📬 My Nanaimo This Week - October 26, 2026

October 26, 2026

This Week...

New aquatic centre artwork makes a splash, official 2026 election results are confirmed and Nanaimo Fire Rescue reminds residents to test their smoke alarms. Read on for more!

A Splash of Art at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre!

As part of the recent upgrades to the aquatic centre, local artist Laura Timmermans has created a vibrant large-scale mural inspired by Vancouver Island’s coastal waters, marine life and natural environment. The artwork celebrates our connection to the ocean through colour, movement, pattern and layers of detail, bringing new energy to the pool space.

Look closely... hidden throughout the mural are 10 local creatures waiting to be discovered (and maybe a few surprises)! From marine mammals to birds, fish and invertebrates, the artwork invites visitors of all ages to explore, learn and connect with the coastal environment that shapes our community.

Next time you’re at the NAC, take a moment to look up and see what you can find.

This project was commissioned through the City’s Urban Design Roster.

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Nanaimo Votes: Official 2026 Election Results Confirmed

The City of Nanaimo has officially declared the results of the 2026 General Local Election. Leonard Krog has been elected Mayor, joined by Councillors Ben Geselbracht, Paul Manly, Hilary Eastmure, Sheryl Armstrong, Andréa Coutu, Erin Colleen Hemmens, Marnie Boers and Ian Thorpe.

Voter turnout reached 31.3%, an increase from 24.2% in the 2022 election. The newly elected Mayor and Council will begin their four-year term at the Inaugural Council Meeting on Monday, November 9 at 7 pm at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.

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Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!

City of Nanaimo Fire Rescue wants residents of Nanaimo to be as prepared as possible in case of a structure fire, and that begins with smoke alarms in the home.

Smoke alarms are life-saving devices. By installing the correct number of smoke alarms in the proper locations throughout your home and maintaining them in good working condition, you can significantly lower the risk of fire-related injuries or fatalities for your family.

Ukrainian Conversation for Beginners

Join us for an engaging, interactive introductory course for adults and youth interested in learning the Ukrainian language and exploring its rich culture. Designed for complete beginners, the course covers basic everyday vocabulary, essential phrases, greetings, numbers and basic conversation skills for travel, community connection or personal enrichment. Each lesson blends language practice with cultural insights, traditions and practical dialogue.

Thursday, January 21 to February 11 | 3 to 4:30 pm | $100/4 |181591 | Bowen Park Complex. Register here!

Thursday, February 18 to March 11 | 3 to 4:30 pm | $100/4 | 181590 | Bowen Park Complex. Register here!

Register today by calling Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-756-5200 or online.

Court Kids - Pop-up Program

This is a FREE, fun safe space to introduce your child to unstructured physical activity! Your child will get to play, move, climb, jump, slide and have a blast while burning off some energy on a variety of gym equipment. Parent/caregiver participation is required. This program is drop-in only; no registration required.

Sunday, November 1, 9:30 to 11:30 am at Beban Park

Lions Free Skate - Frank Crane Arena

The Lions Club and other sponsors are pleased to be offering FREE skating to Nanaimo residents.

Sundays until March 21, 12 to 1:30 pm, Frank Crane Arena

SKATING SCHEDULE

Invasive Species Work Party

Did you know that invasive plants like English Ivy, Scotch Broom and Daphne crowd out native plants, reducing biodiversity, spreading pests and plant diseases and harming other species that rely on native plants? Let's "PULL TOGETHER" to rid our community of invasive plants by joining our upcoming scheduled work party:

Saturday, November 14 - Invasive plant removal at Colliery Dam Park, 10 am to 12 pm | 176297

Please register in advance to ensure we have enough equipment and supplies. You can register by calling Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-756-5200 or online.

Less Papers, More Reminders!

Help save paper and stay on schedule. Opt out of the mailed collection calendar and sign up for the Nanaimo Recycles app to receive garbage and recycling collection day reminders on your phone or by email.

The app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play or you can sign up on the City website.

Catch Basins

Are you storm prepared? Make sure the catch basins, drains and ditches around your property are cleared of leaves and debris to help prevent flooding. If flooding does occur, please call Public Works at 250-758-5222. If you need them, there are sand bags and sand at the Public Works yard — make sure to bring a shovel.

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Happy Halloween

Monsters, pop stars and creatures beware! While you go out trick-or-treating, plan out a safe route. Use sidewalks and cross streets carefully. Carry a flashlight and wear something bright, reflective and easy for drivers to see — it’s hard for drivers to see dark costumes! Drivers, make sure to keep your speed low and never pass a stopped or slow vehicle. And at home, light your jack-o’-lantern with LED battery-operated lights or a glow stick to avoid the fire hazards of real candle.

Jack o'Lanterns

When it’s time to say good-bye to your jack-o-lantern, you can place it for compost in the green cart! BUT please be sure to remove any candles or battery-operated lights from your pumpkins first. Also, if you used paint on your pumpkin, toss it in the black cart. Acrylic paints are a type of plastic and can’t be sent to the compost facility.

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 Regional District of Nanaimo's Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Expansion Project continues with preparatory work this fall ahead of active construction planned for 2027. Beginning in November, the intersection at Rutherford Road and Vanderneuk Road will be converted to a traffic signal to help facilitate traffic flow once one-way traffic begins during construction in 2027. Residents and drivers may see crews and equipment in the area and should expect possible traffic delays. Work is expected to continue through late fall. Please watch for crews and equipment and allow extra travel time when travelling through the area.
Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic while crews work on boulevard landscaping at:
- Hammond Bay Rd between Emil Pl and Brickyard Rd
- Brickyard Rd and McGirr Rd intersection
- Turner Rd, from Hammond Bay Rd to Kenning Pl intersection.
Water main upgrades are ongoing on Kenworth Road between Shenton Road and Bowen Rd. Traffic will be unable to turn from Bowen down Kenworth towards Shenton. Take Cienar Dr instead. This traffic disruption will be Monday to Thursday between 7 am and 6 pm.
Pedestrian crossing upgrades at the intersection of Townsite Rd and Holly Ave will require intermittent single-lane alternating traffic on both roads until late November.
Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Rosstown Rd between Powder Works Rd and Browns Ln while crews work on upgrading the watermain.

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