March 25, 2024

This Week...

A new and colourful crosswalk has been painted in Beban Park, applications are open for restoration or sustainability grants and get your free tickets to the 2024 Culture Awards. Read on for more!

New Crosswalk

This new and colourful crosswalk at Beban Park, connecting the parking lot to the pool, social centre and arena, was designed by Humanity in Art artists Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple. The design highlights some of Nanaimo's favourite activities, including tennis, skating, lacrosse, golf, hiking and more, all of which can be played here at Beban!

Which sport speaks the most to you?

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE

Easter Long Weekend

Most City offices and rec centres are closed on Friday, March 29 and Monday, April 1 with the following exceptions:

  • Friday, March 29: Good Friday
    • Stick ‘n' Puck: 10:30-11:30 am at Frank Crane Arena
    • Everyone Welcome Skate: 1:30-3 pm at Frank Crane Arena
    • Everyone Welcome Swim: 12-4 at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre
  • Monday, April 1: Easter Monday Everyone Welcome Swim: 12-4 pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre

2024 Culture Awards Performer Highlight

Vibrant Studios (also known as vibe dance) has been a part of the Nanaimo community for the last 18 years. Focusing on street dance and culture, with styles of ballet, jazz and contemporary as well, vibe dancers bring passion and energy to every performance! Join us Wednesday, April 3 by reserving your FREE tickets.

Photo by: Sean Fenzl

REGISTER

Grant Applications

Applications are now being accepted for the Community Watershed Restoration Grant and the Community Environmental Sustainability Grant.

Applications will be received until April 2, 2024.

LEARN MORE

Poet Laureate

Your next walk through Bowen Park will be enriched thanks to a new exciting project with the City of Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate, Kamal Parmar! During your next nature walk through the park, look for lines of poetry with attached QR codes at five scenic locations. Scan the QR code with your smartphone to hear Kamal read her poetry within this beautiful and inspirational setting.


Want to enjoy the poetry at home? You can find it on the City’s Youtube channel.

Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Here’s a list of up-to-date information on City construction projects. Make sure to plan your commute and, if possible, plan an alternate route. When approaching construction zones, please make sure to slow down and obey all signage and traffic personnel instructions. Thank you for your patience!

Midtown Water Supply Project

  • Construction in the Black Diamond Drive neighbourhood includes a 24 hour/day, road closure in both directions along Black Diamond Drive near the Crows Nest Place intersection for vehicular traffic. Drivers can access properties from either end of the road off Jingle Pot Drive.
  • The trail that connects VIU, the Black Diamond neighbourhood and Third Street is closed to the public. This area is an active construction site for the installation of the water supply main. Construction traffic will enter and exit the work zone at Third Street across from the Rotary Field House.
  • Commuters can expect minor delays and visual distractions along many streets in the City while construction continues on this project. Drivers, pay close attention to signage and the construction traffic as they enter and exit these sections of the project:
    • Beban Park, near Bowen Road south entrance
    • Labieux Road, off the Labieux Rd/Kenworth Rd roundabout
    • East Wellington, Westwood Road to Bowen Road
    • Griffiths Road, end to Madsen Road
    • Third Street across from the Rotary Fieldhouse
    • College Drive, near the Parkway intersection

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

Terminal Avenue

  • Terminal Avenue upgrades will be ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street.
  • Commercial Street at Terminal, just up from Museum Way, will be closed to vehicle traffic from March 19 to April 4
  • Signal installation has commenced at Esplanade and drivers should expect delays travelling through the intersection.
  • The sidewalk in front of Vancouver Island Convention Centre along Terminal Avenue will have rotating closures and pedestrian traffic will be provided with a detour onto Terminal.
  • The mid-block crosswalk at Gordon Street is closed until the installation of the new signals, expected late this year. Pedestrians please use the crosswalks at Commercial Street and Esplanade for safe crossing
  • Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Victoria Road Temporary Closure

  • Victoria Road is closed between Rainer Street and Needham Street to investigate and repair some settlement in the roadway.
  • A temporary detour along Seventh Street to Park Avenue to Fifth Street will be in place until the first week of April while repair work is completed.
  • Local traffic has access to Victoria Road from each end of the closure.

Meredith Road Watermain Upgrade

  • Construction work is continuing on Meredith Road between Spencer Road and Forest Drive.
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Thursday, 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 going through the area.
  • Detours will be put in place where possible.

Weber Street & Bruce Avenue Area Utility Upgrades

  • Construction on Weber Street, Glen Crescent, Pedestrian Walkway, Plecas Crescent and Bruce Avenue is ongoing.
  • Watermain tie-ins on Bruce Avenue at Ninth Street on Tuesday, March 26 and Wednesday, March 27:
    • March 26: Traffic through the intersection of Bruce Avenue and Ninth Street will be reduced to single-lane-alternating in all directions.
    • March 27: Ninth Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Bruce Avenue and Plecas Crescent, from 7am to 7pm. North, south and east bound traffic through the intersection will be reduced to single-lane alternating.
      • Pedestrians and emergency vehicles will be accommodated at all times
      • Bus Stop on Ninth Street @ Shelby Ann Ave (110136) will be temporarily relocated to Weber Street
      • Bus Stop on Howard Ave @ Ninth Street (110135) will be temporarily out of service
      • Bus Stops on Bruce Ave @ Weeks Cr (110118 & 110137 ) will be temporarily out of service
      • Route 8 Cedar/VIU will unaffected, minor delays should be expected
  • Pedestrian walkway between Glen Crescent and Plecas Crescent will be closed all week, sanitary sewer main replacement ongoing.
  • Traffic on Weber Street, Glen Crescent and Plecas Crescent will occasionally be reduced to single-lane-alternating.
  • Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5 pm.

First Street Area Project

  • The First Street Area project is now underway on Bowen Road, replacing sanitary sewer between Doric and Ashlar.
  • Hazelwood Construction is focusing on the south-east bound lane, so traffic will be limited to single lane alternating for that short stretch during working hours (7 am – 5 pm).
  • Vehicle traffic should slow down to avoid excessive bumps in the uneven pavement.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

=alt

Work With Us!

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

  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Fire Fighters
  • Exhibit & Property Clerk - Permanent Part-Time
  • Human Resource Advisor - Recruitment
  • Buyer
  • Civil Design Technologist
  • Building Official
  • Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities
  • Casuals - Police Services
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors

JOB POSTINGS

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

Meetings This Week

Monday, March 25: Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting in the Shaw Auditorium starting at 1 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