Several key services in Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Parksville have been closed or cancelled as a result of heavy snow falling on Wednesday, Jan. 15. (Robb McCaghren)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

SNOW DAY

Schools close and services shut down due to heavy snow in Nanaimo

Jan 14, 2020 | 11:32 PM

NANAIMO — Many key services in Nanaimo have closed or shut down for the day as a result of heavy snowfall.

School District 68 closed all schools in Nanaimo and Ladysmith Wednesday morning, with Vancouver Island University and School District 69 in Parksville also following suit.

Private schools including Nanaimo Christian School, Aspengrove and Stzuminus First Nation School are also closed on Wednesday.

City of Nanaimo facilities remain open, however scheduled programs have been cancelled for the day. The City will reassess keeping these facilities open throughout the day.

Both the City and Regional District have postponed garbage collection on Wednesday as well.

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The City of Nanaimo also advising residents to stay home and not travel unless absolutely necessary.

“Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult,” the City said in a release. “Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. If you must travel, keep others informed of your schedule and destination and carry an emergency kit and mobile phone.”

BC Transit continues to operate, however buses are expected to face delays as travel through the City remains difficult. Routes 5, 6, 30, 40 and 99 have been re-routed to accomodate dangerous sections of road.

Boys and girls Clubs for Nanaimo-Ladysmith are closed as well as NACL, Actions Day Program and Life Long Learning Program are closed.

Environment Canada is calling for heavy snow on Wednesday, amounting to 10-15 centimetres in Nanaimo. Winds are also expected to pick up throughout the day.

NanaimoNewsNOW will update this story as more information becomes available.

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