News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Patricia Jelinski
Patricia Jelinski, the former general manager of BC Place Stadium, has been appointed as the new vice president of sales, sports, and entertainment for GSL Group, the owner of Kelowna’s Prospera Place.
Carole Gordon, an elementary school teacher in Kelowna, has been voted as the new BC Teachers’ Federation president.
James Littley has been named the first chief operating officer of the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
Jon Rever has been named superintendent of schools and chief executive officer by the board of education.
Kane Blake, founder of the Okanagan Forest Task Force, received the Coronation Award from King Charles III.
Sarah Chettiar
Sarah Chettiar is starting a new position as Administrative Coordinator-Human Resources at Delta Hotels by Marriott, Grand Okanagan Resort.
Patrick Van Minsel has been appointed as Chair of the Westside Wastewater Service Committee at Regional District Central Okanagan.
The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce board of directors has elected Derek Gratz of UBC Okanagan to the position of president. Current secretary Treena Piva of Real Property Management will take over from Patrick Bobyn of Pushor Mitchell, who was secretary last year, to become vice-president.
Melissa Tesche
Melissa Tesche has been appointed the new Executive Director at Okanagan Basin Water Board.
Inclusion BC welcomes three new members: BGC Okanagan, Diverse Family Roots Society, and Community Services Benefits Trust.
The Kelowna-based family firm Farming Karma Fruit Company Ltd. will get up to $2 million from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) to help finance its purchase of cutting-edge manufacturing machinery.
The Olympia Greek Taverna, a Kelowna establishment serving Greek cuisine, has applied to have an entertainment endorsement added to its liquor license.
A new $58.8 million culinary, viticultural and tourism centre will soon be under construction at Okanagan College.
The Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) has named its its 2025 Board of Directors: PRESIDENT: Justin Bullock, OK Tire + Top Grade Tire. DIRECTORS: Indy Dhial, Pita Pit; Jassie Kakoschke, Valley First; Brad McNaughton, LUX Quality Homes; Domenic Rampone, Kelowna Gospel Mission and Harjit Toora, Manohar Vietnamese Bakery. EX OFFICIO Directors: Mayor Tom Dyas, City of Kelowna; Birte Decloux, Urban Options Planning Corp. and Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Liaison.
KAMLOOPS
Three members of Invictus Properties Inc.‘s staff have been selected as finalists for the esteemed 2025 BC Hotel Association (BCHA) Awards of Excellence: General Manager Jocelyn Bennett is a nominee for Hotelier of the Year. Rooms Director Eddie Salehi is a nominee for Leader of the Future. The hotel’s executive chef and Cordo Resto + Bar’s Mitch Shafer is a nominee for Culinary Excellence.
The Albert McGowan water park in Kamloops is scheduled to be reconstructed beginning next week and is anticipated to be finished in August.
The Kamloops chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada is set to host the annual Easter Drive and Car Show on Sunday, April 20.
BC Housing plans to invest almost $15 million in an apartment building on the North Shore at 435 Cherry Ave, which will provide affordable rental units upon completion of renovations this fall.
Kamloops Innovation has rebranded itself as the Central Interior Business Accelerator.
Thompson Rivers University has officially approved the 2025-35 Strategic Internationalization Plan, which seeks to enhance global perspectives in learning, research, and community engagement.
A government grant of over $416,000 has allowed the City of Kamloops to move forward with plans to construct a new 36-space child care facilities on Lorne Street.
Nvidia’s most recent AI semiconductors will be installed by Telus in its data centre in Rimouski, Quebec, by this summer, and also intends to expand at its Kamloops facility.
Pineridge Golf Course has officially opened for the new season.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Mack’s Social House, located close to The Tin Whistle Brewing Company and Many Hats Theatre Co. in Penticton, has reopened following renovations.
Applications for the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen (CFSOS) Penticton Neighbourhood Small Grant, which is funded by the City of Penticton, are now being accepted for resident-led projects.
The FireSmart team from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) will host an information session and pancake breakfast at the Naramata Fire Department. The event is scheduled for March 22 at the hall located at 1095 Lower Debeck Road.
The day lodge of the Nickel Plate Nordic Ski Club, close to Penticton, has been renamed “Colleen’s Lodge” in honour of a beloved long-term member and volunteer, Colleen Schneider.
The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation has made a significant contribution, donating $1 million to the SOS Health Care Society. This funding is part of a $2.1 million fundraising effort aimed at relocating a walk-in clinic to a larger facility on Skaha Lake Road.
The City of Penticton is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking operators for two concessions – Skaha East and the Peach. The bid process is open, with the intent to issue and award the RFP in time for the concessions to open on May 1.
Ernst-Ulrich and Alison Maas recently sold Transwest Helicopters Ltd. and are retiring after running the company for more than 20 years, first in Chilliwack, and then in Oliver, since 2011. Under the leadership of General Manager Jason Brown, the company will continue to operate in Oliver with the same seasoned staff.
SALMON ARM
The Sicamous Farmers Market won at the 2024 BC Farmers’ Market Awards for best medium-sized market.
The New Ventures BC Competition, presented by Innovate BC, is now accepting applications for its 25th anniversary. The deadline for submissions is March 31st.
The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce welcomes Riverstone, Management, Rampton Rockworks, and Habitat Life Sciences as new members.
A traditional Ethiopian dinner will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Salmon Arm in partnership with Partners in Ethiopia at the Fifth Avenue Senior’s Activity Centre on Saturday, March 29.
The Shuswap Children’s Association is hosting its inaugural Community Diaper Drive on March 28th at The Mall at Piccadilly.
Vernon
Scott Anderson, a former member of the Vernon city council, has been selected by the Conservative Party of Canada to represent the new Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee riding.
The North Okanagan community’s FireSmart initiatives will be headed by Marc and Alexis Szarek.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was awarded to Paralympic athlete Josh Dueck and Vernon citizen Tanya Davoren for her work with the Metis Nation.
Vernon’s KingFisher Boats is hosting the Angling4Autism Boat & Grill event on April 5 at 8160 Highland Road.
A report from the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada‘s ranks the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce among Canada’s fastest-growing chambers.
A total of $11,200 was raised by the Canterbury Court seniors facility in Vernon. This money will be used to improve the services provided by the North Okanagan Hospice Society.
The City of Vernon is inviting proposals for a new video scoreboard at Kal Tire Place, with the deadline for submissions set for April 10.
SUMMERLAND
The new food processing plant for the District of Summerland is set to open at 15815 Hwy. 97 in Summerland.
Tickets for the 2025 Summerland’s Wine & Train Adventure Grand Sommelier Express, which takes place from June 20th to the 21st, are almost sold out.
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