📬 My Nanaimo This Week - August 14, 2023

Aug. 14, 2023

This Week...

Be prepared for hot weather, the final Concert in the Park takes place and a temporary public art piece becomes permanent. Read on for more!

Beat the Heat

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the Nanaimo region. The City issued an alert on Monday, Aug. 14 to registered users of Voyent Alert!, our emergency alert system. Please review some tips on how (& where) to keep yourself and your pets cool, familiarize yourself with symptoms of heat-related illnesses and various supports available for the vulnerable population - and be FireSmart!.

REVIEW TIPS

Introducing Ember, the FireSmart^TM fox

Did you know? Firesmart^TM has a new official mascot named Ember the Firesmart^TM fox. There are many resources available on the Ember Firesmart^TM webpage, including a colouring book, a story video, Firesmart^TM Kid's Home assessment, word searches and more. Visit the site and help your children become Firesmart^TM.

MORE INFO

All aboard!

Boating season is in full swing and everyone is excited to explore Nanaimo's lakes, rivers and oceans. Make sure you are prepared the next time you venture out into our local waters. Everyone on board is required by Transport Canada to have a lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD). This includes motorized watercraft as well as human-powered. Visit Transport Canada’s website for tips on selecting and caring for lifejackets and PDFs.

TRANSPORT CANADA

Who invited these guys?

Did you know? Wasp (or yellow jacket wasp) numbers are up this summer. Keep an eye out around your home and property for new nests. To protect your family and pets and for more information on removing nests or deterring them visit the government of BC website.

LEARN MORE

Artist Peter Achurch in front of his piece, Sea Bed, a large scale hand weaving mounted on a white wall.

New Addition to Nanaimo's Public Art Collection

The City of Nanaimo is thrilled to announce the acquisition of local artist, Peter Achurch’s artwork, “Sea Bed”. This is currently on display and available to be viewed by the public in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre front lobby.

“Sea Bed” was originally completed by the artist as a part of the City’s temporary public art program which offers artists of diverse backgrounds and skillsets the opportunity to create artwork for public spaces in Nanaimo.

“Sea Bed” is a large scale hand weaving composed of found materials, such as marine rope and cord once left as waste along B.C. shorelines. Woven into an armature made from a stripped down steel-spring mattress, discarded materials take centre-stage finding new life and artistic merit.

These repurposed items tell new tales echoing themes of our environment and local industry while inviting the viewer to be part of the artist’s journey and exploration of our coastline.

MORE INFO

Final Concert in the Park for the Summer

The final Concert in the Park happens this Wednesday, Aug. 16 from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Bowen Park Amphitheatre. DETAILS will wrap up the City’s summer series with guest performer DJ B. Rizla and a musical catalogue inspired by 90’s pop culture. (We did feature this concert in last week’s My Nanaimo but had some of the artist’s details incorrect. We apologize for the confusion!)

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

Art Agora - Being in Nanaimo

Choose a person, animal or plant you discovered in Nanaimo. Share their picture and another with a handwritten note on what they mean to you.

ART AGORA

Senior BBQ

An everyone-welcome summer senior BBQ is taking place at Bowen Park on Aug. 30 from 12 pm - 2 pm with entertainment by some talented senior music groups. You do not need to be a specific age to attend.

Senior members pay $12 and non-members pay $16. A selection of hamburgers and hot dogs will be available, including a vegetarian option. Please register today by calling 250-756-5200 and using course code 106544.

MORE INFO

Janie's Bus Trips

Did you know? You do NOT have to be a Harbour City Senior member to join Janie's Got A Bus trips! Check out the The prices listed do not include food, beverages, spending money or taxes. Some ferry fees will be required if you are a non-gold card holder. The group meets and leaves from Bowen Park, but home pickup is available for a small fee. Just call 250-756-5200 if you have any questions and register today!

Aug. 15 - Spend the day in Victoria $50
Aug. 17 - Saturna Island $150
Aug. 20 - Tofino and Ucluelet $65
Aug. 25 - Spend the day in Victoria $50
Aug. 30 - Comox Estuary & Valley Bird Watching Eagles $50
Sept. 2 - Butchart Garden & Fireworks $85

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

Get ready for the Car Trunk Sale at VIU

This year we are hosting a second Car Trunk Sale! This time, it will take place on Aug. 26, at the Vancouver Island University in Lot A from 9 am to 2 pm.

During the sale, vendors sell their unwanted items from the trunk of their car to bargain hunters. This free reuse event aims to give unwanted household items a longer lease on life and to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill.

There are only a few spots left for sellers! Reserve a space by sending an email to public.worksinfo@nanaimo.ca with the subject line: 2023 Trunk Sale Registration. Deadline for applications is Aug, 25 at 3 pm.

MORE INFO

Blue cart

When it comes to recycling, we’re all in this together. By only putting accepted items into your blue cart, you’re avoiding recycling contamination and ensuring more of your collected material is effectively managed and recycled. Read more about the Recycle BC recycling process by visiting their website.

MORE INFO

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

Midtown Water Supply and Midtown Gateway Projects:

Aug. 14 (7 am to 5 pm) the Bowen Road and East Wellington Road intersection traffic signals will be turned off and the intersection will be controlled by traffic control persons. Traffic will be guided through and around the work zone. Businesses remain accessible. Please access Chevron from East Wellington Road.
Aug. 15-18 East Wellington Road will be closed to west-bound vehicle traffic along the construction work zone between Madsen Road and Bowen Road. The closure will be in effect 24 hours per day. Speed limit is reduced to 30km/hr. All businesses remain accessible East Wellington Road will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians during this time.
The Public Parkway Trail Parking Lot at Westwood Road and East Wellington Road is closed to the public from Jul. 31 to October. The Parkway Trail is still accessible.
Visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway and www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownWater for project details.

Terminal Avenue

Terminal Avenue upgrades will be ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street
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 persons

Fifth/Bruce Intersection Upgrade

Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
Obey all signs and traffic control persons.

Departure Bay Road Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Upgrades

Typical working hours are Monday to Friday 7 am to 5 pm. Traffic delays can be expected during working hours.
Single-lane traffic on Departure Bay Road will be in place adjacent to active construction.
Residents and businesses will be notified a minimum of 48 hours in advance of any scheduled impacts to services or driveway access.
If you live in the area and have young children, please advise them of the dangers of construction and be aware that heavy equipment and trucks have limited visibility.

Albert/Fourth Complete Streets and Utility Upgrade project:

Albert Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic between Pine and Kennedy Streets from June 14 to Sept. 15.
Closure will be in effect 24 hours per day.
Please use an alternate route to avoid delays.
Obey all signs and traffic control persons, who are there for your safety.
Albert Street will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians during this time

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS