
What is on the Horizon for the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area? read below to get caught up on the day-to-day, upcoming events, and news from Members.
In this issue:
Introducing Our New Executive Director: Thea Hitchcock
Station Street Common Update
Special Olympics Celebration Night in Cowichan with the Capitals!
Celebrate Excellence: Nominate for the 25th Black Tie Awards
CWAV Job Posting
Digital Billboard Sales
Future Events
Introducing Our New Executive Director: Thea Hitchcock
We are thrilled to welcome Thea Hitchcock as the new Executive Director of the Downtown Duncan BIA! With a wealth of experience in senior management, community engagement, and operations, Thea is poised to make a significant impact.
Her background includes leadership roles at Ironworks Cafe & Creperie and Kw'umut Lelum Child & Family Services, where she successfully managed teams, budgets, and strategic initiatives. Thea's expertise in financial oversight, program development, and building strong partnerships will be instrumental in driving the continued growth and success of Downtown Duncan. When asked about her vision for Downtown Duncan, Thea shared
"I am deeply passionate about fostering collaboration among local businesses and partners. My goal is to create a thriving, connected community that leverages our strengths and supports sustainable growth for all."
Outside of work, Thea enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring new places—activities that reflect her love for connection and discovery, both personally and professionally.
Please join us in welcoming Thea to the DDBIA team! We’re excited about the creativity, energy, and leadership she will bring to Downtown Duncan. Stay tuned for opportunities to meet Thea and hear more about her exciting plans for 2025!
Station Street Common Update
The anticipated two-day road closure on Craig Street has been delayed. The contractor expects to confirm closure dates early next week, estimating they are at least three weeks away. When it occurs, the closure is expected to last three days—one day longer than initially planned.
On a positive note, there will be no road work on Station Street. The originally scheduled four days of single-lane alternating traffic have been cancelled. This change is due to the ability to use an on-site service connection, eliminating the need to access services under the roadway.
The project remains on track for completion by April 30, though the workflow has been adjusted along the way. Stay tuned for further updates!
Special Olympics Celebration Night in Cowichan with the Capitals

Are You a Cowichan Hero? Join Us for an Exciting Hockey Night!
Special Olympics Cowichan Valley and the Cowichan Capitals invite you to a Special Olympics Celebration Night on Friday, January 24, 2025—a night of thrilling hockey and heroic community spirit!
Cheer on the Capitals as they hit the ice for their regular home game, all while celebrating our incredible Special Olympics athletes. Proceeds from ticket sales and exciting raffles will help our athletes on their journey to the Provincial Games this July.
How can you be a hero?
Donate Raffle Items: Gift baskets, gift cards, or unique experiences—your contribution will help raise vital funds and showcase your business’s community spirit.
Purchase Hero Packs: Tickets are $17 each, but our exclusive Hero Packs offer discounts for businesses and groups (starting at $10/ticket for large groups).
Let’s make this an unforgettable night of hockey and celebration! Contact Steph from plentiFILL for raffle donations or ticket inquiries at plentifill@gmail.com. Together, we can empower our athletes and celebrate the heart of our community.

Celebrate Excellence: Nominate for the 25th Black Tie Awards
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce invites you to help shine a spotlight on the people, businesses, and organizations that make the Cowichan Valley an exceptional community. Nominations are now open for the 25th Annual Black Tie Awards, scheduled to take place on April 11, 2025, at the Chemainus Theatre.
These prestigious awards honour those who have gone above and beyond to create positive impacts through their hard work, innovation, and leadership. We’re calling on community members to submit nominations for deserving individuals and groups who make a difference.
Award Categories:
Exceptional Customer Experience
Business Achievement (1–5 Employees, 6–19 Employees, 20+ Employees)
Arts & Culture
Young Entrepreneur
New Business
Community Builder
Environmental Excellence
Volunteer of the Year
Non-Profit Organization
Additionally, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will recognize Fatima Da Silva, founder of Nourish Cowichan, for her remarkable dedication to addressing food insecurity and supporting families in our region.
How to Nominate:
Nominations are open until midnight on January 26, 2025. It’s easy to participate—visit www.blacktieawards.com to explore the award categories and submit your nomination. A single thoughtful nomination is all it takes to ensure a deserving individual or organization is considered.
The Black Tie Awards Gala is an inspiring celebration that brings the community together to recognize excellence and share success stories. We encourage you to spread the word about this opportunity to honour the incredible contributions happening in the Cowichan Valley.
Encourage Your Audience to Nominate: Please help us promote this exciting event in your newsletters, social media, and other platforms. Together, we can ensure the people and organizations shaping our community receive the recognition they deserve.
CWAV Job Posting: Director of Fundraising and Development
Cowichan Women Against Violence is looking for a Director of Fundraising and Development. To see the details and how to apply, click the link below.
Digital Billboard Sales
Are you searching for opportunities to boost your visibility? Our Co-advertising Program for members is a fantastic offer: For a dynamic and impactful presence, take advantage of our digital billboard located Northbound on Highway 1.
Enjoy a two-week cycle of exclusive advertising for only $150
– a discount of over 50%!
This subsidized price is only available to DDBIA members. Reach a wide audience in a high-traffic area, at an affordable rate. We are booking spaces several weeks ahead, so if you have a date in mind, see the table below for upcoming availability. For reservations and inquiries, contact our Creative Director, Ally Easterbrook via email at: easterbrook@downtownduncan.ca.
Upcoming available spaces - request yours today!
Jan 27 - Feb 9 | 2 spaces Available |
Feb 10 -23 | 2 spaces Available |
Mar 10 - Mar 23 | 2 spaces Available |
Mar 24 - Apr 6 | 3 spaces Available |
Apr 7 - Apr 20 | 3 spaces Available |
Apr 21 - May 4 | 3 spaces Available |
May 5 - 18 | 3 spaces Available |
May 19 - Jun 1 | 3 spaces Available |
Future Events
· Annual General Meeting – April (Exact date TBD)
Comments