News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Melissa Tesche
Melissa Tesche has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
Troika has begun construction on a new apartment complex located at 1881 Barlee Road, aiming for completion by 2026.
Kin and Folk, a well-known restaurant in Penticton, is set to expand into the former Krafty building on Lawrence Avenue in Kelowna.
Fetcher’s Keep Senior Dog Foundation, City Centre Veterinary Clinic and the Veterans Food Bank of Kelowna raised awareness on K9 Veterans Day, March 13, 2025, about the financial constraints many pet owners experience.
Okanagan College has submitted a request to the city for a text amendment regarding current zoning for college housing, aiming to provide an alternative for summer tourist accommodations.
Vice and Virtue Brewing Co. has reopened on Richter Street, offering the same beer along with a new food menu.
The International Airlines Ski Federation‘s 66th World Airlines Ski Championships, set to take place from February 28th to March 5th, 2027, will be hosted at Big White Ski Resort.
The board of directors for the Uptown Rutland Business Association has been reduced to five members, including Valley First’s Jassie Kakoschke, LUX Quality Homes’ Brad McNaughton, Kelowna Gospel Mission’s Domenic Rampone, and Manohar Vegetarian Bakery’s Harjit Toora. These members will collaborate with the organization’s new president, Justin Bullock. Pita Pit resident Indy Dhial was an ex-officio board member last year will now serve as a director.
The Kelowna-based storage container company Secure-Rite is celebrating 20 years of operation.
Mike Penninga is starting a new role at Canadian Blood Services, as Community Development Manager for the BC Interior Region, supporting donors from Penticton to Kamloops, including my home town of Kelowna.
Butterfly Run BC has rebranded to Butterfly Support Network, an expanded hub for: Support groups & Counselling services, Care cards & Bereavement Boxes, and Community events.
Starting the week of March 24, construction will kick off on a $800,000 project aimed at upgrading the outdated irrigation system at Ben Lee Park. The park will stay open during construction, which is set to finish in September.
Kelowna Chamber welcomes newest members: VanWest College Kelowna, Okanagan Vocal Harmony, Impact Upstream Ventures Inc., London Drugs Kelowna, PrimeTime Donair & Poutine, Jaime Morgan Coaching, Align Coaching, CoreCon It Solutions Inc., In Front Marketing, Clearoma, Central Cannabis, Live Now Cleaning Services, Airbnb, Kelowna & District S.H.A.R.E. Society, Folding Sliding Doors Canada Ltd., Zeus Electrical and SOVAL Contracting.
The Greater Westside Board of Trade will hold their Business After Hours on April 17th from 5-7 pm at Andres Electronics Expert.
Trevor Seibel
Deputy CAO Trevor Seibel was congratulated by the City of West Kelowna for his leadership of key initiatives such as incorporating the West Kelowna Economic Development Corporation, the Fire Hall #32 Replacement Project and the award winning 2024 Annual Report. Prior to joining the City, Mr. Seibel was CAO for the District of Coldstream for 10 years and now moving to his role as the City of Armstrong’s new CAO.
The City of West Kelowna has awarded a contract in the amount of $112,540, plus GST, to Sunco Drywall Ltd., to upgrade the acoustics in Council Chambers to improve sound quality for public and staff. The City anticipates that the work can be completed this spring or summer, between scheduled Council meetings.
Westbank First Nation has appointed a new Board of Directors for Ntityix Development Corporation (NDC). Robbin R.R. Sinclaire has been named Chair. Joining Sinclaire on the board is returning member Blake Scott and new members James Byra, Domenic Rampone, and Jerrett Lafontaine.
KAMLOOPS
Hudson’s Bay Company is set to close its Kamloops store, creating a significant vacancy in Aberdeen Mall.
The directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association Kamloops and Out of the Cold, two Kamloops non-profits, are wishing to extend the leases of two shelters that are about to expire.
The Paramount Theatre is turning 70!
The Columbia Precinct, a plot of land owned by the province in downtown Kamloops, will be the site of a new 20-unit senior care facility, according to the Ministry of Housing.
Brazilian Dog Guru Facility is hiring.
The B.C. government is giving Merritt $60 million for the reconstruction of two key Coldwater River dike sections.
Edison Motors, a truck company based in Merritt, is moving to Golden.
Kamloops Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members: Cariboo Clean Fuels Inc, Houle Electric, Lucent Quay Consulting, Kamloops Virtual Golf, Collaborative Lead Training Co., Valid Dreams Foundation and Discovery Den Early Learning.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
The Resort Municipality of Osoyoos in the south Okanagan Valley, is hiring Water/Wastewater Operators Level I and II.
The Penticton Lakeside Resort will play home to a community group’s Earth Day celebration on April 22. The event will highlight local food production.
More than 15,000 fire service members will be travelling to Penticton in the coming weeks as the community plays host to six separate conferences dedicated to fire prevention, technologies and training.
The Apex Freestyle Club at Apex Mountain Resort is currently hosting an online auction to support its developing athletes. The auction is live now and will run until March 30.
The City of Penticton’s “business climate questionnaire,” open until April 17, seeks input from local businesses of all sizes for its economic development strategy.
Natalie Macdonald and Bob Pond are hosting the Rise & Thrive fundraiser to benefit the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). There will be a Gala night on May 31st at the DIstrict Wine Village.
The BC Parks Foundation has acquired over 80 hectares near Mt Kobau and Oliver.
SALMON ARM
Following the announcement that current CFO Jodi Pierce will be retiring later this year, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District will commence the search for a new chief financial officer.
The Shuswap Recreation Society‘s proposal for a new Canada Day Festival has been approved by the Salmon Arm council, with a budget of $10,000.
Myotherapeutics Performance and Recovery has opened in the heart of downtown Salmon Arm.
The second Olympic Style Boxing event will be held at Song Sparrow Hall by Whizbang Boxing on April 12th.
VERNON
Anna Warwick Sears , a former member of the BC New Democratic Party and current executive director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, is running as a Liberal candidate in the federal election for the Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee riding.
A two-year, two-phase increase in water development cost charges was approved by the North Okanagan Regional District.
Vernon is seeing a rise in participation in the BC Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program, an initiative that promotes healthy eating, helps sustain farmers markets, and enhances food security.
North Okanagan Family and Youth Services Society has been generously funded by the Emily Dahl Foundation, which has contributed $1,000.
The Western Canada Kettlebell Sports Nationals will be held at Swanson Mountain Fitness in Armstrong. This will be the first time that the grounds of Armstrong IPE have hosted the event.
The City of Vernon has set aside up to $30,000 for the development of a new cricket playing surface at the Department of National Defence park area.
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is pleased to partner with the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society to host a Federal All-Candidates Forum for the riding of Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee ahead of the upcoming federal election, on April 17th at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
Vernon City Council supported the Vernon Jazz Club’s request to change its liquor service hours from 7:15 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. to 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m., seven days per week. This request will be forwarded to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for final approval.
The Armstrong/Spallumcheen Diversion & Disposal Facility (ASDDF) is nearing capacity, and space for certain materials is running low. With construction underway on a new residential transfer station, steps are being taken to manage usage and keep the site accessible for as long as possible.
SUMMERLAND
The province has allocated $810,000 for enhancements at Sun-Oka Beach Park near Summerland and Kalamalka Lake Park in Coldstream, focusing on improved trails, increased parking, and better accessibility.
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