This week, get ready for fall registration and REIMAGINE NANAIMO talks parks, recreation and culture. Read on for more!
City Service Updates
We have created a COVID-19 Recovery Plan to provide a path forward for resumption of City operations in a safe and economically viable way. The plan outlines four steps that the City will take toward a gradual, safe and measured reopening of municipal facilities and resumption of City services and programs that have been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Corporate Services - We look forward to opening the doors to our Service and Resource Centre, and other facilities, soon (scroll down to learn more about our recreation centre and arena re-openings!). In the meantime, please check out our Online Services page to see how we can help you.
Public Works - City staff continue regular garbage, recycling and organics collection. More information on recyclables can be found at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/recycle.
Parks, Recreation & Culture Open - Playgrounds, parks, trails, skateboard parks, bike parks, pickle ball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, lacrosse boxes, sports fields and dog parks are open with a number of guidelines to follow. Beban Social Centre is available for facility rentals. One sheet of ice at Cliff McNabb Arena is open for rentals and summer programs.
Parks, Recreation & Culture Almost Open - Our recreation centres are getting ready to welcome you back!
- Recreation programs will begin on Wednesday, September 9 at Beban Social Centre.
- Bowen Park Complex and Oliver Woods Community Centre will open on Wednesday, September 9 for rentals and recreation programs.
- Nanaimo Aquatic Centre (NAC) will open on Thursday, September 10 for both the pool and the fitness gym.
- One sheet of ice will be added to Nanaimo Ice Centre on September 1 (if demand dictates)
Parks, Recreation & Culture Closed - Beban Pool remains closed. Frank Crane Arena remains closed, however one sheet of ice will open if demand dictates.
REIMAGINE NANAIMO
This week, REIMAGINE NANAIMO explores the topic of the future of Parks Recreation and Culture in Nanaimo.
Did you know? You can participate in this important project by registering at Get Involved Nanaimo. Make sure to subscribe to the REIMAGINE NANAIMO project to stay in the know on new topics, contests and other activities through email updates.
Creative Contest
It’s time to get creative while we REIMAGINE NANAIMO! The Creative Community Contest invites everyone to express your vision for Nanaimo’s future in your choice of visual media.
This week’s challenge is all about the future of parks, recreation and culture in Nanaimo. Share your ideas for improving Naniamo's parks, recreation and cultural opportunities!
Enter by posting your response on the Get Involved - REIMAGINE NANAIMO page or emailing it to reimagine@nanaimo.ca. At the end of the contest all entries will be entered into a prize draw to win a $500 gift card to your choice of ONE of: a local electronics store OR a local bike shop OR a local grocery store. Visit the Get Involved - REIMAGINE NANAIMO page for details.
Pop Up Tents
Hey Nanaimo! REIMAGINE NANAIMO will be popping up into a park near you! Over the next 5 weeks, we’ll be in parks throughout the City to share what’s happening and get your ideas. We are going to have lots of sidewalk chalk!
Watch for us in Maffeo Sutton Park, McGregor Park, Departure Bay, Westwood Lake, Loudon Park, Colliery Dam, Diana Krall Plaza, Hardwood Centennial, Piper's Lagoon, Neck Point, the E&N Trail, and Island Roots Market.
Bring your ideas or add them online at any time on the Get Involved - REIMAGINE NANAIMO page
Calling for Community Representatives!
Do you care deeply about the future of Nanaimo? Consider becoming a REIMAGINE NANAIMO Community Representative!
Hearing from all those in our community is so important, yet it can be challenging. To help spread the word, we’re seeking organizations and individuals interested in volunteering as Community Representatives.
Over the coming months, we’ll work with Community Representatives to involve you and your network in the engagement, including options like City-led focus meetings, participation at one of your meetings, or provision of materials to support self-guided discussions. How and how much you can participate will be up to you.
Visit the Get Involved - REIMAGINE NANAIMO page. Contact us at reimagine@nanaimo.ca or by telephone at 250.755.4464 to learn more. Let us know if you’re interested in being a Community Representative! We’re excited to hear from you!
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Hub City Walls
Downtown Nanaimo is a bit brighter and more colourful with three new murals popping up from the Hub City Walls project. This is the first year for the project, which was designed by a local non-profit, Humanity in Community, to promote Nanaimo as a cultural hub, support local artists, foster community pride and rehabilitate urban spaces. The City of Nanaimo awarded funding for the Hub City Walls project through its Downtown Event Revitalization Fund and has partnered to offer up three City-owned concrete walls for painting by local muralists. Look for them at:
- 151 Front Street - Mural by artist Kara Dee Harrison
- 95 Cavan Street - Mural by artist Russell Morland
- 119 Skinner Street - Mural by artist Austin Weflen
Get Ready for Fall Recreation!
City Parks, Recreation and Culture crews are getting ready to launch fall program registration! Beginning August 26, you can register online through recreation.nanaimo.ca (accounts should be set up in advance of registration date), by telephone at 250-756-5200 or in-person at the Frank Crane Arena ticket office in Beban Park. That office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Due to limited in-person registration options, we encourage you to register online or by phone.
In Our Parks
There is still summer fun to be had in Nanaimo's parks! Check it out.
- Our popular Playground Program has been extended until August 29. Kids 5-12 can join our team leaders for fun activities.
- The Water Safety Education Team will be at Colliery Dam, Neck Point, Piper's Lagoon and Deverill Square this week, be sure to check the schedule!
- StoryWalk "Little Boo" is at Harewood Centennial Park until August 19.
Will Your Commute Be Affected?
Here are a few projects that may affect your commute:
- Expect delays and traffic pattern changes on Bowen Road around the Kenworth Road and Labieux Road intersection while crews work on utility and corridor upgrades. Most work will be done at night from 7 am to 7 pm to accommodate daytime commutes.
- Also on Bowen, traffic will be reduced to single lane near Buttertubs Drive from August 4 to August 18 as crews work on the bus bays. Temporary Bus Stops will be in place at the far end of each location.
- Over on Bruce Avenue, expect delays between Deering Street and Weber Street this week as crews complete work there.
- Shores Drive will be closed to vehicle traffic from August 10 to 31. Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained at all times.
Council and Committees
Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings
Council is taking a break from meetings for a few weeks. Their meetings and committee meetings will resume the week of August 31. Visit the Meetings, Documents and Videos page on the City website to view upcoming meetings, agendas and past meeting videos.
Council in Action
Missed what decisions Council made during a Special Council Meeting or a Regular Council Meeting? Don’t worry. We have you covered! Check out our Council Meeting Summary page for quick overviews.
City News
Here is a recap of last week's City news: