This Week... The 55+ BC Games start this week, the intake is now open for the 2026 Culture & Event Grants and youth are invited to get creative with the Street Banners 2026 program. Read on for more! | 55+ BC Games The 55+ BC Games will be happening in the City from September 9 to 13. This means that there will be interruptions to schedules for public drop-in sessions at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Nanaimo Ice Centre and Frank Crane Arena, and some facilities will be unavailable to the public while being used by games participants. These facilities include Beban Pickle Ball Courts, Tennis Courts at Beban and Bowen Park, Disc Golf at Bowen Park. Signage has been posted at facilities where the games will be taking place. | | 2026 Culture Grants Calling all creatives, organizers, and culture champions! Intake is now open for the 2026 Culture & Event Grants in Nanaimo! Available grants include: 🎨 Culture Operating Grants supports year-round operations of Nanaimo-based non-profit arts, culture, and heritage organizations. Covers up to 25% of annual budgets. Must attend a prep meeting. 🎭 Culture Project Grants funds specific arts and culture projects that enhance Nanaimo’s cultural vitality. Open to non-profits with at least one completed project. Covers up to 25% of project costs. 🎉 Downtown Event Revitalization Fund Grants helps fund public events and festivals in downtown Nanaimo that boost vibrancy, tourism, and community pride. Covers up to 35% of event budgets. Whether you're running a cultural organization, planning a community event, or revitalizing downtown spaces, there's funding available to support your vision. 🗓️ Deadline to apply: October 7, 2025, at 4 pm PST Don’t miss your chance to bring your ideas to life and help shape Nanaimo’s vibrant cultural landscape. Visit the links above for full details and application info! | 2026 Street Banners Are you a young artist or creative thinker interested in seeing your work displayed across Nanaimo? The City is inviting youth to participate in the Street Banners 2026 program, and we’re hosting an information session to help you learn more. Join us on Tuesday, September 9, from 4:30 to 6 pm at the Bowen Complex, Room 5 (500 Bowen Rd., Lower Level). This drop-in session is a great opportunity to meet the City’s Culture Coordinator, ask questions, and explore how you can get involved in this exciting public art initiative. Whether you're curious about the banner themes, submission process, or just want to learn more about how youth voices are being celebrated in our city, we encourage you to stop by. | | Poetry in the Harbour Join Poet Laureate, Neil Surkan, and special guests for an evening of poetry in the Shaw lobby at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Wednesday, September 10 at 7 pm. September's event features poet, Kayla Czaga and special guests, Jacqueline Bell and Sho Miller. This event is FREE! Kayla Czaga holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and currently serves as the online poetry mentor for Simon Fraser University’s The Writer’s Studio. Her debut collection, "For Your Safety Please Hold On" (Nightwood Editions, 2014) won the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award from the League of Canadian Poets. | | World Trade Centre Tribute Marking another year since September 11, 2001, you can pay tribute in Nanaimo outside Fire Station 1. In 2009, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began accepting requests from organizations for a piece of World Trade Center steel. The steel was recovered from the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001, and secured at JFK Airport by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The steel withstood the most horrific attack on American soil that took the lives of 2,819 people. Nanaimo Fire Rescue is proud to have received one of 1,500 of these pieces. It is not known which tower the beam came from. | | Terry Fox Run The Terry Fox Run returns to Bowen Park on Sunday, September 14 at 9 am — a meaningful community event honoring Terry’s legacy and raising funds for cancer research. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make this event a success! Whether you're cheering on runners, helping with setup, or guiding participants, your support makes a difference. 📧 Interested in volunteering? Contact Meaghan at parksandrecreation@nanaimo.ca Come and participate in this legacy event to raise funds for cancer research. See you there! | | Temporary Public Art Curious about the City’s Temporary Public Art Program or thinking of submitting a proposal? Join the Culture Coordinator for a free online information session to learn more about the program and the current Call for Proposals. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, get inspired, and find out how to participate in bringing temporary art to public spaces. 📅 Monday, September 15
🕕 6 to 7 pm
📍 Online via Zoom | | Fall GoByBike Week Nanaimo, get ready to ride — Fall GoByBike Week is almost here! From September 27 to October 3, we’re celebrating cycling, sustainability and community spirit with a full week of fun, fresh air and meaningful connections. No matter your age or experience level, GoByBike Week is for everyone. Grab your helmet, tune up your bike and invite your friends, family, and coworkers to join the ride. Let’s make this week unforgettable by having fun and supporting a greener future. GOBYBIKE - NANAIMO | | Community-Building Fund On your travels around Nanaimo, have you come across a sign like this one pictured? When you see this sign at a City construction site, it means the project was funded either fully or in part by the Canada Community-Building Fund. This fund provides support to local government infrastructure and capacity-building projects, much like the Millstone Avenue Transportation Upgrades project taking place right now. The City receives funding for a number of projects each year from road improvements to park improvements and many other things in between that benefit our lives here in Nanaimo. To learn more about this fund visit the fund's page on the Government of Canada's website. | | Bowen Park Pottery New this fall — the Bowen Park Pottery Room is now available to rent for private classes, workshops, or special functions. This charming studio space is ideal for pottery instructors, artists, or anyone looking to host a creative gathering in a unique and inspiring environment. Whether you're planning a one-time event or a series of sessions, the Pottery Room offers a flexible and welcoming setting to bring your ideas to life. 📧 Email Parks, Recreation and Culture at parksandrecreation@nanaimo.ca for more details. | | Drop-in Programs Planning to attend a public drop-in program? Please note that schedules may change without notice. To avoid disappointment, we encourage all residents to check the most up-to-date information before heading out. Visit recreation.nanaimo.ca and click on “Drop-in Schedules” to confirm times and availability for your desired activity. Staying informed helps ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience at our recreation facilities. Thank you for your understanding! | | 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. - Expect significant delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Road between Emil Place and Brickyard Road intersections while crews continue to work on replacing sewer and water mains. Next week drivers, transit users, cyclists and pedestrians should expect Hammond Bay Road to be busier than usual as Rutherford Elementary School and Dover Bay. Secondary School reopen after the summer break. Drivers should consider taking Rutherford Road and Uplands Drive as an alternative route to avoid delays if passing through the construction work zone. Drivers should consider taking Schook Road, and Dover Road as an alternative route to avoid delays if passing through the construction work zone
- Expect slight delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Dickinson Road between Groveland Drive and Medd Road intersections while crews continue to work on replacing water mains.
- Commercial Street is now open to vehicle traffic between Wharf Street and Church Street however, intermittent lane closures can be expected during working hours. FREE daily 2-hour parking is available along downtown streets and on Levels 2 & 3 of the Bastion Street Parkade for the duration of the project.
- The Townsite Area Utility Upgrades is completing road reconstruction on Millstone Avenue. The Townsite Area Utility Upgrades is completing road reconstruction on Millstone Avenue. Paving is now complete however singel lane alternating traffic will be used intermittently into September as the corridor is completed.
- There will be single lane alternating traffic on Rosstown Road and Powder Works Road as work continues in the area. Get complete latest updates, including detailed maps at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway
- There will be construction of a new crosswalk at the intersection of Campbell Street and Selby Street. Watch for lane closures, detours, construction signs and traffic control persons.
- There will be 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: - Equipment Operator - Asphalt
- Casual Arena Maintenance Worker
- Parks Capital Project Management Specialist
- Operations Support Supervisor
- Police Records Clerk
- Building Official
- Community Safety Officers
- Procurement Specialist
- Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
- Casual Clerical Opportunities
- Casuals - Police Services
- Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator
- Manager, Revenue Services
- Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
- Water Technician
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