Discover the University District

University District gets it's name from the close proximity to Vancouver Island University. The university has seen an influx of international students in more recent years, which made the University District into a fantastic investment area! Inside of the Univsersity District there are many amenities and park space to make this a great community to live in or to maximize your return on investment. While the University District of Nanaimo is an older community, the rapid growth and development of the area due to the university creates a mix of older and new homes, as well as condos and townhomes, to ensure there are properties to match any lifestyle! 

Explore the University District

The University District spans from the college heights subdivision and Westwood Lake area towards the downtown core. This provides many ways to enjoy the outdoors through vast trail networks and park spaces. The city has also invested heavily into the parks and recreation of the area making the University District a hub for sporting events and recreation.

University District Parks

The University District has different options for park space including park land with vast trail networks and areas with playgrounds and picnic space.

The most vast trail network in the area belongs to Westwood Lake. This park is so large that it is also part of the South Jinglepot community of Nanaimo, but there are a few access points located within the University District. These trails include a roughly 5 kilometre loop around Westwood Lake and the trail networks expands to connect to Morrell Nature Sanctuary and Mount Benson Regional Park. Westwood Lake also has a fantastic swimming spot that is popular during the warmer months and easy access for launching kayaks and paddle boards to enjoy a day out on the water.

Buttertubs Marsh is another great walking path. This loop is quite a bit smaller at roughly 2.5 kilometres and offers great views of a marshy area where you can see an abundance of wildlife. There are view points at various points of the trail to look across the marsh and the trail is well maintained and has information plaques scattered throughout for you to learn more about the area and wildlife that inhabits it.

Just down the street from Buttertubs Marsh is Hawthorne park which features a kids playground, community library and flat green space, perfect for picnics. There is also a small pond where you will see various species of birds including ducks. This park is tucked into the Hawhtorne Heights subdivision, creating a quiet space to enjoy.

University District Amenities

The University District has seen an increase in development more recently which includes a new shopping centre featuring new restaurants. Across from this new shopping complex is University Village which includes a coffee shop, more restaurants, groceries and a pharmacy. This development can be contributed to the popularity of the University District due to the increased demand from university students living in the area who want to be able to access everything that the may need within the community. 

The City of Nanaimo has also invested heavily into parks and recreation in the area. These investments include an oval track and field, new turf field at Nanaimo District Secondary School (NDSS) and, most recently, improvements to Serauxmen baseball stadium. There is also an aquatic centre connected to NDSS that has 3 separate pools and a fitness centre. Across the street from the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre is the Nanaimo Ice Centre which is used for minor hockey events and is the home arena for the Nanaimo Bucaneers Junior 'B' hockey team. 

University District Schools

• École Pauline Haarer Elementary (French Immersion)
  400 Campbell Street, Nanaimo, BC
  (250) 754-2722
• Fairview Elementary
  205 Howard Avenue, Nanaimo, BC
  (250) 753-3418
• Mountain View Elementary
  2480 East Wellington Road, Nanaimo, BC
  (250) 753-2831
• École Quarterway Elementary
  1632 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, BC
  (250) 754-6845
• John Barsby Secondary School
  550 Seventh Street, Nanaimo, BC
  (250) 753-8211
• Nanaimo District Secondary School (NDSS)
  355 Wakesiah Avenue, Nanaimo, BC
  (250) 740-2000