March 11, 2024

This Week...

Spring Break is here and there is no better time to explore our playgrounds, check out our programs and find ways to go green this St Patrick's Day. Read on for more!

Be Green!

St. Patrick's Day can be about everything green including making simple "green" lifestyle changes. Here are some examples:

  • Reuse - decorations and green clothing/accessories from previous celebrations
  • Choose alternative forms of transportation - even just one day a week walk, bike or take the bus to work, shopping, running your errands, etc.
  • Recycle - you can divert a lot of your household waste from the landfill.
  • Reduce - reducing consumption reduces the amount you have to throw out and saves you money.
  • Upcycle - spruce up tired or outdated items, making them look new or repurpose items for an entirely different use.
  • Be water smart - water is essential to all forms of life. Conserve this precious resource.

Sign up to ACT!

Are you passionate about environmental conservation, sustainability, and taking action against climate change? The City of Nanaimo and RDN are looking for volunteers to join Acting for Climate Together (ACT)

Volunteers will collaborate on impactful community-focused climate actions and projects to increase awareness and engagement of climate action at the local level.

ACT participants who wish to complete projects in the City of Nanaimo are eligible to apply for funding through the Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant.

Registered participants are invited to join us for an in-person kick-off session on March 23, 9:30-11:30 am at Oliver Woods Community Centre.

Ready to be a climate champion? Register today!

REGISTER

Explore our playgrounds this spring break.

The City of Nanaimo is home to some amazing destination playgrounds including Maffeo Sutton Park and Harewood Centennial Park. We also have some hidden gems and smaller playgrounds that have recently gone through a refresh. Why not spend some time this spring break exploring your city and revisting some familiar favourites or finding a new place to add to your list? Use the Parks Search below and type the word "playground" in the search bar to find all 66 results!

PARKS SEARCH

Calling all Youth!

We want your help choosing the new Youth Lounge logo. The logo was designed by Victoria, a 13-year-old local high school student, who said, "I wanted to make a submission that was fun and exciting. I hope that when people see my design that it inspires curiosity about the Youth Lounge (at NAC). My art is bright and dynamic like the youth of Nanaimo!"

To vote, click here! https://ow.ly/KXl250QOXeE

Visit the Youth Lounge at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. It is held Thursdays, 3-7 pm and Fridays, 2-9 pm. It is FREE to all youth ages 11 to 18 years old. Activities include swimming, skating, gaming, food, music and more!
 

VOTE NOW!

Spring Break Fun

Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture has some activities to keep the kids busy during the break from school:

  • March 15 & 22, 6-8 pm: Super Hero Swim at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre
  • March 17, 3-4:30 pm: St. Patrick's Day Skate at Cliff McNabb Arena
  • March 22: Water to Earth Month kicks off
  • Spring Break camps: some camps still have spots available.

ACTIVITY GUIDE

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 and obey all signage and traffic personnel instructions. Thank you for your patience!

Midtown Water Supply Project

  • On Tuesday, March 12, the eastbound right turn lane at the intersection of Northfield Rd and Boxwood Rd will be closed from 7 am to 7 pm.
  • Construction in the Black Diamond Drive neighbourhood includes a 24 hour/day, road closure in both directions along Black Diamond Drive near the Crows Nest Place intersection for vehicular traffic. Drivers can access properties from either end of the road off Jingle Pot Drive.
  • The trail that connects VIU, the Black Diamond neighbourhood and Third Street is closed to the public. This area is an active construction site for the installation of the water supply main. Construction traffic will enter and exit the work zone at Third Street across from the Rotary Field House.
  • Commuters can expect minor delays and visual distractions along many streets in the City while construction continues on this project. Drivers, pay close attention to signage and the construction traffic as they enter and exit these sections of the project:
    • Labieux Road, off the Labieux Rd/Kenworth Rd roundabout
    • East Wellington, Westwood Road to Bowen Road
    • Griffiths Road, end to Madsen Road
    • Third Street across from the Rotary Fieldhouse
    • College Drive, near the Parkway intersection

Terminal Avenue

  • Terminal Avenue upgrades will be ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street.
  • Commercial Street between Victoria/Albert/Wallace and Terminal Avenue will be converted to one way exit traffic for approximately the next month.
  • Commercial Street at Terminal Avenue heading towards Museum Way will have rotating daily closures for signal installation.
  • Commercial Street South, Gordon Street and Port Place Mall Access will be opened again on March 6. Concrete has been placed and paving will occur on March 5, weather permitting.
  • The sidewalk in front of Vancouver Island Convention Centre along Terminal Avenue will have rotating closures and pedestrian traffic will be provided with a detour onto Terminal.
  • The mid-block crosswalk at Gordon Street is closed until the installation of the new signals, expected late this year. Pedestrians please use the crosswalks at Commercial Street and Esplanade for safe crossing
  • Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Albert/Fourth Complete Streets and Utility Upgrade project:

  • Landscaping work continues this week on Albert Street between Pine and Kennedy Streets.
  • Albert Street will be intermittently subject to one-way alternating traffic Monday to Friday between 7 am to 7 pm.

Victoria Road Temporary Closure

  • Victoria Road is closed between Rainer Street and Needham Street to investigate and repair some settlement in the roadway.
  • A temporary detour along Seventh Street to Park Avenue to Fifth Street will be in place until the end of March while repair work is completed.
  • Local traffic has access to Victoria Road from each end of the closure.

Meredith Road Watermain Upgrade

  • Construction work is beginning on Meredith Road between Spencer Road and Forest Drive.
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 5 pm.
  • Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Weber Street & Bruce Avenue Area Utility Upgrades

  • Construction on Weber Street, Glen Crescent, Pedestrian Walkway, Plecas Crescent and Bruce Avenue is ongoing.
  • Watermain dechlorination and water sampling will take place on Bruce Avenue from March 11 to March 13. Commuters can expect delays. 
  • Pedestrian walkway between Glen Crescent and Plecas Crescent will be closed all week.
  • Traffic on Weber Street, Glen Crescent and Plecas Crescent will occasionally be reduced to single-lane-alternating.
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5 pm.

First Street Area Project

  • The First Street Area project is now underway on Bowen Road, replacing sanitary sewer between Doric and Ashlar.
  • Hazelwood Construction is focusing on the south-east bound lane, so traffic will be limited to single lane alternating for that short stretch during working hours (7 am – 5 pm).
  • Vehicle traffic should slow down to avoid excessive bumps in the uneven pavement.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

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Work With Us!

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

  • Fire Fighters
  • Exhibit & Property Clerk - Permanent Part-Time
  • Deputy City Clerk
  • Client Support Specialist
  • Human Resource Advisor - Recruitment
  • 2024 Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Seasonal Recreation Leader II - Inclusion
  • Buyer
  • Civil Design Technologist
  • Building Official
  • Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • 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, March 11: Governance and Priorities Committee meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 1 pm.

Wednesday, March 13: Advisory  Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 4 pm.

Thursday, March 14: Design Advisory Panel meeting in the Service and Resource Centre boardroom starting at 5 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