The Comox Valley Extreme Weather Response Team has activated the Extreme Weather Protocol today, Friday March 23, until forecasted weather conditions improve. Additional shelter spaces are available. http://comoxvalleyewp.com/

Good news: the City of Courtenay has been chosen to participate in a national pilot project that will help strengthen the City’s resilience to the effects of climate change. Courtenay will be using the pilot project to develop an action plan for flood mitigation in the downtown core through a combination of natural assets and the built environment. Natural assets are ecosystem features such as wetlands that provide, or could be restored to provide, services like storm water management. http://www.courtenay.ca/EN/meta/news/news-archives/2018-archives/courtenay-selected-for-national-pilot-project.html

Overnight commuters, take note: 17th Street between Fitzgerald and Cliffe Avenues will be reduced to single-lane alternating traffic tonight starting at midnight, continuing until approximately 8:00 am Friday morning, for storm drain repair and upgrades. Traffic control personnel will be on hand to assist all commuters and emergency vehicles. Thank you for your patience during these necessary repairs.

A large section of the Valley View Greenway trail will be closed from Monday, March 26 to Friday, March 30 for renovations to the surface of the trail. The trail will be closed between Thorpe Avenue and Mallard Drive (see map). Signs will be posted at the trail entrances. For more information, please call Public Works Services at 250-338-1525 or email publicworks@courtenay.ca.

Adapted Programs for Adults with Disabilities – Active Music class is cancelled today, Wed Mar.21 at the Tsolum Building from 10:30 – 11:30 am. This free drop-in program is on a break for a few weeks and begins again on Wed Apr. 11, mark your calendars! FMI: 250-338-5371 or http://www.courtenay.ca/EN/main/community/recreation/adapted-programs.html

Thank you to everyone that has filled out the Connecting Courtenay Master Transportation Survey so far. We've already received over 700 submissions! If you haven't completed the survey, please share your views with us at www.courtenay.ca/connectingcourtenay Deadline Wednesday March 28.

FUNdamental Skills is cancelled tomorrow, Saturday, March 17 from 9:15 – 10:15 am at the Lewis Centre. This multi-sport program for young athletes ages 5 – 11 years with intellectual disabilities resumes for the final session on Saturday, March 24. Spring session classes start April 14. For more information call the Lewis Centre 250-338-5371 or http://www.courtenay.ca/EN/main/community/recreation/programs/children/martial_arts.html

Please note that there will be traffic delays this Sunday, March 18 for the Comox Valley Road Runners 21K Run from 10:00 am – 1:30 pm. The run will take place around Condensory, Piercy, Dove Creek and Burns Roads. As well, Anderton Avenue between 1st to 5th Street will be closed to traffic.

Adapted Programs for Adults is cancelling Karate on Friday, March 16 and 23, 10:00 – 11:30 am. Karate will resume in the spring session, April 20 – June 15. More info: 250-338-5371 or http://www.courtenay.ca/EN/main/community/recreation/adapted-programs.html

Put on your dancing shoes and wear green! Adapted Programs for Adults is holding a St Patrick’s day dance today, Friday, Mar.16 from 12:30 – 2:30 pm at the Lewis Centre. Enjoy great vibes and great music from a playlist. Thank you to the Comox Valley Community Foundation for a generous grant to help make these dances possible. For further dance information, call the Lewis Centre at 250-338-5371 or for more info on Adapted Programs visit http://www.courtenay.ca/EN/main/community/recreation/adapted-programs.html

City Parks staff in partnership with Project Watershed are thinning Alder trees at Simms Park tomorrow, Friday, March 16. Tree thinning is taking place to enhance fish habitat in the newly enhanced waterway at Simms Park. The idea is to fall the trees towards the water so that the branches will create in-stream cover for fish. This cover will provide fish with refuge in the short term until the newly planted vegetation fills in. The Alder trees themselves will also benefit from being thinned. For more information, please call Public Works Services at 250-338-1525 or email publicworks@courtenay.ca.