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

Silly Boat Regatta makes a splash for its 40th anniversary race

All things fun and silly came together on Sunday afternoon for a regatta like no other.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieJuly 22, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Silly Boat Regatta, Racing, Nanaimo Child Development Centre

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

100 years of change with the Royal Canadian Legion anniversary

The sun was shining, hot dogs were on the grill, and 50/50 tickets were being sold at the Legion’s 100th anniversary barbecue at their Mount Benson 256 branch on July 18th. Anniversary events for the Legion were held at branches all across Canada, honouring the sacrifices of veterans from the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts through to today.

NanaimoNadia FontaineJuly 21, 2026Legion, Nanaimo, Nadia Fontaine, 100th Anniversary

Canada Cycles for Kids and the NRGH in Nanaimo

Cyclists on a mission to raise money for children’s health care, rode to Nanaimo’s hospital on Friday morning.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieJuly 21, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Healthcare, NRGH, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, cycling

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

Habitat for Humanity opens new pop-up shop in Nanaimo to support community projects

Wanting to reduce waste and support housing projects in Nanaimo, Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island has opened a pop-up shop offering low cost furniture and clothing.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieJuly 6, 2026Nanaimo, Lauryn Mackenzie, Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island, Restore, Thrift Store, Second Hand

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.