Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Tel: 250-245-6400 Fax: 250-245-6411 Email: info@ladysmith.ca
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.
Ladysmith Council met on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, with an update on ongoing renovations to the historic Machine Shop and a new community street banner program among the agenda highlights.
Council approved amendments to the Town's zoning bylaw to allow for the retail sale of cannabis in the downtown (in the area between Esplanade, First Avenue, Ludlow Road and Baden Powell Street), Coronation Square as well as Rocky Creek Road.
Staff were previously directed to prepare the necessary changes to the zoning bylaw, including the areas where sales would be permitted in Ladysmith. A public hearing was held in December and the proposed amendments then forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval. The MOTI has since approved the bylaw.
The Town will charge an applicant for a retail cannabis store a $2,000 fee, which is the expected average cost of processing license referrals received from the province.
Council then received a progress update on renovations taking place at the Machine Shop.
The upgrades include building code, seismic and structural work to the large blue historic building on Ladysmith's waterfront. The Machine Shop is an important part of the waterfront Arts and Heritage Hub and the Ladysmith Economic Development Strategy.
The Town received federal Gas Tax funding for $1.8-million in March 2018 to complete the upgrades. More recent accomplishments include the installation of a new roof and important foundation work.
Read a news release with more information on the latest updates here.
Council referred a draft of the Park and Facility Naming Policy to a future Committee of the Whole meeting for discussion and review.
A request in May 2019 from two individuals asking for the Town to rename Russell Road Park prompted Council to direct staff to create the policy.
The document provides direction to staff when a naming request is received from the community.
Council approved entering into a service agreement with the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District for them to oversee the community banner program.
The program will develop and showcase banners for the downtown core and Transfer Beach Boulevard. The project confirms Council's strategic priority of supporting proposals that maintain a vibrant downtown.
The current banners used by the Town were designed for Canada 150 by Stz'uminus First Nation artist John Marston and two Ladysmith Secondary students.
There are roughly 160 banners in the community; Council will approve a new theme every second year before a call for submission is issued to artists.
Next on the agenda, Council received for information a report on the Alternative Approval Process for borrowing funds to complete three high priority water projects: increasing storage capacity of the Holland Lake Dam, building a connection between Stocking Lake and Holland Lake and twinning the Stocking Lake Main.
The Town is applying for a federal grant to help cover the costs of completing these projects.
The federal grant could fund up to 73.33% of the total $23.22-million required for the three water projects, not including contingency costs. The Town’s share of the grant would be up to $6.2-million.
Demonstrating that the community supports borrowing public funds for the projects will strengthen the Town's grant application.
Any residents opposed to the borrowing must indicate their position by returning an Alternative Response Form to City Hall by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2020 at 7 p.m.
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.
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