My Nanaimo This Week - August 26, 2024

August 26, 2024

This Week...

New temporary art unveiled at Pipers Lagoon, the last long weekend of the summer is coming up and a milestone is reached on the Midtown Water Supply Project. Read on for more!

Image of artists inside the new art installation

image of the exterior of the art installation

Moon Snail House at Pipers Lagoon Park

On Saturday, August 24 the City unveiled a new addition to the Temporary Public Art Program, Moon Snail House! Created by Nanaimo artists, Amber Morrison and Matthew Fox, the large-scale sculpture is located on the bluff in Pipers Lagoon Park with a view of the sea. Inspired by the shell of Lewis’s Moon Snail, one of the largest marine mollusks found in our local intertidal areas, the artwork invites visitors to become active participants, allowing them to enter the sculpture to experience the environment from a new perspective. The artists aim to connect small structures like the artwork to the topic of housing, encouraging reflection on who has the opportunity to live by the sea and access it. As the moon snail naturally grows its shell—a house-like structure—it prompts us to ask: What essential lessons can we learn about housing from this creature?

TEMPORARY PUBLIC ART PROGRAM

Long weekend Parks and Recreation schedules and office closures

All City offices and rec centres are closed on Monday, Sept. 2 for the Labour Day holiday.

Lifeguards are on duty at Westwood Lake First Beach daily until Monday, Sept. 2, from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm (weather permitting).

ACTIVITY GUIDES

Around Town, Invermere Beach at high tide

Bowen Afterschool Nature Club

This is a new afterschool program being introduced in Bowen Park. Every week, this 2-hour outdoor program celebrates all the wonders of nature.

Monthly themes include observations, animal behaviours and welcoming the seasons. Exploration-focused hikes, crafts and activities are all part of the club.

Mondays, September 9 - Dececember 16 (closed stat holidays)
3 - 5pm
Course ID 129032
Ages 5-11

MORE INFO

aerial shot of pipe going into the ground on Bowen Road

Midtown Water Supply Project slips a new water main under Bowen Road

Last week, almost 450m of the new secondary water supply main was installed using a trenchless construction method called sliplining. The new main was slipped through the old main that once was the primary water supply for the City of Nanaimo. By using this technique we only had to dig two large holes on Bowen Road, instead of trenching the entire street. The same installation will be coming in September along Bowen Road from Park Road to East Wellington Road for the new water supply service to the hospital.

MORE INFO

Children walking away wearing backpacks with the words "September 3, Back 2 School" above their heads

Kids are headed back to school

School starts September 3, bringing back school speed zones. Did you know that these zones are 30 km/hr, from 8 am to 5 pm on school days? Kids will be walking, biking, rolling and using their scooters to make their way back to class, let's all do our part to make sure they get their safely.

Nanaimo 150: Did you know?

University Village Shopping Centre, originally called Harewood Estates Plaza, was first constructed in 1958-59, and renovated between 2008-2010. A 70-90 million year old petrified palm tree was uncovered during the recent renovation and is on display in front of Buy-Low Foods.

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

Boxwood Road, to the north Northfield Road, will be partially or fully closed 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 one lane per direction.
Westbound left turns from Northfield Road onto Boxwood Road will not be permitted until further notice.
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. Commuters are advised to plan ahead and avoid the area to reduce congestion. Construction Zone speed limit is 30 km/hr.
Thursday August 29 paving across Jingle Pot Road at Black Diamond Drive between the Parkway and Third Street will occur and traffic control will have Jingle Pot Road traffic reduced to one lane in each direction.
At times, Black Diamond Drive between Crows Nest, Coal Tyee Trail, Venuti Way and Jingle Pot Road will have traffic control.
The trail that connects VIU, the Black Diamond neighbourhood and Third Street remains closed to the public.
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 minor delays as construction wraps up in various locations.

Learn more about this project: Extension Road Traffic Calming.

Princess Street Area Utility Upgrades

Construction on Princess Street and the surrounding area is finishing up and will be completed by the end of August.
Residents may encounter single lane alternating traffic and slight delays as the remaining work is completed.
Thank you for your patience during this project!

Wentworth and Pine

Copcan Civil will begin watermain replacement August 26 along Wentworth Street
While most of the construction will take place on Wentworth, we urge all drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution when passing through the Wentworth and Pine intersection.
Be advised that the Pine and Wentworth intersection will be fully closed from September 10 to 12 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm each day. We recommend planning ahead and using alternative routes during these times.

For the latest updates and information, visit the Wentworth and Pine Sanitary Upgrades project page.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS