News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Alan Clay
Alan Clay has been appointed the new executive director of Pathways Abilities Society.
Chris Bowser takes charge at Waterplay‘s new Sydney office, which will serve the Australian market. The company’s global head office is based in Kelowna.
A Kelowna warehouse belonging to BC Tree Fruits has been acquired by the alcohol magnate The Mark Anthony Group—the same one that controls White Claw and Mission Hill—for $18 million.
Nanaimo Airport and Kelowna International Airport have announced that their collaboration to boost regional tourism and showcase British Columbia’s premier destinations has received international recognition. They were honoured with the Airport Council International (ACI) Excellence in Airport Marketing Communications & Customer Experience Award for Best in Airport Partnerships.
Okanagan Luxury Boat Club‘s investors have acquired the Fintry Queen and are relocating it to Kelowna.
As of December 2, 2024, Raymond James Ltd., the Canadian subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc., a North American investment dealer, is thrilled to announce the relocation of its Kelowna office to a prominent downtown location.
A new policy change has been passed by the Kelowna City Council regarding liquor licensing. This policy expansion will cover all sorts of licenses, including primary liquor, manufacturing, and food facilities with endorsements for patron involvement.
The Kelowna-based Trinity Legacy Foundation, which manages Helen’s Acres, has set a target, Vision 25, to increase the record-breaking harvest of 96,000 pounds of fresh vegetables in 2024 to 120,000 pounds in 2025.
Nominations for Kelowna’s 50th annual Civic & Community Awards are now being accepted through February 10, 2025.
New York City-based comedian Todd Barry has a December 10 show at Revelry Food and Music Hub.
Between November 15 and December 15, the City of Kelowna will temporarily waive interest charges on utility payments in response to the ongoing Canada Post strike.
Fanny’s Furniture located at 1794 Baron Road, Kelowna, is having a Close Out Sale. The business is relocating to City Furniture at 2341 Bering Road, West Kelowna.
The City Council of West Kelowna has decided to reallocate $2.5 million to upgrade the Rose Valley water reservoir’s water quality.
A rezoning application from Urban Options Planning for a residential structure across three properties across from the Kelowna Golf & Country Club on Glenmore Drive was approved by Kelowna City Council.
The Greater Westside Board of Trade is holding their December Business After Hours at 4 Eyes Optometry on December 12 from 5-7pm;
A contract for the construction of a solid dewatering system, costing over $2.6 million and scheduled for completion in March 2028, has been approved by the District of Taylor Council. The contract was awarded to Kelowna’s Carver Construction Limited.
Comfort Suites Kelowna was named Renovations of the Year at Choice Hotels Canada‘s 2024 Awards for Property Excellence (APEX).
TEC Okanagan and LoLo Loves Local are organizing a gift voucher exchange program called the Trade-A-Thon, which will take place in Kelowna on December 5. This event is ideal for Okanagan businesses looking to send gift cards to customers or staff without breaking the bank.
New protections for staff members who report significant misconduct have been made available by the BC government’s expansion of its whistleblower protection laws to cover workers at research universities and WorkSafeBC.
KAMLOOPS
Jeremy Heighton
Jeremy Heighton has been named as President of Business Improvement Areas of BC.
Northills Shopping Centre now boasts a new urgent and primary care centre to serve Kamloops locals who need to see a doctor quickly for non-life threatening conditions.
The Kamloops City Council is currently in the process of approving two rezoning and variance permission applications, for a six-story apartment complex with 120 units on the site at 2001, 2013 and 2019 Glenwood Dr. in Valleyview.
Grandwest Enterprises Inc. announced the opening of its distribution center in Kamloops.
The Kruger Inc. mill in Kamloops, has been selected as the target employer by Unifor and the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) to create a pattern agreement for collective bargaining in the forestry industry in Western Canada.
Dinyar Minocher has taken on the role of director for TRU Wildfire (Research, Education and Innovation) as of November 18. He most recently held the position of interagency prescribed fire coordinator at the Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange, playing a key role in organizing national and regional training events alongside various partner groups.
Quentin Nelson
Quentin Nelson has been appointed as the associate director of TRU Wildfire (Training), effective November 25. Nelson has recently held the position of wildfire mitigation manager at First Nations’ Emergency Services Society. He served as the FireSmart Canada Provincial Liaison for BC First Nations, contributing to the creation of resources and training sessions focused on cultural burning and prescribed fire.
Kamloops Food Policy Council has been selected as one of the fall recipients of Beem’s community seed funding.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
The second annual Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie Week achieved a remarkable milestone, raising $43,813 in the region to support the South Okanagan Women in Need Society.
A total of $300,000 was contributed by the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation to enhance the Penticton Regional Hospital Centre’s cancer treatment capabilities.
Community Futures, the SOS Medical Foundation, the SOS Health Care Society, and the SOS Division of Family Practice are all collaborating to launch an innovative kind of community walk-in clinic (CWIC). The Community Futures building on Waterford Ave. is being considered as a potential site for the new clinic.
An increasing number of female students from Penticton and Summerland Secondary Schools are enrolling in the annual SD67 Women in Trades Bootcamp to acquire shop skills.
The six new electric vehicle charging stations will be unveiled at the Similkameen Recreation Centre with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen on December 7.
The South Okanagan Similkameen Health Care Society, in collaboration with the SOS Division of Family Practice, Community Futures, Community Foundation, and the SOS Medical Foundation, has planned to hire three additional physicians to run the new community clinic in Penticton.
SALMON ARM
Dr. Laurie Main, the founder of the Shuswap Cardiac Society, established a new rehabilitation program in Salmon Arm on Alexander Street.
The 60-unit campus dorm, which is scheduled to open in January, is already accepting applications at Okanagan College in Salmon Arm.
Re-Becoming Healing Arts Studio is now open in Sicamous at 1217C Shuswap Ave.
VERNON
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member Economic Spectrum Plus.
Paul Bielby was appointed executive director of 97.9 Valley FM to assist with CRTC inspections and fundraisers in order to get the station on the air.
The Proposed 2025-2029 Financial Plan, which includes a projected tax increase of 11.06 per cent overall, has been approved by city council.
The Regional District of North Okanagan has confirmed that construction of the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre is set to commence in September 2025 as planned.
The original Dorian’s Greek Taverna, which went out of business in October, is getting ready to reopen at 102, 5460 Anderson Way on December 17th with the same name.
The Allan Brooks Nature Centre in Vernon is set to host the Soar High Gala, a New Year’s Eve celebration and fundraising event. Scheduled for December 31 at the Vernon Prestige Hotel, the gala aims to support the centre’s mission of promoting environmental awareness through its educational programs.
A monthly payment option is now available at Vernon’s Quality Inn and Suites to assist people with dealing with the winter months and address Vernon’s housing crisis.
SUMMERLAND
Turning Points, a nonprofit organization, will own and run the 60-unit property, which will be built at 13204 and 13214 Henry Ave. in the downtown area and house the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre.
Shaughnessy’s Cove is set to close for the season beginning December 16th, with staff relocating to Gunbarrel Saloon for the winter months.
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