News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
George Greenwood
George Greenwood has been named the next chief executive officer of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. He was the former head of the Association of Interior Realtors.
Okanagan College (OC) signed strategic partnerships agreements with TIABC, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and Tourism HR Canada to expand its programming. The agreements will match OC’s tourism and hospitality curriculum with industry standards and provide Work Integrated Learning and career possibilities for food, beverage, and tourism students.
KF Aerospace received the title of large business of the year on Friday night during the 37th annual Business Excellence Awards gala hosted by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce at Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort.
UBC Okanagan’s Lifecycle Management Lab is partnering with the City of Kelowna to research sustainable solutions for our public transit.
Provincial Health Services Authority is offering recruitment incentives of up to $30,000 for nursing positions within BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services.
NWI Contracting Ltd will construct 50 rental apartments at the intersection of High Road and Glenmore Road with a multi-million dollar building permit from the City of Kelowna.
Brett Armstrong
Brett Armstrong has been appointed by Avison Young as the new Managing Director in Vancouver, with effect from December 2. With a focus on business expansion and expanding market share across the city and province, Armstrong will concentrate on carrying out the company’s primary strategic business plan.
The West Kelowna council has proposed a budget of $2.5 million to upgrade the Rose Valley reservoir and a one-time payment of $50 to 8,500 customers of the Rose Valley Water System.
The development permits for a 40-story skyscraper on St. Paul Street, located just north of the construction site for the downtown UBCO campus and tower, have been approved by the Kelowna city council.
The rezoning of 1028 and 1030 Houghton Road to the townhouse zone, marking the first step in advancing a 20-unit project, was approved unanimously by the Kelowna City Council.
The Hyatt Place Kelowna will host an open-door session regarding FortisBC‘s proposal to store LNG in Kelowna on December 2.
The Kelowna Gospel Mission received 500 lunch kits from Sysco, which will be given to the city’s homeless population.
The contract between KF Aerospace and Purolator has been extended, and as part of the new arrangement, KF Aerospace will replace the outdated ATR72-500F aircraft in Purolator’s fleet of feeder networks in British Columbia.
Bryan Fitzpatrick
Greater Westside Board of Trade 2024/25 Board of Directors President Bryan Fitzpatrick, Partner, Pushor Mitchell, returns for a second term. The entire roster of directors serving on the board is as follows: EXECUTIVE: Bryan Fitzpatrick, Pushor Mitchell (President); Julie Pringle, Snap Commercial Photography (Vice President); Scott Beaton, Beaton Rettich Water Advisory (Treasurer); Tina Bisson, Manchester Signs & Printing (Secretary); Amber Hall (Past President) and Heather Robinson, Executive Director, Greater Westside Board of Trade.
DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Roberta, Fidalgo, YET Human Resources & Coaching; Trevor Jones, Il Mercato Social Kitchen & The Landing Kitchen + Bar; James McCormick, SH Financial; Rebecca Myers, COBS Bread; Stephanie Oliver, Porrelli law; Lauren Tomkins ND, West Kelowna Integrative Health Centre and John Whitehead, John K. Whitehead and Associates. APPOINTEE DIRECTORS: Rod Aubichon, Kelowna Metis Society/Terracom Systems.
The City was selected as the Host Community for the 2026 Memorial Cup by the Canadian Hockey League after collaborating with the Kelowna Rockets and the Memorial Cup Host Committee on the successful proposal.
In recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities this coming Tuesday December 3rd, the Rick Hansen Foundation is pleased to host a FREE virtual panel titled ‘The Power of Inclusive Decision Making” featuring five esteemed advocates and allies with varying lived experience as well as expertise in disability inclusion.
KAMLOOPS
Heather Grieve has been named chair of SD73 for the fourth year in a row by the Kamloops Thompson School Board.
The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association celebrates the reopening of Lansdowne St. The City of Kamloops employed Extreme Excavating for the project.
The leasing arrangement between Vantage Airport Group and operator Kamloops Airport has been extended through 2062, according to the Kamloops Airport Society.
The proposal put up by the Tk’emlups Band to rezone and reclassify the 10.5-hectare plot of land situated east of Sun Rivers along Shuswap Road at Miner Road—where the new healing centre will be constructed—has been approved by the board of directors of the Thompson Nicola Regional District.
A notice for zoning amendment was approved by the Kamloops City Council for the properties situated at 2001, 2013, and 2019 Glenwood Drive in Valleyview.
Zoning Bylaw No. 55, which would let liquor-related establishments such as bars and nightclubs to sell alcohol until three in the morning on New Year’s Day, is about to be amended by the City of Kamloops.
The North Shore Urgent and Primary Care Centre, situated at the Northills Shopping Centre at 700 Tranquille Road, has opened, according to an announcement made by Interior Health (IH).
The Kamloops-Thompson school district will be moving ahead with its plan to sell off two parcels of land, but will be holding on to a landlocked third parcel for the time being. The proposed plots of land to be liquidated include the former site of the Little Fort elementary school, a 1.8 acre parcel in Brocklehurst, and a 1.29 acre parcel adjacent to Sa-Hali Secondary school with no road access.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
The Copper Mug Golf Tournament at Skaha Meadows Golf Club has successfully raised $13,000 to support local children’s sports initiatives.
On December 7, the Penticton Indian Band‘s En’owkin Centre, located at 154 En’owkin Trail, will once again hold a unique craft show in advance of the holidays.
A special holiday brunch buffet featuring Santa Claus will be held on December 20 at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.
For safety reasons, visitors to the South Okanagan’s Apex Mountain Resort are being asked to refrain from coming until the formal opening day, which is scheduled for December 7.
The Penticton Potters Guild is having a pop-up sale in Cherry Lane Mall once again from November 30th through December 22nd.
SALMON ARM
Natalya Melnychuk has been appointed as the new Chair of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Board.
The Regional District of Columbia Shuswap has bought a larger piece of property at 1435 Beatty Road and has announced plans to rebuild the Scotch Creek-Lee Creek Fire Hall.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District board met on Nov. 21, where electoral area directors unanimously approved a $14,000 grant-in-aid request for the Eagle Valley Community Support Society, an organization that offers counselling, supports families and operates the food bank.
The Salmon Arm Chamber is looking for hosts for their 2025 Business after Business events! The December Business After Business will be hosted by Ricochet Brewing and Tap House on December 10th.
Song Sparrow Hall venue is the newest member of the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce.
VERNON
Shirley Fowler
Shirley Fowler, Director for the City of Armstrong, was re-elected as Chair of the RDNO Board of Directors, and Alyssa Hopkins, Director of Electoral Area F, was re-elected as Vice-Chair. The election was held on Wednesday, November 20.
Harwinder Sandhu, Vernon-Lumby MLA has been named parliamentary secretary for agriculture.
O’Keefe Ranch adjusted its operating schedule this year to deal with financial issues. During the month of September, the Historic O’Keefe Ranch Society primarily focused on events, school tours, bus tours and group bookings.
North Valley Gymnastics kicked off their Cookie Fundraiser on November 26th to collect funds for the acquisition of new gym equipment and amenities to be installed at their new location at 4601 Anderson Way.
People will have to acquire their parking permits using the HotSpot parking app as the City of Vernon will switch to an online system in 2025.
The nominations for the Good Citizen of the Year award have been open throughout November and December by the Junior Chamber International Vernon.
SUMMERLAND
The deadline for Summerland Credit Union‘s Adult Bursary Awards is set for December 1, 2024.
The 37th Annual Toys and Toonies for Tots and Teens Breakfast is set for November 30 at the Second Home Cafe, located at 13299 Henry Ave, Summerland.
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