My Nanaimo This Week - August 12, 2024

August 12, 2024

This Week...

A call to artists to participate in the Temporary Public Art program, register for fall recreation programs and congratulations to Olympic gold medal winner, Nanaimo’s own Ethan Katzberg. Read on for more!

Congratulations to Ethan Katzberg, Nanaimo's 2024 Olympic champion!

Nanaimo is a community made up of some truly incredible people, and every once in a while, one of our great citizens really puts Nanaimo’s name on the map. Last weekend, 22-year-old Ethan Katzberg won the gold medal in the men’s hammer throw at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, bringing a gold medal home to Canada and reminding folks around the world that Nanaimo is a city that’s known for much more than our famous dessert. We are proud to have been this champion’s first hammer-throw community. Did you know? Ethan was also chosen to be one of Canada's flag-bearers for the closing ceremony.

Photo credit: Tyler Heusterman, Nanaimo Track and Field Club.

LEARN MORE

Calling all Artists!

The City of Nanaimo is looking for temporary Public Art submissions.

Deadline: August 11, 2024

For more information and to submit your ideas, please see our website.

Free Summer Programs

Join us in Nanaimo’s parks for free fun with our Parks, Recreation and Culture team!

Playground Program: Devrill Square Park, 9.30 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday from July 2 to August 30
Roving Playground Program: Westwood Lake Park, August 12 to 16 between 10 am to 4 pm
Concert in the Park: Artist "Dublin2" will be performing Celtic/Folk at Oliver Woods Community Centre on August 14, from 6 pm to 7 pm

Fall Activity Guide

The Fall Activity Guide is available for viewing on the City website and registration for fall programs begins on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Skating, sports, cooking, arts and a variety of other activities are available for registration. There is programming available for all ages and abilities. Plan your fall and register early to reserve your spot! Drop-in schedules will also be available in the activity guide.

150 DID YOU KNOW?

Bowen Park has been a well-loved recreation site since 1855 but didn’t officially become a park until 1931. The park has seen many changes, but it has always remained a natural refuge for many in the heart of the city.

Alternative approval process for public works yard updates to begin in September

Nanaimo City Council passed three readings of the borrowing bylaw to replace the fleet building and the crew and administration building. The Public Works Yard Updates Borrowing Bylaw 2024 No. 7386 will now be sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for review and approval by the Inspector of Municipalities. If approved, the City will be able to begin an alternative approval process (AAP) to borrow up to $90 million for the project.

Once approved, the AAP is expected to begin on September 18, 2024 and run until 4.30 pm on October 31, 2024. More information on the AAP and the Public Works Yard Updates Project will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit www.nanaimo.ca.

LEARN MORE

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Here’s a list of up-to-date information on City construction projects. 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. Thank you for your patience!

Midtown Gateway Phase 2B

On August 14, between 9 am and 3pm, there will be construction at the intersection of Northfield and Boxwood Roads. The traffic signals will be shut down and all traffic will be controlled by traffic control persons. For your safety, please obey all signs and traffic control persons. Commuters are encouraged to avoid the area during this time if possible. There may be some restrictions to the eastern Northfield Road and Boxwood Road accesses for the businesses at 300/2310 Northfield Road. The west to southbound left turn lane from Northfield Road onto Boxwood Road will not be permitted. Please use an alternate route. Please use other access points. All businesses remain open and accessible.
Boxwood Road, to the north Northfield Road, will be partially or fully closed at times and will only serve exiting vehicle traffic from businesses at 2300/2310 Northfield Road when possible. Patrons can enter/exit businesses using their other access points on Northfield Road. Eastbound left turns from Northfield Road onto Boxwood Road will not be permitted. All businesses remain open and accessible.
The east and westbound lanes of Northfield Road near the intersection of Boxwood Road will be reduced to single lane.
Bowen Road between Rosstown Road and Northfield Road will be reduced to one lane per direction at times. Expect delays. Commuters are advised to avoid the area if possible.
The south access to Beban Park will be closed during the day and reopen during non-working hours as a one-way (entrance only) access. Please exit park from other end. All park amenities and programs remain open and accessible.
At times, Rosstown Road may be reduced to single lane alternating traffic between Bowen Road and Whitney Road.
Learn more about this project: Midtown Gateway.

Terminal Avenue

Terminal Avenue upgrades are ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street.
The mid-block crosswalk at Gordon Street has been temporarily reinstated without signals.
Traffic may be reduced to one lane in each direction as electrical upgrades between Commercial Street and Gordon Street are ongoing.
Water service replacement is complete and awaiting finished asphalt restoration.

Learn more about this project: Terminal Avenue Upgrades.

Midtown Water Supply Project

Bowen Road between Dufferin Crescent and Pryde Avenue is reduced to one lane in each direction with no left turns onto or off of Bowen Road from the side streets, businesses or homes. This includes no left turns at the East Wellington Road intersection.
The trail that connects VIU, the Black Diamond neighbourhood and Third Street remains closed to the public.
At times, Black Diamond Drive between Coal Tyee Trail, Venuti Way and Jingle Pot Road will have traffic control.
Commuters, pay close attention to signage and for construction traffic as they enter and exit sections of the project:
- Griffiths Road to the end of Madsen Road
- Third Street across from the Rotary Fieldhouse
- College Drive near the Parkway intersection
- Jingle Pot Road near Black Diamond Drive

Thank you for your patience! Learn more about this project: Midtown Water Supply Upgrades.

Departure Bay Road Sidewalk

Construction will be ongoing on Departure Bay Road from Alan-a-dale Place to Little John Way.
Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
Commuters are encouraged to avoid this area if possible. If that is not, expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area
During construction hours, traffic will be reduced to single-lane-alternating.

Extension Road Traffic Calming

Drivers can expect delays as construction continues this week in various locations.
Expect periods of single lane alternating traffic at Cinnabar Road and Flagstone Road and Roberta Road West with the installation of centre median islands.

Learn more about this project: Extension Road Traffic Calming.

Princess Street Area Utility Upgrades

The intersection of Princess Street and Needham Street will be closed to through traffic until August 21 for road construction and paving.

Local access to Princess Street is available from Bing Kee Street and Fifth Street but expect delays.
Please be aware of changing traffic patterns and uneven surfaces.
Notification will be provided to residents in advance to identify any restrictions during paving.

Townsite Road Watermain Upgrade

Construction will be ongoing on Townsite Road from Vancouver Avenue and crossing Stewart Avenue.
Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
Commuters are encouraged to avoid this area if possible. If that is not possible, expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
On Stewart Avenue, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. On Townsite Road, traffic will be single lane alternating.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS