News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Jody Hayes has officially retired from her role as a commercial producer at Acera Insurance after 35 years of service.
British Columbia has made history as the first province in Canada to enter into a pharmacare agreement with the federal government, aimed at supporting funding for hormone replacement therapy and diabetes-related costs.
A property located at 3330 Radcliffe Ave. is currently on the market through Royal LePage, priced at $58.8 million, making it reportedly the priciest home available in Canada.
Great Little Box Company Ltd./ Ideon Packaging (GLBC) announced that it has won 2 Gold Medals, 1 Bronze Medal, and an Honourable Mention at the 2024 Box Manufacturing Olympics held during the SuperCorrExpo® 2024.
The city council gave its stamp of approval to Red Bird Brewing‘s request that the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch increase the brewery’s capacity for special events.
A brand-new 7,000 square foot outpatient mental health facility located in Kelowna at #210–2755 Tutt Street has been opened by the nationally recognized mental health organization, The Newly Institute.
The Greater Westside Board of Trade has announced that nominations are open for the 2024 Key Business Awards. Award Categories include: Arts & Entertainment, Community & Public Service, Young Entreprenuer, Environmentally Sustainability and Tourism & Hospitality. Deadline: October 4, 2024.
A $550K funding increase has been announced by the Province for Command Industries Ltd., a steel manufacturing firm based in Kelowna, to buy specialist equipment and increase its production capacity.
The Tip Top Kelowna located in Orchard Park Shopping Centre has recently finished renovations.
Valley Pool & Spa, a family-run business that has been servicing the Okanagan for 52 years, is thrilled to add the well-known Wellis brand to its inventory.
The C21 office at 251 Harvey Avenue, which is located at the intersection of Pandosy and Hwy. 97, will host the 10th Annual Easter Seals Poker tournament on Saturday, October 19.
Approximately twenty additional spots will be added to the YMCA Child Care Centre at Kelowna International Airport as a result of a $2.5 million expansion funded by the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.
The Kelowna Women’s Expo will take place on September 22nd at MNP Place, located at 4105 Gordon Drive.
Infrastructure planning and management by Kelowna won a Union of BC Municipalities Community Excellence Award in asset management. Mayor Tom Dyas received the medal during the annual UBCM convention in Vancouver, a prestigious honour among British Columbia municipalities.
The Live Edge Okanagan Enterprises-proposed six-story, 95-unit apartment building at 1660 and 1670 Bernard Ave., across from the Apple Bowl, is proceeding to the next phase of the development process.
Development permits and zoning bylaw text change applications for the rehabilitation centre at 212 Valley Road N were submitted to the City of Kelowna by MQN Architects.
The city received a rezoning application from Lime Architecture, which suggested 29 apartment-style units between 789 and 809 Cadder Ave., between Richter and Ethel Streets.
Bright Jenny Coffee and a selection of baked goodies are available in a new coffee shop that has just opened in the YLW departures lounge.
Local non-profit arts, cultural, and history organizations can receive over $180,000 from the City of Kelowna. These groups can apply for funding again on Sept. 23 for their organizations or special initiatives.
KAMLOOPS
The Annual Summit of the BC Sports Hall of Fame will present awards to Nancy Greene, an Olympic gold medallist, and her husband, the longtime mayor of Sun Peaks.
The Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) received the ‘Excellence in Governance’ award for 2024 at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) Convention held in Vancouver.
The 44th Annual Terry Fox Run, which took place at Riverside Park on September 15, raised over $15,000.
Homeless people in the interior of British Columbia will have access to mobile health care through a partnership between ASK Wellness Society and Telus Health‘s Health for Good mobile clinic.
The announcement by Premier David Eby on September 15 regarding mandatory care for certain individuals with addiction and mental health issues has gained support from both major provincial parties.
The 2024 Kamloops Santa Claus parade is set for November 24, organized by the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, with Marketing and Events Coordinator Alex Eaket overseeing the event.
A section of Lansdowne Street in downtown Kamloops will be closed for a period of two weeks as the fourth phase of a protracted sewer main replacement project commences on Monday, Sept. 23.
Developers are looking to change the zoning of a nearly two-hectare site at the Ord and Tranquille intersection from A1 agricultural to RM4 multi-family residential. This change would allow the project to proceed after receiving the green light from the Kamloops council.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) is seeking more volunteers for its Accessibility Advisory Committee for a one-year term, from September 2024 to June 2025. The committee will focus on guiding accessibility enhancements in both physical and digital spaces within the regional district.
PENTICTON
The Nature’s Fare Market is having an anniversary sale from September 19 – 21.
The Penticton Safe Community Situation Table program, which unites local groups to aid the most vulnerable residents, has received an extra $30,000 in financing from the provincial government.
Construction on a new 200-bed long-term care facility is scheduled to start in the spring of 2025, according to an announcement made by the provincial government on Sept. 13. The project will be awarded to Kaigo Senior Living.
The 100 Women Who Care group from the South Okanagan met for their fall meeting at the Penticton Art Gallery. During the event, they distributed a total of $5,300 to worthy local organizations, including Enactus OC ($4,300), OSCA ($500), and the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society ($500).
OSOYOOS
Wakepilot Wakeboarding is now offering wine tours by water, combining the best activities Osoyoos has to offer.
Osoyoos Council amended the 2024 Capital budget for weight room improvements of $25,000 and allocated those funds towards repairs for the roof top units at the Sonora Community Centre.
Osoyoos Council approved the 2025-2029 Fire Department budget and had it forwarded to the Osoyoos Rural Fire Protection District. Council pre-approved $60,000 to potentially purchase a used aerial truck.
SALMON ARM
Greg McCune, a former mayor of Enderby and current owner of Sutherland’s Bakery, has announced his intention to compete for the provincial seat of Salmon Arm-Shuswap as an independent candidate in the next election next month.
Coun. Bob Evans of Sicamous has been presented with a King’s Coronation medal for his community service and mentoring of young people.
Salmon Arm Figure Skating Club will receive $2,000 from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
On September 21, the Shuswap Theatre Society will have its yearly open house for anyone who wants to find out more about regional theatre.
On September 28, Keri Lefave will read from her new book at the Dragonfly Wellness Centre in Salmon Arm, located at 140 Hudson Ave.
VERNON
Curlew Orchard, Indigo Valley Farm, Elderberry Farm, Vanzeal Acres, Wildwood Acres Garden Farm, Brookside Orchards, and Bee-Yotch Honey are among the farms that will be participating in the 4th annual BX Farm Tour on September 21st and 22nd.
The annual Walter J. Hachborn Store of the Year Award has been given to Shepherd’s Home Hardware Building Centre in Armstrong, one of eighteen stores honoured at Home Hardware Stores annual Homecoming buying event and recognition ceremony on September 12.
The Laird of Fintry Original Fortified Foch Finish Whisky lottery draw is set to return in September, with a final draw scheduled for October 4 at Vernon’s Okanagan Spirits.
New snc?cma?qtn Agricultural Park opened at 4122 East Vernon Road, according to the Regional District of North Okanagan‘s latest announcement.
The Vernon Lodge will host the second annual Job-A-Palooza Fall Job Fair on September 26.
BC Housing will oversee a $1.7 billion project funded by the Indigenous Housing Fund (IHF) to construct 90 homes at 3610 26th Avenue and 35 more at Pebble Park, Head of Lake, and Whiteman Creek in Vernon.
The Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes news members: Dennis Giesbrecht, Deem Health & Fitness, North Okanagan Paint & Window Coverings and Harper Private Wealth.
SUMMERLAND
The Summerland Research and Development Centre located off Highway 97 just south of Trout Creek, is hosting an open house on September 21st.
The District of Summerland announced that they have started working on route plans for Cartwright and Conkle Mountains.
The annual Agur Lake Camp Charity Train will be hosted by the Summerland Kettle Valley Steam Train on September 21.
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