VIEx intends to replace its two condemned animal barns with a new agricultural building to breathe new life into the fairgrounds. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

New building push

VIEx campaigning for new agricultural building in Nanaimo

Feb 13, 2025 | 4:22 PM

NANAIMO — It doesn’t take a leading architect to conclude new life could be breathed into Vancouver Island Exhibition (VIEx) infrastructure at Beban Park Fairgrounds in Nanaimo.

Michelle Solloway, marketing director for the annual agricultural fair, said their board of directors are working on plans for a new agricultural building to serve as a centerpiece for their operations.

“We lost one barn to a fire, we’ve had a lot of break-ins. They’ve lived their lives, they’ve been here for a long time, they have over the years fallen apart and its just time to start fresh and start over in a lot of ways for us.”

Solloway said their two remaining animal barns used for storage aren’t suitable for anything other than their current purpose and need to eventually be torn down.

A driver accidentally rammed into a storage barn at the VIEx property last September. The remnants of the condemned structure were removed this week. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

bright idea

Temporary art pays tribute to Nanaimo's lost Chinatowns

4h ago

reduced delays

'A dramatic difference:' minimum altitude change at Nanaimo Airport improving landing reliability

7h ago

budget approved

Despite concerns, Regional District of Nanaimo board approves budget

14h ago

On Wednesday, Feb. 12 Solloway said crews removed a damaged storage barn hit by a driver in an accident two days prior to last year’s fair.

A small barn facing Cliff McNabb Arena is up to code and will remain, she noted.

Solloway said they are working with the City of Nanaimo to determine how their hopes for a new agricultural building fits into the City’s broader park plans.

VIEx, which has been an annual fixture at Beban Park since the early 1950’s, leases its property from the City.

Solloway said it’s unclear at this point how large an agricultural building, where it will be located and potentially when it could be built.

VIEx envisions a facility serving as a community hub for year-round agricultural, farm to table type programing.

“…really furthering our agricultural education portion and getting people hands-on with that kind of stuff outside of fair time,” she said.

A formal fundraising campaign will be assembled, while Solloway said they’ll welcome contractors, suppliers and volunteers to assist with their goal.

VIEx had considered moving the fair out of Nanaimo, however Solloway said they are firmly committed to a long future at their accessible, central Nanaimo site.

“We don’t really want to go anywhere,” Solloway said.

VIEx moved adjusted its fair from a late August to late September event last year.

The 131st running of the VIEx takes place between Sept. 19, 20 and 21 this year.

This small barn represents the only suitable remaining structure at the VIEx grounds at Beban Park. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook