November 22, 2021

This week...

Parks, Recreation & Culture winter registration opens Wednesday, we're counting down to ugly sweater day & Santa's arrival and the public is invited to help Design Commercial Street. Read on for more!
Picture of snowflakes falling above the Winter Activity Guide

Winter Activites Starting Soon

On Friday, November 19, Parks, Recreation & Culture launched the new Winter 2022 Activity Guide. They are looking forward to a fun and active winter with you! Some of the great activities you'll find in these pages include: 

❄️Cartooning and Comics (8-12 years old)
❄️Cardio Blast Fitness
❄️Introduction to Stained Glass

Follow the link to check out our entire Winter Activity Guide, and save the date in your calendar - November 24 is registration day! 

Please note: swimming lesson registration will begin on Wednesday, December 15.

REGISTER TODAY!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town 

Santa Claus is coming to town on Saturday, November 27, 2021, and he's coming in Christmas style! The 2021 Santa Claus Parade, presented by the Lions Club of Nanaimo, will begin on Victoria Crescent, follow Commercial and Front Street, and end at Maffeo Sutton Park (see the map for road closures here). 

LION'S FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

Countdown to Ugly Sweater Day!

Crank the Christmas tunes and strut your stuff in your ugliest or most festive of holiday sweaters. National Ugly Sweater Day falls on Friday, December 17 this year. So take a sweater selfie and share the joyful spirit that comes with this time of year.

While wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, we are all are encouraged to reconnect with loved ones, forgive and embrace and to consider the needs of and helping those who are less fortunate. After all, connecting, giving and kindness is what this season is all about.

If you're willing to tag us in your photos on Instagram (@cityofnanaimo), we would love to share!

LINK TO THE OFFICIAL CITY OF NANAIMO UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY PROCLAMATION

Park Improvements

Have you seen the latest additions at Harewood Centennial Playground?

  • 1450 sq metres of rubber surfacing installed made out of approximately 670 used tires
  • Wheelchair accessible all-inclusive Orbit added
  • 4 new belt swings added
  • 2 new baby seat swings installed
  • 2 new accessible seat swings added

HAREWOOD CENTENNIAL PARK INFO

Family Based Entertainers

The City of Nanaimo's Park, Recreation & Culture Department is looking for family-based entertainers for a community event we are planning for January 1, 2022.

If you are a magician, musician or artist we want to hear from you! So, please send a brief description of what you do and a sample clip (sound or video) to  parksandrecreation@nanaimo.ca!

Submissions accepted until Friday, December 3, 2021.

Downtown is the heart of Nanaimo. It is the traditional meeting place, commercial centre and transportation hub for our community. Commercial Street was recognized as one of the Great Places in Canada due to its mix of historical buildings and lively commercial activity.

The City has made significant investments in Commercial Street over the past 10 years with the construction of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, securing the new Marriot Hotel and acquiring key redevelopment sites at Commercial and Terminal Ave.

While Commercial Street has many positive attributes, it is time to refresh the public realm of Commercial Street by developing an action plan. The plan will incorporate the needs of local businesses and enhance opportunities for community events. 

We want to hear your thoughts on how to improve public spaces on Commercial Street! Please join us at any of the following events taking place in Vancouver Island Conference Centre Dodd Narrows Room (use 80 Commercial Street entrance) or fill out a quick online survey:

Design Studio Open House

  • Tuesday, November 23, 1-6 pm 
  • Wednesday, November 24, 1-6 pm

Public Presentation and Q&A

  • Tuesday, November 23, 6-8 pm
  • Thursday, November 25, 5-7 pm

DESIGN COMMERCIAL PROJECT INFO & SURVEY

Prepare for Storm Season

Yep, it rained. And it rained and it rained and it rained. It’s likely going to rain some more. With that rain has come flooding, and with that flooding, it’s very possible that leaves and debris have collected and are once again blocking the catch basins on your street. Public Works keeps an eye out for blocked storm drains, but they can’t see them all at once. Here’s how you can keep the storm drains near you clear and flowing.

NEWS RELEASE: PREPARE FOR STORM SEASON

Emergency Alert System

In the case of extreme storm weather that may warrant an emergency response, alerts will be sent out on Voyent Alert, the City's emergency alert system. Learn about Voyent Alert! and sign-up for emergency notifications.

 SIGN UP FOR VOYENT ALERT

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

  • Ninth Street is closed between Bruce Avenue and Plecas Crescent. Detours will be in place and commuters are asked to plan their travel accordingly and account for extra time when navigating the area.
  • Metral Drive is still an active construction site, so please expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area. All businesses remain open and accessible, but commuters are asked to use alternate routes whenever possible.
  • Hammond Bay Road (between Bonnie Drive and Overlook Drive) will be single-lane, alternating traffic 24 hours a day into November.
  • Watermain upgrades are underway on Laguna Way east of the intersection with Lost Lake Road. Commuters can expect minor delays.
  • Nottingham Drive is closed between Hammond Bay Road and Cumberland Place. Commuters should plan to access Nottingham from the north end.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Work With Us!

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

  • Lifeguard/Instructor - Apply by December 7 
  • Custodian Relief Pool - open until filled
  • Municipal Services Inspector - open until filled
  • Enhanced Digital Field Technician - apply by November 26
  • Building Official - open until filled
  • Engineering Services Technologist - open until filled
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors - open until filled

JOB POSTINGS

Meetings This Week

Monday, November 22: Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting at 1:00pm

Monday, November 22: Special Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 3:00 pm

Wednesday, November 24: Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness at 4:00pm

Thursday, November 25: Design Advisory Panel Meeting at 5:00 pm

Did you know?

You can watch meetings live, view a list of upcoming meetings, read agendas and watch recordings of past meetings all in one place on the City website. 

MEETINGS

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