News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Shayne Dyrdal
The City of Kelowna has launched a mentorship initiative for its employees, bringing together Axelle Bazett, a former sales manager and communications consultant, who is now the intergovernmental relations manager, and Shayne Dyrdal, the director of finance and corporate services at the Kelowna International Airport.
EntheoMed, a ketamine therapy clinic established by Fraser Johnston, is attracting attention in Kelowna.
The Regional District of Nanaimo is calling for trade contractors to submit tenders for work on the South Wellington School Conversion project. Bids are being accepted for the following trades: Hazardous Material Abatement, Siteworks, and Site Service. Tender documents are available for direct download from the website of Heatherbrae Builders CO. LTD., the Construction Manager for the Regional District of Nanaimo. For any questions regarding this Tender, please contact Carl Massey, Estimator at Heatherbrae Builders CO. LTD.
The 2024 Kelowna International Airport (YLW) Fall Travel Show will take place on Saturday, October 26, at the KF Centre for Excellence, 5800 Lapointe Drive.
Two mixed-use structures and three townhouse buildings, for a total of 151 dwelling units, would comprise the first phase of Wilden Market Square, according to plans presented by Blenk Developments.
Downtown Kelowna is getting a new ATC, and the concept design is out for public evaluation both online and in person. Pedestrians and bicycles will have a safe and convenient route to go down Bertram Street as the Bertram ATC links the Sutherland and Cawston ATCs.
The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) is requesting expressions of interest for new additions to the 2025 COEDC Advisory Committee. A position on the Advisory Committee offers individuals an opportunity to contribute to the strategic vision of the COEDC, and to connect with other community and business leaders.
Prefab Buildings Initiative‘s Property Development Leaders Summit will be taking place at the Historic Laurel Packinghouse on November 6th, 2024 at 4 pm.
Bernard Avenue’s Midnight Kings Hookah Lounge and Grill has submitted an application to the city to keep its bar up until two in the morning.
The IRCC office at the Canadian Embassy in France is organizing an online recruitment fair on November 13 – 15, 2024 to connect Canadian employers with qualified French-speaking and bilingual international candidates in the tourism, hospitality and culinary sectors. Registration is open until October 27th, 2024.
A new high-rise proposal was approved by the Kelowna City Council for 355 St. Paul Street, downtown Kelowna. The site is just north of the planned UBCO Downtown Campus, which is being built at 550 Doyle Avenue.
In preparation for the coming ski season, the Big White Freestyle team is actively seeking additional members who can join the team as experienced coaches and who can accommodate a larger number of skiers.
Krafty Kitchen & Bar, located on Kelowna’s Lawrence Ave., will be closing its doors after a decade in the industry.
Chris Pinkerton
Accelerate Okanagan announces new Board of Directors at its annual general Meeting on October 3rd. The Accelerate Okanagan Board of Directors for 2023/2024 are:
Chris Pinkerton, Board Chair : Chief Growth Officer, Flybits
Nicole Rustad, Past Chair : Sustainability Leader, Social Entrepreneur
Jennifer Kilback, Vice Chair, Chief Business Officer : Hyper Hippo
Gary Parmar, Treasurer, Partner and Regional Leader of Technology : MNP LLP
Mark Betteridge, Executive : Chief Executive Officer, Mark Betteridge & Associates
Krista Mallory, Manager : Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission
Laine Nevison, Chief Executive Officer : MAVAN Capital Partners
Reece Tomlinson, Founder & CEO : RWT Growth
Derek Edstrom, Divisional Director of Partnerships and Investments : City of Kelowna
Max Walker, Partner : Lawson Lundell LLP
Devin Rubadeau, Chair of the Okanagan School of Business : Okanagan College
KAMLOOPS
Acacia Pangilinan
Acacia Pangilinan, the executive director of the Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce, has received a national award recognizing her exceptional leadership skills.
Margaret Chrumka, executive director of the Kamloops Art Gallery, is leaving to take a position on the management team at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in January. The search for a new executive director will shortly begin at Kamloops Art Gallery.
Kamloops is one of the top domestic winter travel destinations for Canadians, according to a research by the massive short-term rental company Airbnb.
The vacant Columbia Precinct building at 515, 523, and 527 Columbia St. is being demolished as part of a larger plan to construct more residences in downtown Kamloops. The city is currently soliciting bids from residential developers and housing operators to assist with the delivery of these units. November 20, 2024 is the cutoff date for submissions.
To assist in the development of long-term plans, the City of Kamloops is releasing a Citizen Satisfaction Survey just as the current council is halfway through its tenure.
BC Hydro has given Thompson Rivers University the green light to install over a thousand solar panels over the course of five years. Solar power will reportedly contribute to the operation of the $40 million Low-Carbon District Energy System, which is presently being built on campus close to Old Main and will use solar energy.
PENTICTON
The City of Penticton is set to host the opening ceremony for Ridge Park, a new community park in The Ridge housing development. The park features stunning panoramic views of the city, a climbing play structure, and sports courts.
Penticton’s Hooded Merganser restaurant will close for renovations beginning October 30, with plans to reopen in February 2025 in time for its 20th anniversary celebration.
An event honouring local cuisine, drink, and tourism will be held at Okanagan College in Penticton, known as the OC Cultivates. Winemaker Justin Hall of Nk’Mip Cellars and OC alumnus Kathy Malone of Hillside Winery will be among the featured individuals at the event. Other notable attendees include Certified Master Chef Tobias MacDonald, Red Seal Chef Kelsey Oudendag of OC, Thomas Tumbach of Summerland’s LocalMotive Low Waste, and Michael Magnusson of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce.
Penticton will host its Annual Pop Culture Festival at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on October 26 and 27.
The brick castle in Okanagan Falls, located above Skaha Lake, is currently on the market for $2.2 million. This price is approximately equivalent to the average cost of a detached single-family residence in Vancouver.
SALMON ARM
The 2024 Business Forum is set to take place on October 30th, running from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM at Song Sparrow Hall, hosted by Salmon Arm Economic Development, Community Futures Shuswap, Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce, and Shuswap Economic Development.
McDiarmid Construction has been awarded the contract for the construction of the $600,000 expansion of Fire Hall 2 at the Salmon Arm Fire Department.
A development permit application that, if granted, would facilitate Travelodge‘s expansion at 2401 Ninth Ave. SW Salmon Arm will be reviewed by the Salmon Arm council.
The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, Geosurv Solutions Inc.
VERNON
Deb White
Deb White, a seasoned mortgage broker and the owner of White House Mortgages in Vernon, was named one of the Canadian Mortgage Professionals’ (CMP) 50 Best Female Mortgage Brokers and Professionals in Canada/Women of Influence.
BC Transit is collaborating with the Regional District of North Okanagan to enhance its service.
Applications are now being accepted for the City of Vernon‘s fall 2024 sustainability grants program, which aims to encourage neighborhood-based initiatives that improve environmental resilience.
The Regional District of North Okanagan will own the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre and establish user fees, while the Greater Vernon Museum and Vernon Public Art Gallery will operate within it
The Vernon Haunted House at 2505 39th Ave. is set to provide thrills and chills on Oct. 31, with all proceeds benefiting the Vernon food bank.
The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society will host the 2024-25 Spotlight Dance Series on October 28 at 7:30 p.m. The event is offered to Vernon by Argentina’s Social Tango Project.
The North Okanagan Community Futures Association is marking its 40th anniversary.
SUMMERLAND
Sage Hill Estate Winery, a 10-acre vineyard, complete with wine-making facilities and a luxury home, is now available on the market for $12.9 million.
The Summerland Health Care Auxiliary has exceeded the halfway point in its $1 million fundraising goal for the new oncology upgrades at Penticton Regional Hospital.
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