Category Archives: Nanaimo
Proposed Departure Bay rezoning sent back for density guarantees
NANAIMO - A proposal to rezone a Departure Bay Rd. property requires refinements before proceeding any further, Nanaimo City Council decided. A 7-1 vote referred the application for 2565 Departure Bay...
Apr 14, 2026 Concept designs for a Departure Bay Rd. property call for row houses to be built on a large lot, however nearby residents say the proposal is too big for the neighbourhood. (Image Credit: Joyce Reid Troost Architecture)
'One part science, one part art:' lineup locked for Nanaimo short film festival
NANAIMO - A record number of short film submissions have been whittled down to a final 18 to be screened this week at VIU's Malaspina Theatre. The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival returns to Nanai...
Apr 14, 2026 Eighteen different films across two nights will be shown at Malaspina Theatre in Nanaimo, part of the 21st annual Vancouver Island Short Film Festival. (Image Credit: Vancouver Island Short Film Festival)
Destructive Nanaimo River Estuary excursion leads to fines for young men
NANAIMO - Two offenders pleaded guilty to an illegal and damaging Nanaimo River Estuary off-roading venture leading to an estimated $151,000 in damages. Liam Aiden Ashton Sage, 20, and Brandt David Ol...
Apr 13, 2026 These two stuck Nissan Pathfinders had to be towed from Nanaimo River Estuary following an illegal late May 2024 off-roading trip. (Image Credit: Nanaimo RCMP)
Revamped Lantzville park re-opens
LANTZVILLE - Closed for a month to make way for construction crews, a primary public gathering space in Lantzville has re-opened. Huddlestone Park on Lantzville Rd. located on the edge of Lantzville's...
Apr 13, 2026 An overhauled Huddlestone Park is now a more accessible play space, including a new zip-line bucket ride feature. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Sea lion resuced from Qualicum Beach dies from bird shot-related injuries
QUALICUM BEACH - An adult male sea lion found injured in waters in Oceanside has died of his injuries. Staff from the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society, with support from Fisheries and O...
Apr 13, 2026 Colonel, an adult male sea lion rescued near Qualicum Beach over Easter, died of his injuries on the weekend. Scans of Colonel revealed birdshot in his head and chest. (Image Credit: Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society)
'These are very small non-conformances:' RDN responds to Duke Point sewage advisory notice
NANAIMO - Local wastewater officials contend a recent B.C. government advisory notice is merely a snapshot of an otherwise high performing sewage treatment service. The Ministry of Environment and Cli...
Apr 13, 2026 RDN wastewater officials contextualized a recent non-compliance advisory letter involving a small facility at the Duke Point industrial strip. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'We cannot afford to lose this space:' Town not renewing lease for Qualicum Commons
QUALICUM BEACH - An Oceanside family programming facility is closing its doors at the end of June, much to the dismay of some community members. Last year, the Town of Qualicum Beach and the Qualicum ...
Apr 12, 2026 The Town of Qualicum Beach has decided not to renew the lease for the Qualicum Commons when it expires on June 30, with community members trying to keep it open for the foreseeable future. (Image Credit: Town of Qualicum Beach)
Finishing touches being applied ahead of milestone Cedar Market season
NANAIMO - From humble beginnings, the Cedar Farmers Market has grown into one of the destination events of its kind on Vancouver Island. The event will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, opening ...
Apr 12, 2026 Tens of thousands of people attend the Cedar Farmers Market annually, creating a massive draw for the rural Nanaimo area and local businesses as well. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Nearly 200 Nanaimo-Ladysmith kids referred to eye professionals via Lions screening
NANAIMO - Local volunteers through the area's Lions Clubs are helping a large number of kids see a little clearer. Between November 2025 and mid-March 2026, Nanaimo, Hub City, and Ladysmith Lions Club...
Apr 11, 2026 A specialized eye scanner, similar to the one pictured here, is used to help detect eye health issues in children. Nanaimo and area Lions Club members helped refer nearly 200 kids during this year's screening. (Image Credit: School Health)
RDN's Golden Shoe Hunt withstands the test of time
NANAIMO - It's been tweaked over the years, but Regional District of Nanaimo parks staff aren't willing to move on from a popular annual tradition. The RDN launched its 20th annual installment of the ...
Apr 11, 2026 Week two of the annual Golden Shoe Hunt is underway. (Image Credit: Regional District of Nanaimo)