffic should avoid this area if possible and delays are to be expected. Drivers must slow down in work zones and pay close attention to signage. Commuters should also expect minor delays along Boxwood Road between Meredith Road and Tulsa Road.
  • The trails between Black Diamond/VIU/Third Street are closed to cycling and pedestrian traffic for site preparations. The trail closure will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the end of April. As part of this work crews will construct an entry/exit access off Third Street across from the Rotary Fieldhouse this will create visual distractions and minor delays for commuters on Third Street.

For the City of Nanaimo’s Midtown Gateway Project:

  • The southern Bowen Road access into Beban Park remains closed 24 hours per day to all vehicle traffic, cyclists and pedestrians until March 31. Please use one of the alternate park accesses.
  • 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. Please obey all signage placed for your safety and follow the directions of any flag persons on duty.
  • There will be sidewalk closures along Bowen Road between Northfield Road and Labieux Road. Pedestrians are asked to follow sidewalk detour signage placed for your safety and follow the directions of any flag persons on duty.
  • There will be alternating lane closures on Bowen Road 24 hours per day from March 11-16. One vehicle lane per direction will be available, however, drivers are encouraged to use an alternate route if possible to avoid delays.
  • Rosstown Road, at the intersection of Bowen Road, will be closed to vehicle access 24 hours per day from March 11-16. Drivers are asked to detour around using Pheasant Terrace and Labieux Road. There will be no transit service along Rosstown Road or Pheasant Terrace. Transit users are asked to use existing bus stops on Labieux Road and to check out the latest BC Transit information.
  • Construction work will move to 24 hours a day from March 11 until March 26.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Work With Us!

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

  • Temporary Recreation Leader II - Inclusion
  • Municipal Services Inspector
  • Casual Police Information Clerks
  • Lifeguard/Instructor
  • 2023 Seasonal Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Roads Management Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Recreation Coordinator - Aquatics
  • Building Official
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS

Meetings This Week

Monday, March 6: Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm.

Thursday, March 9: Design Advisory Panel at 5 pm.

Monday, March 13: Governance and Priorities Committee 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

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events