Courtenay Council Meetings Moving to CVRD Civic Room

Spectators and participants at Courtenay Council meetings will soon have more breathing room. Council has approved moving the physical meeting location from Courtenay City Hall to the larger Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Civic Room at 770 Harmston Avenue.

All existing virtual attendance options will be maintained, and meetings will continue to be live-streamed on the City of Courtenay YouTube channel.

Mayor Bob Wells said Council is looking forward to the move. “The CVRD’s Civic Room is a much larger space and will allow us to physically accommodate more people at Council meetings and also, we hope, provide more comfort for those attending in person,” said Wells. “The limited space in our Council Chambers has been an ongoing issue for some time, particularly when there are agenda items that attract larger audiences. The CVRD Civic Room has all of the complex audio-visual systems we need for these meetings. We’re grateful to the CVRD for offering this space. It’s truly a win-win for everyone involved.”

The first Council meeting at the new location will be on Monday, October 25 at 4 p.m. Public attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis as space permits. The location change is currently approved through the end of 2021, with an updated Council Procedure Bylaw to be presented to Council in the coming weeks providing greater flexibility as to where meetings can take place in the future.

There is no limit on electronic engagement and all are welcome into the City’s existing virtual environment.

While the move is expected to eventually allow the option of physical attendance at public hearings, the timing has not yet been finalized. Members of the public will continue to participate in public hearings via Zoom virtual meeting, telephone, or through written submissions.  

Under current Provincial Health Officer Orders, masks are required in indoor public settings for all people aged 5 and older. Proof of vaccination is not required for essential government activities and services, including Council meetings.

To view the schedule for upcoming Council meetings and Public Hearings, along with agendas, minutes, and video of past meetings, visit www.courtenay.ca