125th Anniversary of No.1 Mine Disaster to be Marked on May 3

On May 3rd, 1887 ,shortly before 6:00 p.m. in the south slope of No. 1 Pit Mine at the “Esplanade”, someone fired a poorly placed explosive into the rock face.  An undetected cloud of gas ignited and an explosion occurred which ultimately killed 150 miners, left 46 women without husbands and 126 children without fathers. At that time, the total population of Nanaimo was close to 4,000.

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    On Thursday May 3rd, 2012, on the 125th Anniversary of the disaster, the South End Community Association will be planting a rose garden in memory of the Nanaimo citizens lost and their families.

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This commemorative event will take place at the Miner’s Kiosk, at the corner or Milton Street and the Esplanade and will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the planting of the garden by SECA members and guests to begin at 6:00 p.m.  Everyone welcome.

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Thanks to the Nanaimo Historical Society, Pamela Mar, Van-Kam Freightways Ltd. and Murial MacKay-Ross for their generous donations.

   

At the site of the Miner’s Memorial Kiosk on Milton Street, Charles Torhjelm from SECA reviews plans for the Rose Garden.  Looking on are, from left, Richard Coulthard and Darren Fargo, who will be preparing the site, and Gail Pasaluko, Horticultural Supervisor for the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department of the City of Nanaimo. 

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Peter Presotto

Peter Presotto December 17,  1935 – April 23, 2012

Sad new to pass along that Peter Presotto, long time SECA member, friend and neighbour passed away on April 23^rd at NRGH at the age of 77.  Peter hadn’t been well for the past couple of years and wasn’t able to participate in SECA activities as much as he would have liked.

Peter Presotto was a really lovely man and a wonderful south end citizen.  He was a passionate supporter of our association and dedicated countless hours to supporting the association and participating in our efforts to strengthen and improve the neighborhood.

He was an impeccable SECA Treasurer for many years, fund raised for the Miners Picnic for most of the past 20 years, (we call his list of donating businesses, “Peter’s List”), was instrumental in the development of the Chase River Estuary Park, (we’ll be thinking of Peter tomorrow at our annual Estuary Park Day), turned up for all the meetings and events and generally helped out in any way he could.

If you wanted to describe a model member of a local community association, Peter Presotto would be as good an example as you could find.

Our love and very best wishes to Peter’s wife Vilma.

Peter’s funeral will be held at St Peter’s church, Fitzwilliam Street on Monday, April 30, at 10.30am.

All are welcome.

Douglas Hardie

SECA Chair

 

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Former SECA Chair featured in Daily News

Torhjelm continues to champion the wonders of city’s south end

Nanaimo resident has spent two decades promoting area in a positive light

Krista Bryce, The Daily News

Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Charles Torhjelm sits in the living room of his south-Nanaimo home, surrounded by pictures, posters and newspaper clippers from the past 20 years.

The items represent two decades of passion-driven work by Torhjelm, former president of the South End Community Association, to promote the south end in a positive light.

Click on headline link to go to the rest of the article.

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2012 Chase River Estuary Day set for Sat April 28

It’s the spring event of the season in the South End!

Chase River Estuary Park Day, April 28, 10:00 am to about 1:00 or so.

Event is at the South End of Haliburton St. behind the Bold Knight

Charles Thirkill, well-known biologist  and author, is our host for catching small fry salmon for youngster to net and release and adults to admire.  (Charles is also:-Champion for City of Nanaimo’s Official Flower > Bog bird’s-foot trefoil)

A person of Great Charm:- Molly Byrne, well known naturalist, will show us the way regarding interesting natural plants and the not so good boys and girls plants, who can cause us difficulties like naughty, disobedient weeds

 Steve Baillie, a well known naturalist will be our guide as – – It’s Bird Romance Time. Some do it on the Water. Some do it in the trees. Some do it on the ground and some on the telephone poles.

Deborah Beck, Recreation Coordinator, Bowen Social Centre, will assist in interesting Walks in the Chase River Estuary and perhaps Petroglyph Park later in the day.   She will also bring info about Nanaimo’s upcoming “Bike to Work” week (May 28 – June 3)

A terrific event for families of ALL ages!

Make a day of it!

After your interesting day at the Estuary, head to nearby Petroglyph Park. If you bring Art Paper and Rubbing Material  and then you can take home a Petroglyph work of art…:)

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Nanaimo man in custody after knife fight

Daily News

Published: Monday, April 16, 2012

A 45-year-old Nanaimo man is in police custody after a knife fight at the old Balmoral Hotel on Friday night.

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South End Neighbourhood Plan

Whereas it is now eighteen months since the Community Plan was accepted by Council,

And

Whereas there has been very little in the way of implementation by either the City or SECA

Move that South End Neighbourhood Association asks Chris Sholberg calls the annual meeting of the Community Plan Steering Committee within the next four weeks.

 

 

 

South End Neighbourhood Plan – Implementation Actions (2011-Dec-05)

Implementation Action	Plan Reference	Timing	Status
Land Use and Development
1.Amend Map 1: Future Land Use of the OCP to match Map 1:  Neighbourhood Land Use contained in South End Neighbourhood Plan.	Section 5.1.(1)	Immediate	Done
2.Amend the Development Permit Area 9 guidelines contained in Section 7.4. of the OCP to include the South End Urban Design Guidelines.	Section 6.2.	Immediate	Done
Open Space and Connectivity
3.Evaluate the need for additional bike racks at Deverill Square and Knowles Park.	Section 5.2.(5)	Immediate	City Parks Dept.  will evaluate
4.Work with the Nanaimo Port Authority and Snuneymuxw First Nation to explore the feasibility of establishing pedestrian access points from the neighbourhood to the waterfront along Milton, Farquhar, Sabiston, Needham, Robins and Woodhouse streets.	Section 5.2.(12)	Short term	No action yet
5.Initiate discussion to jointly design a new waterfront park, waterfront walkway, and public boat launch area with both the Nanaimo Port Authority and the Snuneymuxw First Nation as part of a plan for the future Assembly Wharf / CP Lands.	Section 5.2.(13)	Short term	No action yet
6.Initiate discussion with waterfront stakeholders to explore feasibility of extending a waterfront walk along the entire length of the neighbourhood.	Section 5.2.(14)	Short term	No action yet
7.Develop a promotional program which publicly recognizes home gardens and food self-sufficiency efforts in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.2.(15)	Short term	SECA will work on this idea.  Also Fall Fair concept.
8.Explore feasibility of amending the City’s Animal Control Bylaw to allow resident-based bee keeping and limited livestock husbandry in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.2.(15)	Short Term	No action yet.  Likely a city wide initiative.
9.Consider adding parkland and open space identified on Map 1: Neighbourhood Land Use as acquisition priorities in the Parks Master Plan.	Section 5.2.(1)	Medium Term	City Parks Dept. will evaluate
10.Add a basketball/multi-use court, public art piece, and a small special event/performance space at Deverill Square Park in accordance with the Deverill Square Park Improvement Plan.	Section 5.2.(6)	Medium term	No action yet
11.Construct an observation and interpretive site on Esplanade or Crace street cul-de-sac which provides information on local history and information on local geographic and environmental features (e.g. Protection Island and Nanaimo River Estuary).	Section 5.2.(8)	Medium term	No action yet
12.Work with the Provincial Government to add a public viewpoint at Petroglyph Park.  Also, encourage the Provincial Government to add signage noting the view point’s existence at the park’s highway access.	Section 5.2.(8)	Medium term	No action yet
13.Create and implement a comprehensive Pedestrian Connectivity Plan for the neighbourhood based on Map 2: Pedestrian Connectivity and Road Classification.	Section 5.2.(10)	Medium term	No action yet
14.Prepare an urban agriculture strategy for the neighbourhood that identifies food security, constraints, opportunities and an action plan.	Section 5.2.(15)	Medium term	No action yet – likely will complete as part of City wide food security strategy
15.Work with the Island Corridor Foundation to plan and construct an extension of the E&N Trail through the neighbourhood.	Section 5.2.(16)	Medium term	City Parks currently working on design plan
16.Construct view point at the northern end of View Street.	Section 5.2.(9)	Long term	Subject to view street park development concept – interest shown by City Parks Dept.
17.Promote community gardens on park and open spaces lands under the City’s Volunteer in Parks (VIP) Program as well as an interim use on privately owned, vacant lots, with particular focus on Nicol and Haliburton Streets.	Section 5.2.(15)	Ongoing	SECA will evaluate – started with YPN project on Irwin Street.
18.Create more opportunities to sit in parks and along pedestrian walkways using environmentally friendly alternative designs and materials.	Section 5.2.(4)	Ongoing	No action yet.
Transportation and Infrastructure
19.Use mobile Speed Reader Board on Victoria/Old Victoria, Nicol and Haliburton Streets, and in proximity to Bayview School to slow traffic speeds.	Section 5.3.(9)	Immediate	No action yet.
20.Focus enforcement of the 50 km/h vehicle speed limit on Victoria/Old Victoria, Nicol and Haliburton Streets, and 30 km/h in proximity to Bayview School.	Section 5.3.(9)	Immediate	No action yet.
21.Consider removal of Victoria Road, north of South Street, from the truck route designation.	Section 5.3.(9)	Immediate	No action yet.
22.Update the City’s Manual of Engineering Standards and Specifications for street construction in the neighbourhood to reflect street design concepts contained within this plan.	Section 5.3.(2-5)	Short term	No action yet.
23.Work with the Provincial Government to evaluate possible pedestrian safety road design techniques for Nicol Street, including crosswalk points at key intersections.	Section 5.3.(9)	Short term	No action yet.
24.Work with the Provincial Government to evaluate possible installation of bike triggered intersection lights along Nicol Street.	Section 5.3.(9)	Short term	No action yet.
25.Work with the Provincial Government to evaluate feasibility of installing a pedestrian controlled flasher light at the intersection of Nicol Street and Farquhar Street, and pedestrian activated crosswalk buttons at the other intersections.	Section 5.3.(9)	Short term	No action yet.
26.Evaluate vehicle traffic speeds and traffic intensity on Victoria Road to determine whether traffic calming solutions would be warranted.	Section 5.3.(9)	Short Term	No action yet.
27.Work with the Provincial Government to evaluate feasibility of installing a traffic light and directional signage for cycle routes through the neighbourhood at the intersection of Haliburton Road and the Island Highway.	Section 5.3.(10)	Short term	Provincial Government has evaluated and noted support for implementation in near term – subject to budget approval – Province would like to cost share with City.
28.Evaluate road and lane conditions in the plan area and adjust Five-Year Capital Plan where warranted.	Section 5.3.(13)	Short term	No action yet.
29.Develop a long-term, phased lighting improvement plan for Haliburton Street and Victoria Road.	Section 5.3.(18)	Short term	No action yet.
30.Work with RDN Transit Authority to evaluate feasibility of using smaller buses and more frequent bus service through neighbourhood.	Section 5.3.(20)	Short term	No action yet.
Place neighbourhood gateway signage at the following locations: east side of Island Highway, near the intersection of the Island Highway, Haliburton Street, and Old Victoria Road; and near the intersection of Esplanade/Victoria Crescent with the Island Highway.	Section 5.3.(21)	Short term	No action yet.
31.Construct a flag stop at the intersection of the rail line and Fifth Street.	Section 5.3.(6)	Medium term	No action yet.
32.Evaluate the feasibility of constructing a cul-de-sac on View Street, between Rainer and South Streets, or limiting traffic movement at the intersection of View and South Streets.	Section 5.3.(11)	Medium term	No action yet.
33.Evaluate feasibility of closing section of Old Victoria Road intersecting with Needham Street to vehicle traffic to create a linear park, or into a one way heading northeast and reversing one-way on View Street in front of Bayview School.	Section 5.3.(12)	Medium term	No action yet.
34.Develop alternate streetscape design standards which encourage use of non-standard surfacing materials, pervious pavements and on-site storm water retention.	Section 5.3.(16)	Medium term	No action yet.  Likely will need City-wide initiative.
35.Work with BC Hydro to evaluate where candidates for power line burial may exist in neighbourhood and how they can be completed.	Section 5.3.(17)	Medium term	No action yet.
36.Evaluate lane lighting levels and upgrade where necessary.	Section 5.3.(19)	Medium term	No action yet.
37.Consider locating new bus shelters at Milton Street (between Nicol and Haliburton), Haliburton (between Finlayson and Milton), Victoria Road (between Milton and Kennedy), Haliburton (near the intersections with Sabiston and Needham Streets), and Victoria Road (near the intersection with Rainer).	Section 5.3.(20)	Medium term	No action yet.
38.Work with RDN Transit Authority to evaluate feasibility of establishing a looped, express bus connection between the neighbourhood, Downtown and Harewood, with specific stops at John Barsby Secondary School, Nanaimo District Secondary School and Vancouver Island University.	Section 5.3.(20)	Medium term	No action yet.
39.Work with RDN Transit Authority to evaluate feasibility of constructing a looped street car or electric bus line along Victoria Road and Haliburton Street connecting to the Downtown.	Section 5.3.(20)	Medium term	No action yet.
40.Work with RDN Transit Authority to evaluate feasibility of consolidating Victoria Road/Haliburton Street transit routes onto Nicol Street in order to improve user experience and system efficiency.	Section 5.3.(20)	Medium term	No action yet.
41.Work with the Island Corridor Foundation to install neighbourhood gateway signage near intersection of rail line with Fifth Street.	Section 5.3.(21)	Medium term	No action yet.
42.Consider sidewalk and curb upgrades at the locations identified in Map 3:  Transportation and Infrastructure.	Section 5.3.(14)	Long term	No action yet.
43.Support neighbourhood efforts to clean up and beautify neighbourhood lanes.	Section 5.3.(15)	Ongoing	Already in process through SECA annual cleanup efforts.  City will continue to support at SECA request.
Social Enrichment and Culture
44.Encourage local residents to participate in the City’s graffiti removal program.	Section 5.4.(1)	Immediate	SECA will circulate program brochure and look for members to take this on.
45.Create and distribute information brochure on City’s nuisance and unsightly properties regulations to neighbourhood residents.	Section 5.4.(1)	Immediate	Brochure will be developed by SECA with City assistance and then distributed.
46.Create and implement a Neighbourhood Cleanup Program that may include the following: publicly recognizes well maintained properties and encourages pride of ownership; targets derelict or unkempt properties for community cleanup efforts; and creates voluntary external repaint initiative for residences and businesses located along the eastern side of Nicol Street, with priority given to the section between Milton and Farquhar Streets.	Section 5.4.(1)	Immediate	SECA will pursue through beautification initiative with support of City.
47.Install way finding signage along Nicol Street for key points of interest or locations in and around the neighbourhood.	Section 5.4.(4)	Immediate	No action yet.
48.Repair or replace landscaping and fencing along the eastern edge of Nicol Street.	Section 5.4.(1)	Short term	No action yet.
49.Expand the street banner program along Nicol Street.	Section 5.4.(1)	Short term	No action yet.  Consider banners designed by local South End artists.
50.Create a strategy  for stabilizing and revitalizing vacant properties that may include the following: a property monitoring system; a comprehensive approach to nuisance enforcement and property maintenance requirements such as found in the International Property Maintenance Code; and/or a mechanism for the City to facilitate property acquisition and use.	Section 5.4.(1)	Short term	No action yet.
51.Work with the South End Community Association to assign names to lanes in plan area.	Section 5.4.(5)	Short term	SECA will identify possible lane names for City consideration.
52.Work with South End Community Association and local pub owners to develop Good Neighbour Agreements to lessen negative impacts on surrounding residential areas.	Section 5.4.(8)	Short term	Good Neighbour Agreements currently required for all pubs/lounges/night clubs.  Will look at agreement format that requires ongoing relationship between business operator and SECA.
53.The South End Community Association will work with the Provincial Government and local child care providers to evaluate the supply and demand for child care services within the neighbourhood and determine the need for additional resources.	Section 5.4.(11)	Short term	No action yet.
54.Setup formal liaison between South End Community Association, the Snuneymuxw First Nation, School District #68 and the City for purposes of communication and partnership on servicing, security, community building, planning and arts/culture initiatives in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.4.(12)	Short Term	No action yet.
55.Erect community notice boards at Deverill Square and Knowles Park.	Section 5.4.(13)	Short term	No action yet.  SECA has proposed custom designed notice board at Irwin Street cul-de-sac near Gino Sedola memorial tree.
56.Work with the Provincial Government and Snuneymuxw First Nation to develop a co-management agreement for Petroglyph Park.	Section 5.4.(17)	Short term	No action yet.  City Parks Department interested in this idea.
57.Explore feasibility of adapting an existing School District #68 owned building to be used as a recreational, educational and social gathering place in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.2.(18)	Short term	No action yet.
58.Prepare a comprehensive CPTED evaluation of the neighbourhood for use by both the City and local property owners.	Section 5.4.(8)	Medium term	No action yet.
59.Create comprehensive social planning, education and public health strategy in the neighbourhood, focused on poverty, drug use and prostitution reduction.	Section 5.4.(9)	Medium term	No action yet.  Consider partnership with VIU students as Public Health project.
60.Evaluate and add neighbourhood buildings and sites as listed in Appendix C to the City’s Official Heritage Register, subject to owner support.	Section 5.4. (14)	Medium term	No action yet.
61.Work with the South End Community Association to identify opportunities for heritage interpretation and heritage themed public art in the neighbourhood, specifically along the South End Heritage Walk route.	Section 5.4.(15)	Medium term	No action yet.
62.Work with Vancouver Island Regional Library to explore feasibility of locating a library in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.2.(19)	Medium term	No action yet.
63.Plant boulevard trees along Nicol Street, Haliburton Street, and Victoria Road, as well as along Crace Street, Esplanade, Irwin Street, Milton Street, Needham Street and View Street.	Section 5.4.(1)	Ongoing	SECA, with City support, will continue to initiate periodic boulevard tree planting events.
64.Place public art in neighbourhood parks and open spaces in cooperation with the South End Community Association and Snuneymuxw First Nation.	Section 5.4.(3)	Ongoing	SECA, with City support, will identify ideas and opportunities for projects.
65.The South End Community Association, with City of Nanaimo support, will conduct a resident survey every three years to gauge resident satisfaction and to aid in issue and solution identification.	Section 5.4.(13)	Ongoing	SECA will look to carry out survey in 2013, and every 3 years thereafter.
Environmental Protection and Enhancement
66.Expand “Green Box” Kitchen Waste Recycling Program to the neighbourhood.	Section 5.5.(1)	Immediate	Done, as part of City-wide initiative.
67.Work with the South End Community Association to map the neighbourhood’s environmental features and the status of any monitoring/restoration programs by means of the City’s online Environmental atlas.	Section 5.5.(11)	Short term	SECA, with City support, will look at initiating a neighbourhood based mapping process.
68.Create a Neighbourhood Air Quality Strategy with local business and residents to minimize the neighbourhood’s contributions to air pollution.	Section 5.5.(5)	Medium term	No action yet.  Data is being collected by the Ministry of Environment with respect to air quality city wide.  Various city-wide initiatives to lessen air pollution currently underway (e.g. wood stove change out and Burn It Smart) .
69.Create a Neighbourhood Water Management Plan with the objective to reduce potable water consumption, retaining more surface and grey water runoff on site, and better managing neighbourhood water demand.	Section 5.5.(5)	Medium term	No action yet.  Some city wide initiatives currently addressing this issue (Low Flow Toilet Rebate, alternative development standards for storm water retention adopted, etc.)
70.Work with local utility companies to complete an energy audit of the neighbourhood.	Section 5.5.(4)	Medium term	No action yet.
71.Work with BC Hydro through its “PowerSmart Sustainable Communities” program to explore the feasibility of introducing a district energy system in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.5.(4)	Medium Term	No action yet.
72.Work with South End Community Association and other stakeholders to create a greenhouse gas emissions baseline inventory for the neighbourhood and set neighbourhood based performance goals under the Sustainability Action Plan.	Section 5.5.(5)	Medium Term	No action yet.  Sustainability Action Plan likely to be adopted by City Council in 2012.
73.Explore the feasibility of using alternative energy sources in VIHA and School District buildings located in the plan area.	Section 5.5.(9)	Medium term	No action yet.
74.Consider providing complimentary garbage tags annually for use under the South End Community Association’s Art Bin program.	Section 5.5.(1)	Ongoing	Not an issue at this time.
75.Lessen the impacts of industry on surrounding residential areas by means of “good neighbour agreements”, bylaw enforcement, improved buildings and landscape design, and improved property maintenance.	Section 5.5.(3)	Ongoing	Will employ when issues arise regarding a specific property.
76.Complete periodic measurement of neighbourhood’s percent of permeable surface and tree canopy areas to monitor change in these rates.	Section 5.5.(5)	Ongoing	Baseline inventory and mapping has not yet been done.
77.Continue to promote “Woodstove Change Out” and “Burn It Smart” programs to lessen woodstove emissions in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.5.(5)	Ongoing	City continues to offer programs – looking at accelerating use of programs in South End.
78.Work with the Provincial Government to measure neighbourhood air quality and evaluate the results.	Section 5.5.(5)	Ongoing	City working in partnership with Ministry of Environment on City-wide air quality analysis.
79.Target neighbourhood for energy efficiency retrofit and green technology incentive programs for homes and businesses.	Section 5.5.(6)	Ongoing	No action yet.
80.Work with South End Community Association to promote Low Flow Toilet Rebate Program in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.5.(6)	Ongoing	City will promote program in area with SECA help.
81.Hold periodic lectures and educational sessions promoting environmental and climate change awareness, and practical actions that can be taken to improve the neighbourhood’s “green” profile.	Section 5.5.(10)	Ongoing	City will work with SECA to bring opportunities for lectures/sessions to neighbourhood.
Economic Development
82.Review the feasibility of establishing a Development Incentive Program that encourages mixed use commercial/residential development on land designated Mixed-Use Corridor, Urban Node, and Neighbourhood Commercial on Map 1: Neighbourhood Land Use.  The program may include the following incentives: expansion of Downtown Development Cost Charges exemption area south of Pine Street; creation of a Revitalization Tax Exemption Area as permitted under Section 226 of the Community Charter; residential density bonusing; pre-zoning of subject lands.	Section 5.6.(1)	Immediate	Partial action.  Residential density bonusing allowed under new Zoning Bylaw, and a number of areas in the South End were up zoned to encourage higher intensity of commercial/residential development.  Still need to look at DCC expansion and Revitalization Tax Exemption area ideas.
83.Review the feasibility of establishing a Brownfield Redevelopment Program that encourages mixed-use redevelopment of old gas station sites on Nicol Street.  The program may include the following: Development Cost Charge exemption; revitalization property tax exemption under Section 226 of the Community Charter; Residential density bonusing; Development/building permit fee waivers; Cash grant per residential unit created on the site.	Section 5.6.(3)	Immediate	Partial action.  City currently working with Province on policy and actions which would encourage Brownfield redevelopment.  Design workshop recently held to test barriers to redevelopment of gas station sties – two gas station sites on Nicol Street examined in this process.  Province would like to help Cities in B.C. development local redevelopment incentives to supplement Provincial incentives.
84.Consider amending the City’s Development Parking Regulations Bylaw by lowering the multiple family residential on-site parking requirements for properties identified as Mixed-Use Corridor on Map 1: Neighbourhood Land Use to match the requirements for Schedule C, Area #3 found in the downtown core.	Section 5.6.(2)	Short term	No action yet.
85.Initiate business education campaign to promote creation of home based businesses in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.6.(5)	Short term	No action yet.
86.Increase the City’s Heritage Home Grant Program budget specifically targeting heritage building rehabilitation in the South End.	Section 5.6.(6)	Short term	No action yet.
87.Initiate media promotion campaign for South End.	Section 5.6.(7)	Short term	No action yet.
88.Work with the South End Community Association and local businesses, food producers, and community garden groups to encourage the establishment of a farmer’s market within the neighbourhood.	Section 5.6.(4)	Medium term	SECA will consider initiating – need champion – someone who will instigate and manage.
89.Work with the Provincial Government to promote community economic development, employment and skill training efforts in the neighbourhood.	Section 5.6.(5)	Ongoing	No action yet.

 

Note on time frames:

 

Immediate – within 1  year

Short Term – within 1–5 years

Medium Term – within 5-10 years

Long Term – 10+ years

 

Shaded items imply completed or inactive action.

 

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Community Garden Update

Hello Gardeners!

Spring is in the air and we’re looking forward togetting out on site (when it’s not raining or snowing..).   We have plots available for lease – $30 for the year – please email us at gardens@ypnanaimo.com to make arrangements.  Everyone welcome to join, so tell your neighbours and friends!

Also please mark your calendars for the following Vounteer Days where we will be following our planting schedule for the foodbank plots.  As the maintenance of these plots are all done by volunteers we hope to see you out – even if you only have a few miuntes, we would love to see you!  The Volunteer Days are also it’s a chance to help share your gardening expertise with the other gardeners – or learn from other gardeners!

• Wedneday April 4th – 4pm  THIS WEEK!
• Wednesday April 18th – 5pm (note new time going forward)
• Wednesday May 2nd – 5pm
• Wednesday May 16th – 5pm

Finally, If you haven’t checked out the Turner Rd garden yet and want to see how it’s progressing, please come by during the North Garden Open House Friday April 13th 3-5pm – bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the foodbank, come help plant the foodbank plots and get to meet some fellow gardeners!

See you on site,

Jenn & Andre

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