Sign In Subscribe Now The Parksville Civic and Technology Centre will be closed to the public on May 7 due to a planned power outage by BC Hydro The outage will affect the City of Parksville Qualicum School District and the Vancouver Island Regional Library "BC Hydro has scheduled a system upgrade from 7 a.m which is outside the city’s control," the release said. "We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause for our residents." The city’s operations facility at 1116 Herring Gull Way will not be affected by the power outage and staff will be available to respond to resident inquiries of an urgent nature; however the city encourages residents to avoid May 7 to conduct their business with the city On May 7, the operations department can be reached at 250-248-5412 and ops@parksville.ca. After hours emergency contact is 250-248-6144 About the Author: Parksville Qualicum Beach News Staff Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines PQB News reader Tony Markle shares this terrific shot "This cute little mink was hunting bullfrogs around a Parksville pond." If you have a photo you'd like to share online or in print email a high-resolution copy to editor@pqbnews.com Folk singer John Gogo's latest show celebrates the history of the mid-Island industry through the perspectives of his father Coal and Wood is a mix of songs and storytelling based on the experiences of his Nanaimo pioneer family that dates back four generations The one-man show will be hosted at the McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville on May 17 “I’m interested in historical stuff,” Gogo said. “I’ve just always been drawn towards telling stories and doing it through songs.” Coal and Wood involves Gogo speaking through the personas of his father and relevant props such as axes and chainsaws that has relatives used on the job in decades past Gogo has been interested in folk music his whole life and this show's inspiration dates back to a folk album of the same name released in 1990 “I found this photo in my dad’s photo album of him sitting in this 1940s truck Twenty-five years later he released Coal and Wood Revisited. When he thought about putting the songs in chronological order starting with his two coal mining great grandfathers He wrote it in 2018 and performed the show about a dozen times in 2019 and early 2020 Gogo enjoys performance and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a musician and his father was a singer “Ever since I can remember I’ve been in front of audiences so pretty natural and I don’t get nervous about it," he said "When I was a kid my mom was the director of music at St Peter’s Church in Nanaimo and this was in the Sixties when there was a sort of folk music boom so my mom started having folk mass at church and she would get me out there with my guitar so I’ve always kind of had a soft spot for folk songs.” His show at the MAC will be the third and last in a short series Gogo will start with a show at the Beacon House community hall on Protection Island followed by a performance at Intrepid Studio in Victoria Gogo recently released a new album called Western Balladeer which includes a single called "The Morning After" The song is based off a poem written around the year 1900 which was gifted to Gogo by a friend whose father had it in his possession for 70 years “I came up with a tune for it pretty quick and realized that the title the 'Morning After' was never actually spoken in the song and I thought it could use a chorus so I wrote little chorus to incorporate the title,” he said. “It’s somebody who’s extremely hung over and a now obvious problem with drinking.” The songs from Western Balladeer are not part of the Coal and Wood show but if there is enough time he might play one or two Tickets are $32 and are available from the MAC, both online and at the box office A business has reported losing $162,000 in a digital SIM card swap fraud as scams continue to impact the Parksville Qualicum Beach area was reported on March 31 and appears to be a sophisticated account hacking where the victim did not engage or initiate in any activity with any fraudsters "The good news is the victim’s bank is involved and there may be some possibility of funds being recovered," Worth said in a statement to the PQB News a resident reported losing $130,000 in a cryptocurrency scam after investing online with a firm with an alleged celebrity endorsement RCMP said this case involved a person initially investing a small amount of money in cryptocurrency based on an advertisement the returns were good and they invested more money "When the person attempted to withdraw funds there were demands for fees commissions and taxes and it was then that they realized they were being scammed and their account was no longer visible," Worth said a resident reported losing $40,000 over three years after responding to a phone call to participate in a cryptocurrency investment This person told police they were contacted by telephone by an unknown male who told them they had a large amount of unclaimed cryptocurrency and offered to help the resident followed all of the instructions provided by the man who guided them in sending various amounts of money through different online banking institutions The resident’s banks recognized they were being scammed and locked their accounts and this is when the resident reported the fraud to police.  "If anyone ever receives an unsolicited phone call or email offering an investment opportunity immediately hang up or delete the email. It is a scam," Worth said.  RCMP warn residents to not engage with the caller or the person sending the email and do not click on any link received in an email that originates from an unknown sender "These links are often sent under a ruse that there is an issue with your computer and clicking on the link can provide the scammer remote access "These scams and frauds are very complex to investigate and it is next to impossible to recover any of the victims’ lost money ask friends and family for advice or recommendations and always use a reputable financial advisor and receive top headlines in your inbox Monday to Saturday Inclusion Parksville will benefit from a $37,000 donation by the 100-Plus Women Who Care Oceanside group The group presented the cheque to Jeannie Maltesen board chair of Inclusion Parksville on April 29 the 100 Women Oceanside group has donated more than $800,000 to charities in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area The members meet four times a year to nominate and vote on worthy charities Each member writes a cheque to the charity for $100 100-plus Women Who Care Oceanside continues to grow its membership and now has 370 members according to Debbe Patterson of 100 Women Oceanside They are always accepting new members and information on signing up is available online at https://www.100womenoceanside.com/join There is a plan to develop an evacuation route that will involve the Regional District of Nanaimo City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach All three would collaborate on establishing an evacuation route plan for Electoral Area G (Englishman River “There are several unique challenges when moving residents and animals to an area of safety during an emergency particularly within an area that has both geographical and transportation route challenges," said Area G director Lehann Wallace "By developing a plan that identifies efficient and safe evacuation routes we can help residents be better prepared to respond to an emergency evacuation.” Identifying local knowledge of hazards and potential evacuation barriers is vital to effective route planning impacted and affected residents and groups are invited to provide their input through a survey until May 31 The feedback gathered will be used to help create a practical and effective evacuation plan Wildfires are one of the highest-ranking hazards faced by the region it is critical to develop an operational evacuation route plan especially considering recent and potential seasonal drought continuously warming climate and the many single road access communities that exist within the project area.  The planning process will consider many factors transportation resources and traffic management Other considerations include evacuation route availability and capacity response and evacuation times and time of year A Community Emergency Preparedness grant of $88,500 from the Government of British Columbia is fully funding this evacuation route planning project The funding enables the project partners to identify strategies and alternate evacuation methods for a coordinated multi-agency evacuation response Residents can also learn more and provide feedback at in-person pop-up community engagement sessions in May. Visit the evacuation project page for a list of events the project team will be attending An independent and locally owned pharmacy is set to open in the heart of Parksville Mid-Island Pharmacy is  putting the final touches to its operations and aims to offer personalized care and specialized services tailored to the community's unique needs. Located near the Parksville downtown area at 7-162 Harrison Ave. a seasoned pharmacist with 19 years of experience in the city.  I wanted to do pharmacy-related work that would enable me to interact more closely with my clients and build a relationship with them towards their health management or their journey to recovery," said Loberiza Loberiza said their mission is about providing compassionate and comprehensive care especially to those struggling with substance addiction "We truly believe in the power of personalized care and building trust with our clients," said Loberiza "Our aim is to be a supportive partner in your recovery journey and help you achieve your health and wellness goals." Some of the specialized services they are set offer include: ● Substance Addiction Recovery Support: Tailored support and resources for patients struggling with substance addiction Loberiza said the team is dedicated to helping people navigate their recovery journey with compassion and expertise ● Medication Prescribing for Minor Ailments: Pharmacists are authorized to prescribe medications for minor ailments (e.g etc.) providing a convenient and accessible option for treatment ● Prescription Filling: Efficient and accurate prescription filling and refilling services to ensure you receive your medications promptly and correctly ● Vaccinations: Offering a variety of immunizations (e.g etc.) to protect our community from preventable diseases ● Blister Packing: Enhance medication adherence and convenience with blister packing services that organize medications into easy-to-use packaging ● Medication Reviews: Pharmacists review your medications to ensure you are receiving the best care possible email info@midislandpharmacy.com or phone 250-757-0779 Parksville and District Rock and Gem Club:  General meeting, 7 p.m. at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St.  Speaker: Dove  Katz, field trip co-ordinator, will discuss various approaches to “Rockhounding”. Info: http://pdrockandgem.org/ or by email at pdrockandgem24@shaw.ca.   Craig Bay Choristers: Invite you to their Spring Concert at Knox United Church Enjoy a bit of nostalgia with “As Time Goes By” a bit of Canadian folk with “This Land is What I Am” and “We Are One” with its message of unity Directed by Lonnie Moddle and accompanied by Ron Klusmeier and the Craig Bay musicians Special guests: Oceanside A Cappella directed by Rosemary Lindsay free) available from Fireside Books (cash only please) in Parksville or by advance request to cbchoirconcerts@gmail.com Oceanside Chess Club: 2025 Spring Rapid chess tournament The time control will be 20+5 and the event starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m For information and to register, visit oceansidechess.org A Cappella Plus:  Concert: 'Our Favourite Sings!'; St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 138 Hoylake Rd., Qualicum Beach. Tickets: adults - $25, students - $12.50, children under 12 no charge. Available online at www.acappellaplus.ca or at the door North of 49: It's a great time to be Canadian. Join Doug Cox and Mick Sherlock for this celebration of great Canadian songwriters Tickets $35: https://erringtonhall.tickit.ca/, The Errington Store Doors at 7:30 p.m. show at 8 p.m. at Errington Hall Informal drop-in French conversation: 2 p.m to 3:30 p.m. in the meeting room on the second floor of the Parksville Quality Foods store; left at the top of the stairs Qualicum Beach Garden Club: Hosting David James from Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers speaking on the topic of Water Management & Salmon Lifecycle Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society: General meeting, 7:30 p.m., Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St.  Speaker: Glen Jamieson will discuss the issue of 'Invasive Species'. More info: www.marsrhodos.ca.   $10; West Coast Swing lesson and music by Walt; A variety of music to dance to  Bring your water bottle and dance shoes Rotary Club of Parksville: New members welcome Club meets at the Parksville Community Centre every second and fourth Wednesday from 5:30 p.m with funds raised going back into the community Info: www.parksvillerotary.ca.   Royal Canadian Legion Qualicum Beach Branch 76: Open 1 p.m and Drop-in pool 1 p.m.; Darts - League Tuesdays - 6:30 p.m. Meat Draws - Friday & Saturday from 4-6 p.m Monthly Birthday Celebration: second Wednesday of the month cake served; Duplicate Bridge - Monday and Friday in the hall.  Wings & Singo: Mondays - Food 5-7 p.m. Music 5:30 7:30 p.m. Pancake Breakfast: Saturday Upcoming Events: May 10: Diva Show with Bonnie Kilroe Royal Canadian Legion Bowser – Branch 211: Winter hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays Wednesdays: Ladies Pool and Cribbage - 4 p.m and Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. Snooker - Sundays at 2 p.m. Live Music Jams Info: 250-757-9222; www.rcl211.org; rcl211@shaw.ca guests and prospective members always welcome.  Branch 49 Parksville: A community-based service organization offering social and recreation activities plus weekly lunch and dinner specials Guests welcomed to drop in and see what we’re about Wednesday: 9-ball mixed singles Pool –1 p.m. Friday: 10 Card Crib – 1 p.m.; Friday dinners 4:30-6:30 p.m Saturday: 8-ball mixed doubles Pool-11 a.m. Office: 250-248-5633 between 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m Qualicum Beach Farmers Market: A vibrant hub of local commerce and community connection creating a lively atmosphere that’s enjoyable for all ages.   Oceanside Breast Cancer Support Group: Have you received this devastating diagnosis?  We can help As breast cancer doesn’t take a break neither do we We meet on the first Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of The Gardens in Qualicum Beach Oceanside Mixed Badminton Doubles Group: New members welcome; play twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Coombs at Arrowsmith Hall. Cost to play is $8 per person per session. Info: Sandi at cambren1@telus.net.  Qualicum Run Club: New outdoor fitness club for slow pace women - friends structured beginner fitness program and fun active community for women who ‘hate running!’ We meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-10 a.m. Welcoming women with pace 8:30 min/km and slower (13-20 min/mile) we run 2-3 miles in the hour on mostly urban routes Register at qualicumrunclub.ca.   Oceanside Women’s Business Network: Did you know there’s a women’s dinner and networking group here in Oceanside If you’re a woman in business looking to grow your community and network Reach out to info@owbn.ca for more details Little Qualicum TOPS: Group meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre in the Booth room All attendees weigh-in from 10 to 10:15 followed by a program from 10:15 to 10:55 If you are interested in losing weight and require help Oceanside Photographic Society: General meetings on the first Wednesday of each month in the West Hall of the QB Civic Centre. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and run until 9:15 p.m. and include a coffee break. If you have an interest in the photographic arts and want to socialize with and learn from others that share your passion and interests please join us. Info: oceansidephotographers.ca Arrowsmith Needle Arts Guild: This group of embroiderers meets twice monthly in Parksville Stitchers at all levels are welcome to come and explore all types of stitches Meetings details from Lynda at 250-927-4015 and/or Moyra at 250-248-7108 Parksville Community Centre: Men’s Coffee and Conversation drop-in every Tuesday 10 a.m Women’s Coffee and Conversation drop-in every Friday 10 a.m Community Wagon: Welcoming newcomers every Wednesday from 10 a.m Oceanside Orcas MS Support Group - MS Canada: Is MS new to you or someone you know  Or have you been coping for years and want a space to meet like minded folks to share experiences  Then this might be the group for you We meet on the third Friday of every month  Please contact MS Canada staff to learn more and join Phone: 1-844-859-6789 Email: msnavigators@mscanada.ca Website: https://mscanada.ca/find-support/ms-support-groups/vancouver-island-oceanside-ms-support-group Oceanside Caregivers: Meet the last Thursday of each month (April 24) at 1 p.m Info: 250-752-2104 or caroldowe@gmail.com.    If you're 55 or older and live in Oceanside Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association is for you  Join online at pgosa.org or come to Oceanside Arena some Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m Parksville Lawn Bowling Club: Offering activities to beat the winter blahs from October through March both at 1 p.m. Cost is $3 per person per visit We offer a friendly atmosphere and accessible facilities Save-on-Foods/ Parksville Lions Free Family Skate: Welcome back skaters to Oceanside Place Arena for free family skating on Sundays Sessions from noon to 1:30 p.m. include ice rental loaner helmets and learn-to-skate aids Morning Yoga Flow: Join ACRA's new instructor Tracy for this entry-level yoga flow class every Friday morning from 10 a.m to 11 a.m. at the Meadowood Community Centre Classes through March 21.  Admission by donation Info: www.arrowsmithrecreation.ca/morning-yoga-flow.  Oceanside Stroke Recovery Society: Providing therapy and support to stroke survivors and their caregivers Qualicum Beach Museum: Now open Saturdays from 1-4 p.m 'Learning Saturdays' are great for families with children and include a child-focused activity with a different theme each month.  Info: 250-752-5533 Parksville PROBUS Club: We are a group of retirees enjoying friendship and fun activities for singles couples and especially newcomers in Parksville We are a very friendly bunch and have awesome guest speakers plus a broad range of interesting activities and social events We meet at 9:15 a.m. on the third Monday of most months in the Parksville Community Centre $5 entrance fee covers coffee and light refreshments Info: probusmembershipchair@gmail.com or call Lila 250-816-2708.   Qualicum Beach PROBUS Group: We are an active social group of retired and semi-retired seniors which meets on the first Tuesday each month at 9 a.m We have a variety of interesting and diverse speakers and several special interest groups Check out our activities at www.qbprobus.com NWB PROBUS Club Nanoose Bay: First Friday of each month Meet new friends over coffee and goodies and enjoy interesting speakers Lighthouse Community Hall: 240 Lions Way Qualicum Bay.  Second Sunday of each month a local charity hosts our Open Market (8 a.m For information on table rentals contact Barb: vendors@lighthousehall.ca. Pancake breakfast contact the office: admin@lighthousehall.ca or 778-424-9900 Qualicum Beach and Area Newcomers: Meet the second Tuesday of every month Seated Tai Chi: Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 a.m. and especially students with health and mobility issues students learn movements which help to increase circulation Info: 778-744-0413; midislandtaichi.org Parksville Shores Tai Chi: Every Tuesday and Thursday. Continuing classes. Done Tai Chi before? This is for you, come and join us. 9:30-11:30 a.m. $25 a month or $60 for 3 month. Knox Church 345 Pym St., Parksville. Info: www.parksvilletaichi.com Coronation Street Social Club of Oceanside: Meets September through June on the second Thursday each month at Qualicum Beach Legion (downstairs) 2 p.m to 4 p.m..  If you are looking for a fun social group come and join us for lively talk all that’s required is a sense of humour.  Tea coffee and refreshments will be served. Info: 240-594-1965 Coombs Rodeo Grounds: Pancake Breakfast and Flea Market Open Mic Music Night on the third Friday of each month September through May; 7 p.m.; kids and musicians free Coffee and snacks available. More info: 250-927-2747 Smart Recovery: Meetings are Saturdays at 10 a.m New Women's Only meeting on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Website: https://mscanada.ca/find-support/ms-support- Oceanside Wood Carvers: Meet every Thursday morning 9 a.m at Qualicum Beach Elementary School (699 Claymore Rd.).  Enter from the west end side door to woodworking room on left Info: Bob McInnes at 250-586-8689 or r.j.mcinnes@shaw.ca Parksville Tops 985 Weight Loss Support Group: Meetings: Wednesday at 6:15 p.m Parksville Seniors Drop in Centre 144 Middleton Ave. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly): Qualicum 4754 is a weight-loss non-profit support group Meeting includes a weigh-in and program.  Info: Janice 250-738-6220 Oceanside Chess Club: Meet on Saturdays from 11 a.m No cost to attend; small donations appreciated Arbutus Toastmasters : Provides a safe friendly environment to learn and practise the art of public speaking We meet in person every Monday night (except stats) 7-9 p.m. at our NEW LOCATION: Inclusion Parksville building 249 Hirst Rd For more info please call 250-248-1926 or arbutus.toastmastersclubs.org Qualicum Beach Seniors’ Activities Centre: 703 Memorial Ave. MONDAYS: Knitting in Lounge/crocheting for Manna Overeaters Anonymous: Have you tried to control your eating and nothing has worked?  Join Overeaters Anonymous Tuesdays in Parksville and at QF Foods Parksville Qualicum Beach FamilySearch Centre:  Interested in adding to your family tree or finding out more about your grandparents When you visit the Family Search Centre our volunteers are there to help you Access to nine major family history websites including Ancestry.  The centre is located at 591 Arbutus Rd. Qualicum Beach within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Drop-ins welcome or make an appointment with Liz at 250-586-3575 CFUW PQ: 40th annual book sale donation drop box is located on the side of Save-On-Foods, facing Canadian Tire. We appreciate donations of gently used books and puzzles. For a large donation, please email booksale@cfuwpq.ca Most of the sale’s proceeds are used for scholarships and other projects supporting women in District 69 Oceanside A Cappella: Welcomes women singers of all ages at the Senior Activity Centre in Qualicum Beach Too Hot for Covers: Song Circle every Wednesday Victoria’s Quilts: Making quilts for cancer patients. Meeting every third Tuesday of the month September to June 9:30 a.m. 3ish at Nanoose Place Community Centre 2925 Northwest Bay Rd. New sewers welcome all supplies provided. Info: koolpj43@shaw.ca.  The City of Parksville does not plan to reinstate its liaison with the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness any time soon Council members voted against a motion that requested the appointment of a liaison to the group which works to address homelessness and issues related to homelessness across the region The decision to withdraw from the task force was made during a closed meeting in October 2024 “Since then I have spoken with both [Society of Organized Services executive director] Susanna Newton and [Island Crisis Care Society executive director] Violet Hayes in depth whether they would like us to be back at the table what benefit this would give to the task force," said Coun who brought the motion to council. “They acknowledge that the mistakes were made in the past They are very eager to have a liaison back.” He added the task force has made changes that include work towards a strategic plan "It’s my opinion that it’s important for the City of Parksville to be at that board when those important considerations are made,” Gaur said Appointing council liaisons is a responsibility of the mayor He added the liaison position was eliminated because the member was not "feeling respected" at the task force meetings “This reason did not come lightly to remove a member of council from this liaison position," he added "I would never let any persons in our community disrespect or mistreat our council members Unfortunately it happened numerous times at the task force meetings.” O'Brien added that "certain other members of their committee" publicly berated him at an event to celebrate the anniversary of the Orca Place supportive housing facility noting the task force is "very adamant" about the establishment of a homeless shelter in Parksville “They constantly say we need a homeless shelter in Parksville and that goes exactly against what we want to incur in Parksville," O'Brien said. "Because it's been suggested in municipalities in British Columbia that there should be no homeless shelters actually in any municipality of less than 30,000 people because we simply don’t have the resources to accommodate that." task force co-chairs Hayes and Newton said it was "unfortunate" that some members of council "appear to have significant misinformation about the task force and its members" there were two incidents mentioned during the council meeting that were misstatements," the statement added "One was the personal attack that the mayor said he received by a task force member but neither the person nor the organization were members of the task force." The mayor said that when an overnight winter shelter was hosted at the Parksville Community Centre two winters ago which is operated by Island Crisis Care Society on city-owned land The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness statement also clarified it did not run the 2022 to 2023 winter shelter "It was also disappointing to hear that the council will not consider a shelter a life-preserving necessity for our local unhoused population given that the numbers continue to grow due to unaffordable housing options," the co-chairs' statement said who has previously served as council liaison to the task force pointed out that the group does work such as co-ordinate with the tourism association to manage rent subsidies for workers who would otherwise not be able to afford rent in the area “There’s room for some education as to what exactly the task force and I do realize you understand that but also what it has been working on and what it has been successful in doing over the past period of time,” Beil said Several councillors said the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness can apply to bring an issue to council as a delegation The task force has been going through a strategic planning process "We are moving towards focused action tables with specific goals and have made strong efforts to ensure that all members are respectful of others in meetings," the statement said "We are committed to moving forward in a positive way to ensure that those in our community who are unhoused are given support and options." Gaur's motion to reinstate the task force was defeated with O'Brien The task force was started by the City of Parksville in 2010 and covers an area centred on Parksville and Qualicum Beach and extending from Nanoose Bay to Deep Bay and inland to Whiskey Creek A point-in-time count in spring 2023 found 103 people experiencing homelessness in the region The Fields store is Parksville is moving locations The company confirmed it will relocate to unit 5 at 102 Island Hwy E which is a smaller unit within the same building Despite rumours that a Dollarama will move into Fields' old spot Dollarama has no new store opening planned at the location currently A pair of suspicious fires and another reported online scam were among the more than 200 complaints received by Oceanside RCMP the week of March 10 to March 16 a suspicious blaze was reported with damage to a business in the 200 block of Island Highway East in Parksville. The same day, another suspicious fire was reported with a stolen vehicle destroyed in the 900 block of Fairdowne Road in Parksville a resident reported being scammed out of $2,100 after responding to a caller supposedly from an online retailer asking for payment in cryptocurrency Some of the other incidents included:  a wallet was reported stolen from a vehicle overnight in the 2400 block of Ainsley Place in Nanoose Bay an unlocked vehicle was reported stolen in the 1100 block of Popham Road in Parksville; and fishing rods and downriggers were reported stolen from a storage container in the 3500 block of Dolphin Drive in Nanoose Bay A radar unit and cash were also reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle overnight in the 3400 block of Simmons Place in Nanoose Bay Exterior copper plumbing from heat exchangers was reported stolen from a community hall in the first block of Shearme Road in Coombs on March 11 a nighttime car prowler was reported in the 1700 block of Northwest Bay Road in Nanoose Bay; and a male was reported to have cut the lock off a compound and stole items from a donation bin in the 100 block of Hirst Avenue in Parksville A backpack was also reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 1700 block of Northwest Bay Road in Nanoose Bay a vehicle fuel tank was reported drilled and fuel siphoned in the 400 block of First Avenue in Qualicum Beach an unlocked vehicle was reported rummaged through in the 1400 block of Britannia Drive in Parksville another unlocked vehicle was reported rummaged through in the 400 block of Church Road in Parksville a vehicle was reported stolen in the 2100 block of Scottvale Place of Nanoose Bay An after-hours business break-and-enter was reported with a point of sale machine stolen in the 200 block of Island Highway East in Parksville on March 14 an attempted residential break-and-enter was reported with a broken window and damage to door casing in the 300 block of Village Way in Qualicum Beach an attempted break-and-enter to a locked storage container causing damage was reported with four exterior game cameras the only items missing in the 2600 block of Northwest Bay Road in Nanoose Bay The Oceanside RCMP non-emergency number is 250-248-6111 and the detachment is located at 421 Pym Street North Sign up below for unlimited digital access for 30 days receive our daily news alerts & breaking news The Regional District of Nanaimo celebrated the completion of the new Errington Community Park café and public washrooms on Saturday (May 3) A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, unveiling the new amenities that replaced the previous building In attendance were RDN chair Vanessa Craig president of the Errington Farmers Market Danika Ziger vice-president of the Errington War Memorial Hall Association Many updated features in the new building include accessible washrooms with accessible door buttons accessible sink and appropriately placed hand towel dispensers a partially covered wrap around deck with an accessible ramp and a kitchen with commercial-grade appliances and large serving windows to order and pick up food Enjoying Reading The Parksville-Qualicum Beach News Enter your email to connect to 30 more days worth of stories by journalists living & working in Parksville/Qualicum Beach Thank you for supporting local journalism The Parksville Community Park Legacy Labyrinth a well-loved feature at the north end of the waterfront boardwalk will get a fresh new look soon and the community is invited to take part Excitement is building for the spring refresh of the labyrinth Community members are invited to take part in World Labyrinth Day to 'Walk as One' alongside thousands around the world in a global call for peace the Legacy Team will host a volunteer meeting for those who want to help bring new life to the labyrinth through painting The labyrinth will be repainted on Saturday with a festive ceremony and celebration scheduled for Saturday artists and supporters are all encouraged to join the effort Led by the Parksville Community Park Legacy Labyrinth Lead Team the project offers a unique chance to help refresh one of Parksville’s most cherished community spaces. The labyrinth was built in 2013 and was last painted in 2018 “We’re excited to refresh the labyrinth this spring and hope to see many familiar and new faces joining us,” said Holly Carnegie spokesperson for the Legacy Labyrinth Lead Team “It’s a beautiful way to come together as a community and nurture a space that means so much to so many people.” Those unable to attend the May 3 meeting but interested in volunteering are encouraged to reach out to the team directly No One Else Covers Parksville and Qualicum Beach Like PQB News Don’t miss out on reading the latest local provincial and national news. Join our community and receive daily news alerts & breaking news The Broombusters are out and about eliminating the invasive plant species Scotch broom The invasive plant society's first cut of the season drew 20 volunteers on April 21 according to a news release by Broombusters    The broom's yellow blossoms are just starting to show and from now until the seed pods form at the end of May Join thousands of other like-minded readers and sign up below to gain immediate & unlimited access to our news for the next 30 days – plus start receiving our newsletters The City of Parksville will support an application by the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department for grant funding that will help with modernization of the emergency communications network The fire department will apply for the Union of BC Municipalities 2025 Next Generation 911 application for a mobile data terminal and CAD deployment renewal in the amount of $88,650 The new system will enable important improvements to public safety including better 911 caller location information and new ways to direct calls to services other than police according to the UBCM grant application guide It's not unusual for people to complain about an unpleasant odour as they drive near the French Creek Pollution Control Centre between Parksville and Qualicum Beach but this year someone decided to take matters into their own hands The signs over the creek were recently altered to read "Stench Creek" and photos have been circulating on local social media groups manager of wastewater services for the Regional District of Nanaimo Canada’s 45th federal election is wrapping up PDT and ballots beginning to be counted across 343 ridings Here are the results as they come in from Elections Canada Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters The City of Parksville will move to water conservation level 2 on May 1 and will be in effect until Oct Parksville's water use doubles during summer months due mainly to outdoor uses such as watering lawns and gardens and washing cars and outdoor surfaces "Region-wide water use restrictions are an effective way to reduce summer demand and ensure supply for essential services," the release stated Parksville council is considering an application for a five-storey mixed use building on the Wembley Mall site Conceptual plans show a building 18.3 metres tall with commercial space on the ground floor and 70 residential units above 20 to give first reading to an official community plan amendment and a zoning and development bylaw amendment A handful of residents brought their concerns to Parksville council regarding two bylaws to allow for a proposed mixed commercial residential development at the Wembley Mall parking issues and the future of frogs inhabiting the future development area were all topics raised by residents during the public hearing on April 7 The proposed five-storey building's preliminary design shows 70 residential units with retail space on the ground floor. The An officer with BC Highway Patrol Parksville was recognized with an award of meritorious service at the 40th annual Police Honours Night Robert Haney was awarded for "selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk in order to protect the public and other police officers," according to a news release from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General from our largest cities to remote villages and Indigenous communities have adapted to dynamic work environments to keep people safe from harm,” said Garry Begg Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Parksville has been ranked number seven on the list of the most economically resilient cities in B.C. Vancouver Island communities dominated the top 10 and also nabbed the top three spots for a fifth year in a row — Sidney Langford and Central Saanich are ranked first “Many factors such as an increase in rental inventory low municipal debt and a substantial accumulated surplus expedited building permit approvals and infrastructure renewal contributes to Parksville’s successful ranking," Mayor Doug O'Brien said Visit a family-run farm with Canada’s first milk-on-tap setup relax at a spa with a warm mineral pool and more When it comes to Vancouver Island, Calgarians tend to flock south to Victoria or west to Tofino and Ucluelet. That means we miss out on the charm and chill of the interior coastal towns of Parksville and Qualicum Beach It’s time to explore this eastern region of Vancouver Island which offers a quirky blend of activities set against a beautiful backdrop of ocean its temperate climate makes it pleasant to visit any time of year From Vancouver, you can hop aboard B.C. Ferries to the Nanaimo terminal, then make the 35-minute drive to Parksville. Alternatively, ride in style by taking the scenic 18-minute Helijet tour from Vancouver to Nanaimo. The history of the Parksville and Qualicum Beach area has been shaped by the Coast Salish peoples, early European exploration and settlement, and the development of the Canadian Pacific Railway, giving it a unique and storied cultural mix today. With a beach that extends a kilometre at low tide, you can take in a host of marine activities, outdoor adventures, arts and cultural activities, and more. Here are some must-visit spots for your next trip to the Parksville and Qualicum Beach region. Relax and rejuvenate at The Grotto Spa  A post shared by Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara (@grotto.spa) Go deep undergroundVancouver Island boasts the highest concentration of caves in North America with more than 1,000 recorded. If you’ve never caved before, take an introductory, yet satisfying tour with Horne Lake Caves to Riverbend Cave, one of many underground caves protected within Horne Lakes Provincial Park. Indulge in farm-fresh cheese and milk  A post shared by Little Qualicum Cheeseworks (@littlequalicumcheeseworks) And then, there’s the cheese — oh, the cheese! Choose from a wide selection of firm, semi-firm, soft-ripened, feta and fresh artisan cheeses, all crafted from pasture to plate on-site. Anytime the farm is open, you’re welcome to take a self-guided tour to visit the cows in the dairy barn, learn about the milking robot and meet any number of friendly animals including calves, sheep and goats. Fuel up with some tasty island eats  A post shared by Qualicum Beach Cafe (@qualicumbeachcafe) If you’re a coffee fan, treat your taste buds to a unique coffee blend at French Press Coffee Roasters This local favourite with two locations has its own roasted coffees as well as hot chocolate made with Belgian chocolate and fresh baked goods such as muffins The Qualicum Beach location also has all-day breakfast and a host of delicious sandwiches including one with mouthwatering house-roasted chicken and brie If you prefer beer to coffee, head to Rusted Rake Brewing a farm-to-tap brewery showcasing full-flavoured craft brews made from barley grown on its own farm by the sea Order some fresh local fare like mushroom calamari or raincoast rolls to pair with and settle in for a fun evening with friends For an elevated West Coast dining experience, swing by the Qualicum Beach Cafe The menu features dishes with fresh local ingredients and Italian influences like West Coast crabcakes or seafood chowder and three kinds of daily made gnocchi Catch some z’sAfter all of your adventures, rest your head at The Beach Club Resort in Parksville beachfront resort offers 149 rooms as well as suites with full kitchens Take advantage of the Stay|Well amenities program which gives you complimentary access to bicycles With easy beach access just steps from your door you can walk along the shore and dip your toes in the ocean or unwind on your balcony while you take in the gorgeous views The Beach Club is a perfect island retreat whether you want to relax or explore by the sea Avenue’s writers and editors are occasionally invited to try experiences as a guest Neither complimentary experiences nor advertising are required for coverage in Avenue Neither companies that advertise nor those that provide other incentives are promised editorial coverage nor do they have the opportunity to review or approve stories before publication This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Privacy Policy [gravityform id=”48″ title=”false” description=”false”] Parksville council has taken an early step in its goal to renovate and expand its fire hall with a vote in favour of paying for a Class B estimate The estimate will provide the city with a detailed design for a new fire hall “We would end up with plans that are almost building permit ready but they have to do a lot of work to get there,” Kehler said during council's April 7 meeting. “When Parksville council has approved two bylaws that will facilitate a future residential building at the Wembley Mall with retail space on the ground floor.  Council gave third reading to an official community plan amendment and a zoning and development bylaw amendment that would facilitate the proposed mixed commercial residential building during its April 23 meeting Council received an initial request to rename the Waterfront Walkway after St who died in 2023 and was widely recognized as one of the friendliest and most iconic residents of Parksville with the Flying Phil Memorial Project said the fundraising group polled the community about what they would like to see done with the $18,000 raised The 'Rock the Park' music festival's lineup will feature a dozen bands and runs from Aug 10 at the Parksville Outdoor Theatre in the community park the audio setup up at the outdoor stage has been further improved by six bass bins according to Lloyd Derry, entertainment director and Parksville Beach Festival organizer “Our sound quality now is gonna be second to none,” Derry said The Rock the Park music festival has changed its name to 'Beachfest Rocks' made the switch due to a "registered trademark issue" according to Lloyd Derry, entertainment director and Parksville Beach Festival organizer.   "The name change comes after it was brought to our attention that 'Rock the Park' is a trademarked name used by a music festival in London Ontario," said a news release from Parksville Beach Festival. "Out Parksville council recently had a look at the draft version of the city's upcoming Transportation Master Plan Matthew Browning with McElhanney went over the highlights of the plan which include a recommendation to extend the western lane of Highway 19A from Roscow Street to Bay Avenue “People sort of race up the inside curb lane to try and sneak in the get ahead of traffic The benchmark price for a single-family home in Parksville Qualicum Beach is up three per cent over the same period in 2024.  According to the latest numbers released by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board the PQB area saw its benchmark price increase to $893,400 Nanaimo’s year-over-year benchmark price rose by three per cent to $823,000. The cost of a benchmark single-family home in Port Alberni was $519,700 also up three per cent from the previous year Some Parksville beaches within the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area will be temporarily closed to dogs for the annual Brant geese migration The City of Parksville advised the public in a news release that Rathtrevor Beach will be closed to dogs from Feb 15 to April 30 and Parksville Bay Beach from March 1 to April 30 "The Black Brant geese you see along our shores are on a difficult journey of migration from California and Mexico to northern nesting grounds," the city said in the release. "Our Vandals continue to keep Oceanside RCMP busy a vehicle was reported vandalized with damage to the ignition in the 1500 block of Sharons Place in Parksville a locked vehicle was reported vandalized with passenger door lock and ignition damaged in the 400 block of Tyee Crescent in Qualicum Beach a vehicle was reported vandalized with a locking gas cap damaged and fuel siphoned in the 1000 block of Lee Road in Parksville. The A fire at a business on the Island Highway has been deemed suspicious by Parksville Fire Rescue The fire department was called to the business shortly before 6 a.m The duty officer found a fire at the rear of the building which was spreading into the attic truss space The first engine crew to arrive attacked the fire in the building's interior with the second crew hitting the fire from its aerial It took a "considerable amount of hard work" for crews to get at the fire in the truss space as they had to get through several layers of ceiling renovations commonly found.. The Career Centre is hosting a job fair at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 49 in Parksville on April 11 and provides an opportunity for job-seekers to speak individually with businesses who are looking to hire The list of employers so far includes: Beach Acres Resort Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria, Deez Bar & Grill April 28 has been designated as the Day of Mourning a time to honour and remember the 146 workers in British Columbia who lost their lives last year due to workplace injury or disease the City of Parksville flag is at half-mast and encourages residents to take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives on the job Several paving projects are scheduled for Parksville in the near future The projects are tentatively scheduled to start on April 14 after being scheduled in the fall and postponed due to weather according to a news release by the City of Parksville Haylock Paving has been contracted by the city for the repaving of several locations including Temple Street in the vicinity of Field Crescent with single-lane alternating for vehicles (April 14 and April 15) and Stanhope Road at the east end with single-lane alternating for vehicles (April 16 and April 17) After hearing of the huge 'no' response to the Ravensong pool referendum, which I’m afraid I agree with: I think it’s beyond ridiculous that our city of which I have been a resident for 66 years (born here parents arrived in the late forties), does not have its own sportsplex I feel it should not go to referendum but just be built at Oceanside Place or nearby Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines. city has beautiful sandy beaches and some of the warmest ocean water in CanadaVancouver Island resort a gateway to sandy shores Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page we could see the broad sand of Parksville Beach at low tide — seeming to stretch as far as the eye could see “Maybe we should go for a walk on the beach right now,” I suggested excitedly That’s when my husband confessed that he had forgotten his flip-flops and he wasn’t eager to explore muddy tidal pools in running shoes I couldn’t help myself: “You came to a place called the Beach Club and didn’t bring flip-flops?” True love means making sacrifices and compromises for your partner In my case that meant enjoying a long walk on the wooden boardwalk at the edge of the beach followed by a beachfront sunset dinner prepared by chef Nick Mackay-Finn the new executive chef at the Beach Club Resort We watched the sunset while dining on crab Timbits Parksville has the distinction of having some of Canada’s warmest ocean temperatures at high tide — thanks to shallow waters that are warmed by sands heated up at low tide We saw seals and birds and other marine life at high tide I loved wandering along the beach exploring the tidal pools in my trusty flip-flops Parksville really is a great beach destination for all ages and the Beach Club Resort has wonderful amenities that helped us feel at home By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? 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Be sure to keep an eye out for sea lions if you visit the marina We caught and released four chinook salmon — including one that was incredibly large guests at The Beach Club can bring back their catch and have the culinary team prepare it for dinner and orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning them to the wild Animals that are too injured to survive in the wild remain at the facility and assist with efforts to educate the public on wildlife and environmental issues animals are quietly released back into the wild but once a year the public is invited to watch as an eagle is released back into the wild You’ll find local vendors selling fresh veggies Today it’s the creative hub of the town offering space for artists to work art lessons and gallery space for displaying art that can be purchased owned and operated by Chef Fausto Bellicini Inside Milner House is a lovely tea room that serves afternoon tea with a view of the gardens and ocean see the animals and purchase fresh milk from Canada’s only milk-on-tap dispenser Be sure to stop at the onsite shop to purchase cheese charcuterie boxes and other local products transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy To mark this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8 Canadian Federation of University Women Parksville Qualicum has invited Alexandra Morton to share her insights after 35 years researching and protecting orcas and wild salmon “While there is still much to despair in our world where women's rights are non-existent I like to focus on the distance we have travelled in securing and celebrating the gains we have made,” said Christine Pagan The weather wasn't the best as the day was cloudy and a bit cold residents and visitors were out in great numbers at various vantage points in Parksville Qualicum Beach to take a look at the close to 40 herring boats harvesting this silvery fish that is most abundant in the Strait of Georgia near District 69 on March 9 The City of Parksville engineering department will be busy this year with numerous projects planned for 2025 and 2026 including improvements for Stanford Avenue scheduled to begin in 2026, will include a "comprehensive renewal" of Stanford between McCarter Street and Shelly Road according to an April 9 presentation to council by Manager of Engineering Ayla Defoor “This is a significant length of roadway so this project would be likely over years who added the city would work on "modular" sections Five non-profit organizations will benefit from Parksville council grant-in-aid funding this spring Council approved a recommendation to dole out funds to Arrowsmith Health Care Foundation ($800) Friends of Foster Park ($350), Haven Society ($500) Mount Arrowsmith Pipe Band ($500) and Parksville and District Historical Society ($350) “I really do consider it quite a privilege to be able to look at these applications," said Coun Sean Wood has been endorsed by Parksville council to stand for election as a director on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' board of directors The FCM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction Its board is made up of elected municipal officials from across Canada and from all sizes of communities following the FCM's annual general meeting Canadians will vote in a federal election on April 28 the incumbent is Gord Johns of the NDP who will run against Conservative Party candidate Kris McNichol Liberal Party candidate Brian Cameron Green Party candidate Chris Markevich People's Party of Canada candidate Thomas Gamble and Animal Protection Party of Canada candidate Teresa Knight Johns was first elected the riding's Member of Parliament in 2015 and was the NDP critic for mental health and harm reduction before Parliament was dissolved for the election Parksville residents can soon weigh in on a proposed residential development at Wembley Mall Council gave second reading to an official community plan amendment and a zoning and development bylaw amendment that would facilitate the proposed five-storey mixed commercial residential building at the mall property The developer recently agreed to reduce the building's maximum height to 18.3 The 2025 Wounded Warrior runners stopped in Bowser Qualicum Beach and Parksville as they worked to complete a challenging 800-kilometre trek across Vancouver Island The goal is to raise funds and to bring awareness for the mental health programs provided by Wounded Warriors Canada to trauma-exposed members of the military and first responders.  The team of eight runners started in Port Hardy on Feb 23 and worked their way to District 69 on Thursday Parksville council recently approved designation of some well-used green space as park land close to the Parksville and Civic Technology Centre is already used frequently by people in the community who brought forward a resolution to formally designate the city-owned land as a park “I think it’s important that we preserve this piece of land for the current and the future residents of Parksville and especially the downtown core to enjoy," he said