This Week... Join us on September 30 as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, explore the new bollards downtown Nanaimo and get ready for GoByBike Week. Read on for more! | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation National Truth and Reconciliation activities will be held on Tuesday, September 30 with the following FREE events as well as t-shirt sales (while supplies last, $16 - featuring local artist Noel Brown’s design): - Sports and activities at Oliver Woods Community Centre from 10 am to 4 pm
- Everyone Welcome Swim from 10 am to 5 pm
- Everyone Welcome Skates (10 to 11:45 am; 12 to 1:45 pm; 2 to 4 pm)
LEARN MORE | Commercial Street Bollards The City of Nanaimo is proud to unveil a series of decorative bollards featuring artwork by the late Joel Good of Ay Lelum – The Good House of Design. Joel Good was a world-renowned Snuneymuxw Master Carver and Artist who played a critical role in the Coast Salish Art Revitalization Movement. These meaningful additions to Commercial Street honour Snuneymuxw and the land, enhancing the downtown experience through powerful art and thoughtful urban design.
Created as part of ongoing upgrades to Commercial Street and developed through the City’s Urban Design Roster program, the new bollards feature Good family Steelikim or Sea Serpent designs in the traditional Coast Salish style. These supernatural beings, believed to offer power and protection, coil gracefully down the length of each bollard. The designs bring strength, beauty and storytelling to the streetscape, enriching the area’s cultural and visual identity.
Photos: Seal Fenzl | Fall GoByBike Week Get ready to pedal - Fall GoByBike Week is returning to Nanaimo! Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just getting started, there's something for everyone who participates in active transportation. Check out our celebration stations across the city, grab some free goodies and enjoy various activities đź“Ť Celebration Stations: - September 27: Kick-off event as well as a firework show as part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Maffeo Sutton Park from 4 to 9 pm
- September 28: NRGH (Dufferin entrance) from 9 to 11 am
- September 29: North-End Station, Metral Drive & Mostar from 7 to 9:30 am
- Celebration stations are paused on Sept. 30 in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- October 1: E&N Trail Station, Giggleswick Place from 9 to 11 am
- October 2: Museum Way (across from the Port Theatre) from 4 to 6 pm
- October 3: Wrap-up Event, Maffeo Sutton Park from 3 to 6 pm
REGISTER | Lions Free Skate Join us for the season’s first Lions Free Skate this Sunday, 12 to 1:30 pm at Frank Crane Arena! Enjoy free skating every Sunday until March 22, thanks to our generous sponsors: Lions Club Nanaimo, Alexandra’s Bistro, GFL, Little Valley Restorations, London Drugs, Nanaimo Hearing Clinic, Roto Rooter, Trish Turnbull – RE/MAX of Nanaimo, and Widsten Property Management. Don’t miss out on this fun, family-friendly event! | | City of Nanaimo Towels Forget your towel? Don't panic! City of Nanaimo-branded towels are available for purchase at all recreation centres for $10. These soft, versatile towels are suitable for everyday use and make a thoughtful gift — especially when paired with a recreation gift card. A simple way to share a connection to the community and support local initiatives through practical, everyday items. | | 2026 Street Banners Are you a young artist or creative thinker interested in seeing your work displayed across Nanaimo? The City is inviting youth to participate in the Street Banners 2026 program. This program offers artists an opportunity to submit proposals for original banner artwork that will be hung in Nanaimo’s downtown area. Banners will be put on display in spring 2026, in the Arts District downtown, along Bowen Road, Third Street and other major routes, creating a vibrant visual presence. The selected youth artist will receive an honorarium of $2,500 for their banner design. Fabrication and installation costs are covered by the City and are not included in this fee. Submission deadline is September 28, 2028. LEARN MORE | | Become a Lifeguard We are offering Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and National Lifeguard classes this season so that you can become a certified lifeguard. All classes are held at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre on Fridays. See page 83 of the Fall and Winter Activity Guide for all the details and be well on your way to a new career in aquatics. | | Youth Volunteers We are looking for opportunities for our Youth Volunteers to assist you at! The LIT/Quest program has been giving youth opportunities for volunteer experience for more than 40 years in Nanaimo, and we would love to assist at your event. If you are interested in having our eager volunteers support your event, please contact our LIT Coordinator at youthleadership@nanaimo.ca | | Check Before you Trek Our online schedules for swimming, skating and gymnasium sports may change from time to time due to programming updates or special events. To stay informed and avoid any inconvenience, we encourage you to regularly check our online Drop-In Schedules before planning your visit. This ensures you have the most up-to-date information and can enjoy your favourite activities without any unexpected changes or cancellations. | | World Rivers Day Every fourth Sunday in September, World Rivers Day highlights the vital role rivers play in ecosystems, communities and cultures worldwide. Originating from BC Rivers Day, this global celebration now reaches over 100 countries and millions of participants. While Nanaimo isn’t hosting a community event this year, it’s a great opportunity to appreciate and protect our local waterways. Did you know? The Bowen Park side channel was built in the late 2000s to help salmon bypass a natural waterfall. This human-made stream, part of the Salmon in our City initiative, allows coho and other salmon to spawn successfully in the Millstone River each year. Thanks to this Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) project the river now supports a thriving salmon population and contributes to local biodiversity. | | 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. - Expect significant delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Road between Rutherford Road and Brickyard Road intersections while crews continue to work on replacing sewer and water mains. Avoid delays by taking Rutherford Road and Uplands Drive as an alternative route.
- Expect slight delays due to single lane alternating traffic along Dickinson Road between Groveland Drive and Medd Road intersections while crews continue to work on replacing water mains. Avoid delays by taking Schook Road, and Dover Road as an alternative route.
- Commercial Street is now open to vehicle traffic between Wharf Street and Church Street however, intermittent lane closures can be expected during working hours. FREE daily 2-hour parking is available along downtown streets and on Levels 2 & 3 of the Bastion Street Parkade for the duration of the project.
- September 22-25, 24 hours per day, no vehicle traffic will be permitted onto Boxwood Road northbound at Northfield Road. No large truck traffic will be permitted onto Boxwood Road from Bowen Road, but passenger vehicles will be allowed. Get complete latest updates, including detailed maps at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway
- There will be construction of a new crosswalk at the intersection of Campbell Street and Selby Street. Watch for lane closures, detours, construction signs and traffic control persons.
- Expect single lane alternating traffic or eastbound lane closures at times on Jingle Pot Road at the intersection of Holland Road. Eastbound traffic watch for possible detour using Holland Road and Ashlee Road.
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 | Work With Us! We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions: - Lifeguard/Instructor
- Aquatic Supervisor
- Casual Arena Maintenance Worker
- Operations Support Supervisor
- Police Records Clerk
- Building Official
- Community Safety Officers
- Procurement Specialist
- Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
- Casual Clerical Opportunities
- Casuals - Police Services
- Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator
- Manager, Revenue Services
- Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
- Water Technician
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