News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KAMLOOPS
The Travelling Tanner celebrates its 3rd anniversary this March.
Sky Vapes is opening a new location in Sahali on April 1st.
Sip Soda Co. launches a new location close to TRU at 102-795 McGill Road.
Contracts totaling $86 million have been secured by the City of Kamloops to construct an arena multiplex in Dufferin.
The Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce is celebrating a major advocacy milestone after the Province of BC announced plans to move toward permanent Daylight SavingTime, ending the twice-annual clock change. The policy change reflects a resolution first introduced by the Kamloops Chamber in 2013, when Chamber President Bob Dieno brought forward the “Time Shift” policy encouraging the province to maintain Daylight Saving Time year-round.
The Mishe, a brand-new 51-unit rental community nearing completion at 1835 Rogers Place in Aberdeen, Kamloops.
A US$7 billion agreement under federal scrutiny is highlighted by the CEO of Coeur Mining as having long-term potential at the Kamloops mine.
Karina Laitres, the City’s Social Development and Housing Supervisor, and Natasha Hartson, the Social, Housing, and Community Development Manager, presented the 2025 Point-in-Time Count results and explained how City personnel can help the community fight homelessness. On October 15–16, 2025, the 2025 Point-in-Time Count counted Kamloops homeless people for 24 hours. Volunteers counted 419 persons, including 274 in local shelters (95 per cent occupancy rate across 287 beds), 136 in unsheltered settings, and nine experiencing hidden homelessness.
Red Beard owner Mitchell Forgie, in collaboration with the MacDonald Park Neighbourhood Association and the North Shore Business Improvement Association, is organizing an event at Red Beard Cafe on March 9th regarding infill housing and development procedures.
The Tidbits of Change Foundation has awarded Cassie McNutt a $5,000 bursary as a token of appreciation for her yearly charity drive that benefits the Kamloops Hospice.
The Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce’s 130th Annual General Meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2026, at VENUEtwelvefifty, 1250 Rogers Way, Kamloops.
SALMON ARM
The British Columbia Hockey League has approved the sale of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks to the Forge Sports Group, thus the team will proceed under new ownership.
True Beauty Electrolysis is officially open inside Sugar Smooth Salon, at 261 Alexander St NE, Salmon Arm.
Sicamous councillors have given the green light for a road closure on June 28 to facilitate the return of the Sicamous Vintage Car Show on Main Street.
The Splatsin Development Corporation’s Yucwmenlúcwu Civil Construction Division is advancing on the $12.5 million Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail project, having achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the Rosemond Bridge.
VERNON
The Okanagan Science Centre appointed Camillia Courts as marketing and communications director and Dave Hillary as head of corporate development and strategic partnerships.
To incorporate purpose-built rental housing, condos, retail, offices, hotels, and community facilities, Arrowleaf Real Estate has applied for a rezoning and an Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment for the Via District, a mixed-use, master-planned community, to the City of Vernon.
WorkBC will be hosting the Vernon job fair on April 16, at the Prestige Vernon Lodge.
Scott Lypchuk has been appointed the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department’s deputy chief .
KELOWNA
Karin Massar
Karin Massar has the joined the Do Gooders team as their new community relations lead. She more than 25 years of hands-on leadership in the not-for-profit and charitable sector.
Robert Starke has joined DuMoulin Boskovich LLP as a partner.
Ann Nikiforuk of OiS Financial Ltd., previously Okanagan Insurance Services at #6-1131 Lawson Avenue in the Centuria Building, is retiring on March 31, 2026.
James and Railene Anfuso and their family have sold Mamma Rosa, an authentic Italian restaurant located at 561 Lawrence Avenue, to Chef Mansor Abrahim and his family, after servicing Kelowna for more than 40 years.
Avant Brands generated $5.7 million in net cash during the 12-month period ending on November 30, 2025, increasing from $500,000 in the previous year. While net revenue remained constant at $35.9 million, gross revenue increased by 3 per cent to a record $41.3 million.
Tyler Kent
Tyler Kent, a physiotherapist from Halifax, joins the West Kelowna NEXT Clinic.
The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 120 years this year.
The Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Okanagan College is launching a new accounting program, designed to meet industry demands and support people who want to advance their careers with modern skills.
The Iconic Wineries of British Columbia are bringing elevated après to Big White Village through March 1.
Heritage has opened its new Inspiration Space, located in the Landmark 7 building in downtown Kelowna.
Terralux Estate Winery has reduced its asking price to $4.5 million as a result of the court-ordered sale.
Evergreen Tiling Ltd. recently completed the tile scope for Lovisa at Orchard Park in Kelowna.
The Okanagan Golf Club will host the 41st Annual Kelowna Chamber Golf Classic on June 2.
Onyx Fire, a national leader based in Ontario, acquired Vancouver-based Community Fire Prevention, a fire protection company, giving it with vast resources and assistance for provincial and national accounts.
The Hall Family Foundation has made headlines with a groundbreaking $10-million donation, marking the largest contribution in Okanagan College’s history and the biggest ever to a public college in British Columbia. This generous gift will establish the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
The City of West Kelowna has received the Arts & Entertainment Award for Music in the Park at the Annual Key Business Awards, hosted by the the Greater Westside Board of Trade.
The City of West Kelowna is launching West Kelowna Builds – Affordable Housing Partnership Program, which is aimed at increasing the supply and accelerating the delivery of affordable housing. An Expression of Interest, available through the BC Bid Portal, seeks a broad range of creative concepts to explore a variety of partnership opportunities. The deadline for submissions is 2 p.m. on April 2, 2026.
SUMMERLAND
The Summerland building that will serve as the Okanagan Food and Innovation Hub is expected to be finished in May as planned.
The Summerland Food Bank is now seeking donations to help fund the construction of a permanent location for its operations. It is currently housed at Summerland Alliance Church, 14820 Victoria Road North.
Volunteers are needed at the Critteraid Charity Shoppe in Summerland to assist with sorting and hanging all of the community items.
PENTICTON
Engel & Völkers has been hired by Canadian Horizons to sell the properties located at 1050 Spiller Road and 880 Naramata Road.
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is coming back to the Penticton Access Centre for the 2026 tax season. Starting on March 2, volunteers will be ready to help people file their 2025 taxes.
On March 4, the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce will host an International Women’s Day event at The Hub. The event will feature multi-business owner Janine Cumberland, oGoFloat owner Julie Turner, Hoodoo Adventures founder Lyndie Seddon, and construction industry entrepreneur Dolly Kruger from the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
OSOYOOS/OLIVER
The current listing price for S’milka Vista properties is $5.5 million.
On March 5, AgriService BC will host a training in Oliver at Southern Irrigation, located at 5830 Sawmill Road, on Spring Irrigation Readiness for Vegetable Growers.
Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre has been awarded a $4,000 donation from the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum to support its services.
The Town of Osoyoos plans to extend the lease of the Osoyoos Airport lot to Wine Country Racing for another term in 2026.
The Town of Osoyoos has reached an agreement to lease the Sun Bowl Arena to the Osoyoos Coyotes until 2031.
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