📬 My Nanaimo This Week - August 21, 2023

Aug. 21, 2023

This Week...

Shop the car trunk sale this weekend, participate in the retrofit survey and create an emergency kit on a budget. Read on for more!

Province of BC graphic of BC map with exclamation point and the words, "State of emergency"

Province declares State of Emergency

The Government of BC has declared a provincial state of emergency in response to extreme, fast-moving wildfire activity. With this declaration comes restrictions on non-essential travel to the central Interior and southeastern BC. These restrictions were put in place to give wildfire crews the space they need to keep us safe. If you must travel, stay alert to the rapidly changing situations at www.EmergencyInfoBC.gov.bc.ca and DriveBC.ca. In addtion, smoke from these fires are expected to come and go on the island as the wind shifts. Stay updated on air quality by visiting Environment Canada's website.

EMERGENCY INFO BC

Build an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag on a budget

It's a good time to make sure you and your family are prepared for an emergency. The Province offers ideas on ways to build your own emergency kit and grab-and-go bags on a budget in the event of an emergency. They also have a guide on drafting your own emergency plan along with a fill-in the blank plan you can download.

MORE 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

Shop the Car Trunk Sale at VIU

The second and final Car Trunk sale takes place this Saturday, Aug. 26 from 9 am to 2 pm in Vancouver Island University's Parking Lot A.

Anyone looking for a bargain or a unique buy can join up to 150 vendors selling used items from the trunk of their cars at this free event.

MORE INFO

Recycling depots

Did you know? While plastic bags, plastic wrap, glass and Styrofoam aren't accepted in your blue cart, they are happily accepted at Nanaimo's recycling depots! Our trucks can't take them because they need to be handled separately from other recyclable items. There are two Regional Recycling depots in Nanaimo:

2375 Hayes Rd (open Mon-Sun 7 am-5 pm),
839 Old Victoria Rd (open Mon-Sat 8:30 am-5:30 pm and Sun 10 am-4 pm)

Help us reduce recycling contamination! Use the What Goes Where tool in the Nanaimo Recycling app (available for free on the AppStore and Google Play).

WHAT GOES WHERE TOOL

Make a Move this fall

Registration for fall programs with Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture is now open! Programs this season include swimming and skating lessons and courses in art, music, cooking, dance, fitness, yoga, first aid and more. In addition, you will find information on community events, including Rivers Day and a Family Fishing Challenge.

Find the program for you in the fall Activity Guide and register today!

REGISTER FOR A PROGRAM

Aquatic Centre lobby with construction fencing across it.

Aquatic Centre annual maintenance shutdown

The NAC Pool and Weight Room will be closed for annual maintenance from Monday, Aug. 21 until Sunday, Sept. 17. Along with a deep clean and inspection of the pools, work includes updates to the lobby to assist the flow of customers for the dressing rooms and gym and inspection and maintenance of many other pieces of equipment as needed.

Did you know? It takes several days to drain the pool before crews can thouroughly inspect them and perform any needed maintenance. It then takes a few days to fill the pool pools and bring them back up to temperature.

See the Beban Pool Interim Schedule for swimming options during this time.

DROP IN SCHEDULES

Harbourfront Parkade closure

The upper level (P2) of the Harbourfront Parkade is getting some work done and will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians from Sept. 5 to Nov. 10. The other levels of the parkade will still be available for parking and parking will be available in the conference centre and Bastion Street parkades.

For more information, please contact Parking Services at 250-755-4468 or parkingpasses@nanaimo.ca.

Updates to the Design Commercial Project

We've made some headway on this project which will see an update and refresh to Commercial Street. The Design Commercial team has completed designs for the street and are expecting to begin the first phase of construction next year. You can check out the project and view a design poster on www.getinvolvednanaimo.ca.

MORE INFO

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.
Monday Aug. 21 crews are continuing to work in the Bowen Road and East Wellington intersection expect traffic pattern changes and delays.
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 with the exception of the sidewalk closure east of the Parkway overpass set to reopen Friday Aug. 25. Cyclists are encouraged to dismount and walk.
The Public Parkway Trail Parking Lot at Westwood Road and East Wellington Road is closed to the public. The Parkway Trail is still accessible.
Thank you for your patience! Visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownGateway and www.nanaimo.ca/goto/MidtownWater for project details.

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 working hours are Monday to Friday 7 am to 5 pm. Traffic delays can be expected during working hours.
Single lane traffic on Departure Bay Road will be in place adjacent to active construction.
There will be local road closures at Smugglers Hill Drive and Granite Park Road on Aug. 24 and 25 while Departure Bay Road is being repaved.
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 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

To assist with this work, the City has allowed the contractor to close Wakesiah Avenue (from Third Street to Second Street) to all through traffic from 7am Monday, August 21 to 6pm Friday, August 25 (24 hours).
Emergency services will have access to local through traffic if required.
Access to residences and businesses (local traffic) will be maintained at all times form either side of the work zone.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS