News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KAMLOOPS
Dr. Doug Brown
Dr. Doug Brown has been appointed as the President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Progressive Planet Alberta, a wholly owned subsidiary of Progressive Planet Solutions. Progressive Planet was awarded the Innovation in CCUS Technology Award at the Carbon Capture Canada Awards.
Tumbleweed Toys owned by Vanessa Gammel celebrates 15 years in business.
Thompson Rivers University‘s TRUly Flexible initiative redeveloped asynchronous courses and strengthened collaboration between on-campus and open learning teams in the first phase and launched a trial for select on-campus programs in the second phase.
The new YMCA Parkcrest Care and Learning Centre was officially opened by the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education and YMCA BC on Monday. This was made possible by funding from ChildCareBC.
On October 9, the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre will be opening a new mini rink, which will be open to the public, and will offer free skates, prizes, and refreshments.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Kamloops will run the new modular project, which will be built at 1453 McGill Road and provide supportive housing for vulnerable individuals in Kamloops, according to BC Housing.
SALMON ARM
Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce collaborates with WorkBC Centre in hosting Part 2 of the Employer Insight Series: A Conversation on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on October 16, 2025, at the WorkBC Centre Salmon Arm, located at 101-310 Hudson Ave NE.
A new five-year agreement has been reached between the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and Shuswap Volunteer Search and Rescue, which will result in a minimum of $80,000 in funding.
The CSRD board approved various grant in aid requests for electoral areas, including $6,150 for the Sorrento Village Farmer’s Market, at the meeting on September 18.
The treble clef in Salmon Arm was chosen as one of the top three finalists in the annual Great Canadian Landmark contest, as announced by Municipal World magazine.
VERNON
Sonja Harkness
Sonja Harkness has been appointed as the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s new executive director.
Gallery Vertigo has relocated at the intersection of 30th Avenue and 29th Street, joining the Vibe Artisan Gallery, which offers regional artisan goods for sale.
The O’Keefe Mansion in Vernon serves as the setting for the terrifying story in the film The Freeze.
SilverStar Mountain Resort in Vernon is preparing for the 2025–2026 ski season with additional terrain, enhanced experiences, and a relationship with Ikon Pass. It will open November 28.
The Italian Kitchen Company will formally close on October 14th, according to a statement from the Pretium Group.
KELOWNA
Bright Jenny Coffee recently opened a new location on Lakeshore Road.
Virtuous Circle Counselling has been recognized in the Healthcare & Wellness category and is ranked No. 60 overall in the 2025 Report on Business magazine’s annual ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies.
Due to a staffing shortage, Dynacare Laboratory and Health Services Centre, located at 302A-3975 Lakeshore Road in Kelowna, will only be providing appointment-only services going forward.
The new Parkinson Recreation Centre is now ready to start construction after a $184.76 million building permit was approved by the City of Kelowna at the end of August.
An $800,000 grant from the Mississauga-based FDC Foundation allowed 256 Southern Interior women to get specialized cancer surgery close to home one year after Kelowna General Hospital launched the Gynecologic Oncology Surgical Program.
The City of Kelowna has secured two awards for its Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy and the carbon-neutral design of DeHart Community Park, presented by the Community Energy Association at the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
As part of an overall service hour expansion that will take effect in January 2027, the City of Kelowna is extending transit service to the Clifton Road neighbourhood.
The YMCA of Southern Interior BC is hosting a free senior health assessment at the H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre on October 3 to help participants better understand their current fitness levels.
SUMMERLAND
Haywire Winery in Summerland celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Ken Schamp, a playground specialist with Canadian Recreation Solutions, submitted the final design for the Peach Orchard Beach Park playground, which was approved by the Summerland Council.
Dean Goodine, a resident of Summerland, was recently recognized for his successful property mastering of “Heretic” at the second annual PMG MacGuffin Awards.
The local Rotary Club raised $200K to complete improvements at Gordon Beggs Rotary Beach, Summerland’s famous pier.
The closure of Henry Avenue has been extended until October 17 for the construction of the 60-unit affordable housing project in Summerland.
PENTICTON
Dan Riendeau has been appointed as the new program coordinator at Meadowlark Nature Festival in the South Okanagan.
Penticton businesses are asked to pitch Christmas light displays for the Community Christmas Light Display Project, which builds on Penticton’s holiday light heritage and expands into Rotary Park with up to five winter-themed light projects.
Skaha Lake Road Starbucks has officially closed.
Betts Electric & Security Ltd supports the Starfish Pack Program in Penticton with a $500 monthly donation, providing meals for children in need.
The 18th Annual Winemakers Cup is set to take place at Apex Mountain Resort and Penticton Lakeside Resort on February 28, 2026
OSOYOOS
Boostoyoos, co-owned by Alysha Harker, recently opened at at 8111 Main Street.
Dr. Ernest Brake‘s “Running on Full Power” is a lifestyle-based health program that emphasizes the importance of lifestyle practices in reducing the risk of disease at its source. This program is being presented at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre.
Aimee Grice, a councillor from Oliver, has been elected as the third vice president of the Union of BC Municipalities.
A free cinema night featuring The Spiderwick Chronicles will be hosted at the Sonora Community Centre by the Town of Osoyoos on October 3
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