News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KAMLOOPS
The City of Kamloops has awarded a contract to Precise ParkLink Inc. for the management of pay parking services in the area. In addition, the Parkedin app will completely replace the PayByPhone app in July, after a gradual phase-out in June.
Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that CBRE has been selected to undertake the Hotel Business Plan and Financial Feasibility Study for a proposed hotel and meeting space development within Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc.
Kamloops City Council approved the Zoning Amendment. Bylaw No. 55-111, 2026, which extends Qu’Appelle Boulevard west to Rose Hill Road and rezones a portion of 1830 Qu’Appelle Boulevard to allow for residential subdivision and open space dedication.
The Bollywood Affair 2026—The 2nd Affair will take place on May 30, 2026, at the Kamloops Curling Club Arena, and is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Kamloops West.
Bighorn Golf & Country Club will host the 5th Annual Kamloops Chamber Golf Tournament on June 18, 2026.
A Zoning Amendment approved by Council Bylaw No. 55-110, 2026, issued a development permit for a proposed 83-unit, six-story structure on the new lot and rezoned 821 McGill Road on a site-specific basis to raise the maximum density and floor area ratio to allow a one-lot subdivision.
The BC Recreation and Parks Association Events and Festivals Excellence Award for the first Kamloops Christmas Market was awarded to the City of Kamloops.
SALMON ARM
Jacobson Ford Salmon Arm and Jacobson Ford Sales Revelstoke are officially joining the Bannister Automotive Group family.
Katrina von Bülow has joined Forsite Consultants as an IT Specialist.
Setters Neighbourhood Pub & Liquor Store will host its 2nd Annual Summer Kickoff Car Show on Sunday, May 31.
Canada Celebrates is coming to Salmon Arm at the North Fair Grounds on June 20, 2026.
ADAM Integrated Industries will hold a special Business After Business event for the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce on June 9th in honour of its 20th anniversary.
VERNON
Don Blakely, a member of Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR), has been honoured with the 2026 BC Achievement Community Award.
Coldwell Banker Executives Realty announced the top 5 producing agents across Vernon, Lake Country, Kelowna, and Castlegar/Kootenay region: Jo-Ann Bursey, Emily Lowry, Jade Freer, Jake Sherbinn, Tim Jones and Sara Einarson.
A $14 million lakefront agricultural property in Vernon, close to Kekuli Bay has been listed for sale.
The Vernon Women in Business awards returns on June 4.
Vernon Forward: A Conversation with Mayor Victor Cumming will be held on June 9 at the Prestige Vernon Lodge Ballroom, in collaboration with the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures North Okanagan.
The Sawicki Park playground in Vernon was officially reopened on May 15 following a $375,000 upgrade.
KELOWNA
Ashley Ramsay
Ashley Ramsay has been appointed Director of Entrepreneurship at Okanagan College‘s Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Rich Harries, the chief operating officer of Access Credit Union, has been named the next CEO of Cascadia Credit Union.
Pushor Mitchell has been nominated for Best Law Firm in Kelowna.
Room 272, owned by Paige Gillingham and Jason Frederick, officially opened on Bernard Avenue.
Three distinct event rooms are now available for rent at the Kelowna Event Centre (KEC), which has been undergoing renovations and is now opening to the public.
Amrize West Kelowna Sand & Gravel was nominated at the BC Mine Safety Awards for reaching 35,000 hours without an LTA in 2025.
Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre has expanded to add 24 new infant–toddler spaces for children under 36 months. With the expansion, the centre will now offer 110 licensed child care spaces, including 36 infant–toddler spaces and 74 spaces for children aged 30 months to school age. The expansion was made possible with a joint provincial and federal investment of over $2.5 million through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund and builds on the partnership between the City of Kelowna, YLW, KF Aerospace, the YMCA and the Province to provide quality, affordable and inclusive child care for families who live or work near or at Kelowna International Airport.
Kent Pretorius joins Sense Engineering as Structural Group Lead – BC.
SUMMERLAND
A new 50/50 fundraising draw has been started by the Summerland Community Centre to assist building improvements meant to keep the facility intact for future community usage.
Summerland Ornamental Gardens will hold the Okanagan Festival of Roses on June 20.
The District of Summerland‘s pressure valve project, which involves replacing the existing below-ground PRV station with a new above-ground facility, is nearing completion.
In response to concerns expressed by local farmers before to the summer growing season, the District of Summerland will temporarily exempt irrigation water used before the Thirsk Dam Reservoir ceases spilling from annual allocation limitations.
PENTICTON
Cathedral Lakes Lodge will be opening on June 12.
Penticton Eagles club has successfully raised over $71,000 to support local initiatives.
OneSky Community Resources is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
A new area branding identity called “The Blocks” has been introduced by the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association to showcase downtown.
The track and field facility outside Penticton Secondary School will undergo a significant repair and improvement by the City of Penticton and School District 67 in preparation for the 2028 British Columbian Summer Games.
Canadian Tire’s grand re-opening celebration has officially kicked off.
The Okanagan Skaha school district is set to make some changes to its administrative positions in the upcoming year, including the following updates:
- Mr. Scott Edwards has announced his retirement, effective July 31.
- Mr. Scott McIntosh, who is presently the principal at Queen’s Park Elementary School, is set to take on the role of principal at Summerland Elementary School.
- Ms. Jacquie Hicks, the current principal at Trout Creek Elementary School, is set to take on the role of principal at Queen’s Park Elementary School.
- Ms. Lindsay Guza, who is currently the vice-principal at Princess Margaret Secondary School, is set to take on the role of principal at Trout Creek Elementary School.
- Ms. Rachel Peters, who is currently serving as vice-principal at Columbia Elementary School, is set to take on the role of vice-principal at Princess Margaret Secondary School.
- Ms. Crista Jones, who is currently serving as vice-principal at Skaha Lake Elementary School, is set to take on the role of vice principal at Columbia Elementary School.
- Mr. Nick Korvin, a teacher in the SD67 district, is set to take on the role of vice principal at Skaha Lake Elementary School.
OSOYOOS/OLIVER
Osoyoos Fire Rescue Lieutenant Diane Butt has taken on the role of FireSmart coordinator for Osoyoos.
The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen is sponsoring snake education at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos on May 23, 30, and June 6.
Following an application by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Ernst & Young Inc. was ordered to assume control of Harbans Singh Dhaliwal and Harkesh Kaur Dhaliwal, as well as their ventures, Desert Valley Vineyard Ltd., Creston Valley Cherry Growers Ltd., H & R Orchards Ltd., and Lakeside Cellars Ltd. in receivership.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE
