News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
The BC Parks Foundation has partnered with a group of Kelowna landowners led by Colin Pritchard, a Kelowna philanthropist, to contribute 117 hectares of land to protect the Okanagan Lake area.
The 2024 Pharmacy Practice + Business Interprofessional Initiative Award has been awarded to Vital Health Pharmacy in Kelowna and Victoria.
Celebrating Women in Aviation with a Fireside Chat & Network event featuring seven female aviation powerhouses on the panel of speakers will take place on March 4th from 5:30 to 8 pm at the KF Centre for Excellence (5800 Lapointe Drive). The goal of this event is to bring these incredible voices together to inspire the next generation to see a future for themselves in this exciting industry. Tickets are $10/person and can be purchased at Eventbrite
Accelerate Okanagan has launched Ascend BC, a $3.98 million initiative aimed at speeding up the growth of scale-ready technology companies in the Interior of British Columbia. This initiative is backed by a $1.98 million investment from PacifiCan, funded through its Business Acceleration Pilot (BizAP), with additional support from Innovate BC and ETSI-BC (Economic Trust of the Southern Interior). Ascend BC is set to provide founders with tailored mentorship, fractional executive services, and access to capital and peer networks through this initiative.
The Kelowna council has granted a development permit to a new youth treatment clinic in Glenmore, at 212 Valley Road North. The centre is a joint venture between the Hall Family Foundation and The Bridge Youth and Family.
A new Velocity Truck Centre location will open at 6320 Lapointe Dr on March 3rd.
Ant Equipment Rentals Ltd has officially partnered with SDLG to provide high-quality and reliable construction equipment for customers in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Calgary.
Cintas & Cintas Canada has been named one of Canada’s Best Employers by Forbes.
Reservations for the Outside Inn residences, which will be launched later this month by Niche Wine Company, will be accepted beginning in the first week of March.
090 Builders Group has successfully completed the framing phase for one of its largest projects in collaboration with Ironclad Developments Inc., the Mission Heights project, located in Kelowna.
Tourism Kelowna has been named one of three finalists for the Professional Excellence DMO or Sector Association Award at the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Awards,
Green Wise Academy has awarded its Green Wise Certification Standard seal to Chaibaba Tea and Mamas for Mamas in Kelowna.
The establishment of the first airborne sensing lab in Western Canada, to be housed at UBC Okanagan, will receive $1.35 million from the federal government.
The Kelowna City Council has approved a rezoning for 5091 Gordon Dr, paving the way for a townhouse development featuring up to three storeys and a total of 39 units. A vacant property has been identified on Gordon Dr. in the Ponds Village Centre, situated in the Upper Mission neighbourhood.
A six-story, 106-unit rental apartment complex with 99 parking spots was approved by council on four lots 465-495 Dougall Rd N. The development is in line with the Official Community Plan’s objectives for more medium- and high-density housing in urban centres, and it is located close to parks and transit routes.
The 11-story mixed-use skyscraper at 2606 – 2696 Pandosy St, which is now occupied by a tiny strip mall in the Pandosy Urban Centre, received council support for its development permit.
The City’s 2024 park spending included $18 million in infrastructure and $26 million in land acquisition, according to Council. In 2024, Kelowna improved Truswell, Richmond, and Kirschner Mountain parks and created Fawn Run, Acadia, and Cara Glen neighbourhood parks through collaborations. Also upgraded were Tallgrass Park, Knox Mountain First Lookout, Burne Avenue Park, and Dehart Community Park. For 2025, important projects include new sports fields at Glenmore and Rutland Recreation Parks, a central plaza and youth park at Mission Recreation Park, upgrades to City Park and Kerry Park, and the North End Monument and Kelowna Signature Sign.
From February 28 to March 9, 2025, Downtown Kelowna will be buzzing with excitement as Canada’s top men’s curling teams compete at Prospera Place.
The Greater Westside Board of Trade is celebrating International Women’s Day at The Landing Kitchen + Bar on March 6th from 3-5 pm.
KAMLOOPS
Kamloops plans to seek voter approval for a new multi-million dollar loan for a new $150 million RCMP detachment.
Sumas Environmental Services (Kamloops Branch) has been awarded a multi-year contract to manage hazardous waste services at New Gold New Afton Mine in Kamloops.
Stable Roots Counselling & Neurotherapy recently celebrated its Grand Opening at 1967 Trans-Canada Hwy #201, Kamloops.
A crowdfunding campaign for one million dollars has been started by the BC Parks Foundation in order to finish acquiring the 209 hectares of grassland located just south of Juniper Ridge.
The affordable rental apartment complex at 435 Cherry Ave. is scheduled to debut this fall, according to BC Housing.
The TRHD board has greenlit a budget of $6.85 million for capital projects and equipment acquisitions in 2025.
The incoming health minister of British Columbia will meet with the chair of the Thompson Regional Hospital District next month in Victoria to go over plans for a cancer centre at Royal Inland Hospital.
A hotel and convention complex on beachfront reserve grounds immediately south of Sun Rivers is being considered by the Tk’emlúps te Secwepémc (TteS) band.
The owners of a land in Brocklehurst are looking for a housing agreement to secure the property for rental apartments, for a proposed 13-unit, five-story building.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board has given the green light for funding two permanent, full-time staff positions at the Aberdeen Tiny Library in Kamloops. The Board has greenlit a three-year operating budget for the small library, covering wages, operating expenses, and lease and storage fees.
Board Remuneration Bylaw 2825 was amended to enhance 2025 pay by 2.6 per cent by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board. The rise equals the 2024 B.C. Consumer Price Index and is retroactive to January 1, 2025.
After much deliberation, the Board granted the City of Kamloops a one-year contract to supply all ten Electoral Areas and member municipalities with fire dispatch services. When necessary, 9-1-1 fire emergency calls from member municipalities and TNRD Electoral Areas are sent to Kamloops Fire Dispatch. This service is sponsored by the TNRD E-Comm 9-1-1 budget and has a value of $365,400 for the year 2025.
The Board has approved the Development Procedures Amendment Bylaw 2875, which updates several development application fees that have remained unchanged since 2007. This includes fees for Official Community Plan amendments, zoning bylaw amendments, temporary use permits, and more. Application fees have been raised to align with inflation rates since their last adjustment in 2007.
The Kamloops Chamber welcomes January 2025 new and reactivated members: Samson Ogwuche, Bergman Web Design, Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon, Titan Plumbing & Heating, Funktional Electric and Utility Services, Delirium Media, KamloopsNow, Paladin Security, Carter Business Coaching & Consulting, Madeline Adams Design, Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bar – Kamloops, Creative Biolabs, RoboThink Kamloops, Interior Marine Construction Ltd, Bow & Thom Management Inc. and North Shore Pharmacy and Care Clinic.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Four Points by Sheraton Penticton has joined British Columbia Hotel Association.
The 13th Annual Penticton Lakeside Resort United Way BC-Drive Thru Breakfast will be on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Penticton has introduced new electric car charging stations at City Hall and the community centre, available for public use as part of the city’s efforts to reduce emissions and promote climate action.
Indigenous communities and tourists will come together to celebrate culture, dance, and tradition at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton from July 18 to 20 for the return of the Pow Wow Between the Lakes.
The Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Hospital District is making efforts for increased funding from the provincial Ministry of Health for hospital districts throughout British Columbia.
Penticton’s Guerard’s Furniture offers Made in Canada brands and a 10 year warranty.
More than 5,000 visitors from throughout North America will be arriving this week ahead of the Canadian Sport Hockey League (CSSHL) Western Championships, taking place in Penticton from March 2-16. This event marks the second year of a 10-year agreement signed between the CSSHL and its partners including Okanagan Hockey Group, OVG360, Travel Penticton and the City of Penticton. The annual economic impact of last year’s event is estimated to have been $5.23 million.
The Town of Oliver is seeking public input from residents until March 25th, on Municipal Spending Priorities for 2025 as part of the annual budget engagement process.
Osoyoos retired Fire Chief Walter Lemke was honoured forhis 35 years of service in the community.
SALMON ARM
Carrie The Toothfairy, located at 310 Hudson Ave NE #207, Salmon Arm, is now open and welcoming patients.
The District of Sicamous and SportAbility are offering a five-week para hockey program, from March 16 – April 13, at the Sicamous & District Recreation Centre.
The Canadian Barley Tea Company has announced its closure after six years of operation.
Salmon Arm’s Takachar Limited, 4AG Robotics, Kelowna’s AgriForest Bio-Technologies, and Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops are part of the 28 organizations set to receive support this year from the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation.
The empowHER Networking Event, a Shuswap Women in Business Initiative, is set for March 6, 2025 at the Shuswap Lake Estates.
Community Futures will host the March 11th, Salmon Arm and District Chamber of Commerce‘s Business After Business.
Greek Restaurant, Ambrosia Grill Taverna has opened at 321 321 Alexander St NE.
VERNON
Trevor Seibel
Trevor Seibel has been appointed the Chief Administrative Officer for the North Okanagan community.
Aryan Bansal, has been appointed as a Co-Chairperson for North Okanagan Walk for Alzheimer’s at Alzheimer Society of B.C.
Petawatts Auto Marine RV Ltd., a local business based in Vernon, has formed a strategic partnership with Vancouver’s BlueForce Energy. This collaboration aims to introduce more electro-fitted pickup trucks and EV converted classic vehicles to the Okanagan region.
An open room for seniors 65 and above will be available at Abbeyfield House of Vernon, a non-profit organization, around the end of March 2025.
BNA opens new location at 1714 Kalamalka Lake Rd in Vernon.
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member: Motion Air Private Jet Services.
Vernon City Council approved two positions for the Transportation Department (one full-time and one part-time) to support the Transportation Plan, Transportation Asset Management Plan and Capital Plan, and help administer transit operations. Also approved was another full-time position to oversee the short term rental licensing program.
Council approved the installation of a new video scoreboard and broadcast system at Kal Tire Place, set to be completed in the fall of 2025 to avoid disrupting dry floor users. The total cost of the score clock will not exceed $825,000, with funding sourced from the Kin Race Track Park Reserve Fund.
Clark Builders and Group2 Architecture Ltd, are leading a project team of ten Canadian engineering and trade companies that together will deliver the Active Living Centre project.
A new Associated Grocers Family Village Market, a division of Pattison Food Group Ltd, has opened in Vernon.
SUMMERLAND
Lisa Jaager
Lisa Jaager, General Manager at Summerland Waterfront Resort and Spa, has been nominated for the 2025 BCHA Awards of Excellence – Community Contribution.
Peachland Living has expanded and rebranded to South Central Okanagan Living.
Shaughnessy’s Cove is reopening on March 17th.
Volunteers are needed for Summerland’s Critteraid Animal Sanctuary‘s medical team.
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