BREAKERS – timely tidbits and follow-ups to previously published stories:
- Ucluelet and Tofino urge mask wearing
- Innisfree Farm – Summer’s Garden of Plenty August 15
- Eager to get back in the swimming pool?
- TOSH Arts Centre re-opens
Ucluelet and Tofino urge mask wearing

This past week, Ucluelet’s mayor announced that he had changed his mind and is now urging everyone, including children, to “mask up.” The District of Ucluelet website now states “Based on increased visitor activity and new recommendations from the Province and the Ucluelet COVID-19 Task Force, the District of Ucluelet is encouraging the use of facemasks.” As reported in the Vancouver Island Free Daily, Mayor Mayco Noel said, “These practices are going to allow us to ensure that there is a little bit of normality on the West Coast in the coming months. We want to continue to open our region for the travelling motorists to come here and enjoy this spot.”
Tofino began to recommend mask wearing in July as just “one component of our COVID-19 Communications Plan which emphasizes sharing messaging in line with pubic health objectives,” says District of Tofino manager of corporate services, Elyse Goatcher-Bergmann. Since then, she says, Tofino has decided to develop more of a social media campaign in the coming weeks and possibly a video PSA (public service announcement). Goatcher-Bergmann says Tofino is “certainly seeing more mask usage day by day, and businesses are making an effort to endorse their usage in close, indoor spaces.”
Summer’s Garden of Plenty at Innisfree Farm – Saturday, August 15

Eager to get back in the swimming pool?
The City of Nanaimo Aquatic Centre has announced its plan to re-open on Thursday, September 10.
Here in Qualicum Beach, according to the Regional District of Nanaimo website, they “are working towards a September opening” of the Ravensong Aquatic Centre.
If you happen to be heading down-Island, Saanich Commonwealth Pool has already re-opened – reservations are required. Drop-in Lengths in either their Competition Pool or Teach Pool started on July 27. Shallow Pool Waterfit, and Water Walking classes started August 4.
TOSH Arts Centre re-opens August 11
Starting Tuesday, August 11th, The Old School House Arts Centre will be open once again. Drop in anytime Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Please note that the wearing of masks is mandatory. Visitors will be also be required to sanitize their hands upon entering TOSH.
A limited number of visitors will be permitted inside at any given time to ensure physical distancing within exhibition spaces. Entry will be managed on a first-come first-served basis.
With these and other safety precautions in place to ensure the health and wellbeing of visitors, artists, volunteers and staff, the TOSH crew are looking forward to welcoming everyone back!
Don’t forget the Grand Prix d’Art happening every Friday where artists will be positioned at their easels at special locations in QB’s lovely downtown area. For more information about artist locations on any given Friday check out TOSH’s Facebook page.
