May 2, 2025

Parksville Civic and Technology Centre Closed May 7 Due to Power Outage

Parksville Civic and Technology Centre at 100 Jensen Avenue East, will be closed to the public on Wednesday, May 7 due to a planned power outage by BC Hydro. This includes the City of Parksville, Qualicum School District 69 and the Vancouver Island public Library, Parksville branch. BC Hydro has scheduled a system upgrade from 7 am to 5 pm which is outside the City’s control.

The City’s operations facility at 1116 Herring Gull Way will not be affected by this power outage and staff will be available to respond to resident inquiries of an urgent nature; however, we encourage residents to avoid May 7 to conduct their business with the City.

Please note the EV chargers located at 100 Jensen Avenue East will not be available for charging from 7 am to 5 pm.

We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause for our residents. Contact information on May 7 is 250 248-5412, ops@parksville.ca. Afterhours emergency, please call 250 248-6144.

Residents to Provide Input on Evacuation Route Planning   

The City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and Regional District of Nanaimo are working together to develop an evacuation route plan for RDN Electoral Area G, the City and the Town. Identifying local knowledge of hazards and potential evacuation barriers is vital to effective route planning. As part of the planning process, 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. Given this growing concern, 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, including risk areas, population size and demographics, transportation resources and traffic management. Other considerations include evacuation route availability and capacity, communications, animal welfare, identification of vulnerable populations, immediate emergency actions, 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.

For more information about the project, evacuation planning resources and to sign up to receive project updates, visit Get Involved RDN.

Parksville residents are encouraged to complete the survey by May 31.

Emergency Preparedness Week, May 4 to 10, is recognized annually and this year, emergency program coordinators for Parksville and Qualicum Beach will be doing public outreach and education as well as providing information about the evacuation route planning survey now underway.

Monday, May 5, 10 am to 2 pm

Outside Qualicum Beach Townhall

Wednesday, May 7, 10 am to 2 pm

Waterfront Gazebo in the Parksville Community Park

Being prepared isn’t just about what supplies you have; it’s about working together so we can collectively respond to and recover from emergencies better. This year’s emergency preparedness week theme, “In it together,” recognizes the importance of relationships and community connection.

When disaster strikes the most immediate help will come from those around you, your neighbours. We encourage you to build connections with them now so that you have strong relationships when emergency and disaster events occur.

This can be simple steps like discussing what you will do in a prolonged power outage, or offering ways you can help each other. Or you may be ready to organize a neighbourhood emergency preparedness program (NEPP). NEPP teams are self-organized neighbourhood groups who come together to prepare and plan for emergencies and disasters. With the support of your local emergency program, you can quickly establish plans for self-reliant communities.

This emergency preparedness week there are some simple steps you can take to increase your personal preparedness:

• Know the risks – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you better prepare
• Make a plan – It will help you and your family know what to do
• Get an emergency kit – During an emergency, we will all need some basic supplies. We may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.

Visit www.getprepared.ca or Emergency Management Oceanside for more resources to help you and your family prepare for all types of emergencies.

We’re excited to host Parksville’s 2025 Canada Day celebrations when we come together to celebrate and shine a light on our country and whatever it is that makes you proud! We hope you will share in the day and connect with families, neighbours and friends. 2025 is Canada’s 158th birthday, the City of Parksville turns 80 and as part of our celebrations, will recognize the Mount Arrowsmith Pipe Band’s 50 years with a performance.

The day’s activities are coming together nicely with details on Let’s Talk Parksville, featuring more of everything! The day kicks off with the popular Shriners pancake breakfast and the best parade on Vancouver Island. Live mainstage music at the Parksville Outdoor Theatre from noon to 6.30 pm with three amazing Vancouver Island bands. The gathering plaza will feature buskers (1-9 pm), Craig The Magician (1-7 pm) and learn to build sandcastles with master sculptor David Kaube (2-5 pm). The picnic shelter will feature face painters (1-5 pm) and Canada Day cake and cupcakes from 2.30 pm. Also, there’s a food truck festival planned near the sports fields.

Canada Day parade applications, food truck applications and latest news and updates are available on Let’s Talk Parksville and social media. Questions to canadaday@parksville.ca

Level 2 is in effect from May to October unless otherwise notified. Odd numbered civic addresses may water on odd numbered days and even numbered civic addresses may water on even numbered days. Watering times are 7 am to 10 am OR 7 pm to 10 pm for a maximum of two hours of total allocated watering per day. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from restrictions. For details about the City’s water conservation program, refer to Let’s Talk Parksville.

City offices will be closed on Tuesday, May 6 from 11.15 am to 1.15 pm so our staff may attend an event for North American Occupational Safety and Health Week which focuses on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.

Recycle BC pop-up depot in Parksville will continue through 2025, accepting free of charge, flexible plastic packaging, white and coloured foam packaging, glass packaging and paper packaging and cardboard. Materials may be dropped off from 10 am to 3 pm at 1080 Industrial Way, Parksville. For dates, visit Recycle BC website. 

CITY DATES

For more information:

Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications

communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

parksville.ca | letstalkparksville.ca