February 12, 2024

This Week...

Celebrate love with heart healthy walks, the Nanaimo RCMP Community Policing Program is looking for new volunteers and get ready for Family Day long weekend. Read on for more!

Heart Healthy Walks

Although the cherry blossoms have not yet bloomed, this week brings thoughts of romance to the top of mind. Our many beautiful parks and trails provide a perfect backdrop for a romantic stroll, hike or picnic.

We hope you take some time to enjoy Nanaimo's boardwalks, benches and breathtaking views. It's not only romantic, it's good for your heart, lungs and mental health.

Find your perfect stroll by using the Parks Search tool on the website.

Community Policing

The Nanaimo RCMP Community Policing Program is looking for new volunteers for their Crime Watch and Speed Watch programs. If you are interested in joining our team of volunteers and want more information, we will be hosting an information session at 6:30 pm on February 21 at 580 Fitzwilliam St.

Meet some of our team, ask questions and find out more about our programs.

Family Day Activities

Join Parks, Rec & Culture this Family Day, February 19, for many fun ways to celebrate:

Oliver Woods, 9 am to 3 pm
Gym play, bouncy castles, arts, crafts, face painting, scavenger hunt, Story Time with Miss Lynn and Family Yoga with Gypsy

Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, 12 to 5 pm 
Free swim and fun activites

Frank Crane, 11:30 am to 3:15 pm
Skating

A different Story Walk® will be posted at Oliver Woods, Frank Crane Arena and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Read them all!

LEARN MORE

Orange Bench

If you've visited Bowen Park Complex lately, you may have noticed an orange bench outside the upper area of the facility. What is it, and why is it there? The Orange Bench is inspired by the Friendship Bench that started in Zimbabwe. This bench provides the opportunity to have conversations about mental health. It is hoped that more benches will be installed around Nanaimo with community volunteers there at advertised times.

Dr. Derek Poteryko will be visiting the Orange Bench at Bowen Park on the second Wednesday of every month (next one is February 14 at 12:15 pm). As a family doctor, he will be happy to entertain health-related questions from those who attend.

LEARN MORE

Special Council Meeting

A Special Council Meeting regarding the Alternative Approval Process seeking borrowing for the first phase of the Nanaimo Operations Centre project is taking place today, February 12 at 4 pm in the Shaw Auditorium.

MEETINGS

ACT Now!

Passionate about climate action and making a positive impact on our community? The City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo are excited to announce the return of the Acting for Climate Together initiative for its second year! 🌿 💚

Join a virtual Information Session on February 15 from 6 to 7 pm to learn more about this fun and impactful initiative.

REGISTRATION

Winter GoByBike Week

That's a wrap of 2024 Winter GoByBike Week. Thanks to all who participated! We look forward to seeing you again in the spring.

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

Midtown Water Supply Project

  • Along the Parkway visual distractions of the project construction will be noticeable from the Northfield Road intersection south to the College Drive/Fifth Street intersection.
  • Construction is underway from 7 am to 7 pm in the Black Diamond Drive Neighbourhood. A 24 hour/day, road closure with one way local and emergency vehicle traffic only along Black Diamond Drive entering from Crows Nest Place towards Coal Tyee Trail / Venuti Way to Jingle Pot Road is in place. The western access to Black Diamond Drive from Jingle Pot Road will be closed with vehicular traffic detoured to enter at the eastern access. The speed limit is reduced to 30 km/h. Drivers must slowdown in work zones and pay close attention to signage.
  • 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 along many streets in the City while construction continues on this project. Visual distractions from the project and minor delays for commuters are to be expected. 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

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 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 will be closed starting on Thursday February 15 for concrete preparation and tentatively opened again on March 1. Concrete is expected to start on February 20.
  • 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.
  • Speed limit will be reduced as this will be an active construction zone.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control personnel.

Albert/Fourth Complete Streets and Utility Upgrade project:

  • Landscaping work will begin 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.
  • Please use an alternate route to avoid any potential delays.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control personnel, who are there for everyone’s safety.

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 for 3-4 weeks while repair work is completed.
  • Local traffic has access to Victoria Road from each end of the closure.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control personnel.

Sixth Street Watermain Upgrade

  • Construction work is ongoing on Sixth Road between Bruce Avenue and Park Avenue.
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 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.
  • Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control persons.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

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

  • Human Resources Advisor - Employee Relations
  • Human Resources Advisor - Recruitment
  • Assistant Manager, Procurement
  • Water/Wastewater Systems Operator-In-Training
  • 2024 Seasonal Recreation Leaders
  • Seasonal Recreation Leader II - Inclusion
  • Financial Analyst
  • Buyer
  • Civil Design Technologist
  • Building Official
  • Financial Analyst, Temporary Full-Time
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Casual - Police Services
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

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

Meetings This Week

Monday, February 12: Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 1 pm.

Monday, February 12: Special Council Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 4 pm.

Thursday, February 15: Special Council Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 7 pm.

Friday, February 16: Special District 68 Sports Field and Recreation Committee Meeting in the Boardroom, SARC starting at 1 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

City, RDN seeking community groups to participate in climate initiative

Alternative Approval Process Update

CITY NEWSROOM

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events