September 5, 2023 (Updated September 7, 2023) | This Week... We are accepting applications for the 2024 Culture Grant, take the kids on a new StoryWalk® and join us at some upcoming open houses (including an updated time for the Nanaimo Operations Centre open house). Read on for more! | 2024 City of Nanaimo Culture Grant Intake – Now Open! Deadline Oct. 10, 2023 – 4:00 PM Grant applications can now be submitted online through our online uploading system. Please remember that we can help you troubleshoot this process if you require assistance. Most answers can be found on our FAQ page. If you are still in need of help after reading through the FAQ page, we are an email away at culturegrants@nanaimo.ca. Please reach out! Go to grants online: What is NEW is for 2024 Funding? - NEW Financial Threshold – Operating Grants
- To remove financial barriers for smaller groups seeking Operating funding, a new Financial Threshold which determines the level of financial reporting required will now be instated. Please read section A4 of the online application / PDF file to determine if this threshold pertains to your request.
- Mandatory Grant Preparation Zoom Meeting Attendance
- It is our hope to help guide you / your organization toward success this grant season! As such, attendance by a representative of your organization at a Grant Preparation Zoom meeting will be required as part of the application process. Choose from several general or grant specific meeting types and dates available (under the “Important Notes” section of each Guidelines and Application form page on the City website), and add a reminder to your calendar. Copy and paste the Zoom link of your choice into your browser and join the conversation on the day of the meeting, or for further assistance please email culturegrants@nanaimo.ca.
| Oliver Woods Community Centre open house Join us for an Open House at Oliver Woods Community Centre on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 10 am - 2 pm. Oliver Woods Recreation Centre is located at 6000 Oliver Road in north Nanaimo. Visitors can participate in a variety of activities: - Fitness sampler programs
- Drop-in sports, including badminton and pickleball
- Gym Pals for the children
- Learn about department programs, services and rentals opportunities
- Meet staff and user groups representatives
- View a StoryWalk found in the playground area
- See demos of the wellness park
- Enter to win a variety of Parks, Recreation and Culture prizes, including a $100 gift card
.OLIVER WOODS OPEN HOUSE | | Increasing Housing Options Open House Increasing Housing Options is a series of recommended changes aimed at making housing more attainable in Nanaimo. The changes are in response to City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined, where we heard the community's desire to prioritize creating affordable housing. ‘Increasing Housing Options’ is a set of four proposed changes to increase the types of housing options available to Nanaimo residents including increasing rental housing stock and diversity by amending existing suite regulations, encouraging gentle infill and intensification in existing neighbourhoods, and requiring much-needed family-friendly and adaptable units in multi-unit housing developments. Join us at an open house to learn more and provide your feedback: Tuesday, Sept. 12, 6-8 pm Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Road You can also learn more and take the survey on our Get Involved Nanaimo site. TAKE THE SURVEY | Nanaimo Operations Centre Open House CORRECTION! When we initially sent this week's edition of My Nanaimo This Week, we had had the wrong time for the Nanaimo Operations Centre Open House. Please note, the updated time of the open house is from 4:30 to 7 pm on Sept. 13. We apologize for any confusion. We are hosting an open house to provide information on Phase 1 of the Nanaimo Operation Centre Project. Join us to learn more and provide your feedback: - NEW TIME! Wednesday, Sept. 13, 4:30-7 pm
- Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Road
The Nanaimo Operations Centre project will see the eventual replacement of the aging public works facility and consolidation of the public works and parks operations into one location over a number of phases. Among a number of improvements, the first phase includes: - replacing the existing fleet and maintenance facility, a truck wash and a dump facility as well as site servicing for future phases of the project
- replacing storm water management facilities onsite as well as a building a stormwater rentention pond in Beban Park at the corner of Dorman and Labieux Rd
- retrofitting the training tower located at Fire Station 2
- building a pathway along the Labieux Rd side of Beban Park
To stay up to date, visit the www.nanaimo.ca/goto/AAP. Learn more about the Nanaimo Operations Centre project at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/NOC.
PROJECT INFO | City and RDN looking for more ways to support home retrofits The City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) are looking for input from homeowners on home energy retrofits. This survey aims to collect feedback on ways that the City and the RDN can help homeowners pay for home energy improvements, such as installing energy-efficient windows, upgrading home heating and cooling systems, adding insulation or installing solar panels. SURVEY | | Dogs in parks We recognize the importance of dogs to our residents by providing several off-leash areas where dog owners can safely exercise their pets. Each dog off-leash park includes signage, a dispenser stocked with biodegradable doggie bags and a trash bin. Even though an area or trail is designated off-leash, you are still required to pick up after your dog and dispose the bags in a designated garbage bin, DOGS IN PARKS | Green cart basics Green carts are a great way to help us keep some items from heading to our landfill. Here are some tips for your green cart which gets picked up every week. - place items loosely in carts
- food scraps, leaves, grass and light trimmings can stick to the cart, especially when they are moist and squished in.
- line the bottom of the cart with newspaper or compostable cardboard to keep items from getting stuck.
- if you use a compostable liner, only BPI certified please!
. | | Alternative Approval Process for removal of park dedication Removal of old Harewood School field to facilitate the Te'tuxwtun project The City of Nanaimo will commence an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to gain permission from residents to remove park dedication from the old Harewood School field located at 502 Howard Avenue. The process begins Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, and will run until Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. The Te’tuxwtun Project is a joint initiative between Snuneymuxw First Nation, the City of Nanaimo, BC Housing and Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools to redevelop the properties at 564 Fifth Street, 502 and 505 Howard Avenue. Watch for a notice and more information on the Alternative Approval Process this week. ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS | Story Walk® Drop in any time to Oliver Woods Community Centre Park/Playground from Sept. 8 - 29 to read "The Wonderful Things You Will Be" by author Emily Winfield Martin. When you are done reading, be sure to scan the QR code on the poster on site for a chance to win Parks, Recreation and Culture prizes. This event is free and great for the whole family. | | Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week? Up-to-date information on City construction projects: Midtown Water Supply and Midtown Gateway Projects: - East Wellington Road from Westwood Road to Bowen Road is an active construction site, use an alternate route over for the next couple months. Expect delays and intermittent road closures, construction traffic will be entering and exiting frequently from the work zones on the roadway shoulders. Speed limit is 30km/h 24 hours per day.
- East Wellington Road will be closed to all west-bound vehicle traffic along the construction work zone between Madsen Road and Bowen Road. All businesses remain accessible, local traffic to access the business please follow the signage off Bowen for the detour to enter eastbound into this work zone.
- East Wellington Road remains open to cyclists and pedestrians during this time. Cyclists are encouraged to dismount and walk. Watch for sidewalk closures and detours.
- The Public Parkway Trail Parking Lot at Westwood Road and East Wellington Road is closed to the public. The Parkway Trail is still accessible.
- On Wednesday Sept. 6, the traffic signals at the intersection of Northfield and Boxwood will be turned off. Left turns from Northfield Road onto Boxwood Road will not be permitted. All other movements through the intersection will be available, but traffic will be down to single lane alternating and all drivers, pedestrians and cyclists must obey the direction of flag persons on duty. The speed limit is reduced to 30 km/h. Drivers must slowdown in work zones and pay close attention to signage. Commuters are encouraged to avoid this area during this time if possible. Please use an alternate exit if travelling on the Nanaimo Parkway, or consider using Island Highway North.
- Thank you for your patience!
Terminal Avenue - Terminal Avenue upgrades will be ongoing between Commercial Street and Esplanade Street
- 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
- Speed limit will be reduced as this will be an active construction zone
- Obey all signs and traffic control persons
Fifth/Bruce Intersection Upgrade - Typical construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
- Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
- Obey all signs and traffic control persons.
Departure Bay Road Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Upgrades - Typical construction hours are Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 7 pm.
- Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
- Obey all signs and traffic control persons.
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 Sep. 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
Wakesiah Road storm/sewer installation - Night work will be occurring between 7 pm - 6 am in the intersection of Wakesiah Ave and Third Street.
- Expect delays and account for extra time when navigating the area.
- Obey all signs and traffic control persons.
Commercial Street Geotechnical Investigation - Front Street through to Terminal Avenue Sept. 5 though 8, 7 am to 6 pm.
- Expect delays and traffic pattern changes.
- Observe all traffic signs and persons.
CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS | Work With Us! We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions: - Custodian (Police Support Services)
- Community Safety Officer
- Community Policing Coordinator
- Secretary, Finance - Temporary Full-Time
- Police Records Clerk
- Bylaw Enforement Officer - Temporary Full-Time
- Human Resources Advisor
- Building Official
- Financial Analyst - Temporary Full-Time
- Human Resources Associate - Disability Management/OHS
- Casual Clerical Opportunities
- Municipal Services Inspector - Temporary Full-Time
- Roads Management Specialist - Temporary Full-Time
- Casuals - Police Services
- Custodian - Relief Pool
- Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
JOB POSTINGS | Meetings This Week Wednesday, Sept. 6: Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness, Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 4 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 | | | | |
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