News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Lisa Fenyedi
Lisa Fenyedi has been named executive director of the Vernon Winter Carnival, which will celebrate its 65th year from February 7 to 16, 2025.
Rich Woodhouse has joined Kelowna’s Glenmore Optometry after previously working for iSight Optometry.
WestJet is increasing its non-stop flights between Toronto and Kelowna for the upcoming winter season and announced new daily service connecting Kelowna and Seattle beginning in January 2025. The route will unlock more seamless connectivity between the popular regions to a vast network of U.S. destinations through Seattle and beyond, through the airline’s longstanding partnership with Delta Air Lines.
Farming Karma Fruit Co. has announced its latest partnership with Costco and the debut of Farming Karma Hydr8, the company’s new beverage brand.
The Hotel Association of Canada has unveiled its new website, which features an improved members-only section.
The Coast Capri Hotel has recently made its exclusive outdoor pool available to the public for the first time.
Hidden Vines Family Estate Winery, owned by Trevor and Ally Edwards, recently opened at the end of Stewart Road East in Southeast Kelowna.
Norman’s Diner, located at 235 Hollywood Road, near Willow Park Shopping Centre, is trying to raise $5,000 for the Central Okanagan Food Bank and awareness of food poverty in Kelowna before its one-year anniversary party on July 27 and 28.
A six-story mixed-use development, which would comprise 104 units of either rental or market housing, was proposed by Jim Pattison Industries to the Kelowna Council. In order for Kelowna councillors to support the development, a comprehensive parking plan will need to be created.
The council has approved a rezoning and development permit for two, six-story rental apartment buildings that will occupy ten single-family lots located between 815 and 865 Clement Ave. The structures will consist of 197 units, which will be a combination of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.
A variety of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as two-bedroom townhouses, are available for immediate occupancy at The Arbour, 4131 Lakeshore Road.
Alpha Dental Centre in Kelowna is pleased to support the extended Canadian Dental Care Plan, which now covers children under 18 and disabled adults.
Lakeside Eco-Sports and A Taste of Kelowna Food Tours were both honoured with the 2024 Viator Experience Awards.
The Kelowna Curling Club hosted the Okanagan Tattoo Show‘s tenth anniversary celebration.
The rezoning of a property on Cerise Drive, which once operational would offer up to 39 much needed childcare places in the city, has been approved by the Kelowna city council.
The council has ordered the staff to seek a federal grant in order to finance the nationwide planting of 1.2 million trees. Two community tree-planting initiatives, one at Glenmore Recreation Park and the other in the medians, will be funded by the GCCC tree planting fund.
Uber has been granted permission to operate at Kelowna International Airport.
KAMLOOPS
Sun Peaks will get a $100,000 ski and snowboard cross course on Sundance Mountain after starting construction this week. The resort stated a three-year cooperation with Powder Ventures Excavations, a longtime Sun Peaks company, provided machine and manpower to develop the course.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have hired Dean Evason, a former coach of the Kamloops Blazers and junior oilers centre, to be their head coach.
Merritt’s Sagebrush Golf Course ranked 17th overall in Canada according to SCOREGolf magazine’s final rankings of the Top 100 golf courses in the country.
Kamloops Fire Rescue is celebrating 140 years of service with a series of barbecues at firehalls across the city on weekends from July 27 to August 24.
The dealership, Butler Auto and RV, which has been a fixture at the Tranquille and Wilson Street location since 1976, will be permanently closing its doors.
The City is running a counter-petition to decide whether to spend $1.9 million to fund the North Shore BIA for five years and the newly founded East Kamloops BIA, which will receive $2.1 million over five years to start up.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund has awarded Waycon Manufacturing Ltd. of Penticton a grant of $575,000. The funding will be added to what the company has already invested in order to boost their advanced manufacturing skills.
The Penticton Men’s Shed, founded by Roger Yeo and Jasper Young, will be supported by members of the Penticton council in finding a permanent location.
The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture‘s Annual Training Conference 2024: Back to Our Roots, will be held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre, from October 7 – 10.
Catch Recruitment is currently looking for a Professional CPA/JR Partner to join its client’s practice.
The City of Penticton was awarded the IABC Gold Quill Award, which is given to the most outstanding communications initiatives worldwide.
A Penticton brewery bringing back a fan-favourite lager to pay tribute to firefighters across the nation. Cannery Brewing has unveiled its “Wildfire Dark Lager,” a limited-time release that helps raise funds for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF). Its release comes as 430 wildfires rage across B.C., as of July 24.
White & Company Family Law is hiring a legal assistant to join its team in Penticton.
SALMON ARM
The Shuswap Recreation Society, the City of Salmon Arm, and the Rotary Club of Salmon Arm celebrated the opening of Roger’s Rink’s new rubberized walking track.
Ricochet Taphouse, a new taphouse owned by Marc Zaichowsky, has officially opened at 310 Hudson Ave. NE.
The 32nd Annual Roots and Blues Festival is scheduled to take place from July 26 to 28.
VERNON
Fundraising for the Armstrong Kin Club has taken a turn as they prepare for the October 13 grand prize drawing for a 1976 Corvette Stingray.
The Vernon Public Art Gallery’s Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts event raised over $80,000 this year.
The Vernon Pickleball Association is hosting the Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championships from July 25 to 28 at the National Bank Financial Okanagan Wealth Advisors Pickleball complex and Marshall Fields Tennis Courts. About 630 Western Canadian pickleball players will attend.
The Vernon City Council decided to invest an estimated $50,000 in a new economic development plan that includes the recently approved tourism strategy, forthcoming modifications to the Official Community Plan, and new zoning laws.
Forever Home Sanctuary is thrilled to announce that it has successfully obtained charity status, solidifying its position as a safe haven for farm animals.
SUMMERLAND
The District of Summerland council will vote on a six-story, 84-unit apartment project near downtown Summerland, next to a proposed four-story hotel.
A Farm Tour and Potluck is being hosted by Young Agrarians at Medley Organics in Summerland on September 8.
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