May 6, 2024

This Week...

Stay up-to-date on film production road closures around downtown, prepare yourself during Emergency Preparedness Week and celebrate Public Works Days by registering to attend a Public Works open house. Read on for more!

Production Closures

From April 22 to May 31, some parts of Diana Krall Plaza will be closed to the public due to a production event. Closures of other parts of the surrounding area will happen in short, planned phases.

All guests joining the public meetings in May can use the 101 Gordan St entrance the following dates:

  • May 13 & May 15

For a full overview of closures -  visit: Downtown Nanaimo

Emergency Preparedness Week, May 5 - 11

It’s Emergency Preparedness Week – in times of crisis it is important that residents have access to trusted, timely and accurate information to ensure their own safety and that of their family and loved ones.

The City of Nanaimo is encouraging residents to prepare for an emergency by making a kit, drafting up a plan and signing up for the City's Voyent Alert! Emergency Notification System. Experience has shown that individual preparedness goes a long way to help people cope better - both during and after a major disaster.

Additionally, knowing the potential hazards that exist in your area, making a plan for your family and preparing an emergency kit are the key steps for emergency preparedness. For everything you need to know about preparing for a disaster, visit the Prepared BC website.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

 

Invasive Plant Removal

May is invasive plant removal in the City of Nanaimo. Join like-minded individuals and tackle invasive plants during one of our work parties:

May 11: Broom Removal at Koram Park, 10 am - 12 pm (116142)
May 14: Broom Removal at Third Street Park, 10 am - 12 pm (116150)
May 21: Broom/Invasives Removal along Parkway Trail, 10 am - 12 pm (118573)
June 1: Invasive Plant Removal at Bowen Park, 10 am - 12 pm (116156)
June 18: Invasive Plant Removal at Diver Lake Park, 10 am - 12 pm (116166)

Please register for the work parties in advance through recreation.nanaimo.ca using the barcodes included above.

Public Works Week

To highlight Public Works Week, join us on May 22, in a free, semi-guided tour of the Public Works yard.

Work/information zones will provide examples of “Advancing Quality of Life for All”. This theme showcases how Public Works employees are dedicated to improving the quality of life for its citizens to live, work and play. 

REGISTER

Trunk Sales

Need to declutter? Give your gently used items a new home! Price them, pack them and bring them to one of the upcoming Car Trunk Sales. We've got two events coming up this summer: June 22 at Country Club Centre and August 24 at Vancouver Island University.

REGISTER

Short-Term Rentals

Effective May 1, 2024, new Provincial Short-Term Rental requirements has come into force. These include:

  • Short-term rentals are only permitted in a primary residence; and,
  • Hosts are required to display a valid City of Nanaimo business licence on their hosting page. This applies to all advertising platforms (AirBnB, VRBO, Booking.com, etc.).

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

 

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

  • 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.
  • Line painting is scheduled for two areas of the project this week:
    • Labieux Road at the Kenworth Road roundabout.
    • East Wellington Road between the Parkway overpass and Bowen Road.
  • 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.

Midtown Gateway Phase 2B

  • At times, Rosstown Road will be reduced to single lane alternating traffic between Bowen Road and Whitney Road.
  • At times, southbound traffic on Bowen Road will be reduced to single lane between Rosstown Road and Northfield Road.
  • Typical work hours will be 7 am to 5 pm.

Learn more about this project: Midtown Gateway.

Terminal Avenue

  • Terminal Avenue upgrades will be ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street.
  • 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.

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 is continuing on Weber Street, Glen Crescent, Pedestrian Walkway and Plecas Crescent.
  • Pedestrian walkway between Glen Crescent and Plecas Crescent will be closed all week, Allen block wall and chain-link fence installation in progress
  • 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.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

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

  • Executive Assistant, Police Services
  • Police Records Clerk
  • Operations Support Supervisor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Transportation Engineer
  • Business Analyst/Project Management Specialist
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Assistant Manager, Procurement
  • Building Official
  • Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • 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, May 6: Regular Council Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 7 pm.

Wednesday, May 8: Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness Meeting in the Service and Resource Centre boardroom starting at 4 pm.

Thursday, May 9: 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
City of Nanaimo news and events

Recap of City News

Exciting new e-bike share program coming to Nanaimo

Musical acts for Concerts in the Park announced

New provincial short-term rental regulations now in effect

Advancing quality of life for all - City celebrates National Public Works Week

CITY NEWSROOM

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events