News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KAMLOOPS
Dr. Gordon James Binsted
Dr. Gordon James Binsted has been named the new academic vice-president and provost of Thompson Rivers University.
Kamloops City Council approved housing agreements for a two-building development at 1024 Eighth St., a seniors’ rental building at 2001 Glenwood Dr., and an affordable market rental building operated by Propolis Co-operative Housing Society at 422 Tranquille Rd.
A new cancer supportive care centre has opened at 243 Seymour Street in Kamloops. This facility was established through a collaborative effort involving the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, the Kamloops Cancer Supportive Care Society, and the Pink Ribbon Charity Ball Committee.
Students at Thompson Rivers University are collaborating with the B.C. Federation of Students to enhance the Deals Discount Program, aiming to secure new partnerships with businesses in the Kamloops area.
The Kamloops City Council authorized budget cuts that result in a tax rate reduction of more than 3 per cent.
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior provided TRU carpentry students with $16,000 worth of donated Milwaukee brand tools.
The Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre will host a bridal expo on January 31.
SALMON ARM
The former Columbia Shuswap Film Commission has been formally taken over by the Okanagan Film Commission, which is expanding its production assistance and film services throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
The City of Salmon Arm to allocate $153,000 for lighting at the new turf field, with Shuswap Youth Soccer Association contributing $83,600.
In preparation for reviewing a municipal bylaw that establishes levies on new construction, the City of Salmon Arm is holding public engagement workshops on February 4th and 5th to collect feedback from the public.
VERNON
The Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members: Okanagan Hospitality & Healthcare Services by Dee, Rent a Gerd, TruFinity Plumbing Heating & Cooling, Scentodore, Once Upon A Child, Relate Janitorial Services, At Ease Property Inspections, Novalux Designs and the Vernon Pickleball Association.
Laing Roofing has re-branded as Elevated Building Envelopes Ltd.
Fancy Induced Burger Vernon celebrated one year in business!
The fifth annual NONA Lights for Kids, featuring the John Christmas Light Tour, successfully raised over $50,000 for the Vernon Child Development Centre.
The Vernon Silver Star Rotary Club is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Coldstream District has officially adopted a new community plan after receiving the green light from the Agricultural Land Commission.
URide has joined forces with Get2Thr! to support their mission of offering student discounts on rides.
KELOWNA
Tascheleia Marangoni
has been appointed as the new executive director of Creative Okanagan.
Clint Best celebrates 5 years with the Association of Professional Builders.
Manik Dhir is joining the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Interior and Northern BC Community Board.
Kelowna International Airport‘s brand-new departures lounge will be open to the public for the first time next week.
Pacific Economic Development Canada is investing $2.5 million in Kelowna manufacturer MAKR Group. The repayable investment is aimed at modernizing manufacturing, improving product quality, and accelerating innovation for the company’s steel components and water management systems.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the largest every commercial passenger jet to touch down at Kelowna International Airport was charterd by Lordco Auto Parts.
Taste Around Kelowna/Central Okanagan, an annual set-price menu event organized by the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, has attracted a record-breaking number of businesses for its 2026 edition.
The owners of the Oasis Inn in Kelowna are reapplying for a development permit for 1864 Gordon Drive, formerly the Chinook Motel, to construct a six-storey mixed-use building. The project, approved previously in 2024, includes 71 residential units over street-level commercial space, aiming to replace the current, partially standing structure.
Okanagan College has shut down Infusions restaurant to make way for a new chef-led dining establishment, set to be located in the upcoming Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism.
The Rock the Lake Battle of the Bands is scheduled for April 24 and 25, 2026, at Red Bird Brewing.
Premier Jewellery and Loans successfully held its 10th annual Diamond Earring Fundraiser, raising $4,250 for the Kelowna Women’s Shelter this year.
SUMMERLAND
Voyent Alert! and the District of Summerland have joined forces for the distribution of community alerts and notifications.
The Summerland Council has approved up to a 400 per cent increase in patio licensing fees and changed the free parking hours for the entire downtown area from two to three hours.
The Summerland Minor Baseball Association was approved by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board to receive $50,000 for a new scoreboard.
Due to a highly infectious equine disease that has been discovered in the Okanagan, the Summerland Rodeo Grounds Equine Development Committee (SRGEDC) declared that the rodeo grounds will be closed until further notice.
PENTICTON
Brian Manders
Brian Manders is starting a new position with EllisDon at Penticton Regional Hospital as the Facilities General Manager.
The Penticton Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members: Weight Loss For Life Clinic, Pillars Pharmacy, TruFinity Plumbing Heating & Cooling, RankSEONow, Accent Chocolate Factory, IBA Cyber Solutions, Sunshine Glass & Mirror, Skaha Nordic Sauna & Ice Bath and Servco Premium Cleaning & Restoration.
Signature cocktails and mocktails are now available at Penticton’s Frost Fest. Beginning this Friday, local restaurants will offer unique drinks to mark the winter season and the excitement of the Frost Fest Winter Carnival.
Penticton City Council has officially designated the first week of February as “Community Radio Week,” in recognition of CFUZ 92.9 FM, the city’s sole non-profit local radio station.
Penticton’s temporary shelter for the unhoused, situated at 441 Dawson Avenue, has the potential to continue operating for an additional few seasons, offering 40 spaces, on-site housing supports, case management, outreach services, and connections to community partners.
OSOYOOS/OLIVER
Osoyoos Barn Owl Eatery will be introducing Italian cuisine at its previous site along Highway 3.
Rattlesnake Public House and Eatery, located at Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course, announced its closure.
The Town of Oliver announced that nominations are now open for the Spirit of Oliver Awards.
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