Parksville, Qualicum Beach and the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) will mark Sept. 19, the day of Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral, as a day of mourning.
In line with the federal and provincial governments, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and RDN offices will be closed.
The Parksville city council meeting scheduled for Sept. 19 has been cancelled, according to a news release by the city.
A special wreath-laying ceremony will be held at 10:45 a.m. at the Parksville Cenotaph, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 49. For information, call 250-248-5633.
The public is welcome to attend and to lay a poppy in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.
Flags at city facilities have been at half-mast since the queen’s death on Sept. 8, except Saturday, Sept. 10 from sunrise to sunset when the flags were at full-mast to acknowledge the accession of King Charles III to the Monarch. The flags will be raised to full mast at sunset on Sept. 19.
Members of the public are invited to sign books of condolence in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The city’s website provides a link to both the Government of Canada and City books of condolence.
The Parksville Civic and Technology Centre building lights are now purple and silver and will remain so until Sept. 19.
Another special ceremony is also planned at the Legion (Branch 76) in Qualicum Beach, which will open at 9:30 a.m., ahead of the service portion at 10:50 a.m.
Wreaths and poppies will be on hand for members, which may be placed at the Qualicum Beach Cenotaph.
Town hall, where flags have been at half-mast since Sept. 8, will be closed on Sept. 19 and will reopen on the 20th.
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II fondly remembered in Parksville Qualicum Beach
Some RDN services will be impacted on Sept. 19, with the administration office closed, although the public can continue to access services such as online payments through financial institutions, by mail with a cheque and telephone banking, according to a news release.
Bylaw enforcement complaints can be submitted and building permit application information and input forms can be found online.
Ravensong Aquatic Centre and Oceanside Place Arena will be open during regular operating hours, and programs at these facilities will be delivered as scheduled. For more information, visit rdn.bc.ca/recreation-facilities.
There are no changes to RDN curbside collection. Residents should put their bins out as scheduled. Both the Regional Landfill and the Church Road Transfer Station will be closed.
Transit will operate its standard Monday schedule. The transit office will be closed.
— NEWS Staff, submitted