📬 My Nanaimo This Week

April 2, 2024

This Week...

Get your free tickets to the 2024 Culture Awards, learn about the new Short-Term Rental regulations starting May 1 and join our Partners in the Park Program. Read on for more!

150 years of incorporation

On December 24, 1874, Nanaimo officially became the sixth municipality to be incorporated in British Columbia. 150 years of incorporation provides a chance to highlight the City of Nanaimo's successes while recognizing its citizens and community partners who have contributed to Nanaimo’s vibrancy over the past century and a half. Over the coming months, you will see new street banners, activities and initiatives marking 150 years of incorporation.

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2024 Culture Awards

2024 Culture Awards tickets are still available (and they're free!).

On April 3 at 7 pm, celebrate the best of Nanaimo's arts and culture sector while enjoying an evening of entertainment by Nanaimo's very own local talent.

Tickets must be booked in advance and are available through the Port Theatre's website.

RESERVE TICKETS ONLINE

BC 55+ Games

The City of Nanaimo is pleased to announce the appointment of two key positions for the 2025 British Columbia 55+ Games. Diana Johnstone (left) has accepted the position of President and Mary Smith (right) has accepted the position of Vice-President. Together, they will oversee the establishment of a nomination committee who will then assemble a board of 11 directors and their respective committee chairs.

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Short-Term Rentals

Did you know? The BC Government is rolling out new regulations governing short-term rentals starting May 1, 2024. These are in addition to the existing City of Nanaimo regulations.

To learn more, visit the Short-term Rental page on the City website.

Forest with mossy floor "Happy Earth Month"

Celebrate Earth Month

April is here and it is Earth Month, a time to celebrate our planet and take action to protect it. Here are some upcoming events you can take part in:

Friday, April 5 - Brant Children's Festival at Arrowview Elementary
Saturday, April 6 - Bio Blitz at Milner Gardens (training, birding, Plant ID)
Tuesday, April 9 and Thursday, April 11 - Septic Smart Workshops

MORE INFORMATION

Council Proclaims April 7 Green Shirt Day

After the devastating events of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash that took the lives of sixteen passengers, Humboldt Broncos defenseman Logan Boulet succumbed to his injuries on April 7, 2018.

Logan had registered as an organ donor after being inspired by his coach and mentor Ric Suggitt who was also an organ donor and saved many lives when he passed in 2017. As news spread of the organ donation by this young hockey player, it is estimated that almost 150,000 people registered to become organ donors in the days and weeks that followed.

To date this is the largest number of Canadians registering to become organ donors in Canadian history due to one event. Green Shirt Day was created to honour, remember, and recognize all the victims and families of the fatal crash and to continue Logan's legacy by inspiring Canadians to talk to their families and register as organ donors.

PROCLAMATION

Partners in Parks Program

Partners in Parks is a public participation program designed to bring the ideas and efforts of volunteers together with Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture in order to create, develop and improve our parks and open spaces. This program utilizes the talents, skills and energy of volunteers to develop, maintain and beautify Nanaimo’s many new and old open spaces, parks and trails.

To learn more about how to get involved please visit our website or call 250-756-5200

PIP PROGRAM

Tree voucher program

Did You Know? If you are a registered property owner in the City of Nanaimo, you can participate in our tree voucher program. This means you can purchase a tree to plant on your property for a reduced cost of $25 each.

MORE INFORMATION

Bastion Lighting - April

April 4, 5, 6 and 8: Purple - National Dental Hygienists Week
April 7: Green - Green Shirt Day
April 9: Green Grey, Blue and Red - Vimy Ridge Day
April 11: Blue - World Parkinson's Day
April 17: Red - World Hemophilia Day
April 19: Blue, Pink and Yellow - Global Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Awareness Day
April 29: Blue - World Wish Day

BASTION LIGHTING REQUESTS

StoryWalk® Event

Drop in any time for a self-guided StoryWalk® to read “Ocean Full of Wonder” (written by author Anna Smithers; illustrated by Nino Aptsiauri) from March 22 to April 22 in Neck Point Park.

When you are done reading, be sure to scan the on-site poster's QR code for a chance to win Parks, Recreation and Culture prizes. This event is free and great for the whole family.

MORE INFORMATION

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

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:
- Beban Park, near Bowen Road south entrance
- 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

Thank you for your patience! Learn more about this project: Midtown Water Supply Upgrades.

Terminal Avenue

Terminal Avenue upgrades will be ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street.
Commercial Street at Terminal, just up from Museum Way, will be closed to vehicle traffic from March 19 to April 4.
Signal installation has commenced at Esplanade and drivers should expect delays travelling through the intersection.
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.

Victoria Road Temporary Closure

Victoria Road is closed between Rainer Street and Needham Street to 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 April 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 continuing on Meredith Road between Spencer Road and Forest Drive.
Typical construction hours are Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 5 pm.
Commuters are encouraged to avoid this area if possible. If that is not possible, expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
Detours will be instituted where possible.
Obey all signs and traffic control persons.

Weber Street & Bruce Avenue Area Utility Upgrades

Construction on Weber Street, Glen Crescent, Pedestrian Walkway, Plecas Crescent and Bruce Avenue is ongoing.
Pedestrian walkway between Glen Crescent and Plecas Crescent will be closed all week, watermain and storm replacement ongoing.
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