City of Nanaimo AAP to borrow $90 million for Public Works Yard fails

After three attempts by the City of Nanaimo to seek the consent of the voters to borrow funds to upgrade its Public Works Yard, the city’s third AAP has been denied.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 29, 2024Nanaimo, AAP, Alternative Approval Process, Public Works Yard

Nanaimo postal workers collecting Santa letters despite strike

Despite an ongoing labour dispute, Nanaimo postal workers are making sure Santa Claus still receives letters from children for Christmas.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 29, 2024Nanaimo, Canada Post, Strike, CUPW, Santa Claus, Letters to Santa

Gender-affirming clothing event to support those on gender journeys

Supporting diversity and those on gender journeys, local pride group The Coast is Queer is hosting a free clothing event with gender-affirming styles and accessories this weekend.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 28, 2024Nanaimo, The Coast is Queer, Transgender, 2SLQBTQIA+, Event

Volunteers still needed for Nanaimo Point-in-Time Count: United Way BC

Leading up to the 2024 Nanaimo Point-in-Time Count, United Way BC says they are still looking for more volunteers to help with the count.

City of Nanaimo to add free parking in Bastion Parkade during Commercial Street construction

Rain or shine, or during construction, Commercial Street in Nanaimo’s downtown core is still open for business, and the City of Nanaimo is now offering additional free parking in hopes of getting more people downtown.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 20, 2024Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, Commercial Street, Construction

Pop-up overdose prevention site opens across the street from NRGH

A group of healthcare workers and advocates attempting to set up an unsanctioned overdose prevention site at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital were forced to relocate across the street.

Nanaimo’s new poet laureate looks forward to sharing poetry and language

Neil Surkan is excited to be a literary ambassador as he is to be appointed the City of Nanaimo’s newest Poet Laureate.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 15, 2024Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, Poet Laureate, Neil Surkan

City of Nanaimo encourages all road users to be alert and be seen

As the days get shorter and the weather becomes cold and wet, the City of Nanaimo is reminding everyone commuting to stay alert and be seen in their community, whether by car, bike, or while walking.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 14, 2024Nanaimo, road safety, Pedestrian Safety, City of Nanaimo

Unboxing Bravery journeys through gender identity and finding your true self

A show coming to the OV Arts Centre in Nanaimo will explore gender and transgender allyship through the art form of drag, and telling one person's journey of finding themselves.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 13, 2024Nanaimo, Transgender, Pride, 2SLGBTQ, 2SLQBTQIA+, Arts

The ‘Tinder of Construction' hopes to lower construction materials ending up in landfills

A new initiative is helping construction and manufacturing companies share leftover materials, lowering their costs and keeping more waste out of landfills.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 7, 2024Nanaimo, Housing, Building Material Exchange, Construction

Local poverty advocate group connects low-income people with harder-to-find resources

Since its start in December of 2023, Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo has worked to connect low-income people and families with resources that tend to be harder to find.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 6, 2024Nanaimo, Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo, PAN, Poverty

Results of Public Works Yard AAP still not ready

It has been over a year since the City of Nanaimo first started the process of seeking the consent of the voters to borrow funding to upgrade the Public Works Yard.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 6, 2024Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, AAp, AAP, Public Works Yard, Alternative Approval Process

Game on! New pickleball courts opens at Beban Park

Rain or shine Nanaimoites came out to celebrate the opening of eight new pickleball courts at Beban Park highlighting the popularity of the sport in the city.

Lauryn MackenzieOctober 31, 2024Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, Pickleball

Scout leader fears end of Historic Scout hut after fire damage and theft

For almost 100 years, the 1st Nanaimo Scouts Hut has been the meeting place for Scouts to develop skills, make new friends and contribute to the community. Now after a fire and break-in, the future of the historical hut is uncertain.

Lauryn MackenzieOctober 30, 2024

Mid Island Elder College celebrates its first full semester

When the VIU ElderCollege came to an end in 2023, members of the community came together to not lose the opportunities to continue offering lifelong learning experiences.

Lauryn MackenzieOctober 25, 2024Nanaimo, VIU, Elder College, Mid Island Elder College