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Nestled on the eastern shores of spectacular Vancouver Island, the Town of Ladysmith features all the warmth and charm of small town living with a full range of services and amenities.
Ladysmith Parks, Recreation & Culture is bursting with recreational activities and fun-filled events for all ages! The Department is committed to enhancing the health & quality of life of the community through accessible programs, services, facilities and open spaces.
The Town is committed to sustainable vision for our community as we work to mitigate the impacts of climate change. We were the first BC community to introduce curbside pick-up for household organic waste and continue to advance projects that help to protect and conserve our environment.
The Town along with our partners is promoting a business-friendly culture in Ladysmith that supports economic development and job creation.
Discover the Parks, Recreation and Culture department's programs and classes in the latest Activity Guide. We offer a full range of recreation, education and art programs for all ages and abilities. Explore the Guide and register today.
The Town of Ladysmith's Strategic Plan is a progressive vision set by Council for improving the lives of residents in a thriving town, and provides clear direction and focus for Council and staff over the current term.
Ladysmith is a charming small town with a thriving economy, vibrant downtown and picturesque waterfront, whose welcoming neighbourhoods reflect the quality of our citizens.
The Town of Ladysmith has started the pre-construction phase of structural, code and seismic upgrades to the Machine Shop that will ensure this historic building is retained as a community asset for years to come.
The Town was awarded $1.8 million in federal Gas Tax funding in March 2018 to make improvements to the building. The Machine Shop is the anchor of the Arts and Heritage Hub contained within the Waterfront Area Plan.
Construction is expected to begin in late August or early September and be complete before the end of 2019.
Early phases of the project have involved a complete assessment of the 75-year-old building by architects and engineers in order to understand what BC Building Code requirements are necessary first before any future design phases can proceed.
As part of completing this phase of building enhancements, excavation work on the exterior west side of the Machine Shop requires the removal of building braces and an old railway spur line.
"The Town is committed to preserving the historical features of the Machine Shop that make it such a unique building and an important part of telling the story of our industrial heritage on the waterfront," said Mayor Aaron Stone.
The exterior building braces being removed are non-structural and will be retained, along with the spur line until Council determines how it wishes to proceed with future site development.
Existing, non-functioning doors will be removed during construction, and will be re-installed once renovations are complete.
An immediate priority for the project will be completing repairs to the roof beams so that a new roof membrane can be installed prior to the fall.
Throughout the pre-construction phase the Town has consulted with Machine Shop tenants, including the Ladysmith and District Arts Council, Coast Salish artist John Marston and the Ladysmith Maritime Society, to ensure minimal disruption. Shipping containers have also been made available on site for groups requiring storage of any equipment or supplies during their temporary relocation.
"We appreciate the cooperation of the tenants working together as we try and reduce the impact and complete the building enhancements over the coming months," said Stone.
All existing Machine Shop tenants will be allowed to return following the completion of construction and Requests for Proposals for any new space allocations will be presented to Council in the coming months.
The Machine Shop was built by the Comox Logging and Railway Company in the 1940s to maintain its fleet of logging equipment and rail cars. The Town acquired the building in 1986.
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The Town of Ladysmith has updated its Official Community Plan (OCP) to help manage growth and change in a way that helps our community meet its goals
The Town of Ladysmith's 2023-2026 Strategic Plan is a progressive vision set by Council for improving the lives of residents in a thriving town, and provides clear direction and focus for Council and staff over the current term.
Acting Mayor
Council is proud to serve the over 9,000 residents who call the Town of Ladysmith home. Mayor and Council meet regularly as both Council and the Committee of the Whole. As part of their duties as elected officials, members of Council also serve on various boards and committees, including: the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Vancouver Island Regional Library Board, Community Planning Advisory Committee, Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, Youth Advisory Committee, and several more.
Councillor