People, Purpose, Presence - City of Nanaimo celebrates Public Works Week

400 Grade Four and Five students are welcomed to the Public Works Yard

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed May 7, 2025 10:00 AM

Summary

In celebration of National Public Works Week, the City of Nanaimo will welcome more than 400 Grade Four and Five students to the Public Works Yard on Wednesday, May 21. Throughout the day, students will explore a variety of interactive learning stations hosted by City staff, offering hands-on insights into the essential services that keep Nanaimo running smoothly.

This year’s theme, "People, Purpose, Presence," recognizes the dedication of public works professionals and the vital role they play in enhancing the quality of life in our communities. Students will engage with staff to learn about road maintenance, water distribution, solid waste management, recycling and more. The experience aims to build understanding and appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that supports everyday life in Nanaimo.

Staff will open the yard to the public between 3 and 5 p.m. Small groups will be guided through a number of stations and parts of the Public Works Yard with interactive and educational information on how staff respond to weather events and maintain above and below ground assets to ensure the City runs smoothly. Open house tours are free, but registration is required to ensure enough tour guides are available. To register, search "Public Works Day" in the Parks, Recreation and Culture registration system at recreation.nanaimo.ca or call 250-756-5200.

National Public Works Week is celebrated across North America to raise awareness of the important contributions of public works professionals and promote careers in the field. The City of Nanaimo is proud to support this initiative by providing students with meaningful, real-world learning opportunities that connect them to the services they use every day. Giving school-aged children the opportunity to experience the various functions the department performs and the reason for doing things like recycle or conserve water provides a foundation for them to become engaged citizens for sustainability.

Link to Strategic Plan: Provision of affordable and sustainable utility services is critical to the livability of a community. See how Public Works makes land use, planning and capital investment decisions with a long term life cycle asset management perspective for the design, maintenance and renewal of servicing infrastructure, including natural assets.

Key Points

National Public Works Week runs from May 18 - 24 and this year's theme is "People, Purpose, Presence." It is an initiative to bring awareness to the essential role Public Works plays in the quality of life for a community.
Giving school-aged children the opportunity to experience the various functions the department performs and the reason for doing things like recycle or conserve water provides a foundation for them to become engaged citizens and stewards for sustainability.
The community is invited to register to attend a free open house at Public Works on May 21 between 3 and 5 p.m. To register, search "Public Works Day" in the Parks, Recreation and Culture registration system at recreation.nanaimo.ca or call 250-756-5200.

Quotes

"Public Works Week is a great opportunity to open our doors to the next generation and demonstrate what keeps our city moving. From clean drinking water to well-maintained roads, the work our Public Works staff does keeps our community functioning every single day. We’re proud of the work we do in serving Nanaimo! By offering a hands-on learning experience, this event aims to spark curiosity and help students gain a deeper understanding of the vital role civic infrastructure plays in our daily lives. We hope to inspire the next generation to take part in building a more sustainable future."

Bill Sims

General Manager, Engineering & Public Works

City of Nanaimo

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Contact:

For more enquiries, please contact:

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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