News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KAMLOOPS
Acres took home two awards at the Northern Regional Construction Association Constructing Excellence Awards in Excellence in Innovation and Excellence in Safety.
Comet Industries Ltd. has announced that it has secured short-term loan arrangements totaling approximately $742,000 to finance the construction of the Iron Mask Project subdivision in Kamloops.
The public process for a planned three-year extension of the North Shore Pathways Shelter at 142 Tranquille Road, which is financed by BC Housing and run by ASK Wellness Society, has been approved by Kamloops city council.
A bylaw has been approved by the Kamloops city council, which permits the municipality to borrow up to $40 million on a short-term basis to manage cash flow until property tax revenue is received later in the year.
Citing growing operating expenses and the need to lessen reliance on property taxes, Thompson-Nicola Regional District directors have granted permission for a series of increases to solid waste disposal fees that will go into effect on April 1, 2026.
Community Futures Thompson Country has recently announced the winner of the second annual The Big Pitch event. Quanah George of Deer Tracks and Fawns,
Catloops Cat Cafe opens at 2-970 Laval Cres. in Kamloops.
Riversong Guitars will soon be celebrating their 20th anniversary.
Iconic Gift Shop recently opened in downtown Kamloops.
MNP has officially settled into their new office in Kamloops at Tudor Village, 101-1315 Summit Drive.
The City of Kamloops is inviting qualified vendors to submit proposals for IT hardware, software, and professional services.
SALMON ARM
Valid Manufacturing Ltd. of Salmon Arm has been acquired by Calgary’s Ampere Alliance. Valid offers expertise in vehicle systems, electrical and power solutions, and water/wastewater products and is known for its custom project development capabilities.
The Salmon Arm Seniors Resource Centre will host the Salmon Arm & District Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Business on Tuesday, April 14.
The Annual General Meeting of the Salmon Arm & District Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for April 15.
The Salmon Arm & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members: Viking Doors, Foundation Wealth Partners, Vantage One Financial Corp., The Shuswap Family Centre, Sweet Leaf, 1602 Custom Designs, C2C Mechanical Systems, Sunlife, Foundation Wealth Partners, Viking Doors Inc, and Talius Group Inc.
The board of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District has set the average tax increase for 2026 at 2.5 per cent.
The Economic Opportunity Fund will provide $75,000 to the Sicamous Ferry Society via the CSRD.
Columbia Shuswap Regional District will begin a new method of borrowing $650,000 to upgrade its water system.
VERNON
Defiant Motorcycles Inc. will launch in Vernon’s new Salt Centre buildings on June 1.
Irina Mierzewski
Irina Mierzewski joins Maxwell Rockies Realty, leading the expansion into the Okanagan Valley, with a focus on vernon and Kelowna.
Don MacLeod, a former personal trainer at Snap Fitness, is moving to Anytime Fitness.
The Okanagan Indian Band‘s harm reduction team has moved into its new office at 76 Head of the Lake Rd. and is now fully staffed.
WorkBC Vernon is holding its yearly spring job fair at the Prestige Vernon Lodge on Thursday, April 16.
Vernon is looking for a contractor to rebuild the roof of Kal Tire Place. Interested contractors must pre-register by the end of the day on April 13 and attend a required site inspection on April 14.
The Ikon Pass is now available at Vernon’s SilverStar Mountain Resort for the 2026–2027 ski season.
The annual Vernon Wellness Fair will take place at the Vernon Recreation Centre from April 11–12, with a focus on health and wellbeing.
Vernon native, Troy Mick has been appointed as the hockey director, head coach, and executive director at Fire & Ice Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
Vernon & District Garden Club is celebrating its 100 years anniversary this year.
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new member, Evergreen Building Maintenance.
The North Okanagan Butcher Hub (NOBH), has launched in Spallumcheen, aimed at offering small-scale livestock producers access to affordable local meat processing services.
KELOWNA
Nick O’Donoghue
Nick O’Donoghue has been promoted to Senior Project Manager at Fine Drywall Ltd.
Tyler Hinds and Judith Assman-Neiser ICD.D have been appointed to the Launch Okanagan Board of Directors.
Design Works Engineering has officially opened its new location at 104 – 460 Doyle Ave in Kelowna.
Ascend Development Partners celebrates its one year anniversary.
OC Works, which is set to launch shortly, will facilitate the connection between employers and talented Okanagan College students by providing them with adaptable Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities.
The Okanagan Impact hockey program is the inaugural organization from British Columbia to join the GrayJay Sports platform, which provides new opportunities for athletes, coaches, and the entire community.
The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce welcomes Magnolia Marketing Communications as its newest member.
Construction has commenced this week on a 3.2-kilometre stretch of the Okanagan Rail Trail. This segment will connect City-owned land from Old Vernon Rd., close to the Kelowna International Airport, to the Lake Country boundary near Beaver Lake Rd.
Kelowna International Airport in British Columbia’s 82,000-square-foot terminal expansion is now fully operational, according to PCL.
The rezoning of 54 acres at Kelowna Springs Golf Course from private recreation to commercial has been approved.
The Greater Westside Board of Trade announce the winners for the 24th annual Key Business Awards presented by Coast Capital. Read more here.
Rachel Johns and Jeff Hope
Jeff Hope has been appointed vice-president of finance at Accent Inns, and Rachel Johns has been appointed vice-president of marketing, sales, and revenue.
Tim Moody, CEO of Pan Global Resources, will be at the Delta Grand Hotel in Kelowna on April 17 to engage in a conversation regarding the future of the industry.
The World Trade Centres Association®, a global trade association that links over 300 World Trade Center® locations in almost 100 countries and territories, announced the opening of World Trade Centre Okanagan in Kelowna, enhancing Canada’s standing in the global network of trade and investment hubs.
Jody Bellefleur has been named Corporate Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of Kiboko Gold Inc. Matthew Gow has been appointed to the Board of Directors, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Additionally, the company announced the immediate resignation of Dr. Olivier Féménias and Jon Morda from the Board of Directors.
The Bertram Active Transportation Corridor (ATC) in downtown Kelowna will be under construction for an estimated four weeks, commencing the week of April 6 and closing Bertram Street between Leon Avenue and Bernard Avenue.
Kernaghan Adjusters’ Kelowna Branch has moved to its new location at 117 – 1835 Gordon Drive, Kelowna.
Unison HM Commercial Realty announces the sale of two strata warehouse units at Carrington Industrial Park in West Kelowna.
IKEA Canada opened its Kelowna Plan and order point in the Central Park Power Centre at 1500 Banks Rd., on April 8th.
Permanent Windows Solutions Inc. will open its new stockroom in Kelowna on June 1.
BrainTrust Canada, a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Kelowna, celebrates 40 years of advocacy and support for brain injuries.
SUMMERLAND
Dirty Laundry Winery in Summerland marks its 20th anniversary.
The Kettle Valley Railway Society has received a $150,000 grant-in-aid from the District of Summerland.
The highly anticipated Giant’s Head Run in Summerland, which will take place on June 6, is now accepting registrations.
A significant new project is currently ongoing for Local Motive in Summerland, as announced by Norsteel Building Systems Ltd.
PENTICTON
Randy Stoltz has been appointed as the new Interim Fire Chief by the Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department.
The Telus Friendly Future Foundation provided a $10,000 investment to the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre to support the OSNS LINK to Success Employment Toolkit for Autistic Youth program.
The Dream Cafe has secured an 18-year license for its original location at 67 Front Street.
On May 2, Penticton’s Cannery Brewing will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an anniversary bash. Tickets are now on sale.
The Penticton Tennis Club will hold an Open House on April 26 for both new and returning players.
Penticton Search and Rescue received a $1,500 donation from Da Silva Vineyards & Winery.
Jessica Johnson has been appointed as the new general manager at Keremeos Grist Mill, succeeding Chris Mathieson.
Lark Lagree & Social Wellness Club, a sister studio to Penticton’s Pure Gym & Juicery, is set to open in downtown mid-April.
Penticton Peach Festival is preparing for a thrilling summer, revealing that the West Coast Lumberjacks will join the lineup this August.
Arterra Wines Canada has partnered with the Penticton Secondary School Dry Grad Committee to provide genuine wine barrels for fundraising efforts.
OSOYOOS/OLIVER
Ogopogo Burgers and Shakes opened its doors on April 1 at 8515B Main Street, Osoyoos.
The Treat Land in Osoyoos is now under new management and is set to open this month.
Diane Butt has been promoted to lieutenant by Osoyoos Fire Rescue.
Siya Forestry of the Osoyoos Indian Band is collaborating on forestry management with Interfor, a logging and manufacturing corporation.
Oliver’s Eastside Avenue Housing for Healthcare Workers is now under construction, according to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation.
The Osoyoos Festival Society is set to return with its annual Easter Eggstravaganza on April 4 at Gyro Park.
The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos has received an award from the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia for its Whispers of the Trickster theatre experience.
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