Member Information

What is the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association?

The Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (DCBIA) was formed on October 18, 1995. The purpose of the DCBIA is to provide leadership in the business community to ensure that the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Area continues to be vibrant and responsive, meeting the needs of its members and the public and remaining on the leading edge of change.

Today the DCBIA boasts more than 200 members, including retail and professional services, restaurants and cafes, property owners, arts and cultural venues and more.

A 12 member Board of Directors, together with a part time coordinator and DCBIA members, work tirelessly on developing internal and external marketing strategies to attract people to the downtown core. This group also works on implementing various infrastructure improvements, including a banner program, signage, streetscape improvements and more, in conjunction with a proactive City of Courtenay council and senior staff.


DCBIA Areas Strengths Include:
  • A diverse retail and business mix, with high standards in customer service and product quality, all found within a small and vibrant downtown core.
  • Considered one of the best downtowns in British Columbia, Downtown Courtenay's central location is accessible to all Comox Valley communities and surrounding communities on Vancouver Island via train, bus, air and automobile.
  • Downtown Courtenay is considered the Arts and Cultural precinct of the area, featuring a dynamic civic theatre, museum, art galley and library all within three blocks of each another.
  • The area offers a safe and clean environment boasting landscaping, hanging baskets, banner programs, events and more.
Recent Developments in the DCBIA Area Include:
  • Simms Millennium Park (2000) development.
  • Renovated Sid Williams Civic Theatre.
  • Renovated Courtenay & District Museum Paleontology Centre.
  • Newly constructed Courtenay Library.
  • New Kids Water Park at the Courtenay Lewis Centre.
  • New Hanging Basket Program.
  • Information Kiosk on the DCBIA area at the Sid Williams Theatre.
  • Directional Signage to Downtown Courtenay.
  • Completion of the Courtenay Riverside Walkway, which starts in Downtown Courtenay.
  • In 2004 the old Courtenay Fire Hall will be renovated and become the new home of the Comox Valley Art Gallery.
Board of Directors:
Michael Smale
(President)		 Benjamin Moore House of Color 334-4132
Charlie Zerkee
(Vice President)		 Jacob's Well 334-2556
Roger Houle
(Treasurer)		 Coastal Community Credit Union 703-4160
Keith Currie
(Secretary)		 Comox Valley Echo 334-4722
Al Dunnett Ski Tak Hut 334-2537
Bill Weston Wagz 338-6716
Chris Kippel Lifespring Education & Healing Centre 897-1818
Michael Huska Roots the Salon 703-0181
Nancy Jones Comox Valley Art Gallery Shop 338-6211 ext.310
Sue Smith Beyond the Kitchen Door 335-2062
DCBIA Newsletters:

The Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association publishes a bi-monthly newsletter to keep its members up to date on issues, opportunities, and events taking place in the area. You can download these newsletters in Adobe Acrobat format using the links below:

DCBIA_Newsletter_February_2008.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_November_2007.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_August_2007.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_April_2007.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_February_2007.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_September_2006.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_April_2006.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_February_2006.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_November_2005.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_September_2005.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_June_2005.pdf
DCBIA_Newsletter_March_2005.pdf
DCBIA Membership Kit:

Download the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association's Membership Kit in Adobe Acrobat format: DCBIA_Membership_Kit.pdf

DCBIA Business Information:

To add your business information to this website download this website questions form: DCBIA Business Info Form

DCBIA Events Calendar

If you have a special event you'd like added to this website, download this events form: website events form.pdf

Annual Cec Takahashi Award Nomination Form
Cec Nomination Form.pdf