Nanaimo to look at temporary options for vacant Jean Burns hole

It has been ten years since a fire swept through the Jean Burns building leaving a large hole in the centre of Nanaimo’s downtown.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieJuly 30, 2026Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Commercial Street, Urban Planning, Downtown Nanaimo, Jean Burns, Hilary Eastmure

LED lights improvements approved for Beban Park

The City of Nanaimo is seeking to partner with Nanaimo United FC to install new lighting at the Beban Park athletic fields.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJuly 30, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, Jason Coates, Charlotte Davis, Beban Park, Nanaimo United FC

64 new seats added for trades program apprenticeship at Vancouver Island University

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is ramping up its Trades program, adding 64 seats in the coming year with investment from the Province. The Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills announced VIU is expanding the skilled trades training seats in Nanaimo in 2026-27.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJuly 29, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, Jessie Sunner, Sheila Malcolmson, Dennis Johnson, George Anderson, Vancouver Island University, VIU, Trades Program, British Columbia

Sunflower program could support those with hidden disabilities in Nanaimo

Local non-profits are encouraging the City of Nanaimo to join an internationally recognized program to support people with hidden disabilities.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieJuly 28, 2026Nanaimo, Hidden Disabilities, City of Nanaimo, Hidden Disability Sunflower Network, Clay Tree Society, Nanaimo Association for Community Living, Lauryn Mackenzie

The City of Nanaimo gets to the root of ongoing invasive plants issue with bylaw amendment

The City is taking a step towards banning the sale of invasive plants. Council voted to direct staff to bring forward amendments to the Business Licence Bylaw that would restrict the sale and distribution of invasive plants.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJuly 27, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, Invasive Plants, Charlotte Davis, Hillary Eastmure, English Ivy, Foxglove, Himalayan Blackberry, Scotch Broom, English Hawthern, Gorse, Spurge Laurel, Japanese Knotweed, Poison Hemlock, Giant Hogweed

City of Nanaimo Mayor Krog announces re-election campaign for third term

Leonard Krog announced his re-election bid last week, as he prepares for Nanaimo’s local election scheduled for October 17, 2026.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJuly 24, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, Mayor Krog, Leonard Krog, Bruce Stone

New improvements unveiled for Loudon Park at Nanaimo's Long Lake

Loudon Park will soon have a new look.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieJuly 24, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, City of Nanaimo, Loudon Park, Parks, Recreation, Long Lake

Nanaimo honours Japanese Canadian history with new legacy projects at parks

The City of Nanaimo is honouring the history of the Japanese Canadian community with the development of two projects at local parks. The City has been working with the Central Vancouver Island Japanese Canadian Society, also known as 7 Potatoes on the projects.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJuly 21, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, McGregor Park, Beban Park, 7 Potatoes, Tami Hirasawa, Charlotte Davis, Japan, Central Vancouver Island Japanese Canadian Society

Landmark Cinemas renovates and introduces IMAX amidst rise in streaming

Woodgrove Centre’s Landmark cinema has teamed up with IMAX to try to bring movie lovers back to the big screen. The long standing entertainment centre is investing several millions of dollars into renovations including new IMAX and Laser Ultra auditoriums, heated recliner seating and upgraded sound systems.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJuly 16, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, Woodgrove Centre, Landmark Cinemas, IMAX, Laser Ultra, Cinema, Ryan Dion, Mark Welton, Glen Grunau, Sinjin Dixon-Warren

Gotta Catch em all! Pokémon Trainers descend upon Nanaimo for GO Fest

Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo became a hot spot for Pokémon Trainers as part of the global celebration for Pokémon GO’s 10 year anniversary, GO Fest.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJuly 14, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, Pokemon, Maffeo Sutton Park, Downtown Nanaimo, PokemonGO, GO Fest, Angela Massop, Tyler Dodd, Richard Harlow

Construction and improvements underway at Nanaimo’s Rotary Bowl

The City of Nanaimo has begun improvements to the Rotary Bowl Track and Field Facility, near the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Work started at the end of June and is expected to continue until October, to meet community demand and possibly attract larger track and field competitions.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJuly 10, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, Rotary Bowl, Nanaimo Track and Field Club, Lisa Bhopalsingh, Wanda Urbanowicz, Construction, Sports

Nanaimo prepares alignment of Off Street Parking bylaw with City Plan

The City of Nanaimo is updating its Off Street Parking Regulations, in a move aimed at making the city more friendly to pedestrians and transit users. Last Monday, June 22 the City of Nanaimo’s councillors voted to update the 2018 “Off Street Parking” regulations.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJuly 9, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, Ben Geselbracht, Off Street Parking Bylaw, Parking, Urban Centres, Woodgrove, Downtown Nanaimo, Country Club

Community shows up to paint mural for Old City intersection

An intersection in Nanaimo’s Old City neighbourhood got a makeover this weekend.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieJuly 7, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, City of Nanaimo, Public Art, Mural, Community, Old City Quarter, Old City Neighbourhood

Come on in the water’s fine! Testing water at beaches resumes for summer

Nanaimo began its yearly summer water quality monitoring program on June 16, informing citizens that regular testing will continue throughout the season. Every year, the City of Nanaimo performs routine water testing of the area’s bodies of water and beaches, checking for bacteria to ensure they are safe for the public.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJune 30, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, VIU, Vancouver Island University, Michael Olson, Mercedes Hernandez, Chris Gill, E. Coli, Water Quality Testing

‘Fútbol’ to be more accessible? City of Nanaimo applies for mini pitch funding through Mini Peaks Legacy Project

Amidst the excitement of the FIFA World Cup, The City of Nanaimo is hoping to score a spot in a provincial program and bring a mini pitch to Beban Park. The Mini Peaks Legacy Project, aims to create mini soccer pitches in communities across the province.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJune 29, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, City of Nanaimo, Beban Park, ViaSport, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Erin Hemmens, Nanaimo United FC, Jason Coates, FIFA World Cup, Mini Peaks Legacy Project, Mini Pitch

Be your own barnacle: Nanaimo’s Temporary Arts Program sees public participation

An overlooked yet pivotal feature of the coastal landscape has inspired a new public art project, and the community is invited to take part. Encrustation: Barnacles of Belonging is a new participatory exhibit from Twyla Exner, inspired by the sharp seaside staple.

NanaimoLuis ZablahJune 26, 2026Nanaimo, Luis Zablah, Twyla Exner, Temporary Public Arts Program, City of Nanaimo, Barnacles