News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Ron Cannan
Ron Cannan, a city councilor from Kelowna, will take his place at the regional district table at the end of the summer.
Shawn Desman, a legendary Canadian pop and R&B performer, will stop by the Kelowna Community Theatre as part of his tour.
Gorman Group, a West Kelowna-based family-run wood products firm, has agreed to pay $120 million to acquire the Princeton lumber mill operated by Weyerhaeuser Company.
Sorrento’s Crannóg Ales, creator of the world-famous Backhand of God stout, has been acquired by Kelowna’s BNA Brewing.
The 2025 Viator Experience Awards went to Lakeside Eco-Sports and A Taste of Kelowna Food Tours.
Okanagan College will be adding some new local vendors to its culinary choices when Kekuli Cafe departs.
Rezoning the John Hindle Drive and Packinghouse Road site for a $39 million Glenmore Protective Services Campus will be proposed to the council.
The Rutland Transit Exchange is expected to undergo upgrades. The project is anticipated to be finished in the fall and is intended to facilitate future service expansion while improving transit riders’ connections to destinations across the region.
The hotel across from YLW is ready to move forward, according to Argus Properties. Under the Courtyard by Marriott brand, the hotel would be the third and largest in the neighborhood, with a projected capacity of 160 rooms.
Central Okanagan Food Bank will be opening its newest location in West Kelowna.
The City kicks off its annual road renewal program this month, set to resurface 14 road segments over about 20 kilometres. An investment of around $4 million will go towards pavement management, with completion anticipated by September 30, 2025.
The Environmental Flow Shiny App, a ground-breaking tool for freshwater conservation in one of Canada’s most water-stressed regions, has been launched by the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) in collaboration with the Okanagan Nation Alliance – Okanagan Select, Foresight Canada, and regional partners.
A franchisee will be relocating to the old Swiss Chalet at 2115 Louie Dr. in the Westbank Hub North, according to Smitty‘s announcement.
Council approved Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw changes for a new Glenmore Protective Services Campus at John Hindle Dr and Packinghouse Rd. This will enable public health and safety-focused building of a new firehall, training centre, and other facilities. This will replace Glenmore Firehall Station #5 at 550 Valley Road N. The June 17 public meeting will consider the idea.
Council granted a six-story seniors’ apartment development permit at 728 Valley R. The 168-unit building will offer concierge, security, amenity programming, housekeeping, dining, home care, and transportation services. It will have studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments.
A second development permit has been approved for a four-storey apartment building at 459 Osprey Ave. A total of 56 units will be available, comprising 14 two-bedroom units with dens, 36 one-bedroom units, and six studio units.
Council approved Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) – Conservation and Development Guidelines revisions to accord with provincial housing legislation and balance heritage protection with building density, particularly in Abbott and Marshall Street HCAs. The June 17 public hearing will receive the proposed guidelines.
Council approved a new policy to name all new civic assets, replacing park and facility naming policies. Indigenous groups, cultural organizations, and the public informed this new policy, which promotes inclusivity, cultural respect, and community values.
Kelowna Women in Business is recruiting new Board Directors!
Sprott Shaw College celebrates Carla Hees, their exceptional Early Childhood Education instructor from the Kelowna campus, who was honored with the Kay Britton Mentor Award at the 54th Annual ECEBC Conference!
James Webster is starting a new position as Claims Adjuster at ClaimsPro LP.
KAMLOOPS
The Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce has decided to withdraw from the BC Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Kelowna Chamber and 10 smaller chambers.
Thompson Rivers University anticipates an eight per cent decline in enrolment for the upcoming year. Although there isn’t a simple way to deal with this problem, there is a notable increase in domestic applications.
Papa Murphy’s Valleyview, located at 111 Oriole Rd., is set to celebrate its third anniversary on Wednesday, May 28.
Tk’emlups te Secwepemc band members are invited to a special information gathering to discuss the future of a proposed aviation biofuel factory following significant scope revisions.
Azure Sustainable Fuels Corp. has partnered with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and Sc.wenwen Economic Development Corporation to create 7 Mile Renewable Fuels.
Western Canada Theatre has announced a new bursary aimed at supporting Secwepemc post-secondary students committed to learning and revitalizing the Secwepemcstin language.
The Kamloops Food Bank is hosting its 50/50 and Prize Raffle again, giving participants the opportunity to win a car, vacations, cash, and other prizes, all while supporting the local food bank.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
The massive estate located at 345 Lower Bench Rd in Penticton, which was initially listed for $32.8 million in 2024, has been relisted and is now being sold for $19.83 million.
Penticton Ribfest will take place on July 25 to 27 at the Okanagan Lake Park.
100 Men Who Care Penticton met at Yellow Dog Brewery to hear from three groups: P+OPS, 100 More Homes’ Lived and Living Experience Table, and the Youth Action Table, which shared the $6,000 pot donated by all the men in attendance.
The Copper Ridge Manufactured Home Community, located at 1340 Hwy 3A, will host a Copper Ridge FireSmart community event and yard sale on May 31.
On June 7, 2025, the Okanagan Falls Fire Hall, located at 5013 11th Ave, will host an open house and a FireSmart pancake breakfast.
The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation has successfully achieved its $10 million goal to enhance cancer care services at Penticton Regional Hospital.
Three Penticton owned small businesses are now under one roof on Fairview Road. Splendid Bastard Beard Supply, Luxi Gift Co. and Graphically Hip celebrated their grand opening on May 22nd.
SALMON ARM
Picadilly Mall, a 226,213-square-foot regional shopping centre in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, that is anchored by AAA corporate covenants, has been successfully sold, according to Newmark Canada.
Green Roots Play Equipment will be awarded a contract worth $130,000 to install a new playground at SASCU Sports Field at Little Mountain. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
A Relational Security Officer will now be on duty at all times at Shuswap Lake General Hospital, thanks to the hospital’s selection into the new Relational Security Officer Program.
On June 20, the Salmon Arm Golf Club will play home to a brand new nine-hole charity golf tournament put on by the Shuswap Cardiac Society. The tournament will raise money for the society’s vital cardiac rehabilitation program.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District is set to hold a referendum in Electoral Area G to determine taxpayer support for funding five community halls in the region.
Lessard Excavating has been selected to build the new artificial grass field at Blackburn Park, and work is scheduled to start this week. The Shuswap Youth Soccer Association agreed to pay $300,000 toward the $1 million project, and the city is working together for its completion.
VERNON
Rob Shevchenko
Rob Shevchenko has been named the new Director of Food & Beverage at Predator Ridge.
Red Tomato Pies has opened its newest location in Vernon at 3002 41st Ave.
Kal Rotary announces the 4th Annual Charity Golf Classic benefiting the Vernon Kalamalka Starfish Society, set for June 5th at the Vernon Golf and Country Club.
Go By Bike Week returns from May 31 to June 6, urging the community to opt for active transportation instead of driving.
Plato’s Closet will soon open at 105-5460 Anderson Way, Vernon.
The Museum & Archives of Vernon marks its 75 years this 2025.
Yankee Flats Meats is moving to its new location at 2901 32nd Ave Downtown Vernon.
The 50th anniversary of the Creative Chaos Festival will be celebrated from June 6–8 at the Vernon Recreation Complex, located at 3310 37th Avenue.
SUMMERLAND
Controlled Entropy Distilling, co-owned by Shea Bennett and Nahome Boule-Paquette, is set to host a Sip & Savour event on May 31, with proceeds going to MS Canada.
The Summerland Aquatic and Fitness Centre is back in operation following repairs to a boiler blower that failed earlier this month.
Maple Roch syrup from Summerland will be supplied to Gateway Casinos & Entertainment this summer, marking its largest single order to date.
The Summerland District is getting ready to apply for a $600,000 grant from the FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program.
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