February 5, 2024 (updated February 6, 2024)

This Week...

Winter GoByBike week begins, recruitment for summer leaders opens and the deadline to renew dog licences is coming up. Read on for more!

Nanaimo Operations Centre Project

The Alternative Approval Process (AAP) for Council to seek elector consent to borrow up to $48,500,000 for the first phase of construction of the Nanaimo Operations Centre (Public Works building) ends on February 20, 2024.

To learn more about the project, check out the Community Link series from Rogers TV where Host Troy Hannafin talks with the City's General Manager of Engineering & Public Works, Bill Sims, about the Nanaimo Operations Centre Project Alternative Approval Process.

NANAIMO OPERATIONS CENTRE

Winter GoByBike Week

Winter GoByBike Week officially starts today! Registered participants who submit their km’s are automatically signed up for the chance to win one of many great prizes including an incredible and transformative cycling trip to the beautiful island of Sicily. 

Celebration stations this week:
🚴‍ February 6, 4 - 6 pm, Front Street (across from the Port Theatre)
🚴 February 7, 4 - 6 pm, 1925 Boxwood Road
🚴‍ February 8, 7 - 9 am, E&N at Giggleswick Place (across from Brooks Landing)

To wrap-up Winter GoByBike 2024 there will be a free family-friendly Lights Up! Night Ride on February 9 between 4 and 6 pm at the Beban Park Breezeway. This 7-9 km loop will travel from Beban, along the E&N trail, through some neighbourhoods and back to the celebration station for refreshments. Please pre-register by calling 250-756-5200 or Register for a Program (event ID #116297)

GOBYBIKE WEEK

Dog Licences

City parks and public spaces are regularly patrolled by Animal Control Services to ensure all dogs and dog owners are acting responsibly so everyone can enjoy public spaces. All dogs over the age of four months are required to have a valid dog licence in the City of Nanaimo.

Did you know? 100% of the fees collected from dog licensing go towards the costs of operating the Nanaimo Animal Shelter, including care and adoption.

Get a $5 discount if you register and pay for your four-legged friend before the end of February.

DOG LICENCE INFO

Youth 20/20

We're excited to shine a spotlight on the incredible work of Youth 20/20 Can, a youth-led initiative that's making a positive impact right here in our community! Yuki and Kyle, two dedicated youth members who share a passion for public transit and environmental stewardship, collaborated with the City of Nanaimo and RDN on a bus stop garbage clean-up project aimed at enhancing the travel experience for BC Transit passengers.

For Yuki, leading this clean-up was a dream come true before heading back to Japan after studying abroad in Canada. Despite facing the chilly January weather, the members of Youth 20/20 Can showed unwavering dedication, making a significant contribution to our community and the environment. Way to go!

Summer Jobs

Looking for a summer job? If you enjoy games, sports and outdoor fun with kids, apply to be a recreation leader with Parks, Recreation & Culture. The City of Nanaimo is looking for enthusiastic and creative leaders ages 15 and up.

Deadline to apply is Friday, March 8.

WORK WITH US

Lions Free Skates

The City of Nanaimo Parks & Recreation, Lions Club of Nanaimo, Save-On-Foods and many other community sponsors are proud to present the Lions Free Skates. Held Sunday's at Frank Crane Arena from 12 - 1:30 pm (11 am - 12:30 pm on March 10).

PARKS & REC EVENTS

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

Midtown Water Supply Project

  • Along the Parkway visual distractions of the project construction will be noticeable from the Northfield Road intersection south to the College Drive/Fifth Street intersection.
  • Construction is underway from 7 am to 7 pm in the Black Diamond Drive Neighbourhood. A 24 hour/day, road closure with one way local and emergency vehicle traffic only along Black Diamond Drive entering from Crows Nest Place towards Coal Tyee Trail / Venuti Way to Jingle Pot Road is in place. The western access to Black Diamond Drive from Jingle Pot Road will be closed with vehicular traffic detoured to enter at the eastern access. The speed limit is reduced to 30 km/h. Drivers must slowdown in work zones and pay close attention to signage.
  • The trail that connects VIU, the Black Diamond neighbourhood and Third Street is closed to the public. This area is an active construction site for the installation of the water supply main. Construction traffic will enter and exit the work zone at Third Street across from the Rotary Field House.
  • Commuters can expect minor delays along many streets in the City while construction continues on this project. Visual distractions from the project and minor delays for commuters are to be expected. Drivers, pay close attention to signage and the construction traffic as they enter and exit these sections of the project:
    • Labieux Road, off the Labieux Rd/Kenworth Rd roundabout
    • East Wellington, Westwood Road to Bowen Road
    • Griffiths Road, end to Madsen Road
    • Third Street across from the Rotary Fieldhouse

Thank you for your patience! Learn more about this project: Midtown Water Supply Upgrades.

Terminal Avenue

  • Terminal Avenue upgrades will be ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street.
  • Commercial Street between Victoria/Albert/Wallace and Terminal Avenue will be converted to one way exit traffic for approximately the next month.
  • Commercial Street at Terminal Avenue heading towards Museum Way will have rotating daily closures for signal installation.
  • The sidewalk in front of Vancouver Island Convention Centre along Terminal Avenue will have rotating closures and pedestrian traffic will be provided with a detour onto Terminal.
  • The mid-block crosswalk at Gordon Street is closed until the installation of the new signals, expected late this year:
    • Pedestrians please use the crosswalks at Commercial Street and Esplanade for safe crossing
  • Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
  • Speed limit will be reduced as this will be an active construction zone.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control personnel.

Victoria Road Temporary Closure

  • Victoria Road is closed between Rainer Street and Needham Street to investigate and repair some settlement in the roadway.
  • A temporary detour along Seventh Street to Park Avenue to Fifth Street will be in place for 3-4 weeks while repair work is completed.
  • Local traffic has access to Victoria Road from each end of the closure.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control personnel.

Sixth Street Watermain Upgrade

  • Construction work is ongoing on Sixth Road between Bruce Avenue and Park Avenue.
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
  • Commuters are encouraged to avoid this area if possible. If that is not possible, expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
  • Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
  • Obey all signs and traffic control persons.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

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

  • Water/Wastewater Systems Operator-In-Training
  • 2024 Seasonal Recreation Leaders
  • Seasonal Recreation Leader II - Inclusion
  • Financial Analyst
  • Buyer
  • Civil Design Technologist
  • Building Official
  • Financial Analyst, Temporary Full-Time
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Casual - Police Services
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

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

Meetings This Week

February 5: Regular Council Meeting in Shaw auditorium starting at 7 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
City of Nanaimo news and events

Recap of City News

Winter GoByBike cycling into Nanaimo

City reveals artists and designers for the 2024-2026 Urban Design Roster term

CITY NEWSROOM

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events