News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Ross Wise
Ross Wise MW, the former Director of Winemaking for Andrew Peller Limited, overseeing wine production at five BC wineries, and leading winemaking at the iconic Black Hills Estate Winery, has been appointed as the new Viticulture and Innovation Lead at Bragato Research Institute.
Hanna Willson-Wozniakowski has started a new position as Landscape Designer at Okanagan Landscape Studio in West Kelowna.
Carmen Maturo is starting a new position as General Manager at Hudson’s Bay Company in Kelowna.
The official opening of the Indigenous Graduate Education in nursing (I-GEN) pathway was celebrated on September 12th and 13th at UBC Okanagan by TWU School of Nursing and four additional post-secondary institutions: UofVic, UBC (Van), UBC(O), and TRU.
The new Kelowna facility of CC Equipment Sales is at #2120 Westbank, Old Okanagan Hwy.
Subway Restaurants in Canada are actively fundraising to support the Never Miss Lunch program. For every cookie sold, $1 will be contributed to Foodbanks Canada, supporting local kids in each community.
Tanya Martin
Tanya Martin has been promoted to Director of Operations at Blasted Church Vineyards, an independent winery in Okanagan Valley.
BC Insulation Contractors Association welcomes its newest member, Lauren Bath, owner of Teal Diamond Contracting in Kelowna.
The Mission Group‘s Downtown Kelowna project has received the green light from the Kelowna City Council. The Land Owner Transparency Registry shows that the property is owned by 1247752 BC Ltd and 1267320 BC Ltd.
Elevare Career Institute is hosting an Open House on October 18 at 200-1690 Water St., Kelowna.
Life Sciences BC is hosting Showcase Series: Kelowna on November 7 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort.
The owners of Flora Cannabis are hoping to open a fourth storefront in Kelowna at 2009 Enterprise Way, if the property is rezoned to allow retail sales of cannabis.
Troika Management Corp. and Sussex Retirement Living announced that the proposed Valley Road senior living project will be presented to Kelowna City Council for initial consideration on Monday, October 21st.
The Central Okanagan Food Bank marks its 40 years anniversary this year.
The Kelowna City Council approved the issuance of a development permit for the design and structure of a six-storey mixed-use apartment complex located at 1160 Cameron Ave.
The Kelowna council approves Kettle River Brewing‘s permanent COVID-era patio expansion, bringing the total capacity up to 135 persons.
The Bridge Youth & Family Services announced the launch of its new program, Families for Adolescent Recovery (F.A.R.), designed to support parents and caregivers of youth experiencing substance use challenges. The program offers vital education, strategies and resources to help families effectively navigate the recovery process. Workshops will be held on October 22, November 5 and 19.
A development permit for a six-story apartment building with 62 units and ground-floor commercial space was approved by the council at the corner of Gordon Dr and Cameron Ave.
A new regional transit operations and maintenance facility is planned be built on City-owned land at 4690 Hwy 97 N, which is south of UBCO. This site was rezoned by the Kelowna Council.
Council has given preliminary approval for the rezoning of three lots located at 1256, 1260, and 1270 Glenmore Dr. This move is in support of a proposed six-storey rental apartment project.
Rezoning a downtown skyscraper to a rental-only structure has received preliminary approval from council. The address of the planned 40-story skyscraper is 1355 St. Paul St.
The RONA Foundation, which manages the philanthropic activities of RONA inc., one of Canada’s largest home improvement retailers, has raised approximately $515,000 as a results of its Home Sweet Home campaign, which ran from September 1 to October 7, 2024. The fund will be used to improve housing for domestic abuse victims and their children, low-income families, and persons with disabilities or mental health challenges. More than $8,000 will go to 3 Vancouver Island NPOs.
KAMLOOPS
Byron McCorkell
Byron McCorkell has been named as the City of Kamloops’ new chief administrative officer.
Thompson Rivers University is now seeking a new president after Brett Fairbairn announced his resignation from the role last year.
As part of its efforts to revise its parks plan, the City of Kamloops is holding an online poll until October 27 in which citizens may express their priorities for community parks, outdoor recreation, and trails.
The grand opening/ribbon cutting of the brand new Stitches and Skeins yarn store will be held on October 25th at 1:00pm at 2-665 Tranquille Rd.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library celebrates 50 years anniversary.
Via Lattea Gelato has closed for the season but will reopen in the spring.
Best Buy Express is now open in the Northills Mall.
skiKrumb has expanded its offerings by adding Sun Peaks, bringing its total to five popular ski destinations in Canada, which also include Revelstoke, Big White, Mt. Sima, and Apex.
After seven months of highly impactful work along Lansdowne Street, crews will start the fifth and final stage of the City Centre Sanitary Upgrades Project on Monday, October 21, 2024. The project is expected to be completed on Friday, November 15.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Cannery Brewing and the Penticton Art Gallery are set to host the 4th Annual Mini Mural Auction, aimed at supporting local artists and funding the gallery’s education and outreach initiatives. The Live Auction Gala is set for Thursday, Oct. 24 at Cannery Brewing.
After staff conducted a “more aggressive” budgeting process that examined five-year trends for optimal taxation, Penticton council is considering raising residential taxes by 8.63 percent in 2025.
The draft 2025-2029 Financial and Corporate Business Plan for the City of Penticton is now available for public input.
Robert Graham, who has served as the town of Oliver’s fire chief for eight years, has announced his retirement at the year’s end. The town is now seeking a replacement.
Spirit Ridge Resort in Osoyoos will host a fall fundraiser for the Nk’Mip Desert Heritage Society on November 14.
Starbucks Osoyoos officially opens at 9145 Main St.
SALMON ARM
Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new member, Godfrey Cranston Hopson Appraisals.
The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District is set to adopt a new name: Kwsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw. This name translates to “We are all connected (people, animals, sky, land and water) on Secwépemc land.”
Amani Health Services Clinic in Salmon Arm, BC has expanded its hours and is now open on Saturdays.
Goldfingers Beauty Salon has officially moved to its new location at 111 Lakeshore Drive.
VERNON
The Colin and Lois Pritchard Foundation has donated $250,000 to the Enderby & District Sports Complex, which will now be known as the John Pritchard Memorial Sports Complex in honour of the gift.
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes new memebers: Potentia HR, Intermezzo Restaurant and Wine Cellar and Iron Heart Studio.
Helen Armstrong is stepping down from her role at Vernon’s North Okanagan Neurological Association Child Development Centre after 25 years of committed service.
The public is invited to join Predator Ridge for the month-long celebration of the 14th annual Golftoberfest.
On October 26, 2024, the DND Grounds in Vernon will play host to the BC Cross Country Provincial Championships.
Following approval from the local government, the AWA Pond Enhancement Project was launched by the Armstrong Wetland Association with the help of Hill Environmental. A pond, a hummock, a boardwalk, and an observation platform will all be dug as part of this project.
Within the next three years, 500 homes in Vernon will undergo renewable energy retrofits thanks to the HomeZero Collective Society. An estimated $25 million will go toward the initiative, and the first 100 homeowners to enroll will each get $5,000 in subsidies from HomeZero.
The Regional District of North Okanagan is marking improvements to the baseball diamond at Grindrod Park, thanks to funding from the Enderby and District Services Commission and the RDNO Electoral Area F Parks service.
The Vernon Chamber of Commerce will be holding their 40th Business Excellence Awards on October 24th.
SUMMERLAND
The Summerland Council has applied for a grant through the Green and Inclusive Communities Buildings Program in order to renovate the Aquatic & Fitness Centre.
The four-day work week trial in the District of Summerland reportedly went so well that they’re giving the program the go light to continue.
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