Ladysmith - Community Overview

The coal mines and fine harbour brought development to Ladysmith in the late 1890s. The town was designed as a recreation outlet and sleeping quarters for the coal miners. James Dunsmuir, a son of a prosperous coal mining family, originally named it Oyster Bay. He later changed the name to Ladysmith when the British won a victory in South Africa’s Boer War, in honour of the Ladysmith in Natal Province.

Today, Ladysmith is a picturesque town with beautifully restored heritage buildings. The economy is based on commercial fishing (with an abundance of oysters), lumbering, coal mining and farming.

The Town of Ladysmith is situated on the east coast of Vancouver Island, overlooking Ladysmith Harbour. Ladysmith is located on Highway #1, 85 km north of Victoria, 24 km north of Duncan and 23 km south of Nanaimo.

The population of Ladysmith numbers approximately 7,538.

For more information about Ladysmith:

Town of Ladysmith
410 Esplanade
PO Box 220 Ladysmith, BC
V9G 1A2
250-245-6400
https://www.ladysmith.ca/

WEATHER

Ladysmith has an average July temperature of 17.9°C and an average January temperature of 2.3°C. The average annual precipitation is 1162 mm.

For daily or historical weather conditions, visit:https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca

MEDIA

One of the best ways to learn about your new community is to subscribe to the local newspaper:

Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle
250-245-2277
https://www.bclocalnews.com/

EDUCATION

For information regarding curriculum and enrolment procedures, please contact:

School District #68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)
395 Wakesiah Ave.
Nanaimo, BC
V9R 3K6

250-754-5521
https://www.sd68.bc.ca/

MEDICAL INFORMATION

Ladysmith & District General Hospital
1111 - 4 Ave.
PO Box 10
Ladysmith, BC
V0R 2E0
250-245-2221

PUBLIC SERVICES

Cable TV

Shaw Cablesystems Ltd. 250-748-9113 https://www.shaw.ca/
Gas

Fortis BC 1-888-224-2710 https://www.fortisbc.com/
Hydro

B.C. Hydro 1-800-224-9376 https://www.bchydro.com/index.html
Water

Utility Services 250-746-2530 https://www.cvrd.ca/
Garbage/Recycling

Collection Inquiries 250-746-2530 https://www.cvrd.ca/
Telephone

Telus Outside BC 1-888-811-2323 Within BC 310-2255 https://www.telus.com/en/ The telephone area code for Cobble Hill is 250.