June 12, 2023

This Week...

It's National Indigenous People's Day, the Commercial Street Night Market starts up again, and Concerts in the Park are back. Read on for more!
kids playing in spray at Deverill square water park

National Indigenous People's Day 

June is National Indigenous History Month; and June 21 is National Indigenous People's Day, a day to celebrate the unique heritage, traditions, and knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People. 

Please visit the links below for more information on events being hosted in Nanaimo.

MID-ISLAND METIS NATION EVENT

VIU EVENT
Three children standing by bikes at Steve Smith Bike Park celebration station with other cyclists in the background.

Commercial Street Night Market

This year, the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is partnering with BC Transit and Nanaimo North Town Centre to offer complimentary Park N' Ride bus service.  The buses leave North Town's parking lot every hour starting at 4:30 pm and will return every hour until 9 pm. 

  • almost 200 vendors
  • more than a dozen food trucks
  • musical entertainment
  • kid's zone

Don't miss out on the fun!  This event runs every Thursday from 5 pm through 9 pm until August 31.

NIGHT MARKET INFO

Westwood Lake

Lifeguards are at Westwood Lake 11:30 am to 5:30 pm Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays  beginning July 1, weather permitting.

Safety Tips for Swimmers:

  • Never swim alone
  • Never leave a child alone near water
  • Look for and read any posted signs
  • Look before you leap or dive in
  • Do not drink alcohol
  • Play carefully
  • Be aware of natural hazards
  • Take a first aid course

For more information and suggestions as to how to safe, visit Healthlink BC.

HEALTHLINK BC

Nanaimo Remains in Phase 2 Watering Restrictions

Have a golden summer and consider letting your lawn do the same! Let your lawn go 'dormant' or golden in the summertime. It will go green again with the fall rains. For more tips on summer lawn maintenance visit: https://www.rdn.bc.ca/outdoor.

MORE INFO
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Toxic Plants in Your Back Yard

Daphne (Daphne Laureola) seems to be everywhere this year and is listed as a poisonous plant by the Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System and a toxic plant by Worksafe BC.  The sap from Daphne can cause skin rashes, nausea, swelling of the tongue and even induce a coma.

Milner Gardens in partnership with Vancouver Island University has more information on Daphne and how to safely remove this plant from your yard. Review below.

MILNER GARDENS INFO
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No Smoking in City Parks or Trails

Please remember that smoking is not permitted in city parks or on city trails.  We are already experiencing dry conditions, and they are expected to continue into summer so let's work together to keep our parks safe.

MORE INFO

Albert/Fourth Complete Street and Utility Upgrades Project

  • Albert Street is closed to all vehicle traffic between Pine and Kennedy Streets from June 14 to September 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.

MORE INFO
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Property Taxes are Due July 4

The due date for property taxes is just around the corner.  The Home Owner Grant (HOG) Program is administered by the Province of BC (not the City of Nanaimo), as is the Property Tax Deferment Program.

To find out if you qualify and to apply, visit the Province of BC websites linked above.

PAYING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES
South Forks Dam at the utility access with City vehicle on the right

Concerts in the Park 2023!

The City of Nanaimo features local musicians for our Summer 2023 Concerts in the Park series. This program aims to showcase local talent against the backdrop of our beautiful park spaces.  With a total of 10 performances from a variety of music genres there is sure to be something for everyone at some point this summer. A complete lineup with dates and times is available on our website.  

MORE INFORMATION
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June 24 Car Trunk Sale

It's finally here! This Saturday come down to Country Club Mall where you will find up to 150 garage-sale-like stalls setup from the back of registered sellers vehicles in the parking lot. This event takes place from 9 am to 2 pm. It is free entry for sellers by advance registration, with150 vendor spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sellers can reserve a space by sending an email to public.worksinfo@nanaimo.ca with the subject line: 2023 Trunk Sale Registration.

MORE INFO

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Up-to-date information on City construction projects:

Midtown Water Supply and Midtown Gateway Projects:

  • Labieux Road will be closed with no vehicle access between the Beban Park Main Entrance and the BMX and Public Works Entrances on Labieux.
  • Beban Park main entrance off Labieux Road will be closed, please access Beban Park from the north or south entrances off Bowen Road. The BMX and the Dog Off Leash Park accesses are open off Labieux Road.
  • All main parking lots, facilities and park amenities within Beban Park are open during construction. Certain areas of the park are fenced off and closed to the public for safety reasons. Detours will be in place to access all amenities within the park. Please obey all signage placed for your safety and follow the directions of any flag persons on duty.
  • Along the Parkway at the Millstone River there could be a visual distraction for drivers as construction begins on the bridge that the water supply main will cross the river within. Large equipment will be visible working alongside the Parkway.
  • Thank you for your patience! www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway and www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownWater

Departure Bay Road Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Upgrades

  • Smuggles Hills Drive between Departure Bay Road and Sherwood Drive will be closed, and a detour will be in effect on Wednesday, June 21 from 9 am to 7 pm. Please plan an alternate route.
  • Beginning May 23, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm and 7 am to 5 pm when school is not in session, some traffic delays should 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 September 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
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Work With Us!

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

  • Community Safety Officer
  • Victim Services Worker (2)
  • Senior Victim Services Worker
  • Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
  • Director, Police Services
  • Human Resources Advisor
  • HR Associate - Disability Management/OHS
  • Civil Design Technologist
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • 2023 Seasonal Recreation Leader Vacancies
  • Temporary Recreation Leader II - Inclusion
  • Municipal Services Inspector - Temporary Full-Time
  • Buyer
  • Casual Police Information Clerks
  • Roads Management Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Building Official
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Custodian - Relief Pool
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS
Photo of council seating at a council meeting

Meetings This Week

Monday, June 19: Regular Council Meeting 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
City of Nanaimo news and events

Recap of City News

Partake in the 2023 Canada Day festivities in Maffeo Sutton Park

City issues call for new member of Board of Variance

Nanaimo Fire Rescue urges residents to be careful with fire

Drive. Park. Sell! The annual Car Trunk Sale returns with two sales this summer!

CITY NEWSROOM

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events