News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Binny Boparai-Gill of Kelowna is named the outstanding female entrepreneur by BC Food & Beverage.
Russel Metals has acquired Tampa Bay Steel, which will join their Southern US businesses.
Travis & Lori Olsvik and Angelo & Dawn Fiacco, the owners of Tim Hortons, presented a cheque for $25,717 to Bettina Muller and Darlene Haslock of the KGH Foundation at JoeAnna’s House. The funds were raised through the Holiday Smile Cookie campaign.
The sale of the Patterson Lake South uranium property in Saskatchewan was agreed upon between Fission Uranium Corp. and the Australian mining behemoth Paladin; however, the transfer was subject to a national security review by Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry.
The Tsilhqot’in National Government in BC is working with the federal Fisheries Department to build a permanent salmon hatchery.
A two-property office portfolio located at 455 and 477 Leon Ave. in Kelowna was sold by William Wright Commercial brokers Jeff Hancock and Shelby Kostyshen on November 4th for $3.1 million.
The sale of a 195,159-square-foot warehouse/storage facility at 880 Vaughan Ave., Kelowna, has been announced by Unison HM Commercial Realty on behalf of Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc., the court-appointed monitor of BC Tree Fruits Co-op. According to court filings, the property was sold for $17.5 million on Nov. 27, which is significantly less than its $22 million list price, to Mark Anthony Group‘s Pelecanus Real Estate Ltd.
Troika Developments submitted an application to rezone the property at Dougall Road to the city’s rental-only sub zone immediately following the completion of its $4.5 million acquisition.
The Kelowna Beer Institute, located on Water Street in Kelowna, has requested a permanent patio addition, an increase in capacity, and a change in operating hours from the city.
A development permit application for an expansion of Argus Properties‘ industrial complex on Kelowna’s northern border has been submitted to the city.
Vice and Virtue Brewing Co. have announced that they will be closing on December 21. They intend to reopen the following year under new ownership and following renovations.
The Wallflowers, led by multi-instrumentalist Jakob Dylan, will be joining the legendary rock band ZZ Top at Prospera Place on June 23, 2025, next summer.
Big White has announced that the Gem Lake chair will be operational starting Thursday morning, which will facilitate the inauguration of a substantial portion of the ski hill.
The Rustic Reel Christmas Market, run by owner Susi Foerg of Rustic Reel Brewing Co., will take place on December 14th in the brewery’s parking lot, located at 760 Vaughn Avenue, just off Clement Avenue.
To support the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign, Rutland Senior Secondary football players will be ringing bells and gathering money outside Save-On Foods all day on December 14.
Ace Courier joined forces with the Ellis Street Market to collect food donations for the Veterans Food Bank, running from December 9 to 13.
The Kelowna General Hospital Foundation raised over $100,000 at the 33rd Annual Innkeeper’s Gala, which took place at the Hotel Eldorado on November 16.
The Annual Extension Meeting of the Interior Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC) is scheduled for January 15–16, 2025.
Council approved suggestions of maintaining the Kelowna Community Theatre, building a new Performing Arts Centre at a future site, renovating KCT to improve front-of-house amenities, and advising the Task Force on its remaining goals.
The council approved a rezoning at 2160 Wilkinson St. to construct a rental apartment complex with on-site services primarily for women with children. The plan is for NOW Canada Society to operate 29 rental units in a four-story building.
Two parcels at 789 and 809 Cadder Avenue were rezoned by the council to make room for a 29-unit, six-story apartment complex.
The Council approved the proposed revisions to its Security Alarm Systems Bylaw and the extension of its contract with the Central Okanagan Regional District to oversee the program.
KAMLOOPS
Chris Les
Effective December 1, 2024, Chris Les will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer for Delta Water Products. Chris succeeds Jim Dobrovolny, who has been instrumental in shaping Delta Water Products.
Dr. Courtney Mason‘s research project, titled “Parks as Climate Resilience, Reconciliation and Indigenous-led Conservation,” was supported by an anonymous donor who provided $100,000. The funding was given by the Blair Climate Change Research Initiative.
The Colombo Lodge Society has donated a $35,000 cheque to the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) Foundation, funds raised from its Spring Fling event aimed at supporting cancer care services in Kamloops.
The apartment complex that was planned for the intersection of Glenwood Drive and Oriole Road advanced through the zoning bylaw’s three readings and started the application process for a variance permission on Tuesday, December 10.
A generous $80,000 was donated to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in Kamloops by Kamloops Honda and the Priestner family.
The Kamloops Foundry project is progressing towards establishing a physical location at 540 Seymour Street, with plans to open in late 2026.
PENTICTON
Kevin Huey has generously donated $100,000 to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation to establish a sacred space at Penticton Regional Hospital. This space will be exclusively reserved for individuals who are grieving, ruminating, or seeking solace.
The South Okanagan Similkameen Métis Association Cultural Centre, located on Winnipeg Street in Penticton, is officially open and available for event rentals.
24/7 convenience store in Penticton, located on Main Street at Eckhardt Avenue, has reopened after years of closure and renovations, now featuring an Osmow’s Shawarma.
Seven non-profits in the Interior received almost $60,000 from Beem Credit Union‘s Community Investment Fund. These organizations include: Kelowna and District SHARE Society, Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society, Merritt & Nicola Valley Crime Stoppers Society, Penticton Recovery Resource Centre, Penticton’s Community Recreational Initiatives Society, Vernon’s Living Lakes Canada Society, and West Kelowna’s KANDU.
Highway 97 Brewing in Penticton and the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame have partnered to create a new feature beer called the lager, which is currently available for purchase at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Artists between the ages of 12 and 24 will sell their handcrafted goods at Foundry Penticton‘s Main Street site during their Youth Winter Market on December 13.
Ample snowfall marks the beginning of the ski season at Apex Mountain Resort.
Preliminary approval has been granted for the 1704 Government Street residential and commercial development, which has been named the “Innovation District,” at the location of a projected Penticton mega-complex.
A large estate on the Naramata Bench is for sale at $32.8 million, including a custom-built, 50-foot-long, 35-foot-tall metal Tyrannosaurus Rex sculpture that’s famed in Penticton.
SALMON ARM
Rob Dayringer has been appointed as the latest engineering technician for the District of Sicamous.
The Sicamous branch of SASCU Credit Union is completing ongoing renovations, and is expected to be entirely relocated to the newly renovated space upon its reopening on December 17.
The Shuswap Theatre is offering pay-what-you-choose tickets for its staged reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on December 14 and 15, with the goal of bringing holiday pleasure to everyone in the community.
Additional funding is required to upgrade the equipment at the wastewater treatment facility in Salmon Arm, which is estimated to cost $800,000.
VERNON
A three-year agreement for the Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2026 term has been ratified by the city and the local branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The deal calls for a 4 per cent market adjustment in 2024 as well as a 3 per cent incremental salary rise each year of the term.
Charlie’s Corner Store is shutting down after 65 years of operation in Vernon.
A zoning amendment application that will let a landowner to construct an 85-unit townhouse project on 4.45 hectares of currently undeveloped land in East Hill was approved by the Vernon City Council.
Following a recent meeting between the mayor and the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Vernon is still working to acquire the site on which the Brigadier Murphy Armoury is located. The ultimate objective is to construct affordable housing for people with moderate income.
With Community Foundation North Okanagan and the Galbraith Family Foundation matching donations turning $1 into $3, Vernon’s SilverStar
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