March 22, 2021

This week... 

We are seeing signs of spring, review what we learned from Phase I of Reimagine Nanaimo and re-visit the mountain bike skills park in Beban Park. Read on for more!
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Message from Island Health

  • As of March 18, there were 197 active COVID-19 cases in the Island Health region (72 in the South Island, 97 in the Central Island and 28 in the North Island). The 7-day average of contacts identified per positive case is 2.5 with approximately 20% of cases community acquired (which means there is no known source and did not report travel outside of Island Health).
  • Social gatherings are now permitted outdoors with up to 10 of the same people. Indoor gatherings are still banned, but kids can now have outdoor play dates and families can gather outdoors. Please continue to maintain physical distance from those not in your household, even when outside. It’s not the time to travel for non-essential reasons.
  • Island Health’s focus on vaccinations does not mean we are slowing down on testing for COVID-19. If you are feeling sick, stay home, self-isolate and call 1-844-901-8442 (8:30 am – 8:00 pm daily) to book a test. If you are uncertain if you need a test, visit bc.thrive.health or review the symptoms on Island Health’s website.
  • For the latest information on vaccine eligibility, how and when to book, visit Island Health's COVID-19 vaccine page. 

 

ISLAND HEALTH COVID-19

Additional Skating Sessions

It's Spring Break and we are happy to let you know that extra skating sessions have been scheduled. Check out our schedule on our website and book up to 72 hours in advance by calling 250-756-5200 or online.

SKATE SCHEDULE

Maffeo Sutton Park

Visit Nanaimo's signature park overlooking our world famous harbour. The newly renovated, accessible playground is the perfect stop for a play, after a picnic and viewing a number of public art pieces located throughout the park and along the walking trail.

INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND

Signs of Spring

This past Saturday (March 20) marked the first day of spring! All around Nanaimo, many indicators can be found that spring has arrived such as blooming bulbs and blossuming trees. Another sign of spring can be found in Nanaimo's wetlands.

Have you ever noticed an oily sheen on the water in a wetland, such as Buttertubs Marsh (pictured left above)? This is a common, but very interesting, wetland phenomenon that signals productivity is ramping up. The oily sheen is caused by anaerobic bacteria (anaerobic means living without air) releasing methane and a small percentage of the released methane (that didn't evaporate) being converted into a larger hydrocarbon. There isn't much difference between these naturally produced compounds and other hydrocarbons like gasoline which is why the oily sheen on the water surface looks like spilled gas or oil. Other causes of the oil sheen on the water in a marsh could be from a plant releasing oil, or oil released from decaying matter.

Wetlands are very productive ecosystems and because of that, there is a constant cycle of life occurring in them.

SPRING IN NANAIMO

Mountain Bike Skills Park

While on Spring break, take a couple hours to check out the mountain bike skills park located near the popular Steve Smith Bike Park along Labieux Road. Experience the thrills of mountain biking while gaining new skills and building confidence. The park is made up of family-friendly trail options for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. It is often a safe, central place for riders to learn to ride single track trails, do tricks and ride obstacles, such as bridges, rocks and rails, before riding the many levels of mountain biking trails that are found throughout the Nanaimo region.

LEARN MORE

REIMAGINE NANAIMO

As we move towards Phase II, it is important to review what we learned in Phase I. If you are interested in learning more about who participated, how feedback was collected and what common themes rose to the surface, click the summary document in the link below. Be sure to sign up with Get Involved Nanaimo so you are alerted when engagement for Phase II begins! We want to hear your voice.

PHASE I REIMAGINE NANAIMO SUMMARY

Plastic Bags

It’s a lot easier to reduce the number of 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓬 𝓫𝓪𝓰𝓼 we use than it is to recycle them. If you do have some piling up, here’s how to make sure they’re recycled the right way:

♻️ 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓬 𝓫𝓪𝓰𝓼 can only be recycled through depot drop-off. Check the What Goes Where directory or Nanaimo Recycles app to find the depot nearest you.

❗ 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓬 𝓫𝓪𝓰𝓼 DO NOT go in your Blue Cart. They mimic paper in the sorting process and can ruin loads of paper fibre from being recycled. They also get caught in sorting machinery, causing the entire operation to shut down.

🚫 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓬 𝓫𝓪𝓰𝓼 labelled as compostable or biodegradable are NOT recyclable. Non-certified compostable bags, along with biodegradable, degradable and plant-based bags are destined for the landfill at the end-of-life. Certified compostable bags stamped with a BPI logo can be used as Green Cart liners.

📍 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓬 𝓫𝓪𝓰𝓼 dropped off a depot participating in the Recycle BC program are recycled on the lower mainland.

BRING YOUR OWN BAG

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Stay informed on the City's Current Construction Projects page. Staff provide up-to-date information on City construction projects.

  • Please remember access is limited on Metral Drive from Turner to Mostar to residents and business traffic only, please respect that the road is closed to through traffic. As an active construction site with large machinery working and deep utility trenches, road closures may occur and delays are to be expected. Please drive slowly and respect signage.
  • To accommodate development and maintain site safety, Rock City Road will be closed from Ocean Pearl Terrace to Barrington Road to through traffic 24 hours for 5 weeks. Local traffic should expect delays and plan their trips accordingly.
  • Expect single lane traffic on Comox Road as work continues on the Millstone Trunk Sanitary Sewer Upgrades project.
  • The Complete Streets makeover is expected to begin this week along Front Street. 
  • Disruptions will occur on Wednesday, along Waddington Road at St. George Crescent for crosswalk improvements including concrete curbing.

  • Victoria Rd roadwork has begun, disruptions will continue for the next month or so.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Work With Us!

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

JOB POSTINGS

Meetings This Week

Mon, Mar 22: Governance and Priorities Meeting at 1 pm

Did you know?

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

MEETINGS

Council in Action

Missed what decisions Council made during a Special Council meeting or a Regular Council Meeting? Don’t worry. We have you covered! Check out our Council Meeting Summary page for quick overviews.

 

Want the Latest City of Nanaimo News & Information?

Stay up to date with Council, programming and events:

City of Nanaimo's COVID-19 Response

  • Masks Mandatory in all public spaces at all City facilities.
  • Please refer to the City website for a list of front desk hours of operation.
  • Safety protocols are in place to help keep both visitors and staff safe when visiting our facilities. Please check out our Online Services page to see how we can help you.
  • Recreation facilities, the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and arenas are open and following province-wide COVID-19 safety protocols.
  • Outdoor amenities remain open, however please continue to practice physical distancing, hand washing & please stay home if not feeling 100% well.

VISIT COVID-19 INFO PAGE