📬 My Nanaimo This Week - October 19, 2026

October 19, 2026

This Week...

View the preliminary election results, make your submission to Poetry in the Harbour and help celebrate Nanaimo's cultural leaders through the 2027 Culture Awards. Read on for more!

Preliminary Election Results

Thanks to everyone who voted! Preliminary results for the 2026 General Local Election are in. View the complete list of results at www.nanaimo.ca/elections. Official results will be announced by 4 pm on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

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Last Call for a Curated Community Poetry Reading

The deadline to submit to Poetry in the Harbour: A Curated Community Reading is almost here! Submit your poem by 11:59 pm PT on October 23 for the chance to be featured in this special community reading hosted and curated by Neil Surkan, Poet Laureate of Nanaimo.

This year’s theme is “The Present”. How have these times felt? What moments, questions, challenges, or gifts have shaped your experience of the present?

Open to ages 18+
Submit one poem (max. one page)
Include a short third-person bio (50 words max)
Reading event: November 25, 2026 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre

Don’t miss your chance to share your voice with our community!

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Call for Nominations - 2027 Culture Awards

Do you know someone helping shape Nanaimo’s arts, culture, heritage and creative spirit?

Nominations are now OPEN for the 2027 Culture Awards! Help us celebrate the individuals, organizations and cultural leaders whose passion, talent and dedication make our community more vibrant every day. Nominations are accepted for the Excellence in Culture Award, Honour in Culture Award, Emerging Cultural Leader Award and Honour in Heritage Award.

Nomination deadline: January 4, 2027 at 11:59 PM PT.

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Free Fall & Winter Programs

FUN FACTORY (Ages 6 to 9)

Get ready for creativity, laughter and fun at Fun Factory! This exciting program combines arts and crafts, active games and imaginative activities in a welcoming environment. Participants will make new friends, explore their creativity and enjoy a variety of engaging experiences each week.

Wednesdays, Oct. 21 to Dec. 9 | 5:30 to 7 pm | FREE (8 sessions) | Activity #180383
Register here!

PARENT & CHILD BASKETBALL

Spend quality time together while introducing your child to the game of basketball! Parents and children will enjoy simple games, active play and shooting hoops in a fun, supportive environment. No experience is necessary. Parent participation is required.

Ages 3-5
Sundays, Oct. 25 to Dec. 6 | 9:30 to 10:30 am | FREE (7 sessions) | Activity #180419
Register here!

Ages 6-8
Sundays, Oct. 25 to Dec. 6 | 10:45 to 11:45 am | FREE (7 sessions) | Activity #180422
Register here!

YOUTH SPORTS HUB (Ages 10 to 17)

Looking for a place to play, connect and have fun? Youth Sports Hub is a welcoming program where youth can enjoy basketball, try a variety of sports and recreational activities and spend time with friends in a positive, inclusive environment. Snacks are provided!

Thursdays, Oct. 22 to Dec. 10 | 6 to 7:30 pm | FREE (8 sessions) | Activity #180414
Register here!

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

Riptides Swim Meet

There is a Riptides Swim Meet at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25. During the meet, visitors can expect limited pool availability throughout the facility. Please note that 25-metre lane swimming will be reduced, so be sure to check the online schedule before your visit. Diving boards will also be unavailable for the duration of the event.

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Aqua Zumba at NAC

High energy! Low impact! Maximum fun! Aqua Zumba is making a splash! These classes are drop-in with no pre-registration required. **Our schedules are subject to change. Please "Check Before You Trek" before coming to any public drop-in session.

Two weekly options:

Tuesday, 8 to 8:45 pm
Friday, 10:15 to 11 am

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Fishing Challenge

Join the City of Nanaimo's Family Fishing Challenge from October 19 to 26. Visit one of Nanaimo's local lakes, catch a fish, snap a photo with a business card for size reference and submit it for a chance to win daily prizes! Open to children, youth and adults. Participating lakes include Westwood, Long, Green, Brannen, Colliery Dam and Diver Lake.

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Pickleball Drop-in

Join us for drop-in pickleball at the Beban Park Centennial Building every Tuesday from 11 am to 1 pm until December 22. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, everyone is welcome to participate. Drop-in registration opens 72 hours before each session, with convenient online registration available to secure your spot in advance.

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Halloween Howl Swim

Get ready for a spooktacular morning at Beban Park Pool on Sunday, October 25 from 9 am to 12 pm! Brave the haunted slide tower, take part in pumpkin dunks, explore snakes in the river and enjoy a spooky sensory station. With engaging games and activities throughout the pool, there's frightfully fun entertainment for the whole family.

Regular admission rates apply.

Be Storm Prepared

If you are out in Nanaimo's parks and trails, make sure to use extra caution during and after stormy conditions.

Watch for falling/fallen debris and slippery conditions
Use extra caution around waterways

Report any concerns or issues in Nanaimo's parks and trails by calling 250-756-5200 or email parksandrecreation@nanaimo.ca

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 preliminary ground investigations will begin in mid-October along Hammond Bay Road between Prince John Way and Tiki Way in preparation for construction planned for early 2027. Residents and drivers may see crews and equipment along the route, and single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect in some areas. Local access will be maintained, and pedestrians and cyclists can travel through work zones by following posted signage and traffic control personnel. Work is expected to continue from mid-October through late fall. Please watch for crews and equipment and expect minor delays
Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd between Emil Pl and Brickyard Rd while crews commence working on landscaping the boulevard.
Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd between Brickyard Rd and McGirr Rd intersection while crews work on landscaping the boulevard.
Expect delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Turner Rd from Hammond Bay Rd to Kenning Pl intersection while crews work on landscaping the boulevard.
Water main upgrades are ongoing on Kenworth Road between Shenton Road and Bowen Road. Traffic will be unable to turn from Bowen down Kenworth towards Shenton. Take Cienar Drive instead. This traffic disruption will be Monday to Thursday between 7 am and 6 pm.
Dam maintenance and repairs on Middle Chase Dam in Colliery Dam Park are expected to be completed by October 23. The park, including the bridge and main trail system, will remain open throughout the project. However, an area adjacent to the dam spillway will be closed for construction activities. Please watch for crews and equipment, follow posted safety signage and use caution when travelling through the area.
Pedestrian crossing upgrades at the intersection of Townsite and Holly will require intermittent single-lane alternating traffic on both roads until October 20.

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