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July 14, 2025

This Week...

Discover "Histogram Histories" at Oliver Woods, get ready for Reuse Rendezvous and enjoy youth poetry at Harbourfront Library. Read on for more!
Indoor art installation featuring colorful cylindrical fabric rolls hanging from the ceiling at varying heights. The rolls display a mix of stripes, solids, and printed patterns. The setting includes a modern interior with metal beams, glass railings, and a polished floor.

Histogram Histories

We unveiled Histogram Histories, a striking temporary public art installation by multi-disciplinary artist Kiranjot Kaur. Located in the lobby of Oliver Woods Community Centre, this innovative piece transforms historical statistics about Nanaimo into an eye-catching hanging sculpture, encouraging viewers to see the city through a new lens.

Histogram Histories features colourful ‘graphs’ made of fabric cylinders, each representing one of seven metrics tracing change over time. Community input appears as fabric strips with names and arrival years encircling the Arrival Patterns graph. The work reflects Kaur’s unique blend of artistry, engineering, and lived experience. By visualizing data in a tangible, beautiful form, the installation invites reflection, dialogue and connection — showing how statistics can tell the story of place through colour, shape and form.

LEARN MORE
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Aerial view of a skatepark surrounded by trees and greenery. The park includes ramps, rails, and other skate structures, with several people skating or standing nearby. A wooden fence encloses the area, and benches line the perimeter.

Skate Park Closure

The bowl at the Harewood Centennial Park Skate Park will be closed from Monday, July 14 to Wednesday, July 16 for important tile work. Please plan your visits accordingly and use alternate skate areas during this time. We appreciate your patience as we work to keep the park safe and in great shape for everyone.
Three large posters featuring poems are displayed on the glass wall of a bus stop or shelter. Each poster includes a ribbon graphic in the top corners, suggesting recognition or awards. The poems are titled 'The First Time,' 'The Resilience of Nature,' and 'Garden of Memories.' In the background, an outdoor plaza with trees and a brick building labeled 'Coast Capital' is visible through the glass.

Youth Poetry Display

This summer, the Harbourfront Library is proud to showcase a vibrant display of poetry created by young writers from our community. Earlier this spring, Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate Paige Pierce, invited local youth to submit their original work to our Youth Poetry Contest.

The response was incredible, with a wide range of thoughtful and creative submissions. Now, we’re excited to share these powerful voices with the public. The display features winning entries along with many other standout poems that reflect the imagination and insight of Nanaimo’s youth.

Visit the Harbourfront Library to experience this inspiring collection and support the next generation of poets!
Group of five people, including one adult in orange shirt and blue leis and children in casual summer clothing, posing on a grassy field. A sports field, trees, and other people are visible in the background.

Summer Day Camps

Looking for fun and engaging activities for your kids this summer? Many of our Parks, Recreation and Culture summer camps still have room available! Whether your child loves sports, arts, nature or adventure, there’s something for everyone.

Browse the camp calendars and check availability today — spaces are filling fast, so don’t miss your chance to join the fun!

SUMMER DAY CAMP CALENDARS
A person holding a smartphone showing an incoming call screen labeled 'Suspected Spam,' with options to block, answer, or decline. In the background is a blurred orange chair. The top of the image displays the 'City of Nanaimo – The Harbour City' logo and text.

Scam Calls

Please be aware that there are scam artists currently calling from numbers that display on your phone as "City of Nanaimo". They are not City of Nanaimo employees and are not calling from the City. City of Nanaimo employees will not call you to ask for a social insurance number, banking info or password. Protect your info and if you suspect a call may be a scam, please hang up the phone and call our main line at 250-754-4251 to verify.

LEARN MORE​​​​​​​
A young child in a green shirt and dark shorts runs barefoot through a colorful splash pad with water sprinklers. The ground features bright yellow, red, and black paint. In the background are playground structures, benches, picnic tables with umbrellas, trees, and distant buildings.

Water Parks

Have you visited one of our water parks? They're open seven days a week from 9 am to 8 pm:

  • Departure Bay Kiwanis Park
  • Mansfield Park
  • Deverill Square Park
  • Harewood Centennial Park

LIST OF NANAIMO PARKS
Two people in a forested area, one standing and playing an acoustic guitar, the other sitting. Both are wearing white shirts with black vests. Trees and greenery fill the background.

Concerts in the Park

Come down to Deverill Square Park on Friday, July 18 from 6 to 7 pm, bring a lawn chair and a picnic and enjoy some great musical entertainment. 

Barter Brothers Angus and Jamie, are two musical siblings. They are multi instrumentalists and individual songwriters who have self-produced five albums of joyful and diverse tunes.

LINEUP OF PERFORMANCES
A lifeguard in a red shirt and black shorts stands on a sandy beach holding a white rescue surfboard labeled 'RESCUE.' Orange traffic cones are in the foreground, one marked 'CITY NANAIMO.' In the background, a calm lake is surrounded by dense forest and mountains under an overcast sky.

Lifeguards on Duty

Lifeguards are on duty at Westwood Lake daily until Monday, September 1, 12 to 5:30 pm (including BC Day & Labour Day; weather permitting).

Safety Tips for Swimmers:

  • Never swim alone
  • Never leave a child alone near water
  • Look for and read any posted signs
  • Look before you leap or dive in
  • Do not drink alcohol
  • Play carefully
  • Be aware of natural hazards
  • Take a first aid course
A person packing or unpacking cardboard boxes, one labeled 'STUFFS.' Text below the image reads: 'Reuse Rendezvous July 19 and 20 CITY OF NANAIMO THE HARBOUR CITY'.

Reuse Rendezvous

Got lots of stuff? If yes, then it’s time to get ready for Reuse Rendezvous, Nanaimo’s community-wide swap meet! Start gathering all that stuff you don’t need or use anymore. This coming weekend(July 19 and 20), put all that stuff out on your curb with a free sign so someone else can see the potential you originally saw in it.

LEARN MORE​​​​​​​
Promotional poster for the City of Nanaimo's "Roving Playground Program." It features three circular photos of children playing outdoors. The text reads: "ROVING PLAYGROUND PROGRAM, July 14–18, 10 am – 4 pm at Hawthorne Park.

Playground Programs

Our Roving Playground program is on the move to Hawthorne Park this week (July 14 to 18). Bring the kids by from 10 am to 4 pm to play games, do crafts and play sports with our playground leaders. You can also find us all summer (Monday - Friday,
9:30 am to 4 pm) at Departure Bay Park.

Also, don't forget to join our Playground Program located at Departure Bay Park, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4 pm.

LEARN MORE
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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.

  • Expect single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Road between Turner Road and Rutherford Road intersections while crews work on replacing sewer and water mains.
  • Commercial Street between Wharf Street and Church Street is closed to vehicles. 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 replacement work along Railway Avenue is almost complete. Intermittent road closures may be in effect from 7 am to 5 pm, July 28 to 30 for paving.
  • The Townsite Area Utility Upgrades will see water and sewer main replacement and paving continue throughout July. Road closures and detours are in effect starting Tuesday, July 22 at Millstone Avenue and Townsite Road, and continue along Millstone Avenue through August for road reconstruction work there. Use alternate routes if possible.
  • On July 14, 6 am to 1 pm, Northfield Road will be closed to thru traffic in both directions between Bowen Road and Boxwood Road. Detours will be in place. Access to Super Save Gas will be via Bowen Road only. There will single lane alternating traffic on Rosstown Road and Powder Works Road. Get complete latest updates, including detailed maps at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway

Note: All businesses in the construction areas are open unless otherwise posted. When approaching construction zones, please make sure to slow down and obey all signage and traffic personnel instructions. Remember that construction zone speed limits are 30 km/hr unless otherwise posted. If you know your commute is taking you through any of the areas below, please allow for additional time and plan ahead.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

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

  • Recreation Assistant II - Arenas
  • Planning Assistant
  • Planner
  • Operations Support Supervisor
  • Police Records Clerk
  • Building Official
  • Community Safety Officers
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
  • Major Case File Specialist
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator
  • Manager, Revenue Services
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Water Technician

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

Meetings This Week

Monday, July 14: Governance and Priorities Committee meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 1 pm

Wednesday, July 16: Finance and Audit Committee meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 9 am

Thursday, July 17: Public Hearing meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 7 pm

MEETINGS

 

If you are not able to attend or tune in live, you can always review decisions made at each Council meeting with the Council Meeting Summaries. These summaries are typically posted the day after each meeting.

COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARIES
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City of Nanaimo news and events

Recap of City News

City of Nanaimo unveils temporary public art installation

City acquires land for future community centre in south Nanaimo

CITY NEWSROOM

Stay up to Date with the City