News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Jason Guyitt
Jason Guyitt and Ahmad Taher Saleh have been selected by Argus Properties to oversee two renowned hotels in Kelowna. Ahmed will now be the General Manager of the Four Points and Hampton Inn & Suites near Kelowna Airport, while Jason will be the General Manager of Eldorado Resort.
Kot Auto Group has acquired Okanagan Dodge in Kelowna from AutoCanada. The dealership is located at the southwest corner of Highway 97 and Enterprise Way.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association had its annual general meeting last month in Vernon, where it welcomed four new members to its board of directors: Lumin McCutcheon of Rock Creek, Vicki Dalgleish of Lake Country, Lara Pethybridge of Penticton, and Colin Ross of Lake Country.
Ahmad Taher Saleh
RWT Growth from Kelowna has completed the acquisition of MAXIMA Group based in Calgary.
During the critical holiday season, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission will host a pop-up post office to enable donations due to the Canada Post strike. The “Pop-Up Post Office” on Nov. 22, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. will be #202, 1635 Abbott Street.
The ride-hailing service Uber Technologies Inc. is currently only accessible in Victoria, Metro Vancouver, and Kelowna, but in May 2023, the BC Passenger Transportation Board approved its operation throughout the province. The company is currently hiring drivers in preparation for its expansion outside of BC’s major cities beginning the following year.
The YeYe Housing Society, which was established by Letnick, is scheduled to appear before the city council on Monday for its proposal to rezone the property located at 1028 and 1030 Houghton Road for a new, affordable housing initiative.
A new Kelowna franchise of the Surrey-based Sabzi Mandi Supermarket chain has been launched by three young entrepreneurs: Gurveer Hari, Joban Sandhu, and Karmvir Dhaliwal.
A temporary use permit is being sought by the Oyama Yacht Club, located at the intersection of Oyama and Trask roads, to facilitate the sale of boats, their storage both indoors and outside, and any necessary minor repairs.
Ace Courier has seen a surge in business and quote requests following the strike by Canada Post unionized workers that began on November 15.
Dakota Foundation for Bipolar Awareness received $6,000 in support from the Miracle on 97 St. fundraiser.
Kelowna Medical Aesthetics is set to host its annual Christmas Gala on November 21 at its office, located at 1-1562 Water St. The event aims to support the Animal Rescue Ranch in Black Mountain.
The Winter Wonder Bar will make a comeback on November 21 at Pretty Not Bad on Clement Avenue in the Brewery District.
As part of their summer 2025 schedule, WestJet Group boosted service to Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver, and increased seat capacity from Kelowna International Airport by 15 per cent.
Members of the Joe Rich Fire Rescue Department will be touring throughout the neighbourhood to gather food, cash, and check donations for the department’s 20th annual food drive on November 24. Donations can also be dropped off at Station 52, 6550 Goudie Road, or Station 51, 11481 Highway 33 East, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
As part of its agreement to receive $31.5 million from the federal housing Accelerator Fund, the City of Kelowna promised to undertake a number of measures to speed up the building of homes.
The province will introduce modular housing in Kelowna in collaboration with Modular BC and local authorities from throughout the province.
The gondola, Plaza chair, and Ridge Rocket will all be opened on Friday, November 22, according to Big White VP Michael J. Ballingall.
The council has approved the rezoning of City-owned property at 165 Dougall Rd N to permit rental-only use, paving the way for a property developer to be sought for future construction. A 12-storey building could be developed on the property.
The council has examined a proposal along with public input regarding financing stormwater management without relying on property taxes. City staff are considering a user-pay system that would charge fees according to a property’s effect on the stormwater system. This approach aims to change funding methods rather than introduce a new tax.
The Parade with a Purpose Silent Auction is now live and will continue until December 13. Community members are invited to bid on a variety of unique items and experiences, all while supporting essential programming improvements at the Youth Recovery House.
KAMLOOPS
The Chief Louis Crossing development in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc will soon have additional shops occupied by a Starbucks café and a second Petro-Canada gas station.
As part of the project’s $600,000 initial phase, Thompson Rivers University anticipates having 540 solar panels operational by March of next year. This will assist reduce the university’s BC Hydro cost by supplying more sustainable energy to power the campus.
Council members in Kamloops will be going back to the drawing board after initially rejecting municipal staff’s suggestion to increase the capital maintenance budget by $2 million last month.
A new manager position will be added to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District‘s team to oversee capital projects and facilities management.
Western Canada Theatre is set to host the upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast, scheduled to take the stage at the Sagebrush Theatre from Nov. 21 to Dec. 8.
Teck plans to expand its current infrastructure in order to prolong its life from 2028 to 2040.
An extension of the leasing arrangement is expected to bring new business to Fulton Field, according to Kamloops Airport officials. A 20-year lease extension extension that will draw new business to Fulton Field was signed at Kamloops Airport Ltd. by the Kamloops Airport Authority Society, the airport, and Vantage Group.
Sahali’s Bold Pizzeria will close its doors in January 2025.
PENTICTON
The Penticton Lakeside Resort will host the annual Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team cookie walk on December 7th.
The Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT) received a gift check from the Princeton Exhibition Association in the amount of $5,700, to help the organization with its initiatives.
A silent auction benefiting the Penticton Breakfast Club will be held on November 25 at City Centre Health & Fitness.
The third annual Shop of Wonders pop-up toy store, which aims to bring holiday cheer to low-income families, will be setting up shop at Okanagan College.
Penticton’s Cherry Lane Mall is thrilled to announce that on November 30 at 11 am, St. Nick, will arrive for the holiday activities.
To support a new oncology department at the Penticton Regional Hospital, Meet Me On Martin and the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association have teamed up to hold a 50/50 draw to generate funds for the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation.
SALMON ARM
Bulletproof Properties and Shuswap Photography have joined the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce.
Annette Cosens, real estate agent, stated that the large property on Shuswap Lake, which is referred to as Fighting Dog Ranch, is currently being offered for sale at a price of $22 million. The property was designed by Calvin Ayre, and a Thai architect was engaged to build the other aspects of the property.
Salmon Arm is holding a contest to name its new snow plow for the winter. The winner will be chosen on December 16.
The recently acquired Prinoth Bison X tracksetter from Larch Hills Nordic Society has arrived in time for the cross-country ski season, the organization announced in a statement.
VERNON
Lillian Marchand, a member of the Okanagan Indian Band and a local Jiu Jitsu competitor, was just crowned the 2024 World Pro Champion at the Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu Jitsu Championships 2024 (ADWPJJC24).
The BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery in Vernon, operated by Nixon Hospitality Group, is now hiring for its January 2025 opening.
The Safe Community Office in Vernon is marking 25 years of operation.
The new owners of Vernon’s Kekuli Bay Cabinetry, Maarten Koorn and TJ Weidema, succeeded Ed Huber, who had owned the business since 1998 to October 1.
At the 40th annual Dream Auction, which took place on November 16th at the Prestige Vernon Lodge, the Kalamalka Rotary raised over $250,000.
Along with other local organizations and businesses, the CFNO and the City of Vernon provided $1.8 million to the UBC expanding in Vernon family medical training program.
The Sovereign Lake Nordic Club in Vernon is trying to raise $4.9 million to renovate their lodge and provide more rooms and facilities for Nordic sports fans.
SUMMERLAND
As part of a new sponsorship initiative, home improvement company RONA is providing financial support to 85 teams around the nation. These teams include the Summerland Jets, Vernon Vipers, Vernon North Zone Knights, and Penticton Yetis, among others.
Residents and property owners are being encouraged by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to consider making payments online or in person during the postal strike.
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