December 16, 2024

This Week...

Go skating with Santa, remember to renew business licences and get ready for Winter Wonderland. Read on for more!

Zero Waste Holiday Tips

This holiday, you can stay low-waste by taking a few simple steps:

  • Gift experience, not waste: the most special gifts are the ones that create lasting memories.
  • Wrap it smart: skip the bows and ribbons and choose recyclable or reusable wrapping options
  • Decorate wisely: choose items that are long-lasting or ones you find in your backyard such as fallen acorns, clippings from a holly tree, branches and more

LEARN MORE
night aerial view of downtown and harbour with the words "around town"
Santa skating

Skate with Santa

Don't miss your chance to skate with Santa this year! He's coming to Frank Crane Arena and the Nanaimo Ice Centre on two separate nights to make sure that everyone has a chance to get in some ice time before the kids are out of school for the holidays.

  • Frank Crane Arena
    • Wednesday, December 18 from 6:30 to 8 pm
  • Nanaimo Ice Centre
    • Thursday, December 19 from 6:15 to 7:45 pm

ARENA SCHEDULE

Time to renew your business licence

Did you know? Business licences, with the exception of Special Event or Temporary licences, expire annually on December 31. If you’d like to renew your business licence and have not received an invoice, consider opening a MyCity account where you will be able to receive business licence invoices, pay licensing fees (as well as other City fees) and view or print business licences. To create a MyCity account, you will need your business licence account number and access code - both located at the top of any previous invoice.

If you have closed your business, please contact Business Licensing so we can close your account.

Need Assistance? Contact us at business.licence@nanaimo.ca or by calling 250-755-4482.

MAKE PAYMENT

Winterfest 2025

It's your last chance to visit Winterfest 2025! Nanaimo's downtown and Old City Quarter are adding festive cheer with a final night of late-night shopping between 5 pm and 8 pm on December 19 staged by the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association. There will be activities in Diana Krall plaza, including music and food trucks. Free parking is available in City-owned parkades and along downtown streets after 5 pm and all day on weekends.

In addition, the City is offering 2 hour free on-street parking and on Levels 2 and 3 of the Bastion parkade before 5 pm on weekdays.

MORE INFO
Winter forest scene with the words "West Coast Winter Wonderland 2024" and Christmas ornament decorations in gold with a photo on one of two children skating

Winter Wonderland is almost here!

Join us at the Frank Crane Arena where it will be transformed into a West Coast Winter Wonderland. Skating sessions are free and include skate and helmet rentals.

These sessions are free thanks to generous support of the following local businesses and community organizations.

Check the City website for a schedule.

Did you know you can also book private ice times for your friends, family or coworkers? For more information on available times, email Megan.Howell@nanaimo.ca.

Sponsors include Bellamy Orthodontics, DB Perks & Assoc., Team Aquatics, Windley Contracting, Herold Engineering, Woodgrove Centre, Central Drugs, MJR Tree Services, Nanaimo Area Land Trust, by Dawn Walton & Associates, Rona+, Nanaimo Kinsmen, CIMCO, Country Grocer, Aspengrove School, Knappett Industries, Bach Real Estate Group, Coastal Community Credit Union, The Wolf (Island Radio), The Lions Club, Nanaimo Skating Club, Hazelwood Construction, Miranda Construction, Nanaimo News Bulletin, Shaw Electric, The Wave (Island Radio), VMAC Air and Pepsico.

WINTER WONDERLAND

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!

Midtown Gateway Project

  • Areas currently affected:
    • Boxwood Road, between Northfield Road and Tulsa Road.
    • The south access to Beban Park will be closed 24 hours per day.

Learn more about this project: Midtown Gateway

Midtown Water Supply Project

  • The trailway between Third Street, VIU and the Black Diamond neighbourhood is closed, this area is an active construction site.

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 Oakley Street and Chelsea Street will be closed for water and sewer upgrades starting November 4 – open to local traffic only.

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

Buttertubs Drive Water Main Upgrade

  • Areas currently affected:
    • Buttertubs Drive

Learn more about this project: Buttertubs Drive Water Main Upgrade

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

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

  • Equipment Operator, Asphalt
  • Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator
  • Water Technician
  • Manager, Police Support Services
  • Trades Supervisor - Parks
  • Client Support Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Building Official
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
  • Planning Assistant
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities

JOB POSTINGS
A view from the Mayor's chair in the Shaw auditorium looking toward the audience

Meetings This Week

Wednesday, Dec. 18: Public Safety Committee Meeting, in the Service and Resource Centre Boardroom starting at 4 pm.

Thursday, Dec. 19: Public Hearing, in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre's Shaw Auditorium 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

Stay up to Date with Council, Programming and Events