This Week... Congratulations to this year's Culture Awards winners, some tips for Earth Day and learn about the upcoming local election. Read on for more! | Culture Awards - Congratulations to the Winners! Congratulations to the 2026 Culture Award Winners! The City of Nanaimo was proud to honour three remarkable individuals at the Port Theatre on April 14, celebrating their passion, creativity, and dedication to shaping and strengthening our cultural community. - Honour in Heritage: Brian McFadden - A driving force at the Vancouver Island Military Museum for nearly three decades, Brian has preserved and shared Nanaimo’s military history with extraordinary care and commitment. “Brian has been one of the driving forces behind the continued success of the Military Museum and his efforts and leadership will continue to be felt long into the future.” Watch Brian's Award video.
- Honour in Culture: Luis Porretta - A lifelong champion of the arts, Luis has brought world‑class music to Nanaimo while uplifting local and emerging musicians. “Luis Poretta’s long-term vision, his tireless advocacy for artists, and his unwavering commitment to live performance exemplify the very qualities the City of Nanaimo Culture Awards were created to recognize.” Watch Luis's Award video.
- Excellence in Culture: Leon Potter - A transformative theatre artist, educator, and mentor, Leon has inspired generations through his work at VIU and across the performing arts community. “He is an artist, educator, and cultural leader who has dedicated his career to lifting others up and creating spaces where art can flourish.” Watch Leon's Award video.
Thank you, Brian, Luis, and Leon, for your remarkable contributions to Nanaimo’s cultural life! Your work and dedication makes our city more diverse, more vibrant, and more connected. Photography by Sean Fenzl @fenzlstudio | Earth Day 2026 Each year, April 22 marks Earth Day, a day to recognize the planet on which we live, how it sustains us (and all living things) and steps we can take to protect it. There are little things you can do everyday to make a positive impact on the environment such as driving less, reducing food waste, purchasing local food, recycling and making your home more energy efficient. Even though the City and RDN held our Earth Day event this past weekend, Water to Earth month events are still taking place including workshops, a BioBlitz, an invasive work party, guided walks and an open house of the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre. Check the Team WaterSmart website for a list of events. WATER TO EARTH MONTH EVENTS | | Spring Yard Clean Up Things are starting to bloom, which means it's time to venture outside and do some spring cleaning. When doing yard clean up, make sure you are disposing of yard waste properly. Leaves, grass and light trimmings are acceptable for the green bin, but please keep things like branches, soil and rocks out. If you aren't sure if something can go in the green bin, check the What Goes Where wizard on the Nanaimo Recycles app or the City website. WHAT GOES WHERE | | Riptides Swim Meet The Nanaimo Riptides Swim Team is hosting a swim meet this weekend (April 25 and 26) at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. During the meet: - length swimming and diving boards are not available
- Saturday aquafit classes are cancelled
- 50M lengths are available 6-7:30 am on Saturday and Sunday morning only
Check the drop-in swimming schedules page on the City website for up-to-date information. DROP-IN SWIMMING | | Evening Aquafit Looking for evening Aquafit classes? Join us for two drop-in sessions at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. - Shallow Water Aquafit on Tuesdays, 8-8:45 pm
- Deep Fit Aquafit on Wednesdays, 8-8:45 pm
To see our latest drop-in swimming schedules, please see our website. DROP-IN SWIMMING | | Sweet Layered Podcast - Elections 101 Municipal elections shape the decisions that affect our everyday lives — from roads, parks and public safety to housing and community services. British Columbia’s next general local election takes place on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, and in this episode, we break down what voters and potential candidates need to know. Joining us is Sheila Gurrie, Director of Legislative Services and Communications, who brings extensive experience overseeing local elections. We cover who can vote, how and where to cast a ballot, opportunities to work during an election and what’s involved if you’re thinking about running for local office. Whether you’re voting for the first time or considering a run for council, this episode is your starting point. LISTEN NOW | | Departure Bay Pump Station and Hammond Bay Forcemain Project The RDN, in partnership with the City of Nanaimo, is planning for the start of construction on updating the aging Departure Bay Pump Station and replacing 4 kms of sewer mains along Hammond Bay Road that lead to the wastewater treatment plant for the City of Nanaimo, District of Lantzville and Snuneymuxw First Nation - the Great Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre. Right now, traffic management planning for Hammond Bay Road is taking place and construction is anticipated to begin later this spring. The project is expected to take four years to complete. For the latest information on the project, visit the project page on Get Involved RDN. PROJECT INFO | 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. - The Beban Parkway at the Bowen Rd and Boxwood Rd intersection will be closed from April 23 to May 23 for road repairs. Use alternate access points for both Beban Park and Beban Plaza.
- The intersection at Third St and Howard Ave is closed 24 hrs per day until May 8. Detours are in place.
- Third St between Howard Ave and Pine St is closed 24 hrs per day until August 13. Detours are in place.
- Single lane alternating traffic and, at times, eastbound lane closures on Jingle Pot Rd at the intersection of Holland Rd. Eastbound traffic watch for possible detour using Holland Rd and Ashlee Rd.
- Single lane alternating traffic on Godfrey Rd between Grace Place and Dunster Rd and on Dunster Rd between Godfrey Rd and Maureen Way.
- Single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd at Rutherford Rd intersection while crews commence working on replacing the traffic signals and repaving the intersection. Traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Rutherford Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.
- Single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd at Turner Rd and McGirr Rd intersection while crews work on replacing the traffic signals. The existing traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Turner Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.
- Single lane alternating traffic along Turner Rd from Hammond Bay Rd to Kenning Pl intersection while crews work on replacing a sanitary sewer and a watermain. Traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Turner Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.
- Single lane alternating traffic or road closures on Applecross Rd between Dover Rd and Calinda St while crews work on asphalt paving and intersection crossing improvements.
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 | Work With Us! We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions: - Aquatic Supervisor
- Urban Forester
- Bylaw Enforcement Officer - Parking Patroller
- Financial Analyst
- Police Technical Support Specialist
- Engineering Development Technician
- Lifeguard/Instructor
- Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
- Community Safety Officers
- Water Technician
- Seasonal Recreation Leader II - Inclusion Vacancies
- Planner I
- Casual Arena Maintenance Worker
- Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
- Casual Clerical Opportunities
- Casuals - Police Services
JOB POSTINGS | Meetings This Week Monday, April 20: Council meeting in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre starting at 7 pm. Wednesday, April 22: Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel in the Service and Resource Centre boardroom starting at 1 pm. Wednesday, April 22: Public Hearing in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre starting at 7 pm. Thursday, April 23: 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 | | Stay up to Date with the City | | | | |
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