News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
Ken Holland
Ken Holland of Vernon was named the new general manager of the LA Kings.
Rusty Spur has recently acquired Vernon’s Briteland Holdings.
Dr. W. Stephen McNeil, an associate professor at UBC Okanagan, has been granted the 3M National Teaching Fellowship for 2025.
Big White Ski Resort’s long-running steakhouse, Kettle Valley Steakhouse, will reopen for business in mid-December 2025 following a five-year closure.
Starting this month, the City of Kelowna will resurface 14 road segments, totalling about 20 kilometres, as part of its yearly road renewal program. Pavement management will receive an investment of about $4 million, and the project is projected to be finished by September 30, 2025
Paula Quinn
Paula Quinn has been named the new executive director at Downtown Kelowna Association.
Two Kelowna tour companies, A Taste of Kelowna Food Tours and Lakeside Eco-Sports, were honoured with the 2025 Viator Experience Awards.
SkyFire Energy’s Power Your Purpose program will provide a fully installed solar system to a non-profit organization at no cost.
A recent study on the economic feasibility of an electric passenger rail train in the Thompson-Okanagan was presented to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board by Dr. Gord Lovegrove, associate professor of civil engineering at UBC Okanagan, Dawn McGrath, PhD Candidate, and Dr. Holger Bushe, Transport and Energy Scientist.
The board of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District authorized awarding Trace Associates Inc. a five-year contract for engineering and monitoring services related to landfill water quality, with an annual maximum cost of $186,000.
The City of Kamloops announced the establishment of a new portable skating rink at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre on the North Shore. This facility will be available for community recreational skating and hockey use.
WestJet is set to resume non-stop flights from Edmonton International Airport (YEG) to Kamloops and will introduce new service to Prince George beginning in the first week of July 2025.
Covert Farms Ltd. collaborated with BMO Capital Markets and Re/Max Kelowna to help facilitate the sale of a premier 659-acre vineyard in Oliver, recognized as the largest in the Okanagan Valley.
Coast Penticton Hotel has officially opened.
For $22.75 million, Wildstone Construction Group, a Penticton-based engineering and construction company, plans to buy the co-op’s old Oliver packinghouse, Summerland and Keremeos facilities, residual equipment, inventory, and intellectual property like trademarks and logos.
St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The Province is funding more than $8 million to 34 new projects through the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund, which supports projects that prevent and reduce plastic waste in BC.
Kent Jesse will take over as CEO of Coastal Community Credit Union on June 1.
The Telegraph Cove is open for the 2025 season.
In a $30 million acquisition, Canadian Tire will get the Hudson’s Bay corporate and all of its trademarks, including the HBC Stripes and other corporate names, logos, designs, coat of arms, and brand names. Canadian Tire Corporation anticipates the deal closing later this summer, subject to judicial approval and other terms and conditions.
An historic outdoor shop, Mountain Equipment Company, was acquired by a group of Canadian investors led by Tim Gu, Chairman of Unisync Corp., according to an announcement made on Friday, May 16.
Orion has started building Arbutus Landing, a commercial property in Colwood owned by Astria Properties.
The CRD has launched an alternate approval process to borrow $32.3 million for the acquisition of 1,973 hectares of land from the Kapoor Lumber Company, which is located next to the Sooke Lake Reservoir.
Seaflora celebrates 25 years in business.
Dave’s Hot Chicken will be opening a new location at University Heights in Victoria.
The 21-story structure located at 926-930 Pandora Avenue in Victoria is now under construction by TL Housing Solutions.
The development of BC Housing’s 90-unit supportive housing complex at 726 Discovery Street in Victoria is now underway.
Mariam Ibrahim
Mariam Ibrahim has been appointed as the Development Coordinator of Aryze Developments in Victoria.
The $30-million Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Program of the New Relationship Trust will provide food security funding to three Indigenous initiatives in the Campbell River area: North Island Metis Association, We Wai Kai Nation, and Tiicma Fisheries.
Little Beach Resort Cottages is officially open for the 2025 season.
The MV Frances Barkley is back in the water after 14 weeks in Point Hope Maritime Ltd. shipyard for a regular refit.
The City of Port Alberni is seeking a new Director of Parks Recreation and Culture.
Liette Masse
Liette Masse has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce, effective Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Herold Engineering Limited is now part of the Englobe family.
Island Beachcomber Hot Tubs owned by Brian Martin, recently opened in Duncan’s Village Green Mall at 14-180 Central Rd.
The Cowichan District Hospital, which is currently under construction on Bell McKinnon Road, is expected to be operational by 2027.
The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce introduced its new Board of Directors for the upcoming term 2025-2026: Executive Officers: Chair: Christine Washington (Flandangles / Gibson’s); Vice-Chair: Angela Skaley (Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley); Second Vice-Chair: Abu Hasan Muhammed Jahangir (Agrohope Farms & Products Inc); Secretary: Katy Carlisle (SQSP Queen / Community Box) and Treasurer: Alexandra Ashwood (Wildflower Café). Directors: Dylan Ashwood – Wildflower Café; George Gorton – Grassroots Cafe Inc; Alaina Nadig – World Financial Group ; Thomas Senecal – Ramsay Lampman Rhodes; Erin Williams – West Coast General Hospital Foundation; Evan Jolicoeur – Full Circle Consultancy; Sarah Johnson – HFN Hospitality LP; Denay Piatka – Re/Max Mid-Island Realty and Pam Craig – Member at Large.
The new Winskill Aquatic and Fitness Centre‘s form, character, and configuration plans were approved by the council, and construction is scheduled to begin this summer.
Chaiwalla, a lovely new café and chai spot has opened at 15069 Marine Dr, White Rock.
CEFA White Rock is now officially open at 1589 George Street, White Rock.
Seaspan celebrated the opening of a new, 21,000 sq. ft. operations centre at Vancouver Drydock. This purpose-built facility which broke ground in March of last year is now ready to serve as a centralized hub for operations, administration, and safety personnel.
The first-ever cruise ship has filled up with an alternative fuel at the Port of Vancouver, receiving LNG (liquefied natural gas) from Seaspan Energy’s LNG bunker vessel Seaspan Garibaldi as it prepares to sail to Alaska.
Matt Nugent has started working as the Director of Acquisitions and Capital Partnerships at the Alabaster Group of Companies.
Saije Rusimovici is starting a new position as Marketing, Communication, Events and Office Support Coordinator at Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association.
A brand-new, two-story Nike store is set to open in Surrey’s Guildford Town Centre.
Yummy Slice Pizza has officially opened in South Surrey, at 2670 152 St Suite 310.
Priya Sidhu is starting a new position as Human Resources Generalist at Cascades Casino Resort in Langley.
An initial approval for a new 100-unit building located on 202B Street in the 8400 block has been granted by the Township of Langley.
Horizon Equine Veterinary Clinic, located in Abbotsford, has been named a finalist in the Best Professional Services category for the 2024 Small Business Awards by CanadianSME Magazine.
The City of Abbotsford is looking for a partner to develop the lands for a multi-family or mixed-use rental housing complex and is soliciting proposals for the development of ten sites refers as the “Tims Block.”
Lara Mussell Savage, who served as the Chief of the Sqwá (Skwah) First Nation in the past, has been elected to the board of directors of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Insp. Rochelle Kokkoris has been appointed as the Operations Support Officer for the Ridge Meadows RCMP.
The Proline Sportsbook Lounge will celebrate its Grand Opening on May 24 at 22710 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge.
Hamada Fusion, located at #200- 22529 Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge, is now under new ownership.
Aritzia just opened two new boutiques in Vancouver — West 4th in Kitsilano and Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.
GEC Education Mega Center Limited Partnership, has entered into various agreements with Pure Group of Companies to develop the flagship GEC Education Mega Centre project in Surrey. The construction budget for EMC is $330 million and transaction completed effective May 1, 2025.
MOTIV Architects have designed Langley Christian School Addition. The project includes master-planning for a combined elementary and middle school campus.
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