Area B to be included in Nanaimo Civic Sport, Arts and Culture Merit Awards

Hope Lompe

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder

Gabriola islanders and other residents of Electoral Areas A, B and C will now be included in the annual City of Nanaimo Civic Sport, Arts and Culture Merit Awards.

Since 1981 the city has recognized nominated residents who receive international, national, Western Canadian or provincial honours. The award also recognizes groups and teams. In the past, residents of areas A, B and C, who often play in teams in the City of Nanaimo, were left out of these recognition opportunities while their team received the award. This left an awkward situation says Graeme Donn, Manager of Recreation for the RDN.

“Every now and again a couple of the kids would be left out of these award ceremonies while the rest of the teams were presented with their awards,” says Donn.

“…We don’t want to have anybody left out, and obviously it is an incredible achievement for what they’ve been able to do, and should be recognized,” he says.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) approved in June to partner with the city and School District 68 to include EA B along with areas A and C into the awards. They will also include the District of Lantzville once approved by their council.

“The hope is that by the time the April award ceremonies come around with the City of Nanaimo we can have everything in place to recognize the athletes and artists from these other areas.”

The City of Nanaimo will facilitate the annual event, while the RDN will help fund the added cost of approximately $50 per artist or athlete for the engraved medallion and certificate of recognition that comes with the award. Other specifics like which entity will choose the honourees has yet to be determined. The RDN has had a similar Performance Recognition program since 2010 paid through the Oceanside Services Committee for areas E, F, G and H, as well as the City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach. “Every year, the number [of nominations] to recognize athletes or artists has been continuing to grow, and there is quite a bit of interest in the ceremony,” says Donn. “I know the RDN one I went to in November there was a full crowd and very exciting. It goes a long way to help support the development of athletes and amateur competitors.”