The pristine coastal community of Nanoose Bay offers a refreshingly rural atmosphere, within minutes of urban amenities in Nanaimo to the south and Parksville to the north. Wildlife is plentiful. Deer roam the quiet streets while eagle soar in the skies. Nanoose Bay enjoys a very temperate climate and many birds are known to winter here. Arbutus trees and Garry Oak line the streets and shorelines.  A “micro-Mediterranean climate” allows year round joy for the gardener. The Fairwinds Golf and Country Club is constantly ranked as one of the best mountain golf courses on Vancouver Island.

Nanoose Bay is home to two popular Marinas, Fairwinds Schooner Cove and The Beachcomber Marina. There are many waterfront access points that beckon kayakers, clam diggers and casual beachcombers.  Nanoose Bay is home to many local artisans, neighbourhood library, shopping facilities, plant nursery, organic farming, local pubs and several B & B’s.

Nanoose Bay Demographic and about the area
http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=59

Parks and Trails - Regional District of Nanaimo
http://www.rdn.bc.ca/cms.asp?wpID=658

Regional District of Nanaimo Main page
http://www.rdn.bc.ca/

Neighbouring Nanoose Bay is the seaside resort town of Parksville, the jewel of Vancouver Island. Parksville is favored as one of the most popular, year round,  family vacation destinations of Vancouver Island and British Columbia. This enchanting, oceanside play land is sure to capture your heart - so much so that many have decided to make it their permanent home.  Parksville has an abundance of amenities that support its population of over 11,000 permanent residents.

Majestic old growth trees, beautiful ocean sunsets and an inviting, wide sandy beach with campsites nestled amongst mature Douglas fir trees makes Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville a premier vacation destination. It delights the local population year round.  Six B.C. provincial parks are located within thirty minutes drive from Parksville, providing every recreational activity imaginable & of course the Parksville Sand Castle Event is renowned. Fishing and Forestry are the traditional mainstays of the local economy, although they have both been surpassed by Tourism during the last decade. The waterfront strip between Parksville and Qualicum Beach to the north is an almost continuous strip of resort development and tourism facilities.

Retail Market Analysis
retail-market-analysis.pdf

Community Economic Development Strategies
http://www.businessbythebeach.com/inc/pdf/economic_development_2003.pdf

BC Stats:
http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/

Vancouver Island Statistics:
http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/cen01/profiles/VanIslnd.pdf

Nanaimo Regional District Statistics:
http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/cen01/profiles/59021000.pdf

Diversity Profile
http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/growing_your_community/trends/2006/region1/nanaimo/parksville.html

Invest BC Site information for Parksville/Qualicum
http://investbc.gov.bc.ca/CommunityProfiles/Display/

Travelling north on the east coast of Vancouver Island the picturesque and quaint community of Qualicum Beach borders Parksville.  Qualicum Beach is Canada’s retirement Mecca. The town is a very civic minded community, environmentally conscious and home to a diversified population base.

The Village is the hub of cultural activity in the Oceanside Community. This Town attracts world class artists and artisans and there is rarely a day, that an event to be remembered, can’t be enjoyed. 

A profusion of spring and summer blooms decorate the town. Galleries, restaurants & boutiques are plentiful and there are 5 ocean/mountain view golf courses to challenge even the most ardent of golfers. Miles of sandy beach, the natural beauty of Milner Gardens and Heritage Forests are but a few of Qualicum’s many attractions.

Town of Qualicum Beach
http://www.qualicumbeach.com/

PQB News
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/parksville_qualicumbeachnews/

Diversity Profiles
http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/growing_your_community/trends/2006/region1/nanaimo/index.html

Lighthouse Country – 60 miles of beaches and coastline - Located north of Qualicum Beach on the east coast of Vancouver Island, are the small communities (pop. of 2,000+/- ) of Deep Bay, Bowser and Qualicum Bay – rich in history and folklore - Lighthouse Country or the Baynes Sound area is named after the lighthouses on Sisters Island. Qualicum Bay is the main village with fresh seafood available on the docks, camping resorts and seaside inns.

Deep Bay a lovely rural community with ocean & mountain views is a fisherman’s delight, where Chinook salmon in the 20-pound range tops the scales each year. Deep Bay is home to a large protected Marina & Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club is located 15 minutes to the south. Caving: There are several hundred significant caves to explore on Vancouver Island, including those at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park just south of Deep Bay

Five minutes south of Deep Bay is the small waterfront community of Bowser, a great family vacation destination. Bowser area recreational activities include swimming, hiking, golf, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, cave spelunking, kayaking, boating and fishing. Bowser attractions include clam and oyster picking, whale watching and many galleries and artisans in the area - every activity imaginable is within driving distance of Bowser.

Demographic and Detail Information
http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=52

Statistical Profile
http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/cen06/profiles/detailed/21036183.pdf

Diversity Profile
http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/growing_your_community/trends/2006/region1/nanaimo/nanaimo.html