News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Brad Klassen
Troika has created the newly-appointed position of chief governance officer and promoted Brad Klassen, who had been Merrifield’s co-CEO throughout her time in provincial politics, to that position, while Jeff Kennedy has been promoted to chief financial officer.
Victoria Quinterno has joined ChargerQuest‘s Kelowna office as an accounting specialist.
Ben and Sue Boschman’s other downtown Kelowna establishment, Lakehouse Home Store, will absorb Lakehouse Home Interiors, which is closing after six years.
Okanagan College alumnus Kelly Loudon, owner of Loudon Construction and Development, is making a $25,000 donation to the Thrive Here campaign to construct a health and leisure centre at OC’s Kelowna campus.
Trinity Legacy Foundation, the organization that oversees Helen’s Acres in Kelowna, announced the record crop of 96,337 pounds (43,698 kilograms) of produce this year. Helen’s Acres has been producing fresh produce for distribution to those in need since 2016, through a network of distribution partners, including Central Okanagan Food Bank, Kelowna Gospel Mission, Salvation Army, Family Hub, Hands in Service and Kelowna and Westside Women’s Shelter. This year’s harvest is an increase of close to 30 per cent over the 2023 harvest, that saw 74,579 pounds (33,828 kilograms) of produce distributed. In 2022, the harvest was 54,853 pounds (24,881 kilograms).
The Central Okanagan Foundation has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Equitable Funders, securing the 24th position on a list created by Future of Good and QuakeLab.
No Frills supermarket is scheduled to open on November 28, 2024, close to the intersection of Gordon Drive and Bernard Avenue in Kelowna.
Copper Brewing has successfully raised $10,000 from the sales of Builders Pilsner, benefiting Habitat for Humanity Okanagan.
The Tree of Hope Light-Up is set to return to Kelowna’s Landmark District on November 23, marking its 27th anniversary.
The Lake Country Food Bank starts a holiday campaign with a $150,000 fundraising goal to buy a new and larger truck to collect and distribute food efficiently.
The post-degree primary care health program that UBCO is providing to registered nurses aid in meeting the demands of the provincial health care systems in Canada.
West Kelowna City Council approved staff’s application to the provincial Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Program seeking funding to design flood mitigation measures along McDougall Creek in the Pike/Capri area. The grant would provide up to $150,000 towards the design, which would represent approximately half the costs, with the remainder to come from City reserves, subject to Council’s upcoming 2025 Budget deliberations.
The City of West Kelowna’s first, purpose-built Operations Centre – with an Administration Building, Workshops, and Mechanics Shop – will centralize essential services and ensure year-round operations of critical, community infrastructure. It is anticipated to be completed this winter with 80 Public Works staff expected to start moving in, in the first quarter of 2025. The Operations Centre Project has incurred additional, required costs of $685,000 on an original budget of $9.805 million, with funding to come from the BC Growing Communities Fund, with no new taxes required for the original project or the extra expenditures.
The final strawberry crop at Helen’s Acres was harvested with assistance from VanWest College students. The produce was donated to the Salvation Army, Kelowna and Westside Women‘s Shelter, and the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
This past weekend, the 2024 USports Cross Country Championships were held at UBCO, where hundreds of the nation’s most accomplished university cross-country runners competed.
The Machine Head tour will stop at Prospera Place on May 10, 2025, with Swedish metal stalwarts In Flames and Italian alt-metallers Lacuna Coil.
The Bear Clan Patrol received four bags of ski coats donated by Big White Ski Resort senior vice president Michael J. Ballingall, who travelled to Winnipeg to make the donation.
Nearing completion is BC Hydro‘s new electric vehicle charging station in Lake Country, which will be located across from Gatzke’s Farm Market on Pelmewash Parkway.
The City of Kelowna is sharing analysis from the Richter Corridor Study, which will help plan ahead for the community’s future travel needs through infrastructure improvements to support added transit capacity and the gradual transition from express buses to light rail between Downtown and Mission. Residents can learn more and ask questions between Oct. 30 and Nov. 17.
Kelowna City Council received information about the long-term Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan, including how the preferred concept plan has evolved since last year and an overview of the public engagement plans. The project at the former lumber mill site in the downtown North End foresees the 40-acre site having at least 3,500 homes, new parks, commercial space and community amenities. Eighteen per cent of the property would be dedicated to parks and open space, including the environmental restoration of Sutherland Bay.
KAMLOOPS
Matt Milovick
Matt Milovick, a professor at Thompson Rivers University, has been appointed to serve as the chair of the board of directors of BCNET, a shared services organization with which TRU conducts millions of dollars in annual business.
Paul Townsend, a senior risk and audit executive, is set to deliver a keynote speech at the upcoming Marketplace Leaders convention in Kamloops.
Sun Peaks Resort has been forced to postpone its launch until November 23 due to the warm weather.
Barbara Roden, of the Village of Ashcroft, was chosen Chair of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Board of Directors during the first meeting of the board, while Robin Smith, of the District of Logan Lake, was elected Vice-Chair.
Thompson Rivers University, the City of Kamloops, and the Sc.wenwen Economic Development Corporation all provided support for Tuesday afternoon’s Indigenous Vendor Showcase, which took place at BCLC‘s Kamloops headquarters.
More than $4.4 million worth of renovations would be completed by SD73 during the next year, according to the district’s authorized 2025–26 annual facilities grant preliminary spending plan.
The Y Women’s Emergency Shelter, the Centre for Seniors Information’s Secret Santa program, and the BGC Kamloops Journey Fund will all receive funding from the BC Interior Community Foundation‘s annual Christmas Cheer Fund.
Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir
The 2024 Tk’eml?ps band election has elected Chief Rosanne Casimir to a third consecutive term.
CFBX, the campus radio station at Thompson Rivers University, will hold an open house on November 16.
Video streaming provider Kanopy will be added to the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library’s collection of materials, which includes films and TV shows from the Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, BBC, and PBS, among other sources.
In pursuit of a “stronger brand,” Sahali restaurant owners decide to switch to Pita Pit as their franchise.
The City of Kamloops Building Division announced a significant modernization of its building permit application process as it transitions from paper-based submissions to a primarily digital system. Effective November 1, 2024, residents, contractors, and developers can submit required supporting documents and drawings on a USB key. Applicants must still submit the building permit application form in person. At that time, a clerk will accept the USB key and review a document checklist with the applicant. Following that, a secure digital folder is created.
First West Credit Union has announced a significant investment of $250,000 into Propolis Cooperative Housing Society (Propolis)—a new non-profit housing co-operative organization with a mandate to develop affordable, sustainable, net-zero multifamily buildings in Kamloops over the coming decade.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Mark Pendergraft, who oversees rural Osoyoos as Area A’s director, will continue to serve as chair of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board, while Campbell Watt will serve as vice chair for the upcoming year.
The Naramata Inn‘s holiday light display will be activated on the afternoon of November 16th.
Hundreds of new apartment units are either under construction or nearing completion in the City of Penticton, indicating a continued boom in housing development.
Emergency Support Services (ESS) from the City of Penticton and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will be combined to enhance the operation.
South Okanagan Women in Need Society‘s “Inspiring Hope” First Annual Gala raised almost $155,000 to fund their initiatives, making it a tremendous success.
On December 1st, Keremeos’ Grist Mill and Gardens will have a Christmas market where visitors can shop for wares manufactured by local artisans and enjoy some seasonal snacks.
SALMON ARM
This year’s Christmas production at the Shuswap Theatre will feature a staged theatrical reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, which was translated for the stage by James Hutchison and directed by Julia Body, on December 14.
To kick off the holiday season in style, the District of Sicamous is inviting local groups and companies to sign up for the 2024 Christmas Light Up Parade, which will be held on December 7.
Eleven educators from around Canada were selected to receive the Susan Langley Earth Steward Teaching Award, including Ceren Caner, a teacher at South Canoe Elementary in Salmon Arm.
VERNON
SilverStar is excited to announce the early opening of their Cross-Country skiing for the 2024-2025 Winter season. The mountain plans to open 17 kilometres of Nordic trails from Friday November 15.
Predator Ridge Resort is Biosphere Certified! Predator Ridge has adopted sustainable practices into every aspect of its operations to safeguard the local ecology and to foster responsible tourism practices.
The District of Coldstream Council approved the issuance of a Development Permit for a 12 unit residential development at 9100 Mackie Drive (Coldstream Meadows) subject to conditions outlined in the report from Development Services.
Kelvin Forgo‘s Record City in Vernon has formally closed its doors.
A total of 11 permits were issued in October 2024 in the District of Coldstream, consisting of 2 Additions, 1 Decommission of a Single Family Dwelling, 1 Carriage House, 3 Swimming Pools, 2 Renovations and 2 Single Family Dwellings. This compares to 13 permits issued for the same month as last year. The construction value was down by $1,236,000.00 for a total of $2,498,500.00. This compares to last year when the construction value was $3,734,500.00.
Camille Hivelin and Nara Straw‘s Little Plum Children’s Boutique is closing permanently.
The Enderby and District Fire Department has appointed Richard Bastiaansen as its new fire chief.
The law firm of Kidston Helm Ross and the North Okanagan Optimists Club are seeking assistance in identifying the 2025 Junior Good Citizen of the Year for Vernon.
Residents of the Vernon area are being urged to support local businesses as they join forces with the North Okanagan Neurological Association‘s Lights for Kids campaign and John Christmas Light Tour. This joint effort will benefit the children served by the North Okanagan Neurological Association.
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 25, recently donated $10,000 to the North Okanagan Hospice Society through The Poppy Campaign.
SUMMERLAND
The District of Summerland‘s yearly zoning bylaw review includes a review of the maximum number of business vehicles allowed on residential properties.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE