This week... REIMAGINE NANAIMO Phase 2 launches, lifeguards are on duty at Westwood Lake and there are only a few days left to provide your feedback on the Waterfront Walkway Project. Read on for more! | Message from Island Health - People aged 12+ in Nanaimo can now get their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (no Astrazeneca) at a temporary walk-in vaccination clinic at Woodgrove Centre. Bring your personal health number and come on down Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
- Everyone age 12+ in B.C. can now register online at www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca or by phone: 1-833-838-2323. Register your children and book one appointment together. While youth aged 12+ can be vaccinated when they accompany a sibling or adult to their appointment, clinics have a limited supply of doses available each day for these visits. It is best to have all youth registered and scheduled into an appointment to ensure they can get their shot.
- Island Health is screening every COVID-19 positive test for variants, many of which are more transmissible and can lead to more severe illness. Currently, the majority of active cases are presumed variants of COVID-19.
- If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 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.
- We are currently in Phase 2 of the Restart Plan which allows for:
- Outdoor personal gatherings of up to 50 people and indoor gatherings of up to 5 visitors or one other household
- Organized indoor or outdoor gatherings with a safety plan can have of up to 50 people
- Recreational travel within BC
- Sporting activities, including low or high intensity indoor fitness activities (limited capacity), indoor games and practices with no spectators and outdoor games and practices with up to 50 spectators
- Indoor and outdoor restaurant dining for up to 6 people
- Masks remain mandatory in public indoor spaces and physical distancing is still required.
ISLAND HEALTH COVID-19 | Bye, Bye Plastic Checkout Bags On July 1, the Checkout Bag Regulation Bylaw comes into effect and businesses will no longer provide single-use plastic checkout bags. If you forget a bag, you will be able to purchase a reusable one or a paper bag for a standard rate. B.Y.O.BAGS NANAIMO | Parks & Food Truck Extravaganza On July 1 enjoy being in your beautiful parks, eating delicious food at various food truck vendors and listening to live local entertainment. Find your City of Nanaimo Spirit Team out-and-about giving away prizes through community engagement challenges, as well as handing out REIMAGINE NANAIMO swag to help you show off your Nanaimo spirit. Look for the City of Nanaimo Spirit Team throughout the day at the following parks: - Maffeo Sutton Park
- Westwood Lake Park
- Neck Point Park
- Pipers Lagoon Park
- Departure Bay Walkway
- Harewood Centennial Park
In addition, residents are invited to enjoy lunch with the following local musical entertainers: - Laura Kelsey at Neck Point Park
- GG & the Ice Machine at Departure Bay
- Dave Hart at Maffeo Sutton Park
A StoryWalk® will be at Departure Bay (Kin Hut) and Harewood Centennial Park. FOOD TRUCKS & MUSIC IN PARKS | Lifeguards on Duty We are pleased to announce that lifeguards will be back on duty at Westwood Lake Park daily 12 pm to 6 pm from June 29 -Sept 5, 2021, including holidays (weather permitting). Summer programming will also take place at Westwood, for more info visit recreation.nanaimo.ca. LEARN MORE | | Waterfront Walkway Questionnaire We welcome your feedback on the proposed improvements developed to date for improved walking, cycling, beach access, and shoreline habitat and on funding options for the Departure Bay segment. Please complete the questionnaire before the June 30 deadline. WATERFRONT WALKWAY PROJECT | | Beat the Heat The City is advising residents to take precautions during this extended period of hot weather. 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 | | Front Street The improvements to Front Street are nearly complete and it’s now open for travel, including the new two-way protected cycle track! While we wait on final components for our signal lights, northbound cyclists should refrain from making a left turn out of the bike lanes and in front of vehicle traffic. Instead, please dismount and use the crosswalks. Though originally slated to be 100% complete for summer use, the pandemic has created some supply setbacks, and final components for the planned intersection signal upgrades won’t be arriving until mid-August. FRONT STREET COMPLETE STREET PROJECT | REIMAGINE NANAIMO: Our City, Our Choices. Last summer and fall, you shared many ideas for Nanaimo’s future. Now, it’s time to choose our path forward. What are the transformational moves Nanaimo will make as we grow from 100,000 today to a future of 140,000? Phase 2 is where we get to confirm our goals, test directions, and discuss the big ideas that will form the foundation of our City Plan. You choose how you get involved: - Comment on the Draft REIMAGINE Foundation
- Sign-up now for an Our City, Our Choices Scenario Workshop
- Sign-up now to receive your own Our City, Our Choices Self-Guided Scenario Booklet
- Watch for announcements of more events as we come together to test ideas for Nanaimo’s future!
REIMAGINE NANAIMO PHASE 2 | Cycling Safety Whether you're behind a wheel or handle bars, we all need to share the road safely and responsibly. ICBC has some tips for both drivers and cyclists can do to help everyone stay safe. Drivers - Don't get distracted. Watch for cyclists on the road and make eye contact if you can, so they can anticipate your next move.
- Yield the right-of-way. Yield to cyclists and signal well in advance if you need to cross a designated bike lane or pull over to the side of the road.
- Look out. Shoulder check for cyclists before turning right and watch for oncoming cyclists before turning left. Scan for cyclists before you enter the roadway from an alley or get in and out of a parking spot.
- Keep a safe distance. Maintain at least three seconds behind cyclists and at least one metre when passing a cyclist.
- Dooring is dangerous. Cyclists, drivers and passengers must shoulder check before opening doors.
Cyclists - Start at the top. Wearing an approved bicycle helmet that meets safety standards is the law in B.C. and you could be fined for not wearing one.
- Follow the rules of the road. Make sure you obey all traffic signs and signals.
- Bike lanes are best. Use designated bike routes whenever possible – they're safer and reduce conflicts with vehicle traffic.
- Shoulder check. Use hand signals and shoulder check before taking any turns.
- Reflect on safety. Be extra visible with reflective gear on yourself & your bicycle.
- Use caution around parked vehicles. Be aware of people in vehicles as well as taxis to avoid getting hit by an opening door. Try to keep at least one metre away from parked vehicles.
ICBC CYCLING SAFETY | Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week? Up-to-date information on City construction projects: - Metral Drive is still an active construction site, so please expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area. All businesses remain open and accessible, but commuters are asked to use alternate routes whenever possible.
- To accommodate development and maintain site safety, Rock City Road will be closed from Ocean Pearl Terrace to Barrington Road to through traffic for 24 hours. Local traffic should expect delays and plan their trips accordingly.
- Sign installation, line painting and electrical work continues this week as part of the Front Street Complete Street project. Commuters can expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes whenever possible. All businesses and parkades remain open and accessible.
CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS | Work With Us! We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions: JOB POSTINGS | Meetings This Week Mon, June 28: Governance and Priorities Committee at 1:00 pm Wed, June 30: Board of Variance at 4:00 pm Did you know? Council will be awarding former Nanaimo City Councillor, Diane Brennan with the Freedom of the City award. The award is the highest honour the City can give to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the City. 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 | | 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.
- 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 evolving 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 CITY OF NANAIMO COVID-19 INFO PAGE | | | | |
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