This Week... Get your tickets for the 2026 Culture Awards, check out behind the scenes at the OV Arts Centre and help us celebrate Water to Earth month. Read on for more! | Culture Awards Highlight: Vibe Dance Remember this show‑stopping moment? Vibe Dance lit up the 2025 Culture Awards stage with an unforgettable performance that had the whole room buzzing. Their energy is just one example of the incredible talent Nanaimo has celebrated over the years with live performances at our free awards show. The next chapter of that legacy arrives April 14 — and tickets for the 2026 Culture Awards are now available. Don’t miss your chance to be part of an evening that honours creativity, community and the artists who make Nanaimo shine. Did we mention the tickets are free? Get yours today! RESERVE TICKETS | Behind the Scenes at the OV Arts Centre The Nanaimo Performing Arts Guild invites the community to explore the Old Victoria Arts Centre for a Meet and Greet Open House event featuring live music by Alexander Watt of “Under the Covers” on Tuesday, March 24 from 2 to 6 pm at 25 Victoria Rd. These informal drop-in sessions offer guided tours of the city-owned, multi-purpose facility and an opportunity to learn how the O.V. can support a wide range of uses — from workshops and rehearsals to performances and community gatherings. Guild members will also share information about planned upgrades and future renovations being considered by the City. Community members interested in the future of arts and culture in Nanaimo’s downtown core are encouraged to attend! LEARN MORE | Water to Earth Month Beginning with World Water Day (March 22) and ending with Earth Day (April 22), Water to Earth Month celebrates water, the resource that is essential to all life and the Earth, the place we call home. The month is all about learning about and the steps we can take to protect and conserve our natural environment. A number of events hosted by the City, RDN, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research institute and Nanaimo and Area Land Trust are taking place during this month-long celebration. We are hosting the following: | | - Rainwater Harvesting Workshop on April 8 from 5 to 7 pm (barcode:151363)
- Nanaimo River Watershed & Water Treatment Plant Bus Tour – FULL (Waitlist available) on April 10 from 9 am to 3:30 pm (barcode: 161309)
- Departure Creek Watershed Walk on April 10 from 10 am to 12 pm (barcode: 161310)
- Cottle Creek Watershed Walk on April 11 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm (barcode: 162088)
You can find a full list of events on the RDN’s Team WaterSmart page. LEARN MORE | Invasive Species Work Parties Did you know that invasive plants like English Ivy, Scotch Broom and Daphne crowd out native plants reducing biodiversity, spread pests and plant diseases and harm other species that rely on native plants? Let's "PULL TOGETHER" to rid our community of invasive plants by joining in on one of our upcoming scheduled work parties. Please register in advance so that we can ensure we have enough equipment and supplies. You can register by calling Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-756-5200 or online. | Municipal Boundry AAP A reminder that the Alternative Approval Process for the proposed municipal boundary extension is underway. If you support the extension, no action is needed. If you are opposed to the extension, please submit a completed elector response form. Forms are available at City Hall and on our website. One response per eligible voter. Deadline is April 13, 2026 at 4:30 pm. Boundary extension details. LEARN MORE | | Staff Wanted for Healthamongus 2026 Healthamongus is a multi-day active event for elementary children in the Nanaimo. We are seeking high-energy, enthusiastic staff to help us. If you are 16 years and older and are interested, please send your resume to healthamongus@nanaimo.ca. The event takes place Monday to Friday, May 11 to 15, from 9:15 am to 12:30 pm. | | Beginner Spanish Class This beginner's course provides an introduction to spoken Spanish. Speak and hear Spanish from the first day as you quickly gain basic conversation skills to communicate information about yourself, your family and friends, your work and your daily life. Learn pronunciation, expressions and vocabulary that allow you to function in everyday settings. Thursdays, April 9 to June 25 from 6 to 7:30 pm $165/11, code: 166799. Bowen Park. Register today with Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-756-5200 or online. | | Super Hero Swim Join us for some Spring Break fun where you can be the Super Hero of the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre universe! We will be hosting a Super Hero Swim where there will be:
- Super splash diving board games
- Tactical target practice
- A lightning fast running mat
Join us on Friday, March 27 from 12 to 2 pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Regular admission rates apply. | | Read, Reflect, Write Join Poet Laureate Neil Surkan for an inspiring poetry workshop focused on Savouring, Wondering, and Daring on Wednesday, April 1 from 6 to 7 pm at North Nanaimo Library Board Room (6250 Hammond Bay Rd.). This free and welcoming session invites participants to slow down, explore language and reflect on everyday experiences through poetry. No prior writing experience is required — just curiosity and an openness to learn, listen and create in a supportive, thoughtful space. | | Sea Lions If you are out enjoying coastal areas such as Neck Point or Pipers Lagoon parks, be aware that sea lions are gathering on our shores to feed on salmon and herring runs. They are very fun to watch but please make sure you do so from a safe distance (minimum 100 metres). Do not feed or interact with sea lions, this is very dangerous - they may bite and approaching them, trying to feed them or interact with them is a violation of the federal Marine Mammal regulations with a fine up to $100,000. If you see someone harassing any marine mammal, please report it to DFO at 1-800-465-4336, email DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca, or contact the Coast Guard via VHF Channel 16.
WATCHING MARINE WILDLIFE | 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. - Albert St is almost complete! Expect single lane alternating traffic while crews are completing final road markings. Use alternate and detour routes.
- Fitzwilliam St between Milton St and Pine St with be CLOSED from March 23 to 27 for road restoration and paving. Please use detour routes.
- Expect single lane alternating traffic on Third St between Pine St and Howard Ave. Consider alternative routes to avoid delays.
- Expect single lane alternating traffic and, at times, eastbound lane closures on Jingle Pot Rd at the intersection of Holland Rd. Eastbound traffic watch for possible detour using Holland Rd and Ashlee Rd.
- Expect single lane alternating traffic on Godfrey Rd between Grace Place and Dunster Rd and on Dunster Rd between Godfrey Rd and Maureen Way.
- Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd at Rutherford Rd intersection while crews commence working on replacing the traffic signals. Traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Rutherford Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.
- Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd at Turner Rd and McGirr Rd intersection while crews work on replacing a sanitary sewer. Traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Turner Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.
- Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Turner Rd from Hammond Bay Rd to Kenning Pl intersection while crews work on replacing a sanitary sewer. Traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Turner Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.
- Expect delays or detours due to single lane alternating traffic or road closures on Applecross Rd between Dover Rd and Calinda St while crews work on asphalt paving and intersection crossing improvements.
CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS | Work With Us! We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions: - Specialized Unit Support Clerk
- Police Technical Support Specialist
- Engineering Development Technician (TFT)
- Lifeguard/Instructor (PPT)
- Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
- Casual Clerks - Finance
- Community Safety Officers
- Water Technician
- Seasonal Recreation Leader II - Inclusion Vacancies
- Planner I
- Aquatic Supervisor
- Lifeguard/Instructor
- Lifeguard/Instructor (TFT)
- Casual Arena Maintenance Worker
- Building Official
- Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
- Casual Clerk Opportunities
- Casuals - Police Services
JOB POSTINGS | Stay up to Date with the City | | | | |
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