My Nanaimo This Week - August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

This Week...

The Canadian Snowbirds are returning to Nanaimo next weekend, a look back at the Westwood Lake Park grand opening and aquatic program registration is now open. Read on for more!

A promotional poster for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerial demonstration. A person with headphones and a camera watches planes flying in formation. Text reads: "Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Department of National Defence, Aerial Demonstration. Join us along the Nanaimo waterfront August 15–16, 2025." Logos at the bottom include City of Nanaimo, Port of Nanaimo, YCD Nanaimo Airport, and others.

The Canadian Snowbirds Are Returning to Nanaimo In August

Don’t miss your chance to witness the legendary Canadian Forces Snowbirds as they soar over Nanaimo Harbour for the first time in six years! Catch two thrilling performances: Friday, August 15, 7 to 7:45 pm, and Saturday, August 16, 4:15 to 5 pm.

Experience breathtaking aerial stunts, tight formations, and dramatic solo passes — all choreographed to a powerful soundtrack. Prime viewing spots include Pioneer Waterfront Plaza and 1 Port Drive.

Tune in to 102.3 The Wave for live commentary and behind-the-scenes insights.

To ensure safety, Maffeo Sutton Park’s walking and fishing pier will close at noon on August 15 and reopen after the show on August 16. Harbour waters and airspace will be restricted during showtimes.

Presented by the City of Nanaimo with support from the Nanaimo Airport, Port of Nanaimo, and the Nanaimo District Hospital Foundation.

Join us for this extraordinary celebration of aviation, community, and Canadian excellence — an event that promises to inspire and uplift all who attend.

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Eleven people stand in a line outside a building with a wooden roof and colorful wall panels, holding a long blue ribbon for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. One person in the center holds large scissors. Patterned tiles cover the ground, and trees are visible in the background.

A wooden signboard at First Beach displays a map and distances to amenities including Westwood Lake Trail, washrooms, Second Beach, and a playground. The background shows people enjoying the beach with tents and umbrellas near a lake surrounded by forested hills.

Westwood Lake Park

A huge thank you to the Child Development Centre and everyone who joined us for the grand opening of Westwood Lake Park! It was a beautiful sunny day filled with smiles, celebration, and community spirit.

The ribbon cutting kicked off a full day of fun, from guided tours of the new amenities to kayak and trail rider tryouts. Families enjoyed food trucks, music, and a lakeside performance by From the Earth — all set against the stunning backdrop of the newly revitalized park.

With accessible washrooms, beach ramps, new picnic areas, a playground and more, Westwood Lake Park is now more inclusive and welcoming than ever. We’re so proud of this space and grateful to everyone who helped bring it to life. Come explore, relax, and play — Westwood Lake is ready for you to enjoy the summer!

A lakeside playground with a swing set and wooden shelter on a sandy beach with wood chips. People relax by the lake under umbrellas and in the water. A forest and rolling hills are visible in the background beneath a clear blue sky.

Aerial view of an outdoor plaza with a circular building, trees, and landscaped areas. People gather around a speaker at a podium under the building’s overhang and near a blue tent labeled 'City of Nanaimo Parks & Recreation'. The plaza includes seating, pathways, and planters.

A group of people stand under two curved wooden pergolas with metal frames in a waterfront park. The area features brick paving, landscaped plants, and views of sailboats on the water with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Rotary Centennial Garden

The Rotary Centennial garden is inspired by, and responds to, its location at the shoreline. The form of ocean waves are echoed in the patterns on the ground and in the shape of the wood and steel pergolas. Local plants like salal, evergreen huckleberry and coastal strawberry are incorporated into the garden. Be sure to visit this beautiful space in Maffeo Sutton Park, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of Newcastle (Saysutshun) and Protection Island.

Aquatic Registration

Registration for our aquatic programs starts on August 6. Register online 24/7 at recreation.nanaimo.ca using a credit card or account credit. In-person payments (cash, cheque, debit/credit, or gift cards) are accepted at Beban Park, Bowen Park, Oliver Woods, Nanaimo Ice Centre and the Aquatic Centre.

To register by phone, call 250-756-5200 and leave your name and number. Staff will return your call in order received. Payment by credit card (cardholder must be present) or account credit is accepted.

Tree Voucher Program

The City of Nanaimo’s new eApply portal launched July 30, streamlining applications for the 2025 Tree Voucher Program. Homeowners can buy up to two trees yearly at $25 each. Updated guidelines support biodiversity and exclude invasive species. To learn more, visit:

A modern outdoor structure with a curved roof and a wall featuring green and yellow wavy patterns with vertical wooden slats. A sign nearby reads 'Growing Communities Fund City of Nanaimo.' Trees, parked cars, and residential buildings are visible in the background.

New Public Art

Have you seen Fluence at Westwood Lake Park? This striking new public art piece by David Martinello now adorns the exterior of the park’s new accessible washrooms. Made of laminated wood and green aluminum, it reflects our connection to the forest and invites curiosity, imagination, and exploration. Next time you're at the lake, take a moment to experience art in nature!

Artist: David Martinello
Title of artwork: Fluence

2026 Temporary Public Art Program

Contribute your artistic talents to Nanaimo's public spaces. Be part of the 2026 Temporary Public Art Program.

Applications are open until Sunday, October 26 and we have information sessions scheduled for August 29 as well as September 15.

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55+ BC Games

Nanaimo will host the 55+ BC Games from September 9 to 13, 2025 at venues across the city. Volunteers are needed! The 55+ BC Games are the largest annual multi-sport event in BC.

To learn more and to register, email volunteer@55plusgames.ca or call 2 50-760-2225

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Children near a swimming pool holding and wearing colorful foam pool noodles, with faces obscured for privacy. One child wears yellow and white noodles on their head, another holds blue and white noodles. An adult on the right holds a green and white noodle. The pool and background are slightly blurred.

Aquatic Adventure Day

Aquatic Adventures return every Thursday this summer with themed activities for all ages. Join us on August 7 from 12 to 2 pm at NAC for our “Big Splash and Game Bash” swim. It’s a great way to stay active and have fun in the water. Regular admission rates apply.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to make a splash and enjoy creative play in a safe environment.

Summer Playground Program

Have you visited our Roving Playground Program this summer yet? We have made a change to the schedule for August 5 to 8. We will now be at Deverill Square Park on those dates (not Westwood Lake) from 10 am to 4 pm. For more infomation on our playground program, dates and times, please see our website.

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A person with long hair and an undercut hairstyle, shown from the shoulders up. They wear a dark shirt with blue and orange collar accents, set against a black background.

Concerts in the Park

Come down to Bowen Park Amphitheatre on Wednesday, August 6 from 6 to 7 pm, bring a lawn chair and a picnic and enjoy some great musical entertainment.

TRUTH is the musical project of MJ McGregor, a Vancouver Island-born and raised multi-disciplinary artist, student and parent. Touching on a range of emotional and personal topics, TRUTH offers a raw, haunting perspective within their musicality with a message of perseverance and hope for those who have been affected by adverse mental health conditions.

(Photo by Mick Sweetman)

Playground with slides, climbing structures, and swings, set against tall trees and a cloudy sky. Overlaid text reads 'PLAYGROUND SURFACING REPAIR August 6 & 7,' with colorful illustrations of a kite, bird, and butterfly.

Playground Surfacing Repair

Crews will repair playground surfacing at Maffeo Sutton Park on August 6 to 7. The playground will be partially closed during this time to complete the work safely. Please use caution around the area and follow posted signage. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we make these improvements for a safer play experience.

Food Truck Calendar

The Food Truck Calendar is now live on the City’s website! If you have a favourite food truck and want to know where it’s located for the day, visit nanaimo.ca/foodtruck. Click on your favourite truck and it automatically zooms to the map location! If a park is booked with a special event, you can see that too. And, in addition to the public calendar, vendors can log in to book, cancel or change their own time slots.

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 single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Road between Ventura Drive and Brickyard Road intersections while crews work on replacing sewer and water mains.
Commercial Street between Bastion Street and Church Street is closed to vehicles. 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.
The Townsite Area Utility Upgrades is starting road reconstruction on Millstone Avenue. The intersection of Millstone Avenue which will be closed from Townsite Road to Eberts Street for 24 hour a day (local access only) from August 5 to 13. Follow all detours in place using Sunderland Avenue or avoid the area and use alternate routes if possible.
There will be single lane alternating traffic on Rosstown Road and Powder Works Road as work continues in the area. Get complete latest updates, including detailed maps at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway

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