THOMPSON OKANAGAN MOVERS & SHAKERS JULY 10, 2025

News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business

KELOWNA

Eric Ledding, Partner at Pushor Mitchell LLP, has been recognized in Kelowna’s Top 40 Over 40.

Anthony Beyrouti, the project founder behind Water Street by the Park, just announced that its first residents have moved in.

Kevin Kaardal, the former superintendent of the Central Okanagan School District, has been presented with the Nelson Excellence in Leadership Award by the Canadian Association of School System Administrators at the Annual Leadership Conference of CASSA in Newfoundland.

Starting August 1, Kelly Josephson will fill a maternity leave as Wine Growers British Columbia‘s Acting Communications Director.

No Frills Small Format store in West Kelowna has opened.

CDm2 LIGHTWORKS has become the exclusive representative of Lumca Inc. in British Columbia and the Yukon, covering city and municipal business.

Angele Clarke has been appointed as the Long Range Planning Manager for the City of West Kelowna.

UBC Okanagan celebrates its 20 years anniversary.

Novation Architecture has submitted a proposal for a new six-storey rental apartment on a vacant lot situated just north of Rutland Middle School and Rutland Senior Secondary

Marcus & Millichap | Western Canada NNN Group announced the sale of a portfolio of seven Kal Tire–leased properties that are located in the Okanagan, Kootenay, Lower Mainland, and Highway 99 corridor.

ETSI-BC (Economic Trust of the Southern Interior) and Accelerate Okanagan have partnered to provide market diversification which supports the funding of  small and medium-sized businesses in BC’s Southern Interior. Up to $10,000 in financial investments made by SMEs will be matched by the program.

Ruibin Li started a new position as a Senior planner at the City of West Kelowna.

TwinCon Enterprises Ltd. is pleased to have completed significant improvements for BC Parks at the Myra Trailhead Parking Lot, one of the most recognizable trailheads in the Okanagan.

The Waterfront Park Stage celebrated its Grand Opening with its fresh visuals following an innovative $1.8 million makeover that was partially sponsored by the Province of BC’s Destination Development grant.

The City of Kelowna, alongside the KGH Foundation’s Kiwanis Legacy Endowment Fund, has successfully wrapped up Phase 2 of the transformative upgrade at Strathcona Beach Park.

The City of Kelowna is set to develop a Year-Round Tennis Facility at Mission Recreation Park, thanks to a partnership with Tennis Clubs of Canada and additional funding from Tennis Canada and Rogers Communications.

Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation has recently allocated more than $560,000 for 41 conservation stewardship initiatives across British Columbia.

 

KAMLOOPS

Clare Warner has been appointed the first executive director of the newly established East Kamloops Business Improvement Association.

Rhonda Nixon has stepped down from her position as superintendent of the Kamloops-Thompson School District.

Quesada Burritos & Tacos has officially opened at #205 Tranquille Rd.

The Biggz BBQ Food Truck will be present at the Food Expo at the 10th Overlanders Day of the NSBIA, which is sponsored by Beem Credit Union on July 20th.

Teck’s Highland Valley Copper Mine extension project has been granted complete provincial approval, and construction is now scheduled to commence, subject to a final decision by Teck’s board of directors.

The Thompson Regional Hospital District has been informed that the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation (RIHF) and Thompson Region Division of Family Practice have successfully recruited approximately eight new medical professionals to establish their residence in Kamloops..

WestJet Encore will run the route between Kamloops and Edmonton on Fridays and Sundays, during the summer travel season, according to YKA.

A 2.6% pay increase for the 2025–2026 academic year has been granted to the SD73 board of education, beginning July 1st. The increase was determined using the consumer prince index that was released in January of last year.

 

 PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS

Maverick Lynes has been appointed as the new Operations Manager at Okanagan Hockey Group Inc.

Katie Lee is starting a new position as Project Manager at Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

Westmin795, an exclusive rental community by Cantiro, was recently launched by Intelligence House Ltd. in downtown Penticton.

Penticton Toyota has recently unveiled its expanded used vehicle facility and newly rebuilt main building.

Outside the Box BC receives another nomination for “The Big Idea” in the 2025 Hall of Fame, presented by Canadian Meetings + Events Expo.

Gen7 Silver Grizzly has officially opened its new Bistro at 101 Green Mountain Road, Penticton.

The City of Penticton has agreed to host the 2025 Training Camp of the Vancouver Canucks. The South Okanagan Events Centre will serve as the site of the on-ice sessions, which will take place from September 18th to the 21st.

The Penticton Vees have introduced the “Business Blue Club” as a new avenue for corporate sponsorship, with the goal of helping members “gain valuable community exposure” through team activities.

 

SALMON ARM

Roger Parenteau, the Executive Director of the Shuswap Community Foundation, has announced his intention to retire from his position after nearly eight years of service to the organization and the Shuswap region.

The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce welcomes its New Member: Shuswap Immigrant Services Society.

The Sugar Smooth Salon in Salmon Arm’s downtown is now offering Red Light and Near Infrared (NIR) Therapy.

The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Business Excellence Awards, which will be presented by Doane Grant Thornton LLP.

The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce‘s coming Business After Business luncheon is scheduled for July 8th at Tekamar Mortgages, 205-271 Ross Street NE.

 

VERNON

Janine Collard has been promoted to the position of Director of Resort Sales at Predator Ridge.

Deborah Graystone, treasurer at Community Futures North Okanagan, received the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award from CFNO.

The Downtown Vernon Association‘s boardwalk patio pilot program included The Med Restaurant as one of the first establishments in Vernon to use an expanded patio.

Vernon will host the annual Caetani Summer Music Festival on July 19.

Blitz Berry Bakery and Bistro intends to repurpose a portion of the timber from the Baxter Bridge, which is currently undergoing demolition, to create a feature wall or bench in homage to the bridge.

Vernon’s new Active Living Centre, located at 3501 43rd Avenue, is inviting businesses to open their doors when it opens in the fall of 2026.

The Regional District of North Okanagan is currently inviting grant applications from organizations in the White Valley service area (Lumby) to promote community events. The district offers grants to help reduce park and facility rental costs.

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