Parties scramble to nominate candidates

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Both new and familiar names, among those pursuing seats in legislature

Provincial political parties are scrambling to nominate candidates in the wake of last week's snap election call. Over the weekend, the Green Party named Chris Istace its candidate in Nanaimo-North Cowichan. He runs the website called "Mindful Explorer" which focusses on backcountry hiking and mountain biking. The Liberal candidate Duck Paterson has been a Ladysmith councillor for 32 years. They will try to upset incumbent Doug Routley in a riding that has traditionally voted NDP. In Nanaimo, NDP incumbent Sheila Malcomson is being challenged by the just named Liberal candidate Kathleen Jones. The BC Green Party has not named a candidate in Nanaimo. Neither the Greens nor the NDP has named their candidates in Parksville-Qualicum. That riding is currently held by Liberal Michelle Stillwell.

Clippers given permission to have up to 50 spectators at games

The Nanaimo Clippers are trying to bring as many fans as possible back to the stands. The Provincial Health Officer has given the BC hockey league permission to have up to 50 spectators in their arenas. However, the Clippers' 2400 seat Frank Crane Arena remains closed due to the pandemic. The city has not said why. As a result, the Clippers will start their exhibition season at the 50 seat Cliff McNabb Arena. The owner and president of the Nanaimo Clippers, Wesley Mussio says his organization is doing whatever it takes to bring fans back.

"So whatever we can do safely, we're going to do because I think the bottom line and why I have hockey and you know, in the Nanaimo Clippers is to give back to the fans of Nanaimo and right now the way it's going without the fans in the stands sort of you know, it's something that Nanaimo is not benefiting from." —Wesley Mussio, Nanaimo Clippers owner and president.

The Nanaimo Clippers’ first exhibition game takes place this Friday.

GoByBike to Portugal

Starting today cyclists in Nanaimo have the chance to win prizes from gift certificates to a trip to Portugal. The "Pedal to Places" challenge encourages residents to explore Nanaimo by biking to specific locations and collecting code words to win a $200 gift card. The challenge is part of a province-wide biking campaign called “GoByBike BC.” The provincial contest is for cycling teams to log their kilometres for a chance to win a cycling trip to Portugal. The city's manager of transportation, Jamie Rose says the campaign is to encourage people of all ages to get comfortable riding in all seasons.

"Whereas the fall one is focused on really sort of reminding drivers and cyclists that the weather's changing, we need to adapt to our biking and driving habits, we need to dress for the weather, we need to make sure and be seen and be aware that there are other road users out there."— Jamie Rose, City of Nanaimo Manger of Transportation.

The two competitions run until October 4th. Details can be found on the City of Nanaimo's Facebook page.