My Nanaimo This Week

April 22, 2025

This Week...

Join us in congratulating our 2025 Culture Award Winners, listen to the newest Sweet Layered Podcast and recent ATV activity has caused damage to Nanaimo's Lotus Pinnatus Park...read on for more!

Congratulations to our 2025 Culture Award Winners

On Wednesday, April 16, the community came together at the Port Theatre to celebrate the incredible achievements of this year’s recipients. It was a night filled with inspiration, recognition, and amazing performances by some of Nanaimo’s finest local talent — all free for the public to enjoy. A big thank you to everyone who joined us in honouring the people who help shape and enrich our city’s vibrant arts and culture scene! Click on the images below to watch their tribute videos.
Joël A. Prévost sits on a stool in a white room.

Excellence in Culture: Joël A. Prévost
Doug Roszmann gesturing with open arms while singing.

Honour in Culture: Doug Roszmann
Tsatassaya Tracey White stands on a rock cropping with the Salish Sea and a rose, purple, blue hued sky in the background.

Honour in Culture: Tsatassaya Tracey White

 
Sophia Maher standing in a makeshift coal mine holding a lantern.

Honour in Heritage: Sophia Maher

Photographs by Sean Fenzl
A man wearing headphones sitting at a table speaking into a microphone with the words Sweet Layered podcast overlayed over the image.

Sweet Layered Podcast: How does the City stay connected and running smoothly?

Ever wonder how the city keeps everything running smoothly? Some of it comes down to data—over 400 layers of it. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) support everything from managing water and wastewater to dispatching emergency services and tracking city assets. GIS helps City staff make informed decisions, improve public safety and even meet legislative requirements.

On this episode, we’re joined by Mark Willoughby, the City’s Supervisor of GIS, to break down how this powerful tool works and why it matters.

PODCAST WEBSITE
Around Town section
An aerial view of Nanaimo harbour and the city looking toward the northwest.

ReImagine Nanaimo Finalist for Planning Award 

The City's ReImagine Nanaimo process has another accolade to add. This time, it is a finalist for the Canadian Institute of Planners Awards for Planning Excellence!

The ReImagine Nanaimo process and City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined have be the recipient of a number of awards including the IAP2 award for Visual Engagement and an award for Outstanding Planning Achievement in the Commonwealth by the Commonwealth Association of Planners.

MORE INFO
Looking out towards a calm, glasslike body of water surrounded by a forest of conifer trees.

Seismic Testing in Colliery Dam Park

Crews will be running a “seismic withstand analysis”, or seismic testing, on the middle dam in Colliery Dam Park from April 22 to 30, which will involve closure of the trail across the middle dam while the testing is being done. A “seismic withstand analysis” determines how earthquake-resistant the dam is, a requirement of BC Dam Safety. Beginning the afternoon of April 22, a number of activities will take place including bringing in drilling equipment, drilling boreholes and installing piezometers.

What’s a piezometer, you may ask? Great question! It’s a device that is used to measure underground water pressure. All this testing will help us make sure the dam is safe for the community to enjoy.

Cool It! Climate Challenge: Gardens & Bees

The City of Nanaimo caught up with two grade five classes participating in the Cool-it! Climate Challenge and asked about the activities they participated in to reduce their carbon footprint. In the video above, we learn about their passion for gardens and bees - our very important pollinators.
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Damage to Nanaimo's Lotus Pinnatus Park

It’s wildflower season! One of Nanaimo’s hidden jewels – Lotus Pinnatus Park, displays the most amazing show of wildflower colour during this time of year.  This sensitive Garry oak ecosystem is home to the rare Lotus pinnatus flower, found in only three other areas along the west coast.

Unfortunately, recent ATV activity has caused damage to the park's delicate habitat. 

We kindly remind visitors that ATVs and motorized vehicles are not permitted in this protected area.

  • Please stay on designated paths
  • Watch for new boundary signs
  • Interpretive signage will be installed next week to help you identify the stunning wildflowers on your visit to the park.

Let’s all do our part to protect and preserve this unique and beautiful space.

MORE INFO
City events.

Upcoming City Events

Friday, May 2 - Pool Party! Free for those 11 to 18 years at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, 9:30 to 11 pm.

Friday, May 2 - GrooveAbility Youth Dance in the Bowen Auditorium, 7 to 9 pm (cost $5, must pre-register). Call to register 250-756-5200 registration code: 139480.

Sunday, May 11 - Family Fishing Day in Colliery Dam Park, 10 am to 3 pm. Trout release at 12 pm.

Sunday, May 11 - Concerts in the Park featuring Andrew Janusson in Colliery Dam Park,  1 to 2 pm (as part of Family Fishing Day).

Friday, May 30 - Concerts in the Park featuring Elise Boulanger (Instrumental & Vocals) at the Bowen Park Amphiteatre, 6 to 7 pm.
City Construction section

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.

  • The intersection of Wall Street and Comox Road is being updated with new traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and altered Wall Street right turn. Bus stops 109974 and 110047 will be affected. Visit the RDN Transit page for more info.
  • There is construction on Bowen Road between Meredith Road and Dufferin Crescent until April 23. The southbound lanes are closed and a detour is required to access businesses and homes along Bowen Road south of Meredith Road.
  • On April 24, construction will close the right turn lane off Bowen Road to East Wellington Road and a detour will be required. Please take alternate route or follow posted detours.
  • The following trailways will have occasional construction activity due to the Midtown Water Supply Project: between Labieux Road roundabout and the E&N Trail, between Third Street, VIU and the Black Diamond neighbourhood, between Northfield Road and Griffiths Road alongside the Parkway.
  • Commercial Street between Wharf Street and Church Street is closed to vehicles and Bastion Street is closed to vehicles between Skinner Street and Front Street. 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.
  • Sewer upgrades along Railway Avenue are starting up on April 22 and will continue until the end of July. Traffic will be reduced to single lane alternating (SLAT) at times. Please use alternate route if possible.
  • The Townsite Area Utility Upgrades will see the connection of new water services and final paving on Oakley Street and Chelsea Street completed during the month of April. Roads will be closed intermittently and open to local traffic only.

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

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION
Job Postings section

Work With Us!

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

  • Application Support Position – Temporary Full-Time
  • Major Case File Specialist
  • Planning Assistant
  • Water/Wastewater Systems Operator-In-Training
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator
  • Manager, Revenue Services
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Water Technician
  • Building Official
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS
Council and Committees Section
A view from the Mayor's chair in the Shaw auditorium looking toward the audience

Meetings This Week

Thursday April 24 - Design Advisory Panel Meeting in the SARC Boardroom 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
City News section
A worker guides the hose of a large vacuum truck while another checks for safety.

Recap of City News

City Council approves improvements to Loudon Park

Off road vehicles damage Lotus Pinnatus Park, home to Nanaimo's floral emblem

Annual catch basin cleaning program to begin April 22, 2025

CITY NEWSROOM
A child waters yellow flowers with a green watering can on a clear. sunny day while an adult and two children stand in the background.

Stay up to Date with the City