September 25, 2023

This Week...

Join us as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, learn more about the Alternative Approval Process and the Home Energy Navigator is now available to City of Nanaimo residents. Read on for more!
images of activities that took place in 2022 for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Join us on Sept. 30 as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Event Details:

  • Free activities at Oliver Woods Community Centre from 10 am to 4 pm (food trucks onsite) including gymnasium sports and games, family playroom, bouncy castles, arts and crafts, interactive booths and a Hul’q’umi’num’ StoryWalk.
  • Free Everyone Welcome skating and Stick ‘n’ Puck sessions at the Nanaimo Ice Centre from 10 am to 4 pm (concession open).
  • Free swimming & weight room entry at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre from 10 am to 4 pm (food trucks onsite). Session limits are in effect for the pool.

Orange shirts will be available for purchase at all locations while supplies last.

EVENTS

Nanaimo Aquatic Centre is now open

The boat may be gone, but there is still lots of fun to be had at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre! Now that the annual maintenance shut down is over, join us at NAC for a swim. Did you know? The Nanaimo Aquatic Centre is home to one of the largest wave pools in Western Canada and is one of the Island's busiest 50 metre pools.

POOL DROP-IN SCHEDULES

Home Energy Navigator

Now available to City of Nanaimo residents! Do you have an older home that hasn’t been upgraded in decades? You don’t know the comfort and energy savings you’re missing!

Register today at www.homeenergynav.ca for FREE customized roadmap to your home’s ideal retrofits and dedicated support from project beginning to end.

Begin your journey to a more comfortable home today and save your energy with Home Energy Navigator!

Alternative Approval Process

Beginning this week, we are holding two Alternative Approval Processes (AAPs). The parkland dedication removal for 502 Howard Ave is now in its final two weeks and the borrowing bylaw for the first stage of the Nanaimo Operations Centre project starts on Wednesday.

An AAP is a common process used by municipalities to seek elector approval for projects that are required in order to continue to provide municipal services. It is less expensive than holding a referendum and offers increased convenience to electors by providing at least 30 days to submit response forms.

  • If you are in favour of adoption of the bylaw, no action is required.
  • If you are an eligible resident or non-resident property elector of the City of Nanaimo and you are opposed to the adoption of the bylaw without it first receiving assent of the electors by voting (referendum), you may sign an Alternative Approval Process Elector Response Form.
  • If 10 per cent of eligible voters in the City of Nanaimo complete and submit the form then Council must either abandon the bylaw or put it to Assent Voting (Referendum) to obtain assent of the electors.
  • If less than 10 per cent of eligible voters in the City of Nanaimo complete and submit the response form then elector approval is received and Council can choose to proceed with the initiative.

MORE INFO

Increasing Housing Options Survey 

Increasing Housing Options is a series of recommended changes aimed at making housing more attainable in Nanaimo. This is the final week to provide feedback. Our survey is open until Friday, and you could win one of five gift cards to a local coffee shop.

You can learn more on our Get Involved Nanaimo site.

TAKE THE SURVEY 

Call for Youth Poet Laureate

Applications are now open for Nanaimo's next Youth Poet Laureate. Drawing on the expertise of a new generation of Nanaimo poets and the success of previous Youth Poet Laureates, the City of Nanaimo’s next Youth Poet Laureate will serve as a literary ambassador, creating opportunities for the community to appreciate strong youth voices.

  • The position of Youth Poet Laureate is open to Nanaimo residents aged 13 to 24 years. 
  • The deadline to submit applications is 11:59 pm on Oct 30.

YOUTH POET LAUREATE

Reduce the Risk of Flooding

Fall has arrived and it is bringing heavy rain with it. Make sure to check storm drains, culverts, ditches and catch basins around your property and clear away any debris blocking them. Thanks for your help in reducing the risk of flooding, Nanaimo!

FLOOD CONTROL

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

Midtown Water Supply and Midtown Gateway Projects:

  • Starting Sept. 25, the trail that connects VIU, the Black Diamond neighbourhood and Third Street is closed to the public. The 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.
  • On Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 9 am to 7 pm, please avoid Bowen Road between Northfield Road and Labieux Road. Traffic will be reduced to single lane per direction as construction continues on underground infrastructure. Left turns to and from Rosstown Road will also be unavailable, and there will be detours and stop closures for the BC Transit Route #30 Northbound. Check out the alerts page on BC Transit’s website https://www.bctransit.com/nanaimo/schedules-and-maps/alerts for more information about transit.
  • East Wellington Road from Westwood Road to Bowen Road is an active construction site, use an alternate route over for the next couple months. Expect delays and intermittent road closures, construction traffic will be entering and exiting frequently from the work zones on the roadway shoulders. Speed limit is 30km/h 24 hours per day.
  • East Wellington Road will be closed to all west-bound vehicle traffic along the construction work zone between Madsen Road and Bowen Road. All businesses remain accessible, local traffic to access the business please follow the signage off Bowen for the detour to enter eastbound into this work zone.
  • East Wellington Road remains open to cyclists and pedestrians during this time. Cyclists are encouraged to dismount and walk. Watch for sidewalk closures and detours.
  • The Parkway Trail Parking Lot at Westwood Road and East Wellington Road is closed to the public. The Parkway Trail is still accessible.
  • Thank you for your patience!

Terminal Avenue

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

Fifth/Bruce Intersection Upgrade

  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
  • Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control persons.

Departure Bay Road Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Upgrades

  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 7 pm.
  • Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control persons.

Albert/Fourth Complete Streets and Utility Upgrade project:

  • Albert Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic between Pine and Kennedy Streets until Nov. 1
  • Closure will be in effect 24 hours per day
  • Please use an alternate route to avoid delays
  • Obey all signs and traffic control persons, who are there for your safety
  • Albert Street will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians during this time

Wakesiah Road storm/sewer installation

  • Night work will be occurring between 7 pm to 6 am in the intersection of Wakesiah Ave and Third Street
  • Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area
  • Obey all signs and traffic control persons

Ross Road Watermain Upgrade

  • Construction work is continuing on Ross Road between Summit Road and Collishaw Road
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 7 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

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

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

  • General Ledger Clerk - Temporary Full-Time
  • Fire Prevention Officer/Inspector 
  • Community Safety Officer - Permanent Full-Time
  • Building Official - Permanent Full-Time
  • Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Municipal Services Inspector - Temporary Full-Time
  • Roads Management Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

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

Meetings This Week

Monday, Sept. 25: Regular Council Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 7 pm.

Wednesday, Sept. 27: Design Advisory Panel Meeting in 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

Nanaimo Operations Centre phase one to go to Alternative Approval Process

City of Nanaimo announces call for Youth Poet Laureate

CITY NEWSROOM

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events