News

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder They may be the Gabriola Soccer Association, but at the moment, none of the teams’ upcoming home games will be played on the island. All three of the island’s sports fields – one at Gabriola...

Sounder News BC Ferries announced last week that the company has once again hired Damen Shipyards Group (Damen) to build four hybrid electric Island Class vessels. Damen Shipyards built the last six Island Class vessels for BC Ferries. Two of those ships are currently...

Submitted article Since the autumn of 2020, the Kasahara Gabriola Trust Artist in Residence program has been bringing artists to Gabriola Island - to experience the area and community while having a set time to focus on their art practice, and in turn to give the...

Sounder News Gabriola RCMP had 81 calls for service in December. Cpl. Jordan Mullen, Detachment Commander for the Gabriola RCMP, thanked islanders for what was a relatively uneventful holidays season for the RCMP. A couple notable events - one was the RCMP cruiser...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The Islands Trust and Regional District of Nanaimo will receive $127,336 and $345,913, respectively, out of the latest round of housing funding announced by the B.C. government. The province...

Erin Udal Executive DirectorGabriola Island Chamber of Commerce The Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce (GICC) is preparing for its upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Business Award Ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, February 7th at the Agi Hall from 6:30 pm to...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says while they have no current plans to extract gravel from Barrett Quarry Pit, they still want it available in the future. The 40-acre...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Gabriolans can view the preliminary Coats Marsh weir decommissioning design and ask questions about the project at an information session on Jan. 20. Regional District of Nanaimo parks staff...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Proposed amendments to the Regional District of Nanaimo’s parks bylaw will head to the board in the coming months, including changes to permit and campground fees. RDN staff provided a list...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Regional District of Nanaimo directors defeated a motion to cease funding the Vancouver Island North Film Commission following some passionate debate. Electoral Area C Director Lauren...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder A funding increase for GERTIE has been approved by the Regional District of Nanaimo board. A motion by Electoral Area B Director Vanessa Craig, that funding for the Gabriola Community Bus...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder GIRO’s textile recovery initiative is receiving more grant funding from the Regional District of Nanaimo as it aims to be fully operational by next month. The RDN is providing $300,003 in...

Derek Kilbourn Sounder News The use of e-scooters on most of Gabriola roads is prohibited. Some exceptions apply, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI). Staff with MOTI provided the clarification this past week, after the Sounder...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Regional District of Nanaimo directors adopted a provisional budget at their last meeting of the year with provisos for staff not to act on some new staff positions before additional...

Sounder News The sports fields at the Gabriola Elementary School and the Rollo McLay Regional Park are currently closed. This was confirmed by media representatives of Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools, and the Regional District of Nanaimo. Staff with the Regional...

Sounder News At least 2,039 lives have been lost to unregulated drugs in the first 10 months of 2023, according to preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service. Three of those lives were lost on Gabriola Island. According to the data provided from the Coroners...

Derek Kilbourn Sounder News The Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District is beginning what will be a two year process to acquire a new firetruck for the Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department. The cost of the new truck looks to be $717,899, if the Board goes ahead...

Gabriola Agricultural Co-op Press Release The Gabriola Agricultural Co-op is pleased to announce the addition of Jenn Canvin and Naomi Melnyk to its Board, expanding the team to seven members. With a shared commitment to community-driven agriculture, and local food...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The first phase of engagement for Gabriola’s official community plan and land use bylaw review includes a component never attempted in the Islands Trust Area before, according to staff. The...

Emma Hamilton with Royce Gracie, after Hamilton became the first female in Canada to earn a Black Belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Submitted photo. Derek Kilbourn Sounder News Emma Hamilton has been awarded her Royce Gracie Black Belt. She is the first female in Canada to do...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Vanessa Craig was re-elected chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo board on the same day directors began the 2024 budget process. The director for Electoral Area B, Craig was elected for...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The Regional District of Nanaimo board of directors have teed up an alternative approval process for the establishment of a community health and wellbeing contribution service in Electoral...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The Regional District of Nanaimo and other jurisdictions along the Island Rail Corridor are in the planning stages of what to do with the 289-km stretch, according to an update from staff...

Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Gabriola’s Land and Trails Trust (GaLTT) is encouraged to see the Regional District of Nanaimo’s proposed 2024 budget includes funding to study setting up an accessible beach access at...

Chamber Ensemble Press Release In their first concert since the COVID hiatus, Director Brad Shipley and the Gabriola Chamber Ensemble – a community group made up of seven orchestra members and 18 choristers – are thrilled to be making beautiful music together again....