News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Candace Laing
Candace Laing has been appointed as the new president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Two new judges, Paul Pearson and Parveen Nijjar, have been appointed to the Provincial Court by the government of British Columbia. Their terms will begin on July 25, 2024.
Ken Thompson, who has been the lead of Sleep Country Canada‘s Western Canada Competition Shop at #302-3550 Carrington Road in West Kelowna for the past 19 years, is celebrating more than 30 years in the mattress industry.
Benjamin Neitsch has moved to Dixon Mitchell Private Investment Counsel in Vancouver. He was formerly employed at BMO Private Wealth in Kelowna.
Abbie Norrish, who brings a lot of expertise and a strong passion for assisting the not-for-profit sector, joins Do Gooders as a new grant researcher.
Luckhurst Farm & Distillery, the newest distillery in East Kelowna, is teaming up with Born to Shake, a cocktail bar in the North End, to host a Sip & Learn event.
A new business, Kelowna Kitchen and Bath, has recently opened its doors at 470 Banks Road. The company is owned and operated by two certified plumbers, Lakh Brar and Charan Sidhu.
A new hotel, the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Kelowna, will be joining Durali Properties‘ portfolio soon after a signed partnership with Marriott International.
BC Hydro has announced plans to invest over $3 billion in capital projects on Vancouver Island in the coming decade as part of its 10-Year Capital Plan. These include the construction of a new substation in Langford and the replacement of ageing underground cables that serve Victoria, Esquimalt, and Saanich. Additionally, there will be significant investments in distribution to increase power-line capacity in various areas such as Bear Mountain, Langford Heights, Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Saanich, and Nanaimo. BC Hydro also plans to upgrade transmission capacity to Vancouver Island by replacing old undersea cables with new ones near the Gulf Islands. Lastly, seismic upgrade projects are in the works for BC Hydro’s three dams within the Campbell River system – John Hart, Strathcona, and Ladore.
Starting July 18, 2024, landlords will need to utilise the Landlord Use Web Portal, a new website, to generate Notices to End Tenancy for personal occupancy or caretaker. This change aims to enhance renter protection by preventing unjust evictions and streamlining the process for landlords.
Daycare and boarding for dogs will soon be available at Fitzpatrick Kennels Cattery and Dog Grooming, located at 384 Fitzpatrick Road in the North Rutland region.
Mr. Lu’s Kitchen, owned and operated by Susan Feng and Paul Lu, has opened at #101 – 2689 Pandosy Street.
After opening its first store in Surrey, Seva Mattress Outlet has now launched a second location at #105-1641 Commerce Avenue.
A rezoning for three properties on Glenmore Drive is being proposed by a developer located in Kelowna, Urban Options Planning.
Barn Owl Brewing celebrates its fifth anniversary in business with a grand celebration, the “Birthday Bash Parking Lot Party,” on August 25.
Vice & Virtue Brewing is celebrating its 6th anniversary is business.
On December 19, 2024, Alaska Airlines will begin operating seasonal, daily nonstop flights from YLW Kelowna to LA.
The Burtch/Harvey Area Redevelopment Plan, which calls for the construction of seven towers with a total height of six to 26 stories and 1,700 residential units in addition to commercial space on the land adjacent to the Parkinson Rec Centre, has been approved by the council.
‘Express libraries’ will be set up by the City and the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) in the upcoming Parkinson Recreation Centre and Glenmore activity centres, respectively, as part of the construction project.
A world-renowned industrial gas firm has placed an order for Mobile Pipeline® TITAN modules with Hexagon Agility, a division of Hexagon Composites. Key industrial gas market expansion will be facilitated by the modules. The continuous expansion of Mobile Pipeline into new market segments is reflected in the order, which has an estimated value of USD 12.8 million (approx. NOK 135 million).
KAMLOOPS
Duncan Hendricks
Duncan Hendricks has joined Ecora Engineering & Environmental as the new Director of Environment in Kamloops office.
The Canadian Brewhouse will soon be moving to a new location in Kamloops.
The Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC has awarded grants to several Thompson-Okanagan organizations including: Nickel Plate Nordic Centre, Elevation Outdoors Experiential Programs Association, Simpcw First Nation, Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning, Coquihalla Summit Snowmobile Club, Grasslands Conservation Council of BC and Back Country Horsemen of British Columbia.
Inland Truck and Equipment of Kamloops has generously donated one of the pickup trucks for this year’s coast-to-coast tour, a motorcycle journey across Canada aimed at aiding veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Scott Casey, founder of the Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation, confirmed this generous contribution.
Rootze by Wamaco celebrates their 39th Anniversary.
The Ateam has completed the installation of the remaining bridge girders for the Cache Creek Culvert Replacement Project, marking a huge milestone in this Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure project. This was an effort in collaboration with RKM Crane Services and other key partners including Yellowstone Traffic & Safety, who played a critical role in ensuring safe project execution and traffic management.
The City of Kamloops has contracted Extreme Excavating to construct various improvements to Pioneer Park and 7th Avenue. In phase two of the project, Extreme Excavating will perform utility and roadwork along 7th Avenue and the railway crossing. Phase two will also include the construction of a lit multi-use pathway within Pioneer Park, connecting the Rivers Trail from east to west along the Thompson River, outlined as a desired park modification within the Riverside Park to Pioneer Park Management Plan adopted by City Council in 2015.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
BC has announced a $24 million investment to construct housing for students at Okanagan College in Penticton, which is anticipated to be finished by the fall of 2026.
The proposal to build two three-unit townhouses at 2564 South Main Street is scheduled for review by the city council on July 16.
One of seven beaches in Canada, Sudbury Beach in Penticton, will be upgraded as part of the Accessing Paradise Pledge, a collaboration between Mobi-Mats, Wade Watts and Corona Canada.
Oliver’s Wine Capital Weekend, taking place from September 20–22, has tickets available now.
Rumour has it that The IRONMAN Group will end IRONMAN Canada (IMC) in Penticton, after this year.
Anyone travelling through Penticton, Summerland and the South Okanagan this Sunday, July 14, is reminded to expect extensive road closures and delays for the Okanagan Granfondo event.
Sudbury Beach is now home to Mobi-mats and Mobi-chairs that provide improved accessibility to Skaha Lake. A community member nominated Penticton to be part of this nationwide campaign to make beaches more accessible and the City was selected to be the third participant and received the mats and chair as a donation.
SALMON ARM
Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards have returned and will take place on November 22, 2024 at Song Sparrow Hall.
Shuswap Cider Co. has launched its new product, the Peach & Petal.
The City of Salmon Arm Public Works Yard, 100 30 Street SE, Salmon Arm, will host a Public Silent Auction on July 16 to dispose of all unclaimed property acquired by the city and the RCMP.
A new initiative from Shuswap Tourism, the Shuswap Farmstand Trail, has been launched to provide locals and tourists a taste of the range and quality of agricultural products made in the area.
The Agricultural Land Commission is considering an application from an equine-assisted learning company that seeks to convert a farmhouse into an office. If approved, the company will be able to assist high-risk youth.
Salmon Arm Chamber welcomes new memebers: Annie M Photo and Shuswap Hearing Clinic.
VERNON
Petawatts Auto Marine RV LTD, based in Vernon, has become a member of the OGD Dealer Family for the Cinderella line of products.
VantageOne Credit Union, based in Vernon, celebrates its 80th anniversary on July 10th.
Contractor Nixon Earthworks is continuing the rehabilitation of Husband Road, beginning with the lower portion from Kalamalka Road to the Husband Road Beach Parking Lot.
Additional funding has been secured by the Impact & Leadership Development Program (ILDP). This funding will help social entrepreneurs and leaders deeply committed to building long-term, impactful businesses that address structural injustices.
The BC Utilities Commission has approved a rate change for FortisBC, bringing them in line with other charging services in the province. Drivers will only be charged for the amount of electricity they consume while using FortisBC stations.
SUMMERLAND
The construction of Medium Pace Winery near Summerland by Berry Architecture is progressing well.
Line Physiotherapy located in Summerland, is looking to hire a Registered Mobile Physiotherapist.
The Lakeview Terrace at 11619 Walters Road in Summerland has been sold for $2.05 million by Bill Summers of Lighthouse Realty Ltd.
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