Country Club Utility and Mobility Upgrades
Round2 Community Engagement Now Underway
Click the comment form link below to review the concept plan for the transit exchange and surface upgrades in the Country Club area. Please provide your feedback by April 17 2026.
Project Overview
The City of Nanaimo is preparing to replace aging underground water and sewer mains along Norwell Drive between 107th Street and the Island Highway (South). While this required excavation takes place, the City will construct surface improvements including an upgraded transit exchange and safer streetscapes. The Country Club Utility and Mobility Upgrades project leverages this necessary underground construction to improve the area for those who walk roll take transit or drive.
We are in the second round of the planning and design process with construction scheduled for 2027.
What We Learned Summary Round 1
What We Learned Summary Round 1
During the first round of community engagement we received input regarding issues and opportunities to create a safer transit exchange with better access to Country Club Centre Mall. Common themes are summarized below. Please refer to the Round 1 Community Engagement Summary for more details.
Transit Exchange Location
Using community input from Round 1 along with technical analysis and information from project partners we explored options for locating an upgraded transit exchange. This work resulted in a recommendation to build the upgraded exchange along Norwell Drive.
Concept Plan
The draft concept plan illustrates the proposed improvements to the transit exchange and surrounding streets. This is a preliminary plan and we want your feedback before refining the design.
Please review the concept plan below and complete the online comment form to provide your feedback.
To review the design closely click here to download a PDF of the plan.
Next Steps
Your input will help refine the plan for the transit exchange and surface upgrades. Stay tuned for a Round 2 Engagement Summary and announcements regarding next steps in the process.
If you have questions about the project please email countryclubmobility@nanaimo.ca.
- Progress
Project Update Spring 2026
The City of Nanaimo is currently in the design phase for the Country Club Utility and Mobility Upgrades. Our consultant is on the ground gathering topographic survey, geotechnical and environmental data.We have officially launched Round 2 of community engagement. Using the feedback gathered during our first round, our team has developed a draft concept plan for the upgraded transit exchange and surrounding streetscape.We want to hear from you before we finalize the design. Please review the proposed concept and complete our online comment form before April 17 2026. Your input will help guide the final blueprints before construction begins next year. - Documents
- Details
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Purpose of this Project?
The primary driver of the Country Club Utility and Mobility Upgrades project is the necessary replacement of aging underground water and sanitary sewer mains along Norwell Drive. Since this required excavation will significantly disrupt the corridor, the City is taking the opportunity to rebuild the surface and improve above ground infrastructure at the same time.
Guided by past public input, the City Plan – Nanaimo Reimagined and RDN’s Transit Redevelopment Strategy, we are coordinating these utility works with active transportation and transit upgrades. Key outcomes include replacing the underground WM and SAN infrastructure, constructing an upgraded transit exchange, and building complete streets improvements to make Norwell Drive safer for walking, cycling, rolling, and driving.What’s a mobility hub?
Good question! A mobility hub is a concentrated area of activity with transportation options and connections, employment, recreation, housing, and shopping. These areas are sustainable since they reduce the need for driving long distances. The Country Club Area is identified as a key urban centre in City Plan – Nanaimo Reimagined, recommending safe and accessible walking, rolling, cycling, and transit connections.What’s a Transit-Oriented Area (TOA)?
A Transit Oriented Area (TOA) is an area within proximity to a transit exchange or rapid-transit station. TOA’s are intended to be concentrated, vibrant areas around key transit services, featuring mixed-use development, commercial/retail options, and community services all within reach by walking, cycling, or rolling. The goal is to encourage sustainable active transportation options and limit greenhouse gas emissions resulting from single-use occupancy of vehicles.Why are TOA's Important?
The Province of British Columbia supports local governments in planning vibrant, livable, and sustainable communities within walking distance from frequent transit services – these are called transit-oriented areas, or TOAs. In 2023, the Province of British Columbia released the TOA manual for local governments to consider when implementing requirements of the new Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act, 2023 (Bill 47). In Nanaimo, three transit exchanges are subject to the TOA regulations including Country Club, Woodgrove, and Vancouver Island University (VIU). Learn more about Transit-Oriented Areas in Nanaimo and the City’s Transit-Oriented Areas Designation Bylaw 2024 No. 7382 that outlines the lots that are subject to the new regulations.
What is a Complete Street?
Complete Streets for Canada defines a complete street as a street that is safe for all users, regardless of age, ability, income, race, ethnicity, or mode of travel. The City of Nanaimo recently developed Complete Streets Design Guidelines to aid developers and City staff to design and construct livable and accessible streets.
- Background
Project Background
The Country Club Utility and Mobility Upgrades project addresses several overlapping infrastructure needs. The poor condition of the asphalt on Norwell Drive, traffic signal equipment reaching the end of its useful life at Departure Bay Road, and the requirement to replace aging water and sewer mains presented an opportunity to consolidate these works into a single project.The project area consists of commercial, multifamily, and single family residential zones anchored by Country Club Centre. The land fronting Norwell Drive between Bowen Road and Ross Road is zoned COR3 and features active businesses. Single family R1 neighbourhoods border the site, while the southern boundary meets Highway 19A under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. For more information on Zoning see the City of Nanaimo's Zoning Bylaw page.Existing active transportation infrastructure in the area does not meet the City of Nanaimo complete street guidelines and requires upgrading to better accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. The Nanaimo City Plan designates the Country Club area as a Secondary Urban Centre and envisions the corridor as a mobility hub prioritizing safe and accessible walking, rolling, cycling, and transit connections.To support this vision, the RDN 2022 Transit Redevelopment Strategy outlines priorities for improving regional transit services. The TRS identifies the upgraded Country Club exchange as a convergence point for future primary routes including the 1 Nanaimo Rapid Line, the 2 VIU Line, and the 3 Nanaimo Hospital route.
Give feedback on accessibility. Submit your feedback through our online accessibility feedback form. Help us understand barriers people face when accessing City services.
You can attach files to help explain the barrier you faced in the form, like: a video, voice recording or photos. If American Sign Language (ASL) is the best way for you to communicate, upload a video of yourself using ASL into the form.
Please include: what you were trying to access, where the barrier happened, what the barrier was and any recommendations you might have.
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