News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Debra Formo
Kelley Winters and Debra Formo recently joined CENTURY 21.
Judy Neiser of Kelowna has been appointed as the newest Senior Consultant for Global Philanthropic Inc. (Canada).
Heather Stewart has recently joined the Board of Advocacy Canada.
Keerat Sandhu has started his role as a Co-op Student Project Manager at Colliers Project Leaders, joining the team at the Kelowna branch.
Kate Nguyen has taken a position with Mark Anthony Group’s Wine Sales Development Program in Kelowna.
The Emergency Management Central Booking Portal was launched at the 2024 BCHA Summit by the British Columbia Hotel Association, with the help of Minister Lana Popham.
The renowned Executive Chef at Eldorado Resort, Alain Léger, has won second place at the BCHA Summit Awards of Excellence.
Preeyansh Arora Majoka
Preeyansh Arora Majoka recently accepted the role of Mechanical Engineer Co-op at Hexagon Purus, based in Kelowna.
BC Housing is hosting 8 information sessions between May 6-10 on new housing development opportunities available through the BC Builds program.
Crowe MacKay LLP has given BC Cancer – Kelowna a substantial $50,000 donation.
Interior Portable Rentals (“IPR”) of Kelowna, has sold its portable toilet company and assets to Pit Stop Portables, a division of Total Sanitation Services Ltd.
Shauna Harper, CEO of WeBC, will make a presentation to the Kelowna Chamber at the Delta Hotels Grand Okangan Resort on May 15 from noon to 1:30 on “Lessons at the Edge of Your Comfort Zone”.
On March 28, 2024, following their 50th anniversary of client service, the award-winning Kelowna law firm Pushor Mitchell LLP unveiled a new brand identity.
The Kelowna branch of Wellington-Altus will be the Presenting Sponsor for Easter Seals BC/Yukon Drop Zone Kelowna, taking place on September 5th, 2024.
Delta Hotels by Marriott, Grand Okanagan Resort‘s outdoor pool is open for the season.
New Bikeep smart rack stations are being put around the city to allow safe bike storage. Four charging bikeep stations will be tested for two years at Parkinson Recreation Centre, Cawston Avenue next to the Rotary Centre for the Arts, the Tourism Kelowna Visitor Centre, and Pandosy Village. Each station includes five bike and scooter docks and charging stations.
Sixty-six electric buses are on order from two pre-qualified suppliers, Nova Bus and New Flyer. Additionally, nine communities throughout BC have transit electrification infrastructure projects getting started. In total, BC Transit expects to install approximately 134 new electric bus charging points over the next two years in Chilliwack, Kamloops, Kelowna, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, Sunshine Coast, Victoria and Whistler. Bus allocations to each community will be confirmed as the projects progress.
Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery (KMPC) is reclaiming unused Right of Interment Permits sold more than 50 years ago. A Right of Interment Permit is the right to be interred in a particular plot within a Cemetery, commonly referred to as “the rights to a plot”. Reclamation only applies to unused permits, meaning a plot is currently vacant (no interment has taken place) that were sold in or before 1973. Permit Holders or their immediate family members have until October 7, 2024, to notify KMPC via email their intent to use, transfer, or surrender their Right of Interment Permit, otherwise the Cemetery will reclaim them.
Tracey Harrison has been appointed as Advisor within the Greater Okanagan District effective May 3rd.
Angela Rose has joined the team at IG BC Interior Region as a Consultant. The Okanagan Angel Summit Finale is almost here.
This annual pitch event is happening at the Kelowna Innovation Centre on May 23. In addition to hearing the pitches, participants will get the opportunity to network with investors and listen to a keynote address by Dr. Ray Muzyka. Construction will begin on Monday, May 13, on a $410,000 project to upgrade the aging irrigation infrastructure at Ben Lee Park. Construction is expected to be complete in August.
KAMLOOPS
Erik Fisher
Erik Fisher is stepping into a new position as the CEO of Tourism Kamloops.
Kekuli Cafe Kamloops has announced the brand New Kekuli Café Website.
The Door Systems Kamloops has moved to its new location at 1365B Dalhousie Drive, between Fastenal and the Red Cross.
Bighorn Golf & Country Club in Kamloops will host the 30th Annual Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Golf Tournament on May 30.
The Interior Logging Association‘s 66th AGM & Convention’ from May 9th to May 11th at the Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre, 1250 Rogers Way.
On May 11, Tire Stewardship BC will hold a recycling event for worn tires in Kamloops at Kal Tire on Mount Paul Way.
An awards ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at which eight community members—Spencer and Janet Bryson, Terry Denike, Jennifer Harbaruk, Leann Kopytko, Geordon Lloyd, Deb McDougall-Bergstrand, Jeremy Salamandyk, and Jeanette Souliere—were presented with Exemplary Service Awards by the Mayor and Council.
Sunset Garden Centre is open. They are located in Brock right by the Kamloops Golf & Country Club.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Mr. Chris Van Bergeyk will be moving on to his new role as District Principal – ConnectEd and District Programs.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen invites Penticton residents to attend an upcoming workshop to learn more about building energy-efficient homes, on May 25th at the Penticton Community Centre.
The Actton Super-Save Gas Station will be owned and operated by the Eneas family under the Gen7 Fuel label.
The full-service Osoyoos pet business Blue Barn Pet & Hobby Farm held its grand opening last Saturday.
SALMON ARM
Cherylee Sargeant
Cherylee Sargeant has been named the new operations coordinator for the District of Sicamous.
BC based Cloud Couches Inc., is the newest addition to Crowns Furniture‘s furniture collection.
Ross Street Plaza is currently undergoing a renovation by BTR Landscaping, which will transform it into a more aesthetically pleasing area suitable for hosting community events and a new and enhanced tourist attraction.
The District of Sicamous is currently seeking proposals from general contractors who are qualified to carry out the planned infrastructure upgrades to Riverside Avenue.
Expressions of interest are being accepted by the District of Sicamous for the usage of the district-owned modular home situated at 1117A Eagle Pass Way.
Salmon Arm Bylaw Services and the District of Sicamous have established a partnership to provide bylaw enforcement support with a Salmon Arm beginning May 1.
Salmon Arm Chamber welcomes new members: Sutherland’s Bakery, Virginia Dawson Real Estate and Michelle Richardson.
Join the Salmon Arm Chamber on Thursday, May 16th, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, at the Sprig of Heather, nestled in the heart of the RJ Haney Village, for the Mayoral Luncheon and State of the City Address. See chamber website for details.
Salmon Arm will be hosting the 55+ BC Games this September 10-14. The 55+ BC Games are hosted on an annual basis in different communities throughout the province and present a unique sport tourism event, which also highlights tourism experiences across BC. This is the largest annual multi-sport gathering event in BC.
VERNON
The Greater Vernon Chamber came back with some new hardware after attending the BC Economic Development Awards Banquet in Penticton recently. They took home the Economic Development Marketing Innovation Award for a community with greater than 20,000 population for our Work and Invest Vernon Campaign.
Dr. Morgan Campbell has opened a walk in clinic at CareConnect I.D.A Pharmacy, located at 5301 25th Ave. in the Landing Plaza.
The Impact Sport and Health Clinic welcomes Mary Ann Barber as its newest team member, bringing with her the latest addition to our services – Therapeutic Botox.
O’Keefe Ranch and the school programs at Allan Brooks Nature Centre will be supported by the proceeds from the 21st annual plant sale, which will be held on May 25 at O’Keefe’s Ranch by the Plant Ladies.
The Towne Theatre in Vernon is scheduled to reopen on May 16 after being closed for several weeks for renovations. The money for these repairs was made possible by grants from BC Gaming, the Regional District North Okanagan, BC Arts and Culture, and the society.
The Vernon School District is considering selling the Whitevalley Elementary School location, located at 423 Whitevale Road, close to Lumby.
Congratulations to Jayme McKillop on winning the Interior Realtors Distinguished Service Award.
The Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member Hardy Bond Holdings Ltd.
SilverStar announced the return of the Crankworx Summer Series this August with a brand-new women’s event set to debut. The three-day mountain bike festival returns to SilverStar Bike Park from August 2-4.
SUMMERLAND
Vice Principal Rochelle Rooker, formerly of Summerland Middle School, will transition to the position of vice principal at KVR Middle.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has joined the Canadian Underground Infrastructure Innovation Centre as a new member.
An open house for the public was held at 13204 and 13214 Henry Ave. on May 8 at the Summerland United Church by the Turning Points Collaborative Society, for a proposed 60-unit housing project in Summerland.
The Giant’s Head Run in Summerland, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, has early bird registration still open for participants.
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