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RDN committee advances proposal to allow VIEX to relocate to Nanoose Bay

RDN electoral area services committee unanimously approves motion for support
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Regional District of Nanaimo’s committee of the whole is recommending the board back a proposal that could see Vancouver Island Exhibition relocate from Nanaimo to Nanoose Bay. The 2022 fair will still take place at Beban Park. (News Bulletin file)

A Regional District of Nanaimo committee has recommended the board back a proposal that could allow the Vancouver Island Exhibition to move from Beban Park to Arbutus Meadows.

At the RDN’s electoral services area committee meeting March 3, directors unanimously approved a motion to support the summer fair’s non-farm use application to relocate from Nanaimo to Nanoose Bay. While the proposal will ultimately need approval from the Agricultural Land Commission, it requires RDN support as well as “an application-specific resolution,” according to regional district staff.

Bob Rogers, RDN Nanoose Bay director, voiced support for the proposal and said he thinks it is consistent with Agricultural Land Reserve and Agricultural Land Commission policies and practices. Arbutus Meadows lends itself to a summer fair, he told the News Bulletin last month.

“It’s good for the whole area,” said Rogers. “It’s good for agriculture in the area and it’s good for people to have something locally that they can go and enjoy.”

At the meeting, Stephen Kass, VIEX president, said this year’s fair, from Aug. 26-28, will happen at Beban Park.

The motion will be forwarded to the RDN’s March 22 board meeting and then to the Agricultural Land Commission.

RELATED: Application could see VIEX relocate to Nanoose Bay



reporter@nanaimobulletin.com

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Karl Yu

About the Author: Karl Yu

After interning at Vancouver Metro free daily newspaper, I joined Black Press in 2010.
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