The City of Nanaimo is pleased to announce that funding will be provided for two daytime warming centres to support the homeless during cold winter weather. The City's funding will support a warming centre operated by the Risebridge Society at 520 Prideaux Street, which will be open seven days per week. In addition, a warming centre operated by the 7-10 Club Society will be opened Monday to Friday at St. Paul’s United Church at 100 Chapel Street.

The warming centres will be open Dec. to March, and warm meals and outreach services will be provided. The City secured funding through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Strengthening Communities’ Services Program to support 2022-2023 extreme weather and emergency food services.

Information about the two new daytime warming centres, as well as other shelters, warming and emergency food services can be found on the Services and Supports page at www.nanaimo.ca.

Link to Strategic Plan: Proactively advocate for support to ensure our community is a safe place for all people.

Key Points

• The City of Nanaimo is providing funding for two new warming centres to support the homeless during the cold winter weather.
• A warming centre operated by the Risebridge Society at 520 Prideaux Street will be open seven days per week, and a warming centre operated by the 7-10 Club Society will be opened at St. Paul’s United Church at 100 Chapel Street Monday to Friday.

Mayor Leonard Krog said the City of Nanaimo is pleased to be able to support the important work of the non-profit community who provide life-saving services during extreme weather events.

Service and Supports 

Information on services and supports available for Nanaimo's vulnerable population

221122 – Nanaimo residents wishing to discuss the City's 2023-2027 Financial Plan process will have the opportunity to do so by participating in an upcoming eTown Hall meeting scheduled for Monday, Dec. 5.

The eTown Hall will kick off the Dec. 5 Regular Council meeting beginning at 7 pm and will run for one hour. Residents are encouraged to review the 2023-2027 Draft Financial Plan on the City website at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/budget.

To participate in the eTown Hall, residents may submit their questions through the City website at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/etownhall, on Twitter using the hashtag #NanaimoTH, and on the eTown Hall event page at www.facebook.com/CityofNanaimo. Residents can also call the City at 250-754-4251, 8:30 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday until Dec. 5, send in or ask their question in person during the meeting.

Everyone can follow the 2023-2027 Financial Plan approval process. Budget presentations and workshops will occur during Special Finance and Audit Committee meetings Nov. 23, 24, 30, Dec. 1 and 2, plus an additional meeting after the eTown Hall on Dec. 7 if required. Materials and recordings from these meetings can be found at www.nanaimo.ca/meetings.

Link to Strategic Plan: Providing opportunities for public input supports the strategic priority of Governance Excellence.

Key Points

The eTown Hall will be streamed live on the City website, as part of the Regular Council Meeting at www.nanaimo.ca/meetings and on Shaw Cable channel 4 or BlueSky TV on 105, beginning at 7 pm on Dec 5. If necessary, 30 minutes will be added to the eTown Hall.

Residents can submit their question ahead of time or during the eTown Hall through the City website at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/etownhall, on Twitter using #NanaimoTH and on the eTown Hall event page on Facebook.com/CityofNanaimo. Questions can also be submitted ahead of the eTown Hall by calling the City at 250-754-4251 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Residents are encouraged to review all related materials before participating in the eTown Hall. Links to recordings of budget discussions are available on the eTown Hall page on the City website.

To ensure all trending topics are covered, questions that are similar in nature will be compiled into one or two questions so that there are none remaining by the end of the e-Town Hall.

Quote

"In it's ninth year, the eTown Hall has been a great venue for Council to hear from and speak with citizens about important topics that affect our community including the way the City leverages tax dollars. I encourage residents to participate wherever they are - in person, on the phone or online."

Leonard Krog
Mayor

Quick Facts

To date, the City of Nanaimo has held 13 eTown Hall meetings on subjects relating to the budget, core services review and strategic priorities. The first meeting, held in March of 2013, was awarded Bronze for Innovation Management by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC).

Unlike conventional town hall meetings, Nanaimo’s eTown Hall format allows for greater community involvement and convenience. Participants are able to watch the meeting live on the City website and submit their questions online as well as in person.

221108 - The City of Nanaimo is pleased to announce that Nanaimo has been selected as the host city for the 55+ BC Games in 2025.

The announcement, made earlier today by the BC Senior Games Society, is the result of a successful bid compiled and submitted earlier this year by the City of Nanaimo and Tourism Nanaimo. The bid submission was supported by our partners Snuneymuxw First Nation, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools and many local sports organizations.

The 55+ BC Games were last hosted in Nanaimo in 2007 and featured over 3500 athletes participating in 26 sporting events. The 2025 event will be hosted over a five day period, Sept. 9-13 and will include opening and closing ceremonies, a social dance and up to 30 different sport competitions throughout the city. Athletes from across BC will compete in activities ranging from swimming to slo-pitch, which showcase many of the outstanding sporting facilities Nanaimo is known for.

The 55+ BC Games also provide an excellent opportunity to promote sport tourism to our region. A 2022 Economic Impact Report estimated that the 55+ BC Games has a $6.5 million impact on host communities.

Link to Strategic Plan: A Healthy Nanaimo, a Prosperous Nanaimo and a Green Nanaimo. The 55+ BC Games allow us to feature our top-tier recreation and sport facilities, while also providing a large economic impact to the region

The five-day event will attract an estimated 3,500 athletes from across British Columbia.

A 2022 Economic Impact Report estimated that the 55+ BC Games has a $6.5 million impact on host communities.

Mayor Leonard Krog said the city is thrilled to have been chosen as the host city for the Games in 2025.

"Nanaimo has a long history of successfully hosting high-profile, multi-sport games and we are well known for our hospitality, volunteerism and excellent sporting facilities. These games will continue to build on that success while showcasing the beautiful community we live in."

Snuneymuxw Acting Chief William Yochim welcomed the announcment. "As a community we strongly believe sports are an important part of our Nation’s community wellness for all ages and stages of life. Snuneymuxw has a long history of developing several well-known athletes in various sports and is looking forward to welcoming thousands of athletes and officials from all around the province to our beautiful territory."

School Board Chair Charlene McKay said the school district is honoured to partner with the City for the games. "Since hosting the 2014 summer games, Nanaimo has expanded and enhanced its sports corridor behind Nanaimo District Secondary School as well as other venues in the region, which can easily accommodate track and field, soccer, slo-pitch, hockey and swimming, among many other sports. We look forward to showcasing the facilities our students have the fortune of using each and every day."

Tourism Chair Ian Simpson said the Games provide the opportunity to put its "Team Nanaimo" approach to bids and major events into action. "Tourism Nanaimo worked in collaboration with the City to develop a comprehensive bid package, effectively positioning our community and facilities for the 55+ BC Games. We continue to work on new sport and event opportunities for Nanaimo."

The City last hosted the 55+ BC Games (then known as the BC Seniors Games) in 2007.

The City of Nanaimo is seeking public nominations from the community for the 2023 Culture Awards. The awards recognize outstanding organizations, groups and individuals in the arts and culture fields.

Deadline for nominations is Friday, Nov. 18 at 4 pm

This is the community's opportunity to recognize people and groups they believe have made a significant contribution to making Nanaimo a culturally vibrant city. There are three categories for nominations; recipients will be recognized at a special celebration at the Port Theatre in April 2023:

• Excellence in Culture
• Honour in Culture
• Emerging Cultural Leader (under 30 years of age)

Nominations and support material can be submitted directly online via the City of Nanaimo website. For full details and the online application visit 2023 Culture Awards Nomination Form. To learn about past award recipients and see video profiles, visit the City's Awards page.

Link to Strategic Plan: The annual Culture Awards program upholds Council's directive for livability by supporting arts, culture and recreation as an integral part of everyday life.

City of Nanaimo Public Works staff and contractors will start cleaning the City's stormwater catch basins on Monday, Nov. 7. 

The program will focus on cleaning catch basins along Nanaimo's busiest roadways. Since this work involves large equipment, please slow down, approach with caution and obey the directions of traffic control persons. Work will take place for four weeks and will wrap up on Friday, Dec. 2.

During the program, storm sewer grates are pulled off and the catch basin is then cleaned out using a vacuum truck. The material is then separated from any water, dried and taken to a regeneration facility. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are asked to watch for crews and traffic control personnel on the roads, and be aware of missing grates near the work zone.

With the large quantity of neighbourhood catch basins/storm drains throughout Nanaimo, the City of Nanaimo calls upon residents to clear the tops of storm drains near their homes where it is safe to do so. Keeping catch basins clear helps to avoid flooding in our neighbourhoods when heavy rains or snowfall come. Watch this how-to video for a simple tutorial on clearing catch basins.

While clearing neighbourhood storm drains is straight-forward and generally safe, residents are asked to avoid culverts and to stay out of ditches. Should a culvert need to be cleared, please report it to Public Works at 250-758-5222.

Link to Strategic Plan: The catch basin cleaning program promotes the City's priorities of Governance Excellence and Environmental Responsibility through the regular maintenance and inspection of City assets and diverting pollutants from waterways.

Quotes

"Regular maintenance of stormwater infrastructure helps divert pollutants from waterways, and ensures rainwater can drain away quickly. Maintenance also supports the City's asset management goals by identifying any deficiencies that may need repairing. Residents can help ensure good drainage by clearing leaves away from catch basins and private drains."

Bill Sims

General Manager, Engineering & Public Works

City of Nanaimo

221004 – Warm weather and lack of rain have extended Provincial Drought Level 4 conditions in Central Vancouver Island, causing the City of Nanaimo to continue watering restrictions until the end of October.

The City has sufficient water supply to serve community needs and maintain environmental flow releases, such as the pulse release for returning Chinook salmon. Residents and businesses are key partners in ensuring the City continues to enjoy abundant high-quality water.

To view the current water restriction stage and find information on water conservation please visit www.teamwatersmart.ca

Link to Strategic Plan: Environmental Responsibility - we will protect and enhance Nanaimo's natural environment by looking after the community's biological diversity and adapt the way we live, work, recreate and move.

City Parks, Recreation and Culture crews recently installed a Mobi Mat® at Departure Bay Beach near the Kin Hut Activity Centre. A Mobi-Mat® is a seasonally installed, non slip walkway made from recycled material and helps those with wheels (wheelchairs, strollers, wagons, kayak trailers) to be able to more easily access the beach area.

The City recommends when using the mat, if possible, getting assistance due to the grade and the uneven ground under the mat.

The Mobi Mat® will be left at the beach for the remainder of the summer season. If found to be useful, others may be purchased and installed at other parks in the future.

Link to Strategic Plan: The City of Nanaimo is committed to a livable, inclusive community where all residents have access to recreation.

The Mobi-Mat® is a seasonally installed, non slip walkway.

When using the Mobi Mat®, if possible, we recommend getting assistance due to the grade and the uneven ground under the mat.

"The installation of the Mobi-Mat® at Departure Bay Beach is another example of how the City of Nanaimo is working to make accessibility improvements," said Mayor Leonard Krog. "It is helpful for those in wheelchairs, those with strollers or those with wagons or kayak trailers, and I am sure it will be well used by many members of our community."

The Nanaimo Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture is offering recreation programs and activities for the upcoming fall season. This includes swimming and skating lessons and courses in art, music, cooking, dance, language, fitness, yoga, first aid and more. In addition, there will be information on community events, including "Welcome Back" skating sessions, National Truth and Reconciliation Day and other seasonal favourites like Rivers Day and Winter Wonderland.

Registration for programs begins on Wednesday, August 17.

Residents can look for program offerings in the following ways:

• View an online PDF of the Fall Activity Guide starting on Friday, August 12
• Pick up a hard copy of our program guide at Bowen Park, Beban Park Social Centre, Oliver Woods Community Centre and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre starting on Monday, August 15 (for those who do not have online access)
• Visit recreation.nanaimo.ca and choose "Register for a Program" to search programs by various categories and key words (for the best user experience, please choose Chrome as the browser)

Register online through recreation.nanaimo.ca (accounts should be set up in advance of registration day), by telephone at 250-756-5200 or in-person at Beban Park, Bowen Complex, Oliver Woods Community Centre and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.

Link to Strategic Plan: The City of Nanaimo is offering programs that improve the health, wellness and livability of its citizens in our community.

Key Points

• Registration for fall programs begins on Wednesday, August 17.
• The online guide is available for viewing on Friday, August 12.
• The Fall Activity Guide has information on programs, events and other community services.

Quotes

"After the care-free days of summer, it is nice to settle into the fall season with programs and events with Parks, Recreation and Culture. The Re-Imagine Nanaimo process identified how valuable these services are to our citizens. All of the options found in the Fall Activity Guide will enhance the livability for those who call the City of Nanaimo home." – Leonard Krog, Mayor

The City of Nanaimo, Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture is commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Leaders in Training Program with a celebration. This event recognizes past and present participants and the history of this youth leadership program while acknowledging and awarding current participants for their outstanding work throughout the community. The celebration event will be held on Friday, August 19, 5:30-9 pm (doors open at 5 pm) in the Beban Park Social Centre. Throughout the event, they will look back at the 40 years of the program and the impact that it has had both on participants and the citizens in the City.

Since 1982, the LIT program has given youth a purpose and a voice, provided valuable leadership training opportunities and has strengthened their connection to the community. In addition, participants have gained important skills that have led to employment in various recreation fields or helped to find career paths in other areas. Past and present participants are quick to testify of the many skills they gained, helping them throughout their lives, as well as fostering life-long friendships that they enjoy.

Quest, the second level of our Youth Leadership program (and the continuation of LIT), began in 1996. Over the years, LIT participants have contributed over 225,000 volunteer hours to the community of Nanaimo. The LITs volunteer across the City in daycamps, special events, community involvement projects, sport/art/preschool programs, as well as attending specialized workshops.

Workshops within the LIT and Quest program include topics in diverse abilities, financial literacy, concussion awareness, drug awareness, resume writing and interview preparation. Volunteer placements in 2022 included summer camps (both for the City of Nanaimo and other organizations), special events (Silly Boat Regatta, Dragon Boat Festival, Bathtub Weekend, The Thursday Night Market and the VIEX) and opportunities to work with seniors.

Past participants who would like to attend the celebration evening on August 19 are asked to RSVP by August 15 by emailing emily.hoppe@nanaimo.ca or calling Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-756-5200.

Link to Strategic Plan: Creating Opportunities for Youth to connect with their community, gain valuable work experience and workplace skills, while growing as individuals into the leaders of tomorrow.

Key Points

• The City of Nanaimo is commemorating 40 years of the Leaders in Training program.
• A celebratory event will be held on Friday, August 19 starting at 5 pm. This event will recognize the program's impact on the participants and the community with lots of food and activities.
• The Leaders in Training program provides Nanaimo youth with leadership, resume writing, interview preparation and other important skills.

"Our Leaders in Training program is celebrating 40 years which is very unique for a recreation program. Since 1982, the LIT volunteers have assisted at a variety of Nanaimo events and have gained valuable skills helping them gain employment and make life-long career choices. Leadership, self-confidence and life-long friendships are just a few of the many benefits participants report from taking part in this youth program. It ignites passion within them for their own development and for their community. We are so grateful for the support from our community partners, the staff who mentor the LIT's and the youth themselves - they make this program truly something special!" – Leonard Krog, Mayor

The Province of British Columbia has placed a ban on campfires. The City of Nanaimo will follow suit with a complete burning ban (including cooking fires) effective Thursday August 4th, 2022, beginning at noon.

The following are still permitted at a private residence:
Cooking devices fueled by propane, natural gas, naphtha, kerosene, charcoal briquettes or electricity such as barbecues, grills, and smokers. It is important to ensure briquettes are fully extinguished after use.

The City also reminds everyone that thereare no smoking or fires permitted in city parks.

Key Points

• This fire ban applies to all outdoor fires, except for those permitted fire and outdoor cooking options listed above.
• With the summer's hot and dry weather, the City is continuously responding to accidental fires.
• Residents are also encouraged to use extreme caution when extinguishing smoking-related materials.

Quotes

"Hot, dry weather increases the risk of wildfires. We are already seeing out-of-control fires around BC. We would like to remind residents that just one spark can ignite a wildfire. Please take all precautions to make sure everyone has a safe summer." – Tim Doyle, Fire Chief.

Residents interested in becoming more involved with local governance have the opportunity to apply to the Board of Variance. The City of Nanaimo is currently recruiting one member for a three-year term.

The Board of Variance is an independent body that can grant variances to relax zoning regulations, servicing requirements and tree protection requirements; extend non-conforming uses; and, reconstruct non-conforming buildings.

Successful applicants for the Board of Variance will have a basic understanding of building and zoning regulations such as the City’s Zoning Bylaw and BC Building Code, as well as familiarity with interpreting architectural plans and documents. Board of Variance members cannot be elected officials, employees of the local government that appoints them or on an advisory planning commission.

For more information regarding the Board of Variance including mandate, eligibility requirements, time commitments and responsibilities, please see the Board of Variance web page and application form on the City’s website at www.nanaimo.ca under Your Government/Boards and Committees.

Interested residents can submit a completed application form to the Legislative Services Department by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2022 by:

Mail: Legislative Services, 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5J6

Email: legislative.servicesoffice@nanaimo.ca

For more information about the Board of Variance including mandate, eligibility requirements, time commitments and how to apply please visit the City's website at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/committees.

Link to Strategic Plan: Strategic Link: Supports Governance Excellence to facilitate decision making.

Key Points

The term of appointment to the Board of Variance is three years, or until a successor is appointed.

The deadline to submit an application is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2022.

"We are pleased to invite qualified applicants to apply to the Board of Variance as a volunteer at-large. This is a great opportunity for individuals to serve their community and to learn more about development approvals."

Jeremy Holm
Director, Development Approvals

It's a city-wide swap meet. Reuse Rendezvous, Nanaimo’s longest running reuse event, is back. This annual event, August 13 and 14, is designed to keep useful items from going to waste by providing Nanaimo households an opportunity to give old household items a new lease on life.

Residents can participate by placing unwanted toys, sporting goods, furniture, books, bikes and other items to the curb so that others can take and reuse them.

Please mark items set out for others to take with a "FREE" tag. Items set out should not block sidewalks and bike lanes. Please remove any unclaimed, leftover items from the curb by Monday, August 15.

Participants of Reuse Rendezvous are asked to stay safe when searching for bargains: slow down, watch for children, park carefully and obey traffic signs and speed limits.

Link to Strategic Plan: By encouraging reuse of household goods and keeping waste out of the landfill, Reuse Rendezvous supports Council's priority to protect and enhance Nanaimo’s natural environment.

Multi-family units help meet affordable housing targets

22-07-20 – Nanaimo Building permit values hit $319 million for the first half of the year, on track for a banner year in housing starts. Permit values could surpass the 2019 record of $445 million by the end of the year. Included in the building permit total is public investment with the correctional centre redevelopment comprising the largest single institutional project. However, the majority of permits are for residential buildings, with multi-family units outstripping single-family home construction.

"The fast-pace of residential development clearly shows private sector confidence in our City," said Mayor Leonard Krog, "The form of development - primarily multi-family housing - shows that Nanaimo is evolving into a complex, urban centre."

So far in 2022 (as of June 30), the City has issued permits for a total of 1,085 units. This includes 916 multi-family units, which is a record for this housing type at the six-month mark.

"I am very pleased that most of the new housing is in multi-unit buildings, providing more housing options for families," added Mayor Krog, "This kind of growth supports the goals and values we committed to in City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined, which is already guiding our community as it grows."

The City's Affordable Housing Strategy goal is for 70 per cent of new residential housing to be in multi-unit developments. In 2021, multi-unit dwellings made up 76 per cent of all residential permits in Nanaimo; the results for this year are expected to be even higher. For more information on the City's Affordable Housing Strategy, visit the Affordable Housing Strategy.

Mayor Leonard Krog

REIMAGINE NANAIMO goals and values inspire leaders’ group report

22-07-19 – Two years ago, Nanaimo City Council struck the Mayor’s Task Force on Recovery and Resilience with a mandate to help the City cope with the global pandemic and set the stage for future growth. The Task Force recommended the creation of a Mayor’s Leader’s Table and from that, three working groups were formed to focus on infrastructure needs, sustainable economics and youth retention and attraction.

The three groups – Infrastructure Ask, Doughnut Economics and Youth Attraction and Retention – delivered their findings at Monday’s Council meeting and called for the creation of a Table of Champions to help secure funding for infrastructure and achieve the goals outlined in their reports.

The Infrastructure Ask Working Group collected, studied and identified a number of projects they consider essential to Nanaimo’s ongoing success. From that list, five key projects were highlighted: Nanaimo Regional General Hospital patient tower, equitable housing, community fibre optic network, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital cancer centre and a South End Community Centre.

Embracing the framework included in the recently-adopted City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined, the Doughnut Economics Working Group focused on raising awareness of the ‘doughnut’ economic model among partners and stakeholders, which places an emphasis on sustainable economic principles.

The Youth Attraction and Retention Working Group focused on the needs of young people with proposed strategies for employment and housing supports, enhanced recreation and leisure venues and new efforts to secure more family doctors.

Council adopted the working groups’ recommendations and voted to establish a Table of Champions, to continue the work brought forward by the Mayor’s Leaders’ Table. A Terms of Reference will be developed and brought forward for endorsement by the 2022-2026 Council.

Link to Strategic Plan: The recommendations brought forward by the Mayor's Leaders' Table support Council's strategic priorities of Environmental Responsibility, Economic Health, Livability and Governance Excellence.

22-07-18 – The Departure Bay Activity Centre, damaged by fire on March 17, will be torn down and removed. The City of Nanaimo recently received notice from its insurance company that the building was a constructive loss and cannot be repaired.

Once the facility has been decommissioned and removed, the City will undertake a review process to consider what to do with the site, replacement of lost recreational space and opportunities to work with other groups. Parks, Recreation and Culture will plan a community consultation process to look at options for the site and for facility replacement.

Link to Strategic Plan: Recreation supports the Livability goals of the Strategic Plan

Key Points

Fire broke out at the Departure Bay Activity Centre on March 17. The facility has been closed since then and programs have been relocated or paused.

The City's insurance company deemed the building a constructive total loss and non-repairable.

Parks, Recreation and Culture staff will plan a consultation process to determine the future of programs and the site.

"We cannot get the old building back, but we can plan for the best way to replace what we care about most,” said Mayor Leonard Krog

June 29, 2022

Another retired Mountie has landed with the city. Jon Stuart is the new Community Policing Co-ordinator for the city, replacing Christy Wood who has moved onto another position with the city. Jon is to settling in after retiring at the end of June with 26 years of service. He and his family have lived and worked in Nanaimo for many years and he has a good handle on the challenges Nanaimo faces and the direction it's going.

Jon's first task was to reach out to Community Policing volunteers and commented he was thoroughly impressed with their collective enthusiasm and dedication to the community-based programs they are responsible for carrying out. Good luck, Jon.

The City's Parks, Recreation and Culture department offer heavy menu of free activities and events this season.

Concerts in the Park have been under way since May and will continue throughout the summer at various park locations and featuring a variety of local talent. Here are the upcoming dates:

• Tuesday, July 5, 6-7 pm at Pipers Lagoon Park: Waterstone Trio (Blues, Pop, Country)
• Wednesday, July 6, 6-7 pm at Departure Bay Kin Hut: Sol Azul (Soft Latin)
• Wednesday, July 13, 7-8:30 pm at McGregor Park: An Evening of Soul, Blues & Pop with singers, Buwa, Ty Koch & Josh Holloway
• Wednesday, July 20, 7-8 pm at McGregor Park: VIS Musicians Emily Nagelbach, Guyonne le Louarn, Alexandra Lee and Erin Lawson)
• Wednesday, August 3, 7-8 pm at McGregor Park: VIS Musicians Lani Krantz, Paolo Bortolussi, Minjee Yoon
• Wednesday, August 17, 7-8 pm at McGregor Park: VIS Musicians Nicole Arendt, Jonathan Bernard, Chris Helman, Michael Vaughan
• Tuesday, August 23, 5-6 pm at Neck Point Park: Eutah Mizushima (Japanese, South Asian, Western Folk, Indie)

The Playground Program is back again this summer. It is for children ages 5 to 12 and offers a variety of games, arts, crafts and sports. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday to Friday, 10 am-3:30 pm at Harewood Centennial Park
• Monday to Friday, 10 am-3:30 pm at Mansfield Park
• Monday & Tuesday, 10 am-3:30 pm at Country Hills Park
• Wednesday, 1:30-7 pm at Country Hill Park
• Thursday & Friday, 10 am-3:30 pm at Groveland Park

Lifeguards at Westwood Lake Park will start on July 1 and be there daily from 11:30 am-5:30 pm until Monday, September 5, including the Canada Day, BC Day and Labour Day statutory holidays.

For those looking to keep cool this summer, the City operates four water parks that are open daily from 9 am-8 pm. Locations are as follows:

• Departure Bay Water Park
• Deverill Square Park
• Harewood Centennial Park
• Mansfield Park

The City of Nanaimo is also offering a variety of registered summer daycamps and programs this summer. Those programs are found in the online Summer Activity Guide at www.nananimo.ca.

Link to Strategic Plan: Free Summer programing supports cultural vitality, an active lifestyle and social equality.

Key Points

• There are many free programs available for the community this summer through Parks, Recreation and Culture.
• Registered summer camps and programs are available for all ages. Information is found in the online Summer Activity Guide.

Quotes

"Summer events and programs are back this summer in a big way. Join Parks, Recreation and Culture for Concerts in the Park, the playground program, lifeguards at Westwood Lake Park and more! It is great to be able to offer these programs for free to our citizens as our commitment to allow all members of our community to participate." Mayor Leonard Krog.

Attachments
Free Parks, Recreation and Culture Summer Events 
2022 Summer Activity Guide 

Canada Day festivities are back in Maffeo Sutton Park from 11:00 am until 3:30 pm on Friday, July 1.

The main stage will feature a Celebration of Flags and performances by The Midnights, Mark Crissinger, Dave Hart and Doctors of Rock n Roll. The cultural community stage will highlight a range of dance groups, including performances from Vancouver Island Square Dancers, Nanaimo Ballroom Dance Society, Flamenco Dancers, Nanaimo Scottish Country Dancers and Vibe Dance Studio. Throughout the day, find roving entertainers, complimentary bouncy castles, crafts, interactive community booths, face painting, a birthday cake donated by Columbia Bakery and a variety of food vendors. There will also be a free water fill station courtesy of Coastal Water to help everyone stay hydrated.

A special thank you is going out to Columbia Bakery who, once again, is baking and decorating a gigantic and delicious birthday cake for the community. This family-owned business has been offering this service for many years at each Canada Day celebration.

Residents are reminded that there is no vehicle parking available on-site at Maffeo Sutton Park on Canada Day (except limited accessible parking). To help with this, there will be a free bike valet parking service available from 9 am to 5 pm where bikes will be held in a secure location close to the park, and the City of Nanaimo is partnering with the Regional District of Nanaimo to offer free shuttle services to the event from Woodgrove Mall and Vancouver Island University (VIU).

Link to Strategic Plan: Canada Day is an example of an event that improves the livability for residents in our community. Secure bike parking and transit shuttle services encourage active and public transportation.

Google photo

Commercial Street is often referred to as the heart of Nanaimo’s downtown and, with Council’s endorsement at their June 20 meeting, will be the focus of a number of exciting improvements to be rolled out over the next five years.

The Design Commercial project follows a recently approved Downtown Safety Action Plan, which will see the addition of Community Safety Officers in the downtown as well as increased cleaning and other public safety improvements. The vision for Design Commercial is “a green, connected, safe and equitable place that reflects the history of Nanaimo while attracting people, investment and vitality.”

Led by Toole Design Group, the work plan for Design Commercial included extensive engagement with the local business improvement associations, businesses, developers, key stakeholders, City staff and the general public. The project also built on the feedback and preliminary directions set out through ReImagine Nanaimo and the draft City Plan.

The concept plan endorsed by Council sees improvements to Commercial Street integrated with other projects such as Diana Krall Plaza improvements, the redevelopment of 1 Commercial Street (former A&B Sound building), 6 Commercial Street (former Jean Burns property) and transit improvements along the 500 block of Terminal Avenue.

Key features of the concept plan include:

• flush curb street
• widened sidewalks
• contrasting colours in the public realm
• improved lighting
• greenery, street trees and natural elements
• on-street flex zones
• redistribution of space and integration of plazas and parks into the street
• public art

The redevelopment of Commercial Street will be phased over a number of years with Phase 1 beginning in 2023. Funding for Phase 1 of the project is included in the 2022 Budget and includes work at Wallace/Commercial as well as upgrades to the Commercial/Bastion intersection. Future phases will be brought forward for consideration in the 2023-2027 budget process.

Link to Strategic Plan: Improvements to the downtown core support Council's strategic pillar of Economic Health - increasing pride of place, stimulating the economy and addressing public safety concerns in the downtown.

Each year, during the summer months, the City of Nanaimo monitors water quality at popular swimming spots to make sure the water is clean for beach goers and for wildlife. Staff from the public works department, with assistance from the Nanaimo Port Authority, take water samples from various locations in and around each beach as well as from the waterways that feed into them. The samples are then tested by a lab for fecal coliforms. If the level of fecal coliforms exceeds Provincial health guidelines, it will force a beach closure.

Testing occurs at the following locations: Brannen Lake, Colliery Dam Park, Departure Bay, Long Lake, Swy-A-Lana Lagoon (Maffeo Sutton Park) and Westwood Lake.

To help keep water clean and beaches open, pet owners are reminded to take their dogs to designated dog parks and off-leash areas. With shore birds and other naturally occurring wildlife in and around water bodies, adding pets to the mix could elevate the levels of fecal coliforms. The City of Nanaimo has a bylaw in place that states dogs are not to be on beaches or in the water between the beginning of May to the end of September each year. This bylaw is in place for all of Nanaimo’s lakes, streams and waterfront swimming spots, except for those designated as off-leash areas.

To view the latest beach reports, visit the City's website at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/beachreports.

Link to Strategic Plan: The City of Nanaimo's water quality initiatives support the City's commitment to a livable community.

Key Points

The City of Nanaimo monitors coliform levels in Brannen Lake, Colliery Dam Park, Departure Bay, Long Lake, Swy-A-Lana Lagoon (Maffeo Sutton Park) and Westwood Lake to ensure that the beach can remain open during peak season. This year, monitoring will take place beginning June 14.

Each week, 24 samples are taken to ensure coliform levels remain within Provincial health guidelines.

Animal feces that wash into water bodies such as lakes, contributing creeks, drainage ditches or storm sewer system can raise coliform and E.coli levels in the water and may cause a beach closure.

Quotes

"This annual program is instrumental in ensuring the water quality in and around some of Nanaimo's popular swimming spots. You can do your part in keeping Nanaimo’s waterways and beaches clean by not disposing harmful materials such as feces, paint, drywall or oils into ditches, catch basins or any water source." – Richard Harding, General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture

Quick Facts

City of Nanaimo Bylaw 7073, section 3.3(C) states that no person shall permit any animal under their ownership or custody to be on a public beach during the months of May through September inclusive.

The following parks have designated off-leash areas: May Richards Bennett Pioneer, Beaufort, Westwood Lake, Invermere Beach, Northfield, Wardropper, Colliery Dam, St. George Ravine, Gallow's Point (Protection Island), Cable Bay Trail, Beban and Diver Lake (October - April).

In 1994 Departure Bay beach was closed to swimmers due to elevated levels of fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the water. There was too much bacteria in the water for it to be considered safe to swim in.

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On May 30, 2022, Nanaimo City Council allocated an additional $100,000 from the Climate Action Reserve Fund to support the City's continued participation in the Province of British Columbia's CleanBC Better Homes Rebate Program. This supports the continuation of a two-year partnership between the City of Nanaimo and the Province of BC to encourage home energy retrofits and reduce residential building emissions.

Through the CleanBC program, Nanaimo homeowners who apply for a home energy renovation rebate may be eligible for additional rebates provided by the City of Nanaimo. Nanaimo homeowners could receive up to $15,000 in rebates from the Provincial CleanBC funding as well as an additional $1,400 from the City. These additional amounts are also processed by CleanBC, and qualifying homeowners will receive these top-up amounts with their CleanBC rebates - no additional applications are required.

Rebates are available for a variety of home energy renovations including installing a heat pump, home energy assessments, door and window replacement, insulation, ventilation equipment and electrical and hot water heating equipment upgrades. Although the CleanBC program no longer includes a rebate for home energy assessments, the City of Nanaimo continues to offer a rebate to offset the cost of both initial and follow-up home energy assessments.

Existing low-rise residential buildings make up approximately 18 per cent of the City’s total emissions or about 89,070 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Since the start of the program with an initial investment of $100,000 in April 2020, Nanaimo has been one of the most active municipalities in B.C. in terms of program uptake. The program issued 359 rebates in Nanaimo and helped reduce approximately 774 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through upgrades from oil and natural gas to electric heat pumps. Electric heat pumps produce 97 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than a high-efficiency natural gas furnace, can provide heating and cooling without a secondary air conditioner and are up to 300 per cent more efficient than electric baseboards. They have become an effective option for homeowners to reduce their emissions, receive year-round comfort and save money on home heating.

CleanBC has recently launched an income-qualified zero interest financing program to provide a loan of up to $40,000 for switching from a fossil fuel (oil, propane or natural gas) heating system to a heat pump. Other income-qualified rebates are available that can cover up to 60 to 95% of home upgrade costs with maximum values of $9,500 for windows, doors and heat pumps, $5,500 for insulation and up to $3,500 for heat pump water heaters.

For more information on available, visit the Rebate Assessment page on www.nanaimo.ca and the CleanBC website at www.betterhomesbc.ca

Link to Strategic Plan: This program supports Council's goal of Environmental Responsibility by taking a leadership role and focusing on our environmental impact and climate change contributions.

Nanaimo City Council has adopted an enhanced code of conduct that will take effect on October 15, 2022.

The new Code of Conduct Bylaw builds on existing principles and includes behavioural expectations, accountability requirements and a process for handling breaches and complaints. The new Bylaw fulfills the governance commitment made by Council when they were elected in 2018.

The policy changes follow a BC government amendment to Community Charter legislation requiring that local governments consider developing new, or review existing, Codes of Conduct. The Union of BC Municipalities endorsed a resolution at its 2021 convention calling on the Province to enact legislation along those lines.

Nanaimo’s revised Code of Conduct Bylaw will replace the existing Code of Conduct Policy. Council also adopted an Ethics Commissioner Establishment Bylaw where either an appointed or ad hoc Commissioner would oversee the complaint process, an Oath of Office Bylaw that embeds the existing Code of Conduct Bylaw within the Oath, and an amendment to the Council Spending and Amenities Policy where compensation provisions have been added to support conduct expectations.

Reece Harding, a lawyer specializing in municipal issues, reviewed the Bylaws and told Council that their approach benefits from lessons learned in the application of similar policies and bylaws introduced in other Canadian cities and that Nanaimo’s Code of Conduct is probably the best legislation in the province.

While the new legislation to draft or review existing codes of conduct will be a requirement for new councils, Mayor and Council has demonstrated leadership by setting out clear conduct rules and expectations prior to the election so that newly elected officials have a clear understanding about those expectations.

The Bylaw is not applicable to City staff as their conduct is governed through the City’s Respectful Workplace Policy.

Link to Strategic Plan: Upholding Council's commitment to developing a culture of governance excellence.

Key Points

Council has adopted a new Code of Conduct Bylaw which will take effect on October 15, 2022.

The changes follow amendments to Community Charter legislation which require local governments to consider developing new, or reviewing existing, Codes of Conduct.

The new Code of Conduct Bylaw builds on existing principles and includes behavioural expectations, accountability requirements and a process for handling breaches and complaints.

Quotes

"Council has adopted a bylaw that significantly strengthens Council’s commitment to governance excellence by building on the foundational principles of responsible conduct. The bylaws we have adopted are clear, with real consequences for breaching the rules. With these changes, Council is setting a new standard for good governance and fulfilling a promise to ensure everyone is treated fairly." – Mayor Leonard Krog

On Monday, May 31, 2022, Nanaimo City Council passed first and second readings of the City Plan Bylaw 2022 No. 6600 and gave direction to move forward with a public hearing to be held on June 22, 2022. After the public hearing, if Council is satisfied that the Bylaw reflects their direction and has community support, it would be considered for adoption.

The City Plan Bylaw 2022 No. 6600 is the result of the REIMAGINE NANAIMO process that involved the input of thousands of Nanaimo citizens. The draft City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined is a comprehensive approach to community planning that goes beyond the minimum requirements of a standard Official Community Plan under the Local Government Act. Moving forward, this document will serve as the City's Official Community Plan (OCP); Parks, Recreation, Culture and Wellness Plan; Transportation Plan; Activity Mobility Plan; Climate Action and Resiliency Plan; and Accessibility and Inclusion Plan.

Learn more about the City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined on the City's website www.nanaimo.ca or www.getinvolvednanaimo.ca.

Link to Strategic Plan: The integrated draft City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined incorporates Council's strategic priorities to be a community that is livable, environmentally sustainable and full of opportunity for all generations and walks of life.

Key Points

“City Plan Bylaw 2022 No. 6600” passed first and second reading and will proceed to public hearing on June 22, 2022.

The draft City Plan is proposed to be Nanaimo’s new Official Community Plan; Parks, Recreation, Culture and Wellness Plan; Transportation Plan; Active Mobility Plan; Climate Action and Resiliency Plan; and Accessibility and Inclusion Plan.

The development of the draft City Plan involved thousands of inputs from the community, interested and affected agencies, and organizations including government-to-government engagement with Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Quotes

"I am pleased with the robust community engagement in the creation of this plan and excited to see a clear and coordinated vision, which can guide our community for the next 25+ years." – Mayor Leonard Krog

Quick Facts

The draft City Plan (Bylaw 2022 No. 6600) reinforces and builds on existing directions considered effective in the 2008 Official Community Plan, while at the same time integrating new policy directions.

Despite the impacts and uncertainty posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the development of the draft City Plan involved thousands of inputs from the community received through surveys, online platforms, emails, virtual and in-person meetings, student classroom participation, workshops, an open house and other methods.

REIMAGINE NANAIMO

 A copy of the City Plan Bylaw 2022 No. 6600 Council Report can be found on the May 30 Agenda

Get Involved Nanaimo Engagement Platform

Poems Along the Active Transportation Network Are Revealed in the Rain

The City 's Active Transportation and Culture and Events sections announce a new public art and poetry project from the Urban Design Roster that pairs poetry with design to bring hidden creativity to the active transportation network.

Nanaimo design team Webb Creative made stencils using poetry by Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate, Kamal Parmar. The haiku poems celebrate active commutes and Nanaimo's natural and urban surroundings. Installed along active transportation routes in ten locations across Nanaimo using hydrophobic materials, the poems are revealed as hidden messages when it rains. Each poem is paired with a QR code link, so members of the public can also listen to the poems on their mobile devices, rain or shine.

The project is installed just in time for Go By Bike week, until June 3 at ten locations across Nanaimo: McGirr Sports Field Trail, E&N Trail at Northfield Road, Haliburton Road multi use path, Colliery Dam, Bowen Park Trailway, Queen Elizabeth Promenade, Departure Bay Walkway, Walley Creek Trail, Front Street and Metral Drive at Mostar Road.

Link to Strategic Plan: Activating Art in transportation corridors, and on waterfront walkways is a direction found in the Community Plan for Public Art.

Key Points

• Eco-friendly hydrophobic poems across the active transportation network are revealed when it rains.
• New Public Art along pedestrian and cycling routes to encourage healthy activity, rain or shine.

"I’m thrilled that poetry and art can be part of the story of active transportation. When revealed, these playful haikus encourage a cheery moment on a rainy day for those who roam along our cycle and pedestrian paths." – Mayor Leonard Krog

Inclusive playground creates fun for all.

The Province of B.C. declared that effective September 1, 2022 public sector organizations, including the City of Nanaimo, will be required to establish an accessibility committee, a plan and the ability to receive feedback. The City of Nanaimo is ahead of the curve with Council's Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness meeting regularly since February 2020.

In addition to an established committee, the City is actively working to remove barriers so individuals of all diverse-abilities have equitable access to choose the places they wish to live, work and play. The City of Nanaimo was granted Age Friendly Community status for showing commitment to making the city age friendly, particularly for seniors. The new City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined being considered by Council for adoption, embraces the creation of an "Empowered Nanaimo", which includes policies that will address the barriers for people of all ages and abilities to move freely throughout the community and have equitable access to services and spaces. The proposed City Plan includes policies that support adaptable and accessible housing, programs, facilities and infrastructure (sidewalks, crosswalks etc.). City Plan – Nanaimo ReImagined if adopted, is designed to meet Provincial requirements for an Accessibility Plan.

Many ongoing and past projects are helping to improve both mobility and financial access to the City's parks, recreation and cultural facilities and programs. Accessible beach mats are being laid at Departure Bay beach so those in wheelchairs can reach the water more easily. The team from Inclusive by Design and the City have been working at Diver Lake Park to add several accessible amenities. The community can now enjoy an accessible picnic table, pit toilet, bench and fishing pier. Phase II of the Maffeo Sutton Park inclusive playground is about to begin which will include a we-swing allowing someone in a wheelchair to swing with another person. Families and individuals can apply for the City of Nanaimo Leisure Economic Access Pass (LEAP) program, supporting those in financial need to access Parks, Recreation and Culture programs and services.

The City's Complete Street Guidelines are being incorporated into projects such as Metral Drive to ensure comfortable and effective mobility for people of all ages and abilities. So all people can move about the community safely, 10 touch-free sensors at crosswalks have been installed. These Guardian Wave buttons have a constant direction locator tone and programmable voice function. Curb ramps and the bumpy yellow motion detecting pads, called tactile warning surface indicators, have been installed at five crossings so far. Many of the improvements are incorporated from the BC Community Road Safety Toolkit working towards a Vision Zero - zero traffic fatalities and zero serious injuries. The City also supports the use of a range of technologies to facilitate effective community engagement and remove barriers to participation for those with diverse-abilities.

From May 30 - June 4, 2022 Canada will celebrate the sixth annual National AccessAbility Week (NAAW). Over the week on social media the City will highlight some of the contributions helping make Nanaimo inclusive and accessible. Follow @cityofnanaimo on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

Link to Strategic Plan: To be a community that is livable, environmentally sustainable and full of opportunity for all generations and walks of life.

Links