Interested in learning new skills, joining an incredible crew, while making a huge difference in your community? Apply to join the North Cowichan Fire Department! 🚨Learn more and apply at www.northcowichan.ca/firefighter

It's national take a hike day! What's your favourite place to hike in North Cowichan? Visit northcowichan.ca/trails for trail information and maps.

It's the time of year when we all start turning on our heaters and fireplaces to warm our homes. But did you know that 50% of home heating fires are reported during the months of December through February? Here are some tips from the North Cowichan Fire Department to help keep you safe this season.

Residents who no longer want to receive a paper invoice for their tax and utility bills, business licences, and dog licences can sign up to have invoices sent straight to their email. ⭐ Sign up today at northcowichan.ca/mymuni

And just like that, the new Chemainus waterwheel is starting to look like a waterwheel! The old waterwheel - which was past its life expectancy - has been removed, and our talented carpenter, Jacob is busily making a new one. The final install is expected to take place near the end of November.

⚠️ Road work notice ⚠️ North Cowichan crews are replacing a water service in front of 6232 Hawkes Blvd. 📍 Between 6220 and 6248 Hawkes Blvd. 📆 Thursday, November 13 | 8:30am - 4:00pm 🚧 Closed to through traffic, local traffic only. Use alternate routes where possible to avoid delays.

Our new hospital has a new name! It will be called Quw'utsun Hulitun-ew't-hw, meaning “Cowichan place of giving life.” It will be paired with the English name Quw'utsun Valley Hospital. @vanislandhealth.bsky.social

In honour of Remembrance Day, Municipal Hall and our recreation facilities (Cowichan Aquatic Centre and Fuller Lake Arena) will be closed Tuesday, November 11.

Council meets this Wednesday at 5pm, and you’re invited! Whether you join us in person, tune in online, or catch the live-stream, it’s a great way to stay connected with what’s happening in North Cowichan. Find the full agenda + meeting links at northcowichan.ca/meetings

Did you hear? Chemainus is getting a new waterwheel! The old waterwheel has been removed, and our talented carpenter, Jacob is busily making a new one. The pond has been drained, cleaned, and repaired, and the final install is expected to take place near the end of November.

Last weekend, we celebrated the newest inductees into the North Cowichan-Duncan Sports Wall of Fame. Congratulations to Michael Braithwaite, Joe DiLalla, Kim Dillabaugh, Nick Gilbert, Norman Jackson, and Leanne Wilkinson-Sirup! 👏 Read more at https://loom.ly/vhUGqRo

Several of North Cowichan's parks and trails have been voted Best of the Valley! 🏆 🚵‍♀️ Best place to mountain bike Winner: Mount Tzouhalem Second Place: Maple Mountain 🌄 Best view of the city Winner: Mount Prevost Second Place: Mount Tzouhalem Runner Up: Maple Mountain

📣Reminder - the deadline to submit your petition regarding the proposed Local Area Service for the Donnay Dr lands acquisition is Oct 31 at 4pm. If you are in support of the proposed land acquisition, no action is required. Find resources and more info at connectnorthcowichan.ca/donnay-lands

📬 Want news about your community sent right to your inbox? Choose which information you want to receive: ✅ North Cowichan news ✅ Council matters ✅ Council and committee meeting agendas ✅ Building industry updates Subscribe to any of our email lists today at northcowichan.ca/subscribe

🚧 Genoa Bay Rd will be closed to traffic in both directions on Tues. Oct 28, 7:30am-5:30pm. At the top of each hour, waiting vehicles will be allowed through using single alternating traffic. Emergency vehicles will have access through at all times. Learn more at northcowichan.ca/roads

With heavy rain in the forecast, here are a few ways to get prepared: 🍂 Clear catch basins and gutters of leaves 💧 Ensure ditches and drainage are clear ⚠️Report any issues to 250-746-3106 during working hours or to 250-746-5512 on evenings and weekends.

⚠️ Road work notice ⚠️ Duncan Paving is patching pavement. 📍 Chemainus Road 📆 Monday, October 20 | 8am - 4pm (weather permitting) 🚧 Traffic control personnel will be on site with single lane, alternating traffic. Please use alternate routes where possible to avoid delays.

⚠️ Road work notice ⚠️ Duncan Paving is conducting crack sealing. 📍 Grant Road and Genoa Bay Road 📆 Wednesday, October 17 | 8am - 4pm 🚧 Traffic control personnel will be on site with single lane, alternating traffic. Please use alternate routes where possible to avoid delays.

North Cowichan employees participated in in The Great British Columbia Shake Out earthquake drill this morning! Did you? Learn more and sign up to participate in your own drill at shakeoutbc.ca

Mayor and Council recently joined the North Cowichan Fire Department to take part in their annual awards banquet to honour its long-term members. The North Cowichan Fire Department has 120+ members and provides service to Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay, and South End. We thank you for your service!

Join us for our next Council meeting this Wednesday at 5pm! Attend in person, join online via WebEx, or watch the live-stream to stay informed about the decisions shaping our community. Find the agenda and meeting links at northcowichan.ca/meetings

🔥It's Fire Prevention Week🔥 A reminder from the North Cowichan Fire Department that only working smoke alarms save lives! 💨Smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years. 💨Replace your smoke alarms batteries every 6 months. 💨Test your smoke alarm every month by pressing the test button.

⚠️ Pavement repairs in progress ⚠️ 📍 Intersection of Victoria St and Willow St, Chemainus. 📆 Wednesday, October 8 | 9am - 4pm 🚧 Traffic control personnel will be on site, and traffic will alternate through the work zone. Please use alternate routes where possible to avoid delays.

We are hiring a Labourer on a casual basis to support essential services such as road maintenance, snow and ice control, & refuse collection. In this role, you’ll gain valuable training, develop new skills, & build a foundation for a long-term career with us. Apply now at www.northcowichan.ca/jobs

⚠️ Road work notice ⚠️ 📍 1722 Maple Bay Road 📆 Wednesday, October 8 | 6:30am - 6:30pm 🚧 Single lane, alternating traffic will be in effect and traffic control personnel will be on site to assist. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays.

A 60-year-old water main is getting a replacement. It has had breakages 4 times over the past couple of years causing damage to homes, yards, and infrastructure. 💧 Quamichan Park Rd water main 📍 Quamichan Park Rd between Jaynes Rd and Somenos Creek 🗓️ Beginning October 6 and lasting ~ 1 month

Waterwheel Park is getting a new waterwheel! Don't be alarmed if you see the iconic waterwheel being removed over the next couple of days. The work will include removing the old waterwheel, cleaning & repairing the pond, & installing the new wheel. The work will take about a month to complete.

Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. North Cowichan recognizes this day in honour of the survivors of the residential school system, and to remember those who didn't make it home. Cowichan Aquatic Centre, Fuller Lake Arena, and Municipal Hall are all closed today.

🏆 North Cowichan has been recognized as a leader in climate action with an award for the net zero RCMP detachment building. The Climate & Energy Action Award was presented at the annual Union of BC Municipalities convention in Victoria last evening. Read more: https://loom.ly/srbt20w

The work on Bell McKinnon near Norcross Rd is well underway, & the southbound lane remains open to traffic (with intermittent waits). All businesses in the area are open & accessible during construction. If you're traveling northbound, you can access Bell McKinnon southbound via Norcross Rd.

BC Hydro has begun road access work on the south side of Maple Mountain. 🚵‍♂️ There will be NO IMPACT to trail users. The road improvements are intended to enhance access for vegetation management, transmission line maintenance, and emergency response within the transmission rights-of-way.

Learn more about the Local Area Service process to proceed with purchasing two vacant properties near Donnay Drive for the purposes of nature conservation and the development and preservation of a trail network. View maps, FAQs, and more at connectnorthcowichan.ca/donnay-lands

🚧 Work began this week on Bell McKinnon Road between Norcross and Drinkwater to replace the water main. This portion of Bell McKinnon will be open one-way for south-bound traffic only. The work is expected to wrap up in late October. www.northcowichan.ca/projects

📣 The next Council meeting is this Wednesday at 5pm! Join us in person, online through WebEx, or view the live-stream - stay connected with the decisions that impact our community. Find the full agenda and meeting links at northcowichan.ca/meetings

📅Mark your calendar: Herd Road will fully reopen to traffic on Tuesday, Sept. 16! North Cowichan extends a thank you to residents, businesses, and commuters for their patience and support throughout the duration of these important infrastructure upgrades. Read more at https://loom.ly/5U5e4qo

🚧Work is underway on Adelaide Street in Crofton to repair a culvert at Adelaide and Northview. Travelers in the area can expect minor delays, with the possibility of occasional single-lane alternating traffic. Work is expected to be wrapped up by the end of September.

📣 An online cart exchange request form is now available for those who would like to exchange one or both curbside carts (or request bear resistant carts) at www.northcowichan.ca/carts Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or 250-746-3106.

Council's next meeting is this Wednesday at 5pm! Join us however works best for you - in person, online via WebEx, or view the live-stream. Stay connected with decisions shaping North Cowichan. 🔗 Find full details and the agenda at northcowichan.ca/meetings

🌿 We celebrated the opening of Chemainus Community Gardens last week! Thanks to Cowichan Neighbourhood House, Harvest House Food Bank & First Food Chemainus, plus amazing local volunteers & businesses. This space is growing food - and community!💚

⛸️ We’re back! Staff at Fuller Lake Arena have been busy installing the ice ahead of the 25/26 ice season. 📅 Bookings begin on August 23, and recreation programming starts on September 2. Visit www.reccowichan.ca to register. See you on the ice!

📅 Cowichan Aquatic Centre Maintenance Closure: 🏊 Pools closed Aug 31–Sept 21 🏋️ Fitness Centre closed Aug 31–Sept 7 ⏰ Fitness Centre Reopens Sept 8, Mon–Fri, 6am–4pm Passes valid at Fuller Lake Arena. Details: northcowichan.ca/recreation-parks/facilities/maintenance-closure

🚧 Road work started today on Emily St to replace storm main that has reached the end of its useful life. The work is expected to take approx 4 weeks. Signage & traffic control are in place, and delays are expected to be minimal. Thank you for your patience as we replace this aging infrastructure.

🗓️ Our next Council meeting is this Wednesday at 5pm! Join us in-person, connect through WebEx, or watch the live-stream. Stay informed on what’s happening in North Cowichan. Agenda and details at: northcowichan.ca/meetings

🚧 Line painting in progress 🗓️ Over the next 3 to 4 weeks (weather dependent) 📍 Various locations across North Cowichan 🛑 Follow all posted signage and traffic control personnel instructions to ensure safety for both workers and the public.

❗There will be no lifeguard on duty at Fuller Lake Park beach after 1:30pm on Mon Aug 18 & Wed Aug 20 due to a staffing shortage. Signs at the beach will indicate there is no lifeguard on duty. Swim with care and at your own risk. Crofton Pool, CAC, & Arbutus Park in Youbou have lifeguards on duty.

🚧 Askew Creek Trail will be closed for stream stabilization work from August 18-25. ❌ Avoid this area until the work is complete. Thank you for your patience

North Cowichan has begun work on an urgent water main repair project. 📍 Cowichan River (downstream of the silver bridge) 🗓️ August 15 - September 15 (This work is being done during the “fisheries window” which is when the risk to salmon and trout is at the lowest.)

⏰ Set your alarms! 🍁 Fall program registration opens Wed, Aug 13 at 7:00 AM! Programs run Sept 2–Jan 3. 📖 View the guide: https://isu.pub/kV9ZUFZ 💻 reccowichan.ca | 📞 250-746-7665 | 👋 In person at CAC or Fuller Lake Arena

Join us this Tuesday, August 12 for a Special Council meeting at 5pm. Attend in-person at Council Chambers, join online via WebEx (northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting), or watch the live-stream. 🔗 Find the agenda and live-stream link at northcowichan.ca/meetings

Stage 2 water restrictions are now in effect for all North Cowichan water systems. This follows the province’s move to increase the drought rating to Level 3 for East Vancouver Island. Learn what is and isn't permitted during Stage 2 at www.northcowichan.ca/water