The gate was reopened and vehicles began filing down the hill into the newly surfaced lot at popular Neck Point Park on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 14 following an extended closure. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

enhanced parking

Parking lot paving complete at Neck Point Park & Serauxmen Stadium

Nov 14, 2025 | 4:28 PM

NANAIMO — Vehicular access is once again unrestricted at north Nanaimo’s Neck Point Park following paving work to vastly upgrade the parking lot and improve pedestrian safety.

Charlotte Davis, the City’s deputy director of parks and natural areas, said the barricades officially came down on Friday, Nov. 14 following the six-week project.

“This parking lot used to take a lot of regular maintenance from the parks team…It’s a heavily used area and potholes were a problem,” Davis told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Davis said marked pedestrian crossings were included in the project, which is budgeted at nearly $290,000.

Defined stalls will ensure parking stays consistent, with drivers becoming increasingly creative to find a parking spot in recent years. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Thirty-seven standard parking stalls are now in place, as well as four marked spaces for those with mobility challenges.

“This was probably the number one project I heard about from the public. I’m glad to say we’ve completed that work now,” Davis said.

The initiative complements washroom facilities adjacent to the parking lot, which were added early in 2023.

Originally scheduled by the City’s contractor to be completed by the end of October, barricades had prevented vehicles from entering the parking lot between late September and mid November.

In cases where space is at a premium, parking is permitted at nearby Ecole Hammond Bay during non school hours.

Contractors dealt with constant rain while attempting to lay asphalt at the new parking area at Neck Point Park. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Serauxmen Stadium parking improvement
A well-used parking lot prone to regular regrading due to constant potholes, a significant project to pave the expansive parking area behind Serauxmen Stadium’s centre and left field fences is also complete.

Davis said the 129-stall parking lot, including five accessible spaces, represents another significant step forward in improving the Stadium District.

“We’re capable of running several ticketed events all at once, which is really great. It’s a fantastic, vibrant space. We needed this caliber of parking lot to go with it,” Davis said.

View of the newly paved Serauxmen Stadium parking lot looking toward Nanaimo Ice Centre (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The newly resurfaced parking lot formally opened on Friday, Nov. 7.

Davis said the new parking lot improves prior uncontrolled vehicular flow, while also significantly enhancing pedestrian safety.

“We’re always putting our pedestrians first when we’re designing our parking lots,” Davis said, who noted the revamped lot includes multiple raised crosswalks.

Perimeter fencing and storm water management basins are included, Davis said.

She noted the Serauxmen Stadium paving project was funded through a $1 million dollar provincial grant under the Destination Development Fund, which covered several improvements to the City’s Stadium District, including newly bleachers currently being installed at neighbouring Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium.

Expanded raised crosswalks controls vehicular speeds, improving safety for pedestrians. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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