News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
LeeAnn Pallett Smith
LeeAnn Pallett Smith has been appointed as a Senior Architect at Diamond Schmitt.
Eric Ledding, a partner at Pushor Mitchell, is one of the 40 Over 40 recipients for this year.
Sheeba Alex has been hired as the new Human Resources Business Partner at the Sutherland Group, operating from the Kelowna office.
Pushor Mitchell has been nominated for Best Law Firm in Kelowna by Best of Kelowna 2025.
Kelowna Women in Business Rise Awards will be held on May 15th at the KF Centre for Excellence.
The BCCA is pleased to launch the Past Chair Legacy Fund, which will award up to four candidates year and grant up to $2,500 per recipient. One person will be selected from each of the following regions of British Columbia: the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Northern, and Southern Interior.
Eric Ledding
Eric Ledding, a partner at Pushor Mitchell, is one of the 40 Over 40 recipients for this year.
The City of Kelowna and Okanagan College have announced a partnership to fund and construct a new Recreation and Wellness Facility at Okanagan College. The facility will be funded through a partnership with the City of Kelowna and a number of philanthropic donors.
Little Kitchen Academy (LKA), a leading Montessori-inspired cooking school for kids and teens, is set to launch its sixth location at Orchard Plaza, 138-1876 Cooper Road in Kelowna. Summer camps and classes are now open for registration.
A rezoning application that would convert one of the student dorms into a hotel-motel for the summer months has been unanimously considered by the council, bringing Okanagan College one step closer to inviting tourists to its Kelowna campus.
West Kelowna-based Alpine Helicopters has partnered with Merrimack, New Hampshire-based CAMP Systems International to improve inventory and maintenance operations for all forty helicopters in Alpine’s fleet.
The Global Fitness site, which is close to the Parkinson Recreation Centre in Kelowna, is currently undergoing redevelopment plans. A public hearing is scheduled to be held.
350 Bakehouse + Cafe opens at its new location at 1892 Spall Rd.
Little Creek Salad Dressing, founded by Donna Denison, marks its 30th anniversary this year.
The 40th Annual Kelowna Chamber Golf Classic will be held on May 28th at the Harvest Golf Club.
The Vitalis Extraction Technology facility has officially opened its doors at the Kelowna Airport Business Park.
Mgmt., a development company, and Ace Project Marketing Group recently marked a significant milestone with a groundbreaking event at Rosevale Estates in West Kelowna.
Harmony Homes celebrates the opening of its new location in Kelowna.
Troika Management Corp. has received approval for the Building Permit at 1881 Barlee Road. Troika will collaborate with Zeidler Architecture on a six-story, 160-unit purpose-built rental community in Kelowna’s Midtown Urban Centre.
Council approved the City’s five-year Accessibility Plan. Public participation and community consultation inspired the strategy, which prioritizes the built environment, transit, and jobs. The Accessibility Advisory Committee will meet regularly and report Accessibility Plan progress to Council annually.
Council approved the Burtch/Harvey Area redevelopment plan and an Official Community Plan amendment, which could include 39-story buildings with housing, retail, and public spaces, improved transit access, and Parkinson Recreation Park greenspace connections. OCP amendment public hearings are next for Council to hear from Kelowna residents.
Council approved a Heritage Alteration Permit for 3221 Royal Avenue to add 10 sleeping units to JoeAnna’s House for Kelowna General Hospital families. The addition enhances capacity and provides inexpensive housing near the hospital while preserving the building’s design.
A development permit was granted for two six-story rental apartments at 1239 Pacific Avenue. The plan includes 208 bachelor, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.
New tenant protection ordinances that mandated monetary compensation, assistance with relocation costs, and a Tenant Protection Plan for redevelopment projects that relocated five or more rental units were approved by the council. There will be a future public hearing on the Official Community Plan revision.
The Okanagan Young Professionals Collective is teaming up with The Recovery Spa for a coffee social on May 29th, running from 8:00 to 9:30 am.
JCI Kelowna is hosting a New Members Night at the Mercedes-Benz Showroom on Thursday, May 22nd.
Kelowna Chamber welcomes BDC Chief Economist Pierre Cleroux for a Presentation on May 14, 2025 at Waterfront Room, Manteo Resort.
The 50th annual Civic & Community Award winners, announced at the awards ceremony held at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort are:
- Anita Tozer Memorial Award: bestowed by Mayor & Council Pam Turgeon and Shadia Doty
- Bob Giordano Memorial Award – Coach/Sport Administrator of the Year: Bill Franzman
- Bryan Couling Memorial Award – Athletic Team of the Year: OKM Sr. Girls Volleyball Team
- Female Athlete of the Year Award: Kylie Taylor
- Male Athlete of the Year Award: Jerome Blake
- Augie Ciancone Memorial Award – Young Female Athlete: Maya Andruchow
- Augie Ciancone Memorial Award – Young Male Athlete: Dominic Sodaro
- Teen Honour in the Arts Award: Almendra Osorio
- Honour in the Arts Award: Tyson Cook (Freida Whales)
- Central Okanagan Foundation’s Volunteer Organization of the Year Award: Special Olympics Kelowna
- Corporate Community of the Year Award: Valley First, a Division of First West Credit Union
- Champion for the Environment Award: Beverley Kalmakoff
- Fred Macklin & Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award Citizen of the Year: Clayton Gall
- Young Citizen of the Year Award: Ainsley Wood
KAMLOOPS
Evan Helgason has been recognized as Kamloops Kia‘s April Winning Salesperson of the Month.
A 110-unit housing development is being constructed on a 1.1-hectare tract of land at 1180 Sun Peaks Road by the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality and its Sun Peaks Housing Authority in collaboration with BC Housing‘s BC Builds program.
Embers Brewhouse, formerly Alchemy Brewing, is now open at 650 Victoria St.
The Kamloops Change Maker Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations.
First General Services Canada Kamloops is now EcoClaim Certified.
The brand new Lemon Drop Candy Shop has opened this at 253 Tranquille Rd.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Scoopsies, the ice cream shop in Osoyoos, has officially handed over operations to Kelowna’s Moo-Lix Ice Cream Shop.
The Town of Oliver’s Station Street Market, a local hub, has earned the Southern Interior Local Government Association’s award for community excellence.
The Vault Liquor Merchants has relocated to the old HSBC bank at 201 Main St.
Yummy Slice Pizza has opened a new location at 510 Main St, Penticton.
Noodlebox Canada has recently opened at SmartCentres Penticton.
The multi-family asset known as Lakeview Apartments in Penticton has been sold by the Avison Young Multi-Family Team. The apartments have direct access to Okanagan Lake Beach and include breathtaking views of Lake Okanagan.
The YMCA Uplands Child Care Centre in Penticton will be hosting a Child Care Day of Hiring on May 15th.
SALMON ARM
Tea Desire, founded by Tony and Heidi Aupers, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.
Salmon Arm & District Chamber of Commerce reminds its members that membership renewals are due by May 15th.
The Governance Training Workshop, which will be facilitated by Dan Rogers of DMR Consulting, is scheduled on June 14, 2025.
The chamber welcomes its newest members, Guided Heart Home Care, Florabella Decor & Design, Elan Family Wellness Centre, Discovery Kids Early Learning Centre, Janpro, and Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre.
Salmon Arm & District Chamber of Commerce has announced the Board of Directors for 2025/2026.
- President: Danielle Tighe – Arcade Accounting
- President Elect: Kyle Gowriluk – Sparq Industries
- Past President: Candace Hosseini – The Hosseini Team
- Treasurer: Scott Clement – Cosh Appraisals
- Secretary: Sheri Doyle – Redpoint Construction
- Directors: Joel Rooke – Rooke Construction; Sanam Kashfi – Kashfi Immigration; Angela Inskip – Inskip Electric; Greg Cowan – Nawoc Advisors; Dr Taylor Bean – TaylorMade Wellness; Tom Arrowsmith – Tekamar Mortgages; Rajula Gupta – Foods of India.
VERNON
Ecotecture Design Inc., a North Okanagan business that specializes in sustainable building development, was awarded the first place in the 2025 Enterprise Challenge on Thursday at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
Briteland Holdings, a well-known town and country store in downtown Vernon, has been acquired by Rusty Spur, a popular destination between Enderby and Lumby for farm feed, supplements, farm and veterinary supplies, and equine products.
On May 24, Vernon will play host to a Beaux-Arts Ball, a fundraising event that will benefit the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre.
The Vernon Museum is making preparations to relocate to the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre once the building reaches completion.
The North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society has received a $10,000 donation from Vernon Nissan.
SUMMERLAND
Daniel Pugh has joined the team at Breathe Here Yoga Studio in Summerland.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the Penticton–Summerland school district board approved a new transportation fees plan.
Major upgrades are on the way for Field 96, thanks to a $185,000 grant from Jays Care Field of Dreams.
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