News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Nadya Savelieva
Nadya Savelieva has joined Century 21 Assurance Realty in Kelowna.
Judge Richard Hewson has officially retired from the BC Provincial Court as of March 2, 2025, following his appointment to the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
MLA Kristina Loewen has assumed a new position as the Opposition Critic for Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
Tanya Nowakowski has officially joined the SRI Homes Kelowna team, taking the helm of the organization’s human resources function.
Shelley Courtney will start a new role as the Community Development Coordinator at the City of Kelowna.
Ken Hutchinson is starting a new position as a Member of the Board of Directors for West Kelowna Youth Soccer Association.
Comfort Suites Kelowna won the Choice Hotels Canada’s APEX Renovation of the Year Award.
Lass Chance Beverage Co is now available at BC Liquor Stores.
Little Kitchen Academy Kelowna is officially opening its doors on May 1st in Orchard Plaza.
Pacific Quorum (Okanagan) Properties, a leading locally-owned property management firm in BC, is looking for a committed individual to handle strata council interactions and supervise daily operations.
The BCCA has officially introduced Builders Life TalentCentral, a new job board aimed at BC’s construction sector.
The TELUS Interior and Northern BC Community Board will begin accepting grant applications on March 17.
The Okanagan Young Professionals (OYP) Collective is teaming up with UBC Okanagan for a Coffee Social event at the Sawchuck Family Theatre in the Commons building on Wednesday, March 26th.
The Kelowna Chamber opened public ticket sales on March 12 for its popular golf tournament slated for Wednesday May 28 at the Harvest Golf Club. 2025 marks the Chamber’s 40th annual golf event, and members and golfers keenly anticipate the event every spring. The tourney is presented by long-time tournament supporter, Canco Petroleum.
The Government of Canada, alongside the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), announced that three Indigenous tourism businesses in British Columbia are set to receive a combined total of $2.7 million from the Indigenous Tourism Fund’s Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences. Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours is set to receive $1 million, while the Ktunaxa Nation Council will get $745,000 for the St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino. Additionally, the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre is awarded $1 million.
Pushor Mitchell LLP is contributing $2,200 to the Kelowna Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Club to assist in the purchase of a new snow groomer. This will guarantee that the club’s trails are well-maintained for the benefit of skiers and snowshoers.
Pushor Mitchell has made a $3,000 donation to Enactus Okanagan College, supporting young leaders in their efforts to foster positive social and environmental change through innovation and entrepreneurship.
The redevelopment plan for Kelowna’s North End, covering the area from Clement Avenue to Knox Mountain and Ellis Street to Gordon Drive, along with the necessary amendments to the Official Community Plan, is set for council endorsement.
A new advertising campaign has been launched by Wine Growers BC to highlight British Columbian wines that use grapes grown outside of the province.
Lagree is bringing their workout method to Downtwon Kelowna with a focus on low-impact, high-intensity workouts.
Cat Cafe, Catelowna, is purring along at 1675 Pandosy Street.
Kelowna City Council was recently updated on the RCMP’s 2024 year-end report, showing a notable reduction in property crimes, with business break and enters down by 55% and bike thefts down by 49% since 2022.
The City of Kelowna is now offering a Housing Dashboard. The dashboard allows users to explore, compare, and visualize housing data over time gaining insights into the current and future trends of the housing market and identifying challenges and opportunities.
The City of West Kelowna is seeking applications for new volunteer members interested in participating on the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC).
Greater Westside Board of Trade announced the winners at the Key Business Awards Gala. Business of the Year — Lakesider Brewing, Arts & Entertainment — Westbank Museum and Arts & Crafts Society, Community & Public Service — Hergott Law, Young Entrepreneur — Dr. Cara Curtis, NEXT Clinic, Environmentally Sustainable Business — Bylands Garden Centre, Home Based Business — The Cake Mama, Large Business — Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital, New Business — NEXT Clinic, Platinum Service Provider — Potentia Human Resources, Small Business — Okanagan Pasta Company, Technology and Innovation — Brent Ducharme Marketing Agency, Indigenous Business — Sncewips Heritage Museum & Gift Shop and Tourism and Hospitality — Lakesider Brewing.
Kelowna companies (n)Design and icInfrastructure are leading a project that has received $416,001 from the Government of Canada’s Research and Knowledge Initiative. It aims to gather new data and design digital tools to solve challenges related to infill housing.
KAMLOOPS
Krista Stoesz
Krista Stoesz, an Economic Development Officer at Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corporation, has been promoted to Manager.
TRU VP academic and provost Dr. Gillian Balfour is anticipated to begin her tenure at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., following her last day on May 25.
The driving range at Kamloops Golf & Country Club opened on March 8, while the course at 3125 Tranquille Rd., just beyond Kamloops Airport is set to open on March 15, weather permitting. Bighorn Golf & Country Club will open its course on Wednesday, March 12, with the kiosk set to open on March 22. Address: 1000 Clubhouse Dr., Sun Rivers while Rivershore Golf Links located at 330 Rivershore Dr. is aiming for a mid-March opening. The Dunes at Kamloops driving range is set to open on Saturday, March 8. However, the opening of the course will depend on weather conditions. It is located at 652 Dunes Dr. in Westsyde.
Lee’s Music has officially moved to 249 Tranquille Road.
The Kamloops Chamber is hosting a workshop with Jake from JR Training Systems on March 19th from noon to 1 pm.
The City of Kamloops is seeking nominations for its annual Exemplary Service Awards, which recognize outstanding residents who have dedicated their time to better the community. Nominations for the 2025 awards will be open until 4:30 p.m. on March 14.
The Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Kamloops Immigrant Services is offering two exclusive Intercultural Competency workshops on March 17th and 25th, designed to create more inclusive and resilient workplaces.
Dearborn Ford Kamloops celebrated their 100th year in Kamloops in 2024. The dealership is owned by Cam Clark Automotive Group.
A new child care centre is moving forward at Station Plaza, 510 Lorne Street, with the YMCA (The Y) as the service provider.
The City of Kamloops announced that the construction of a state-of-the-art outdoor skating facility located in the heart of the city will commence this week.
The TNRD is inviting registered non-profit societies, associations, and fire brigades within its 10 Electoral Areas (known as Community Emergency Response Organizations, or CEROs) to apply to a grant program that will enable wildfire training and supply of PPE.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Surrey’s Gate 22 Winery has officially acquired Adega on 45th Estate Winery in Osoyoos. The winery will be managed by the women-led leadership team which include: Melissa Sayers as President; Christa-Lee McWatters, Vice President; Karen Yeung, Winemaker & Vineyard Manager; and Karen Valcxx, Tasting Room Supervisor.
Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. will be hosting their annual AGM and Conference at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre on June 25-27, 2025.
Event organizers from the Downtown Penticton Association, the Penticton Arts Council, the Penticton Art Gallery, and other local establishments will be hosting 26 venues at 24 sites for the 22nd annual Penticton Spring Art Walk.
The third annual Factory Modular Summit, which is co-hosted by Modular BC and the Manufactured Housing Association of BC, will take place in Penticton from May 5-7. The summit is designed to broaden the knowledge and opportunities in the provincial modular industry.
The Houston Family Foundation awarded the Okanagan’s Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team, or ALERT, a substantial grant of $59,000.
Wiltse Elementary School’s three kindergarten classes raise $1,000 for the Oncology Centre Upgrades at Penticton Regional Hospital.
SALMON ARM
Cheeky Tones Tanning & Massage will host the Grand Opening of it’s new location on March 24th.
The 2025 Okanagan Angel Summit is now accepting applications.
An upcoming six-story apartment complex is set to break ground this summer at 811 28 St. NE, directly behind Rogers Rinkin Salmon Arm.
On March 14, the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce will have a virtual roundtable discussion to address the effects of tariffs, methods to boost interprovincial commerce, and ways to assist local businesses.
Shuswap Lake Golf Course in Blind Bay is set to be the first course to open for the 2025 season in the Shuswap, with a scheduled opening date of March 21.
As part of the Shuswap Trail Alliance‘s federal grant application, the City of Salmon Arm has committed to investing half a million dollars to fund the West Bay Connector Trail.
VERNON
Eagle Spirit Business Development opens its new head office located on the the Okanagan Indian Band at the Head of the Lake outside of Vernon.
Golf season kicks off at Predator Ridge in Vernon on April 9, 2025!
Predator Ridge is now officially exempted from the BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act.
The City of Vernon is hosting an Open House to showcase its 2025 construction projects, which are projected to cost a total of $28.6 million as part of the 2025 Capital Program.
A facility enhancement tax of 2 per cent or locals and 4 per cent for outsiders should be applied to recreation group rentals beginning in 2026, according to a recommendation from the City of Vernon.
The Hassen Arena in Armstrong will play host to the 2025 Armstrong MetalFest from July 11th to the 12th.
The City of Vernon has a new agreement with Bird Canada to offer shared e-scooters and e-bikes throughout the community. The one-year contract, with the option for annual extensions, aligns with the Province of British Columbia’s Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project, which runs through April 2028.
Yankee Flats Meats is celebrating their first year in Downtown Vernon.
Kalamaka Eye Care, led by Dr. Tanner Udenberg, is now a member of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce. Other new members include Okanagan Design & Build, Motion Air and Vernon Websites.
Bannister GM Vernon congratulates Saleman Jess Crowe and Service Technician, Davis Pfitzenmaier for ranking in the Top 10 across all Bannister Stores for January.
SUMMERLAND
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has released the Sunpunch apple, according to Summerland Varieties Corp., which oversees intellectual property rights on behalf of fruit breeders. The company disclosed that the Sunpunch apple variety will be distributed to Canadian consumers through a partnership with Martin’s Family Fruit Farm of Ontario and British Columbia, Algoma Orchards of Ontario, and Verger des Bois-Francs of Quebec.
The Summerland council has approved $5 million in long-term financing for the purposes of upgrading two significant infrastructure projects: the Victoria Road South and Wharton Street.
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