The City of Nanaimo has purchased two properties on Victoria Ave. on Long Lake, with the plan to eventually expand the area as part of the Loudon Park Improvement Project. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

park growth

City purchases two lots to expand Nanaimo’s Loudon Park

Oct 1, 2025 | 2:42 PM

NANAIMO — A historic park in the city is expanding.

Through a combined purchase price of nearly $2.2 million, the City of Nanaimo has bought a pair of properties, 4288 and 4246 Victoria Ave., with the view of expanding Loudon Park on the southwestern side of Long Lake.

Mayor Leonard Krog said at the park on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the purchases will enable a lot more options for the City in transforming the area to be one fit for purpose for the entire community.

“To actually improve this park in a way that will make it a wonderful place for the neighbourhood, but also for the people who need and want to continue to exercise their skills, to train, to build spirit, community and pride on the lake behind us.”

The two properties closest to Loudon Park on Victoria Ave. are now under City ownership, and are poised to expand the park itself over the coming years. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Money for both purchases came from the City’s Property Acquisition and Property Sales funds.

The purchase expands Loudon Park from its current 1.72 acres to 2.21 acres and will likely include a rededication of the roadway at the end of Victoria Ave.

Krog said the park has been subject to much debate for the better part of two decades, finally coming to a head this past spring when City Council approved an $11 million upgrade to the park, in the form of a new, large multi-use building and boat storage area for local user groups.

This direction came in opposition to a staff recommendation for a smaller facility at around half the cost.

Community groups took action, staging a rally at the park specifically objecting to the planned removal of nearly 30 mature trees from the park.

Council changed course a few weeks later and ultimately sent the issue back to staff to find a happy medium regarding use of the park from different community groups.

City councillors and members of staff toured one of the properties on Wednesday, which will eventually become part of a redesigned Loudon Park. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Krog said Wednesday they want the park to work for all user groups, and the wider community, by creating something more than a rundown washroom and storage building from the late 1960s.

“Just imagine you’re a 14-year-old out here training in January, and that’s the facility you get to go and work out in. That’s the facility for the expensive boats, kayaks, etc. Not a very effective, comfortable or appropriate facility for the people who come here or the necessary accoutrements they need in order to maintain their skills, build their skills, build community and enjoy this park.”

The City is scheduled to meet with various user groups on Thursday, Oct. 2, to begin discussing next steps for the park.

Deputy director of parks and natural areas Charlotte Davis told NanaimoNewsNOW feedback from the meeting, along with everything they’ve already heard, will help realize Loudon Park’s potential.

“The next steps are actually to work through a number of options with Council, to decide upon an option that is best for the whole community for this site. We’re looking at things from a land use perspective at the moment and all of the different ways the park can be used and improved.”

She added they’re looking for a final vision which will provide the necessary infrastructure, without impacting the trees already existing in the space.

A map showing the approximate area purchased by the City of Nanaimo (red) and space for an eventual road rededication (blue). Lines are for illustrative purposes only. (Google Maps/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A final vision for the park is yet to be decided, however it will likely include considerable storage space for boats and other equipment for Long Lake user groups, including rowing and canoe/kayak clubs. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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