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February 24, 2025

This Week...

View the new Spring/Summer Activity Guide, join an info session on the Home Energy Retrofit Financing program and watch for crews as watermain flushing begins.. Read on for more!

Here comes the Activity Guide!

The Spring/Summer Activity Guide will be available on February 28 for viewing. Registration will open at 6 am on the following dates:

  • Aquatics only: March 5, 2025
  • All other programs: March 12, 2025

There are three ways to register:

  • Online
  • Telephone: call 250-756-5200
  • In Person: Beban Park, Bowen Park, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and Oliver Woods Community Centre

ACTIVITY GUIDE
walkway at Maffeo Sutton Park

Home energy improvements info session

Are you looking to install a heat pump, add solar panels or improve the insulation in your home and are looking for unique financing opportunity? You may be eligible for a zero-interest loan, that you can pay off with your property taxes. Loans are interest-free and repaid over 10 years through your property taxes. Register to attend one of three upcoming information sessions by emailing sustainability@nananimo.ca:

  • Virtual: February 27, at 12 and 5 pm 
  • In Person: March 6, at 7 pm in the Bowen Clubhouse

MORE INFO

Here come the waterworks

The City of Nanaimo's Water Main Flushing Program begins Sunday, March 2, in the downtown core and will continue until mid-April throughout the rest of the city.

While this program is underway, short periods of low pressure and discoloured water may be expected. Any discolouration is temporary and not a health hazard. Residents are asked to minimize their water consumption if a change in water appearance is noticed. To clear water lines, residents are advised to turn on their cold water tap until the water runs clear. Why run the cold water tap? It’s so you don’t have to use your home’s energy running the hot water tap. Anyone with a weakened immune system should reference information on Island Health's website.

MORE INFO

A winning recipe!

Did you know? In 1986, Nanaimo Mayor Graeme Roberts, along with Harbour Park Mall, held a contest to find the ultimate Nanaimo Bar Recipe. During the four-week long contest, almost 100 different variations of the famous confection were submitted. Joyce Hardcastle won with a recipe that can still be found on the City of Nanaimo website today. There is a printable PDF version of the original recipe for anyone wanting to add it to their cookbook collection.

NANAIMO BAR

Grants for environmental projects are now open

The City of Nanaimo is now accepting applications for two separate grants focused on funding community environmental projects. These grants help implement Nanaimo's City Plan goals and improve livability in our community. Visit our website to learn more.

Community Watershed Restoration Grant

The Community Watershed Restoration Grant provides up to $20,000 in grant funds and is available annually to community organizations, environmental non-profits and individual residents that aim to carry out watershed restoration projects. These projects will focus on urban stream and riparian restoration enhancement and natural environment protection.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for funding. Projects that have received funding from the Community Watershed Restoration grant in the past include invasive species removal and restoration along Joseph and McGregor Creeks, water quality monitoring on Diver Lake and wetland restoration at a housing co-operative.

GRANT INFO

Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant

The Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant was created to support small and creative environmental projects not already covered by existing City of Nanaimo grants, including the Community Watershed Restoration Grant. A total of $20,000 in grant funds has been available annually since 2023. Up to $5,000 in project funding will be available per application.

Eligible community organizations, including environmental nonprofits, local stewardship groups, school groups, religious organizations and participants in the Acting for Climate Together program are encouraged to apply.

GRANT INFO

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Here’s a list of up-to-date information on City construction projects.

  • All businesses in the construction areas are open unless otherwise posted.
  • When approaching construction zones, please make sure to slow down, follow any detours that may be in place 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.

Thank you for your patience!

Intersection Upgrades

Traffic lights will be updated with new equipment at the intersection of Auld's Road and Metral Drive.

  • Work will take place from Feb 24 to 27, between 9 am and 3 pm.
  • Expect single-lane traffic each way.

Traffic lights will be updated with new equipment at the intersection of Wall Road and Comox road.

 

  • Work will take place from Feb 24 to May 16, between 7 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday. Traffic control personnel will be on scene directing traffic.
  • Expect traffic pattern changes, including lane closures, and maximum accommodation of single-lane traffic each way.
  • Bus stops 109974 and 110047 will be affected. Visit the RDN Transit page for more information on bus stops.

Midtown Gateway Project

  • Areas currently affected:
    • Bowen Road, between Northfield Road and Labieux Road.
    • Boxwood Road, between Northfield Road and Tulsa Road.
  • Northfield Road, between the Parkway and Bowen Road. Eastbound right turns from Northfield Road onto Boxwood Road will not be permitted 24 hours per day from February 18 to March 19. Please use detour that utilizes new roundabout on Boxwood Road.
  • The new Bowen Road / Boxwood Road / Beban Parkway Intersection is open to pedestrian, cycling and vehicle traffic. Please use caution as all road users get used to the new changes.

Learn more about this project: Midtown Gateway

Midtown Water Supply Project

  • Be aware trailways in these areas will have occasional construction activity:
    • between Labieux roundabout and the E&N Trail.
    • between Third Street, VIU and the Black Diamond neighbourhood.
    • between Northfield Road and Griffiths Road alongside the Parkway.
  • All trail surfaces will remain gravel until the spring. Pavement restoration will occur when the paving plant reopens.

Learn more about this project: Midtown Water Supply Project

Commercial Street Improvements – Wharf to Church Street

Learn More about this project: Commercial Street Improvements - Wharf to Church Street

Townsite Area Utility Upgrades - Phase 1

  • Sections of Girvin Avenue, Cadogan Street and Chelsea Street will be closed for water upgrades and open to local traffic only.
  • Single Lane Alternating Traffic will be in place on Millstone Avenue from February 24 to 28 as sewer upgrades continue. Expect delays or use an alternate route.

Learn more about this project: Townsite Area Utility Upgrades - Phase 1

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Smiling faces of recreation leaders

Work With Us!

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

  • Executive Assistant to the CAO
  • Manager, Development Engineering
  • 2025 Seasonal Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Seasonal Recreation Leader II - Inclusion Vacancies
  • HR Intern
  • Major Case File Specialist
  • Victim Services Worker
  • Manager, Financial Services & Special Projects
  • Water Technician
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Building Official
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
  • Planning Assistant
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities

JOB POSTINGS
Front of Nanaimo City Hall
Shaw auditorium looking toward the empty chairs of Mayor and Council

Meetings This Week

Monday, February 24: Council Meeting in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre starting at 7 pm.

Thursday, February 27: Design Advisory Panel in the SARC Boardroom starting at 5 pm.

Monday, March 3: Council Meeting in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre starting at 7 pm.

MEETINGS

If you are not able to attend or tune in live, you can always review decisions made at each Council meeting simply by reading the Council Meeting Summaries. These summaries are typically posted the day after each meeting.

COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARIES
the mountains
City of Nanaimo news and events

Recap of City News

City renewing Nanaimo's parking bylaws

City assessing infrastructure, reminding residents of earthquake safety

PACE for impact; zero-interest loans for clean energy upgrades are coming

CITY NEWSROOM
child looking up smiling sitting with other children in a gym

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events