March 16, 2026

This Week...

Tickets are now available for our 2026 Culture Awards, get ready for Water to Earth Month and review the concept plan for the Country Club Upgrades today. Read on for more!

2026 Culture Awards - Tickets Available!

2026 Culture Award recipients will be honoured at a free community event at the Port Theatre on the evening of Tuesday, April 14th, 2026. The public is invited to attend, celebrating the achievements of these extraordinary individuals, while enjoying an evening of FREE entertainment by Nanaimo’s very own local talent!

This year's Culture Award winners include:

  • EXCELLENCE IN CULTURE 2026: Leon Potter
  • HONOUR IN CULTURE 2026: Luis Porretta
  • HONOUR IN HERITAGE 2026: Brian McFadden

RESERVE TICKETS

Water to Earth Month

Water to Earth Month begins on March 22. The City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo have planned variety of activities over the month to recognize Water Day to Earth Day.

Team WaterSmart have put together several activities throughout the month. Take part in a Englishman River Walk, Birds and Wetlands Workshop, Basic Fruit Tree Pruning, Rainwater Harvesting Workshop and more!

TEAM WATERSMART

Country Club Utility & Mobility Upgrades

As we prepare to upgrade the water and sewer mains in the Country Club area, we are also planning improvements for those who walk, roll, take transit or drive. Review the concept plan for the Country Club Upgrades today and provide your feedback. Complete an online comment form before April 17. Visit nanaimo.ca/goto/CountryClub to see how your input shaped the concept plan for the Country Club area, review the plan and complete a Round 2 comment form today.

Alternative Approval Process

An alternative approval process (AAP) to gain residents' permission to amend the municipal boundary to include Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) reserve lands began on March 11. A municipal boundary extension, to include SFN reserves (IRs 1, 2, 3 and 4) was requested by SFN and is supported by City Plan policy and in alignment with the City’s commitment to advancing reconciliation. Under the Local Government Act, elector approval is required to allow for a municipal boundary extension.

For those who are in favour of the proposed boundary extension, no action is required. Eligible voters in Nanaimo who are opposed to the boundary extension may fill out and submit an elector response form available at City Hall, or on the City website.

Completed forms must be received by the deadline of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026. Details on how to submit a completed form can be found on the City’s Alternative Approval Process page: www.nanaimo.ca/goto/aap. Each eligible voter is permitted one response.

LEARN MORE
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Lighting a Path

Lighting a Path brought Sway‑a‑Lana (Maffeo Sutton Park) to life this winter with a stunning illuminated art walk created in partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nation. The unique art installation, featured art by seven Snuneymuxw artists: the late Dr. William Good; the late Joel Good; Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun; kwasilwit, Chenoa Point; Noel Brown; Ryan Hughes; and yutustana:t, Gena Seward-Wilson. Community members were invited to honour the Land after dark, reflecting on stories of place, memory and stewardship. If you visited and experienced the artwork, we invite you to share your experience by completing a short community feedback survey.

SURVEY

Invasive Species Work Party

Did you know that invasive plants like English Ivy, Scotch Broom and Daphne crowd out native plants reducing biodiversity, spread pests and plant diseases and harm other species that rely on native plants? Let's "PULL TOGETHER" to rid our community of invasive plants by joining in on our upcoming scheduled work party on Saturday, Mar 21 from 10 am to 12 pm at Pipers Lagoon (barcode 150810).

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

Super Hero Swim

Join us for some Spring Break fun where you can be the Super Hero of the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre universe! We will be hosting two Super Hero Swims where there will be:
- Super splash diving board games
- Tactical target practice
- A lightning fast running mat

Join us on Friday, March 20 & 27 from 12 to 2 pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Regular admission rates apply.

Special Earth Hour Skate

On Saturday, March 21, community members are invited to take part in a special Earth Hour Skate at Frank Crane Arena. Running from 1:15 to 2:45 pm, this themed skate encourages energy awareness while offering a fun afternoon on the ice. It’s a great way to celebrate Earth Hour with friends and family. Regular admission rates apply.

Global Recycling Day

Sunday, March 15 was Global Recycling Day! It's not only important to recycle your used items, but to make decisions on whether or not to purchase something at all. Want to know if you are recycling properly? Check out the What Goes Where Wizard on the City website and on the free Nanaimo Recycles app. Want to know where your recyclables go after collection? Check out this video from Recycle BC.

Foraging Classes

This month, take a Foraging class with Parks, Recreation and Culture and Alicia Meek. There are three options:

INTRO TO WILD FORAGING
Saturday, March 21 | 11:30 am to 2:30 pm | $64/1 | 151965 | Bowen Park

MUSHROOM FORAGING AND ID
Wednesday, March 25 | 6:30 to 8:30 pm | $34/1 | 151959 | Beban Park Social Centre

PLANT & FORAGING WALK
Sunday, March 29 | 11:30 am-1:30 pm | $34/1 | 151967 | Bowen Park

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

  • A road closure to facilitate a railway crossing upgrade on Albert St between Milton St and Prideaux St will be in affect on March 18 to 19, 2026. The closure will be in place 24hrs/day until the work is complete. Use alternative and detour routes.
  • Expect single lane alternating traffic on Third St between Howard Ave and Pine St and on Fitzwilliam St between Pine St and Milton St. Consider alternative routes to avoid delays.
  • Expect 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.
  • Expect single lane alternating traffic on Godfrey Rd between Grace Place and Dunster Rd and on Dunster Rd between Godfrey Rd and Maureen Way.
  • Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd at Rutherford Rd intersection while crews commence working on replacing the traffic signals. Traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Rutherford Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.
  • Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd at Turner Rd and McGirr Rd intersection while crews work on replacing a sanitary sewer. Traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Turner Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.
  • Expect delays or detours due to 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.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

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

  • Engineering Development Technician (TFT)
  • Lifeguard/Instructor (PPT)
  • Casual Refuse Collector/Operators
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Municipal Services Inspector
  • Casual Clerks - Finance
  • Community Safety Officers
  • Water Technician
  • Seasonal Recreation Leader II - Inclusion Vacancies
  • Planner I
  • Aquatic Supervisor
  • Police Support Clerk
  • Lifeguard/Instructor
  • Lifeguard/Instructor (TFT)
  • Casual Arena Maintenance Worker
  • Building Official
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
  • Casual Clerk Opportunities
  • Casuals - Police Services

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

Meetings This Week

Wednesday, March 18: Finance and Audit Committee Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 9 am.

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
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City of Nanaimo news and events

Recap of City News

Alternative approval process begins for municipal boundary extension

CITY NEWSROOM

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