Courtenay drivers, be aware, part of 1st Street will be closed most of the day tomorrow for construction.

The closure is scheduled for Friday from 7:30 am to early evening, and will affect the section between Willemar and Urquhart Avenues.

Crews will be working on the 1st Street Lift Station Project.

Drivers should watch for detour signs directing traffic around the area via 5th Street, Lake Trail and Powerhouse Roads, and give themselves extra time.

The city is thanking everyone for their patience and efforts to keep work crews safe.

We have posted the detour map below.

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BC Ferries is gearing up for the summer and say they’re helping passengers enjoy the season with a slash to their fuel surcharge for travellers.  

The busiest time of year for BC Ferries is between June 1 and Sept. 5 where they’re anticipating around eight million passengers will pass through their ports to board more than 56,000 sailings.  

They say passengers who book starting June 1 will see a reduction of four per cent. President and CEO Nicholas Jimenez adds this is to make sure BC Ferries makes everyone’s summer holiday affordable and stress-free. 

“Whether we’re part of a customer’s daily commute, day-to-day travel needs or vacation plans, summer is the most popular time of year to travel,” he says. “With all hands-on deck, we’re readying our vessels and crew to help make this a smooth, safe and fun travel season.” 

They add to increase service they’re adding a third sailing between Tsawwassen and Duke Point, an additional early morning sailing between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, and more sailings from Horseshoe Bay to the Sunshine Coast. 

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Residents can take a stand against violence towards women and girls through a local event.

May 16 is Moosehide Campaign Day, a national initiative that started back in 2011, aiming to get men and boys to stand up against violence towards women and girls.

Organizer of this year’s event Alan McNaughton says it’s a movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians from local communities.

“It includes First Nations governments, schools, and colleges,” said McNaughton. “This year, we are having our first event in the Comox Valley.”

He says the event will have two events, the first being a gathering at the Comox Valley Art Gallery with a big screen showing a live-feed from the from the ceremonies in Victoria, as well as information booths, and an Indigenous elder will perform a welcome for those attending.

The second event will take place at the Big House on Comox Road, which will include a traditional welcome, information booths, speakers, music, and resources.

McNaughton says his vision for the event was to include the whole community for this event.

“It is an Indigenous-led cause, but as it’s grown it’s become an all-Canadian cause,” said McNaughton. “This is what I want for everybody in the community as well as the newcomers, and this has taken patience, time and communication. It has been a task and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Mayor Bob Wells says with intimate partner violence, the event aims to bring awareness of it and that people have a comfortable space to speak and learn about the issue.

The event is free, with the gathering at the Art Gallery to start at noon, while the event at the Big House starts at three.

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An ongoing road project in the Comox Valley has received big funding from the provincial government.

That comes from the Comox Valley Regional District, announcing that the Royston Road multi-use path project received a $500,000 grant from the province.

The project will make a multi-use path between the Island Highway/Royston Road intersection and Royston elementary school to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The district says this comes after concerns about student safety from the Royston Elementary Parents Advisory Committee.

Electoral Area A director Daniel Arbour says this is an exciting announcement.

“The Royston Road Multi-Use Path will be a great option for pedestrians and cyclists in the area to ensure children and parents can get to school safely,” said Arbour.

They say that the grant will cover 70 percent of the project’s cost, with the remaining 30 percent to be provided by both electoral areas community parks and greenways service.

Currently, they are getting construction-ready drawings so a contractor can be found.

They are aiming to finish construction by March 31 next year.

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The Comox Valley Regional District is asking you to save water this spring and summer.

The district is encouraging residents to focus on water conservation, with the goal of conserving the district’s water supply as the effects of climate change continue to grow.

Senior manager of water and wastewater services Kris La Rose says educating people on water conservation is becoming more crucial.

“As we continue to see reduced rain in the summer months and higher average temperatures, fresh water becomes an even more limited and precious resource,” said La Rose.

“Water conservation is extremely important to protect supply for domestic use and emergency fire protection purposes.”

According to the district, last year saw over 10 billion litres of water used, with water consumption almost tripling in the summer months.

Ways to save water include installing low-flow showerheads and faucets, planting native species that adapt to dry summers, using smart control irrigation timers, checking for leaks, watering your lawn either in the early morning or late night, and turning the tap off while brushing teeth or shaving.

For more tips, click here.

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The city of Courtenay is looking for volunteers for a plant-in event set in late-May.

The Mile of Flowers Plant-in is a tradition that started back in 1967, when Kathleen Kirk commemorated Canada’s centennial year by planting 7,800 seedlings for tourists.

Since then, hundreds of volunteers have planted flowers each year, with this year marking its 57th anniversary.

For this year, Courtenay is looking for volunteers, aiming to get between 200 to 500 of them.

Mayor Bob Wells says the plant-in is an opportunity to connect with the community.

“We’ll often see multiple generations of Comox Valley residents who have made volunteering at this event an annual tradition,” said Wells.

“We’re hoping for another great turn-out this year and encourage everyone to come out and join in the fun, it’s a beautiful way to spend the evening.”

They say no prior experience is needed, but you are asked to bring garden gloves and a trowel/spoon to dig and fill the garden beds located on both sides of Cliffe Avenue.

Snacks and refreshments will be available. The plant-in starts at 5:00 p.m. on May 28, running until 7:00 p.m.

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A housing needs report will be presented to Cumberland council tonight.

Senior planner Karin Albert is presenting the report to give an overview of the current and expected housing situation in the Village, using 2021 Census data.

The report shows that population and housing having gone up by 20 percent and 18 percent respectively between 2016 and 2021, while the median home price went up by 58 percent between 2019 and 2022.

Albert says by 2043, the population is expected to go up to 7,390.

“Dwelling units, including affordable housing need to meet that need at an estimated 1,210 units,” said Albert.

“Back in 2016, we had 10 percent of residents in core housing need, and 9 percent in 2021. In both cases, renters, single parents, and single individuals living on their own were the most affected.”

Albert says rents went up by 51 percent in the last few years throughout the Comox Valley, with the highest increase seen in studio apartments at 111 percent between 2019 and 2023.

She says the report must be used for the official community plan review.

“We have a public meeting coming up next week on the 22nd and 23rd, and on Wednesday we will talk to the community about housing,” said Albert.

“We will be presenting different growth scenarios to get input on where people want growth.”

She adds some ways to improve affordability are having more rental supply and advocacy.

The meeting is set for Monday afternoon at 5:30 p.m., which can be watched live on Youtube.

For where to watch, click here.

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Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is returning the Vancouver Island, and one rider says he’s thrilled to get behind such a worthy cause. 

The tour began in 1997 with one police officer who wanted to make a difference, and since the Canadian Cancer Society says it has grown into a united effort across Canada as well as one of the largest fundraisers for childhood cancer research. 

Sun FM midday host Nicholas Arnold says initially he never thought about touring with the ride, but knowing the team’s efforts are supporting research and raising money to help increase survival rates is touching and heartwarming. 

“It’s raising money and funds towards fighting against childhood cancer,” Arnold says. “It’s also supporting Camp Goodtimes which is kind of an escape for families who are dealing with childhood cancer. 

“When you think about it, there’s really no better cause than that.” 

Tour de Rock teams raise money that goes right into fighting cancer, and funding research, and according to the Canadian Cancer Society’s website they’ve raised almost $54 million across Canada. 

Arnold, along with North Cowichan RCMP officer Warren Kongus, will be raising funds through their website. Arnold adds support is greatly needed and appreciated no matter what the amount. 

“It’s a great cause, and we would really appreciate donations,” he says. 

The Canadian Cancer Society is the largest national charitable funder of childhood cancer research in Canada and has invested more than $16.4 million specifically to fund childhood cancer research. 

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BC Ferries says they’re amping up their sailings to accommodate travellers for the peak season, but passengers should still plan in advance. 

Last year BC Ferries says they saw more than 430,000 passengers and 170,000 vehicles travel from the mainland to the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island which promoted them to add 95 sailings to accommodate the increase.  

Executive director of communications and engagement Jeff Groot says this season they’re prepared for an increase and have taken steps to ensure reliable service.  

“We’re going to be adding hundreds of new sailings not only for the May long weekend, but across the peak season,” he says. “All ships have been through their refit, so we’ve been able to condense the repair schedule and they’ll be sailing by early June.” 

BC Ferries anticipates an influx of travellers during the upcoming holiday and Groot says customers who book online, and with a vehicle, should still look for deals and try to plan around busy peak periods. 

“The May long weekend is our third busiest of the year,” he says. “For customers I would encourage them to look and see if reservations are available and book ahead. 

“If you can’t make a reservation, I would encourage people to show up and consider other ways to travel like walking on, public transit and carpooling.” 

Groot adds they have enough staff to fill out the summer and they don’t expect any issues. 

“We’ve almost hired an additional 600 staff this year, to make sure not only the May long weekend but through the summer we’re going to have the right people in place and trained,” he says.  

BC Ferries says in addition to making reservations passengers should plan for parking and arrive early for their sailings to avoid rushing or missing their boat. 

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A new provincial housing project is causing concern for local neighbours.

In late March, the province announced they bought property on Braidwood Avenue to build 60 supportive housing units for people in need in Courtenay.

Related: Province purchases land in Courtenay for homeless supportive housing - My Comox Valley Now

Spokesperson for the 925 Braidwood neighbours group Scott Larsen says they were surprised by the purchase.

“We heard about it through media, we read about the purchase back in March and the six of us went to the city council meeting to talk to them,” said Larsen. “We had our first public meeting at Ricky’s Grill, and it was about an hour and a half to two hours and people fielded a lot of questions and I tried to answer as many as possible.”

He says they weren’t informed about the purchase beforehand, resulting in the group being formed to get more transparency about the process of the project.

The viability of the two shelters along Ryan Road is a main concern, according to Larsen.

“Is it safe for the homeless to be there because they are going to be crossing the street, is it safe for the motorists?” said Larsen. “A lot of their support network, like healthcare and mental health, are across the river so how are they going to transport back there?”

Larsen says in response to a lack of forthcoming information, the group held their own press conference earlier this month.

He hopes they can ask questions to both the City of Courtenay and BC Housing and have their concerns about the project considered in its development.

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