Mar 02, 2026

Machine Shop naming contest winners revealed

Ladysmith, BC — The Town of Ladysmith is pleased to reveal the winners of the Machine Shop naming contest.

Between January 26 and February 9, the Town invited residents to submit name ideas for two new public spaces—the multipurpose room and the meeting room—inside the historic Machine Shop at the heart of Ladysmith’s Arts and Heritage Hub.

Voting ran from February 11 until February 27 on Let’s Talk Ladysmith, the Town’s public engagement platform.

"We want to thank everyone who took the time to submit creative suggestions and cast their votes on Let’s Talk Ladysmith," says Nicholas Pescod, the Town’s Communication & Engagement Specialist. "Over 100 votes were cast for each room, demonstrating just how engaged our community is in shaping this space."

The winning names and prize winners of the Machine Shop naming contest are as follows:

Room Name Winners

  • Meeting Room: Whistle Stop, submitted by Karen Wright
  • Multipurpose Room: The Junction, submitted by Jacquely Valentine

Participation Prize Winner:

  • Darlene Gaudet

The Machine Shop, at the heart of the Arts and Heritage Hub, is a cornerstone of Ladysmith’s waterfront revitalization and is nearly ready to welcome the public.

The two new rooms—the multipurpose room and the meeting space—have been designed for flexibility and accessibility. They will be available for public rentals and will host arts, cultural, and community programs, including workshops, gatherings, and creative activities throughout the year.

About the Machine Shop

The Machine Shop was once the home of the Comox Logging & Railway Co., which built the facility in 1943 to maintain its fleet of locomotives, railcars, and other equipment supporting regional operations.

More recently, the building served as a base for Ladysmith’s arts and culture sector, including the Waterfront Gallery, and as a workspace for local artists.

The Town of Ladysmith respectfully acknowledges that we gather and work on the unceded territory of the Stz'uminus First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.

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Media Contact
Nicholas Pescod
Communications & Engagement Specialist
npescod@ladysmith.ca
250-268-0606