A new hot-tub business that caters to customers in cold climates, like Canada’s, has opened in Duncan.
Arctic Spas, a brand that has become one of the best-selling hot tubs in Canada, is now at #102-5880 York St.
While there are more than 200 Arctic Spas locations internationally, the Duncan shop is currently the only one on Vancouver Island and is centrally located to service the whole Island.
Store spokesman Daz Covington said Arctic Spas hot tubs are designed for the cold weather, which means they are more energy efficient, longer lasting and easier to maintain than other brands of hot tubs.
“This shop’s owner, John Keirstead, was one of the original owners of Arctic Spas, which has its headquarters in Edmonton, when it began in the 1990s, and he originally designed the jets we use in our tubs,” Covington said.
Panago Pizza about to get major renovation
Duncan’s only Panago Pizza is planning a major renovation at its location at 180 Central Rd.
Franchise owner Matthew Huotari said the restaurant will be closed for approximately two weeks some time in the next few months. Exact dates for when the renovations will get underway will be announced.
He said the whole restaurant will be upgraded.
“We’re going to make it like new again,” Huotari said.
“The company likes to renovate each of the Panago stores every 10 to 12 years or so, and it’s our turn.”
Credit Union gives $6,700 to food bank
Staff at Duncan’s Island Savings division of First West Credit Union presented a cheque last week for more than $6,700 to the Cowichan Valley Basket Society food bank to provide approximately 20,000 meals to its clients.
The funding comes from Island Saving’s branches and administrative offices in the city which are participating in The Full Cupboard program, a new community investment initiative from the financial institution that aims to reduce hunger across the Island.
The goal is to provide the equivalent of 650,000 meals to Island children and families over the next three years, and every dollar raised goes to 11 food banks located in the neighbourhoods that Island Savings serves.
Spokeswoman Melanie Tromp Hoover said the first cheque in the Valley is the result of nine fundraising events, including a bottle drive, a paperwork shredding event, a turkey raffle and partnerships with Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse and Panago Pizza.
“Cheques will continue to be cut to the food bank on a quarterly basis as donations to The Full Cupboard continue to come in,” she said.
Robert.Barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com