Commemorating the fire that burnt down Nanaimo’s last Chinatown

Shirley Lo only has a faint memory of the fire that destroyed Nanaimo’s final Chinatown.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieSeptember 15, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, City of Nanaimo, Chinatown, Hecate St., History

Candidate nomination period closes for Nanaimo City Council and other local elections in B.C.

Nanaimo voters now have a clearer picture of who will be on the ballot this fall as the nomination period closes for candidates wanting to run in this year’s municipal election.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieSeptember 11, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, City of Nanaimo, Election, RDN, Regional District of Nanaimo, School District 68, Islands Trust

Recovery oriented housing announced for previous 250 Terminal supportive housing site in Nanaimo

After outcry from the community and advocacy work from the City of Nanaimo, the Government of B.C. has announced they will be changing plans for an upcoming housing project.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieSeptember 4, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, City of Nanaimo, Shelia Malcomson, Leonard Krog, Government of BC, Karen Kuwica, Newcastle Community Association, Recover

Habitat for Humanity and BMEx celebrates one year of reducing building material waste

It has been one year since two organizations decided to team up and save surplus building materials from the landfill.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieSeptember 3, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island, ReStore, Building Material Exchange, Construction

25th anniversary of International Overdose Awareness Day marked in Nanaimo

August 31st, 2026 marked 25 years of International Overdose Awareness Day, and community members in Nanaimo came together to grieve those who have been lost, and reflect on years of advocacy amidst a crisis.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieSeptember 2, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Nanaimo Child Development Centre, CDC, Overdose, International Overdose Awareness Day, IOAD, Public Health

Fundraising campaign underway to improve safety and accessibility for free playgroup program

The Nanaimo Child Development Centre is raising funds to upgrade their indoor and outdoor play space to keep their no-cost playgroup program safe and welcoming for all.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieAugust 28, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Nanaimo Child Development Centre, NCDC, CDC

VIU and Loaves & Fishes team up to open new Free Food Market on campus

Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank is partnering with Vancouver Island University to open a new Free Food Market on campus, to help fight against food insecurity for students and the Nanaimo community.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieAugust 25, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Loaves & Fishes, Food Bank, VIU, Food security, Vancouver Island University

Men’s group giving back while hunting for a new home

A local men’s group is fighting isolation by bringing retired men together to help support the community.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieAugust 24, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Mental Health, Men's mental health, Men's Shed

New community centre opens in the South Wellington area

New life is being brought to an old school that had been sitting empty for over ten years.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieAugust 20, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Regional District of Nanaimo, RDN, South Wellington, Community Centre

New fare-free youth bus pass program to start in Regional District

Youth ages 12 to 18 in the Regional District of Nanaimo will be able to use BC Transit for free starting this school year.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieAugust 19, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Regional District of Nanaimo, RDN, BC Transit, public transit

From Shakespeare to Dongfish, Nanaimo Fringe Festival offers something for everyone

The fringe has returned to the harbour city for 2026. The Nanaimo Fringe Festival features 18 shows, 97 performances and a variety of new community events, continuing its goal of supporting independent artists while encouraging audiences to experience live theatre in new ways.

NanaimoLiam PrendergastAugust 8, 2026Fringe Festival, Arts and Culture, Nanaimo, Port Theatre, STAUC

Chinatown art pieces to become a permanent fixture? A Nanaimo resident has hopes

When Amelie Sue first moved to Nanaimo she wanted to learn about the history of the area.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieAugust 4, 2026Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Chinatown, History

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.