SPRING 2012 EDITION
The
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INSIDE… UBC Okanagan
CAMPUS CHANGING REGION’S ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE
Real Estate Growth NEW TRENDS EVOLVE FOR DEVELOPMENT
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Tourism Industry FACING NEW MARKETING CHALLENGES
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FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Publishe Publisher he Karen Hill Managing Editor Barry Gerding Writers Barry Gerding Paul Marck Bobbi-Sue Menard Kevin Parnell Joel Young Production Director Tessa Ringness Production Designers Kiana Haner-Wilk Teresa Huscroft-Brown Photographer Doug Farrow Advertising Manager Karen Hill Account Executives Amber Coyle Cindy Draper Marvin Farkas Colleen Groat Ron Harding Antony Hutton Curt Jensen Terry Matthews Alan Monk Sheri Jackson Tanya Terrace Wayne Woollett Focus is published by Black Press 2495 Enterprise Way, Kelowna BC V1X 7K2 250-763-3212 adsales@kelownacapnews.com www.kelownacapnews.com Distributed free to select households in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. The publisher cannot be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.
UBC becomes a major force for growth in the Okanagan .. pages 4,6 Healthy housing ....................page 8 Economically sound .... pages 10, 11 Medicine the natural way ....page 12 Things are taking off at Kelowna International Airport ..... pages 14,15 Boomers: a driving force .....page 16 Y: A place to connect ..........page 17 Kelowna then and now ...................... pages 18, 19 Rapid transit on its way.......page 20 Well positioned for growth ......................... pages 22,23 Prospects for parks.............page 24 The highest level of care ............................. pages 26, 27 Lake Country grows up fast.................................page 28 Growing in leaps and bounds................................page 30 The geography of economic development in Kelowna ...................... pages 32, 33
The
direction of
business
in the
Table of Contents
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Central Okanagan
The last two years have produced difficult economic times in the Central Okanagan. We have not been immune to the slowdown that has affected the world economy on a global scale, with the trickle down impact that slowdown has imposed on both Canada and British Columbia. But nearly one-third of the way into 2012, there is reason for optimism, looking ahead, for the City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country and District of West Kelowna. While real estate was a key driving force behind the boom period felt here during the last decade, the next surge in our local economy is more likely to come from the combined impact of a variety of sources. Continued civic infrastructure development, expansion and relocation of government services such as health and post-secondary education, the marriage of capital investors with entrepreneurs needed that investment to generate new business ideas, a continued influx of baby boomers moving here to retire, tourism growth both in the agriculture and resort industry sectors, and the development expansion plans of the Westbank First Nation will all play a role in the Central Okanagan’s economic progress in the decade ahead. In the Capital News inaugural annual Focus edition, we take a look at how those positive economic factors are already beginning to be felt in Kelowna, Lake Country and West Kelowna, and what we can expect to see in the immediate years ahead.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Capital News FOCUS 2012
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UBC becomes a major force for growth in the Okanagan
As a catalyst for growth in the B.C. Interior, the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus has been a driver of economic development and stimulus for several years. The pace of expansion of the campus since its founding in 2005 has been nothing short of phenomenal. These are significant accomplishments, says Deputy Vice Chancellor and Principal Doug Owram. “There are many milestone achievements to celebrate in the history of UBC in the Okanagan, as our academic institution continues to grow,” says Owram. Among new facilities that opened during the current school year are the $68-million Engineering, Management and Education building. At 185,000 square feet of classrooms and research labs and housing three faculties and schools, it is the biggest academic building campus. Also new are the $31-million, 47,000-square-foot Reichwald Health Sciences Centre and the $14.9 million, 212-bed Purcell Student Residence. “UBC’s Okanagan campus has enjoyed tremendous growth since its inception seven years ago,” says Owram. “We are proud that our reputation has grown year over year. It is a continuing source of pride that we have attracted more students from around the globe, from across Canada and throughout B.C. than ever before. This is an exciting time for students and faculty to explore new learning opportunities and engage in creative thinking.” Now that UBC is fast approaching full enrolment and has achieved its initial capital program, the university is entering the next phase of its life, carried forward by the momentum generated by the expansion of academic programs and addition of new facilities. “We have completed the first phase of our build out of campus facilities. Our goal now is to increase the depth and breadth of academic offerings across our undergraduate and graduate programs to serve the needs of current and
future students,” says Owram. From the inauguration this year of the Southern Medical Program – training medical doctors for the first time in the B.C. Interior – to establishment of the School of Health and Exercise Sciences and other new programs, facilities and new faculty members UBC has expanded to meet an unprecedented demand for the delivery of higher education in the Okanagan. But the number of programs, facilities and faculty are only part of the success story of UBC’s Okanagan campus. Donor support from philanthropists such as Irving K. Barber, Charles Fipke, and the Reichwald and Meekison families provided vital support in completing the initial campus master plan of facilities and programs.By combining philanthropic gifts and alumni talents, UBC’s Okanagan campus is enhancing student learning, expanding research capacity and extending its community engagement UBC’s Okanagan campus has become initiatives with the a significant force in the region, with launch last autumn a compelling vision of academic of a $100-million excellence, an enviable record of development campaign, community engagement and as a called start an evolution. global centre for critical thought It is part of larger, and ground-breaking research. $1.5-billion campaign being undertaken by the – DOUG OWRAM UBC system. The campaign is expected to fulfil a growing number of Okanagan campus initiatives, including expanded library and athletic facilities; research funding for graduate and undergraduate students; student financial awards; and new teaching and learning opportunities, both on campus and into the larger community.
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by Paul Marck, contributor
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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Enrolment on the rise at UBC’s Okanagan campus FACTS:
V
• A $400-million build out of the campus has created a full-service university offering undergraduate and graduate programs; • Seven years ago there were 12 buildings in total on campus, with about 500,000 square feet of floor space between the Sciences, Arts, Library, Administration and Gym buildings, along with two student residences totalling about 300 beds. Today, there are 33 buildings campus, tripling floor space to 1.5-million square feet and 1,700 student residence beds. • Student enrolment has grown from an initial 3,000 students, to 7,901 today, including 710 graduate students. • Number of faculty has grown to 450 from 220 in 2005. • UBC’s Okanagan campus also reaps the success of funded research, totalling about $10 million a year from numerous granting agencies. • Today, one in three new students comes from outside the province, with 600 international students this year, representing 78 countries – up from 22 in 2005. Student Population: .............................. 7,004 Faculty Population: .................................. 324 Staff Population: ......419 full and part-time Faculties and Schools: ............................... 7 Campus Housing: ............... 1,464 total beds Financial Help for Students: ..Approx. $4.3 million in 2009-2010 (awards, scholarships, fellowships and bursaries) Size of Campus: .............................516 acres Buildings: 46,400 sq. m (0.5 million sq. ft.) in 2005, expanding to 139,000 sq. m. (1.5 million sq. ft.) by 2010
Spiro Yannacopoulos (Dean of School of Engineering, Interim Dean for Faculty of Management) and Lynn Bosetil, (Dean of Education UBC OKANAGAN) in front of the new $68-million Engineering, Management and Education building.
FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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The University University of of British British Columbia’s Columbia’s start start an an evolution evolution campaign campaign invites invites our our donors donors and alumni in the Okanagan research and Okanagan to to help change the world through our students, our research and our community. We have already already raised raised $60 $60 million million towards towards our our $100 $100 million million target target and and UBC alumni in the Okanagan are more deeply involved than ever with the issues they care about. To thinking that can the world deeply involved than ever with the issues they care about.support To support thinking thatchange can change the startanevolution.ca through your investment and involvement, visit world through your investment and involvement, visit startanevolution.ca
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Capital News FOCUS 2012
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Together we grow.
housing
by Kevin Parnell
Real estate in the Central Okanagan has had its up and downs over the past 10 years. To try and get a handle on the market, we posed several questions to a team of realtors at Realty Executives of the Okanagan. The answers are provided by realtors Nadine Westgate, Tony Klassen, Grant Waidman and Dino Gini. QUESTION: What is the current state of the real estate market in the Central Okanagan? ANSWER: The real estate market in the Central Okanagan is positive. An increase in activity this spring has overall sales up 3.91 per cent according to the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board. The average residential home price of $456,568.00 leads toward a balanced market and more constant pricing. One current trend is an increase in multi-family construction that may continue to push prices down. “It may well be that single family homes become be a luxury in 10 years,� said Klassen. Though there are active levels in all aspects of the market, a more moderately priced segment with homes under $500,000 is generating the highest activity. “I believe we can start to expect growth in property values and transaction numbers,� said Waidman. QUESTION: Where do you feel the market is going over the next five to 10 years? ANSWER: After experiencing a substantial slow down in the past few years, we are now in recovery mode and will continue to recover and gain strength in the coming years. As condominium sales catch up with current supply we will see values improve with them. Kelowna is a popular destination and this will not change. People want the lifestyle associated with the Okanagan and will continue to move to the valley. As market conditions continue to stabilize, driven by low interest rates and rising consumer confidence, a surging interest in the Okanagan lifestyle promotes a healthy outlook over the next five to 10 years.
NADINE WESTGATE
QUESTION: What are some of the challenges facing realtors in the future? ANSWER: One challenge facing realtors in the future is the public’s perception of real estate professionals and our ability to position our worth in the eyes of today’s consumer. New technologies and innovation have been embraced by both the real estate industry and the ever increasingly sophisticated consumer. While the way realtors do business has changed, the core fundamentals of building trust, however, have not. The advent of social media is also significant. “We have really just started to recognize how powerful a tool it can be,� said Waidman. QUESTION: Are there changes coming to the way homes are being built in Kelowna? ANSWER: As consumers become more informed and environmentally conscious, the onus is increasingly on the developers and builders to provide more efficient and sustainable building models using the latest technologies and designs. Many local builders are implementing such technologies and advocating the benefits of both long term savings and sustainability of the environment. Though there is a lot of product geared toward the more moderate market with simpler material finishings, there is a niche for high end homes, which we see in the Upper Mission, Tallus Ridge and Kettle Valley.
FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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by Kevin Parnell
With the global economy tossing and turning in the wind, Kelowna appears poised to continue growing its economy, although there are some challenges that lay ahead for the fastest growing economic region in British Columbia. The Kelowna airport, the University of B.C. and Okanagan College and the operations of Interior Health form the backbone of the local economy and according to the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC), those three areas are keeping Kelowna moving forward while many other regions are not. “They provide us with a relative level of economic stability that allows us to shield ourselves from the
natural ebb and flow of the global economy,” said Robert Fine, director of economic development for the COEDC. “Having anchors in your community that are more immune to the global economy certainly helps. That’s a pretty nice little strength to have in the community in terms of giving us a sustainable base. Then it’s also the
“
Okanagan, the area is also home to a wide range of other economic drivers and industries. Tourism, agriculture, wineries, fruit growers and entrpreneurs all make up significant portions of the local economy and all face various challenges. Fine says the future growth of the industries may well depend on how well they partner
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magnet effect of people coming here for those specific things.” While the Kelowna airport, along with the two post-secondary institutions and the hospital provide the stability for the Central
together. “These are certainly some really interesting economic times,” said Fine. “We have to take a look at what we have here and try to build and identify the trends going on. I think we
FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
have some unique qualities.You want to be able to produce what the world wants.� Fine says a perfect example are Okanagan cherries, which are valued around the globe. He also suggested one way of the future is a pairing of different industries such as agriculture, restaurants and wine, making the Okanagan a world class destination for local food and beverage where
everything is grown locally. With 15,000 full time equivalent students between UBCO and OC, the link between the business community and graduating students is important for the future of Kelowna. Fine says more than one-third of those students are not from the Okanagan but could form an important part of the economy if they choose to stay in the area after
www.kelownacapnews.com 11
graduation. Other areas that will likely continue to grow but make up a smaller portion of the local economy are animation and multimedia companies and other niche businesses that have come to Kelowna for one reason or another. “We are going to have very interesting companies coming here,� said Fine. “The university has lots of research going on
and that’s something certainly companies can take advantage of.� Fine says a perfect example of that is the company Armor Works which has a niche market and works hand in hand with UBCO’s composite research arm. And of course the area will continue to be known for its entrepreneurial spirit, with small and home based businesses operating out of Kelowna. “We are still a hotbed for entrepreneurs, people that can be anywhere in the world but choose to come here because of the quality of life,� said Fine. “We have people who are very mobile. They work all over the world and that is a selling point for the area. That’s why the
FACTS:
V
AREA POPULATION NUMBERS Regional District .....................................162,276 City of Kelowna .....................................106,707 District of West Kelowna .........................28,793 District of Peachland ..................................4,883 District of Lake Country ..............................9,606 Central Okanagan East ...............................3,978 Central Okanagan West .............................8,018 First Nations Reserve 7 ..............................1,923 First Nations Reserve 9 & 10 ......................6,207
airport is so important.� So with the airport, the post secondary institutions and the hospital, as well as several other industries that are moving forward with the times, Kelowna’s outlook into the future appears pretty solid. “The fundamentals
are here for strong growth,� said Fine. “As we market this place all over the world we have people lining up to talk to us asking ‘how do we come? What businesses work? What skills do I need?’ This place is a very special place to live and very special economically.�
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Medicine
The roots of natural medicine reach back thousands of years, says Kelowna’s Dr. David Wickenheiser, naturopathic doctor.
natural way
the
by Kevin Parnell
Kelowna may be home to a newly renovated hospital as well as a medical school at UBC Okanagan, but the Central Okanagan can also boast a very pro-active natural health care industry giving residents plenty of choice when it comes to their health. Naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, homeotherapists as well as health food stores and healthy activities like yoga are all prevalent in the Central Okanagan as healthy practitioners come to the valley to live and work and try to make people’s lives better. “The choice for healthy practitioners in Kelowna and the Okanagan is excellent,” said Dr. David Wickenheiser, a naturopathic doctor who was born and raised in Kelowna. “This is a location that people want to live and there is a good choice
of practitioners for natural medicine in Kelowna. There is also a very strong culture in Kelowna of natural medicine.” Natural medicine could be described as pretty much anything that doesn’t involve your family doctor and is a way to be proactive when it comes to your health. The industry is growing as more and more people try to move towards healthy living. “The focus of natural medicine is is not just to relieve symptoms,” said Wickenheiser. “If someone has a fever, why is that? Is it an allergy or a toxic reaction? The focus of natural medicine is to take the patient to a deeper level. We want to fix the problem, not just mask the pain.” And while it seems treating health problems with natural remedies is a new way of approaching health, the roots of many segments of the natural health industry go back thousands of years to ancient Chinese medicine, or aboriginal practices.
In North America people’s reliance on doctors, hospitals and pharmaceuticals, is relatively new in the grand scheme of things, according to Wickenheiser. And he says while the relationship between some medical doctors and some in the natural field hasn’t always been the best, it’s more about providing people with another option for their health. “As we move ahead people know that solving a health problem is not as simple as taking a pill,” he said. “They’ve done that but it hasn’t always worked. People are looking for more of what they can do for their own health in addition to their medical doctor. That’s where natural comes in. With our aging population and so much demand on the health care system people who use the natural side are able to take charge of their life but they are also taking pressure off the hospital system.”
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NEW OWNERSHIP
AT KELOWNA HYUNDAI
Award-winning. State of the art. Huge inventory. How could Kelowna Hyundai be more impressive? The recent accolades showered on Hyundai - the world’s largest growing car manufacturer for the past two years – include winning the Canadian Car of the Year 2012 and the Best New
Guy and John photo courtesy of Icon Magazine
Small Car (Over $21,000) by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. Also awarded the 2012 North American Car of the Year, the reason behind the success of the Hyundai automobile is clear. Hyundai offers a genuinely great product. Locally, the excellence continues at Kelowna
Hyundai. It is a true showcase, from its incredible inventory to its outstanding showroom. Recently we had the pleasure of meeting the new owner John Kot, and his partner Guy Lemieux. Having managed many large automotive groups, they bring many years of automotive experience to the dealership. They share the same vision: great deals, quality products, plenty of financing options, and top-notch service. Having been given a tour of the lot, you can see the enormous inventory available. Kelowna Hyundai boasts a huge selection of pre-owned vehicles, averaging over 100 on the lot at any given time. They also offer superior service by qualified technicians, an incredible detailing service and an experienced and friendly staff, all contributing to the ongoing success of the company. It is rare to see an import dealership running such a large scale used vehicle option, but at Kelowna Hyundai they really can help those of us feeling the brunt of the economic downturn or those with marginal credit. Whatever your current financial status, they will have many options available to help you with your purchase,
Guy Lemieux and John Kot
allowing you to take advantage of their in-house financing, or choosing from one of the nine banks they partner with. Kelowna Hyundai’s knowledgeable staff will ensure that they find the best option for you! And there’s more for you: a special Buy-Direct program which allows buyers to bypass the costly premium on brand new vehicles, and purchase an almost-new year old vehicle with substantial savings.
So if a new or used vehicle is in your near future, be sure to take advantage of the exceptional Kelowna Hyundai experience and view their huge selection. You really will not be disappointed.
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Capital News FOCUS 2012
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by Kevin Parnell
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With an extensive plan for growth the Kelowna International Airport will eventually double in size while becoming more environmentally friendly and offering up more flights around the globe over the next decade. The multi-phased plan will see many changes at the airport in the next several years, some that will be easy for the flying public to see and others that will be behind the scenes and under the ground. And as always, the airport will try to grow to suit demand from its customers and the airlines that fly out of the airport. “The real secret to our success is we haven’t over-built the facility,” said Sam Samaddar, the director of the Kelowna International Airport. “We try to build in segments and make sure it is manageable from a cost perspective and we are not getting into a situation where we have to charge higher fees that are then passed on to the flying public. Our approach has been build it as you need it. It’s not always perfect but it is a cautious approach that has served us well over time.” So, with that strategy in place, the next 10 years will see a fairly drastic change in the way the Kelowna airport operates and looks, but the changes will take place over time. Over the next five years the airport has committed to spend $50 million in improvements in several areas. First up is the expansion plans underway for the International arrivals area, something that is expected to be completed by September. Other projects will follow such as changes to the outbound baggage system, making it easier for staff to handle luggage and move it through the airport. The number of available kiosks for customers to utilize self check-in methods will be increased as airlines continue to move toward selfserve options for the public. Underground, the airport will eventually move to a geo-thermal system for heating and cooling and look to upgrade other areas to make them more energy efficient. “When you are operating a building of this size, you want to reduce operating costs through energy updates like geo-thermal and the use of more efficient fixtures,” said Samaddar. “This building was originally built in 1967 and when you are dealing with a core building that is that old, you want to try and keep operating costs in check.” In the long term, the airport is expected to double in size over the next 10 years as the long term plans call for domestic and international customers to be completely separated with a building expansion to include a brand new domestic arrivals area to the south of the existing building. One area of the airport that doesn’t need to be changed is the runway. Expanded to just under 9,000 feet in 2008, Samaddar says technology advancements will likely make any more expansion unnecessary as airplanes will need less space to land in the future and not more. When it comes to new flights and new routes, Samaddar says the airport continues to work with passengers and airlines to find locations that are in demand. In Canada, the airport director says Winnipeg is the biggest city that the Kelowna airport doesn’t serve with a direct flight. He also says they are working on better access to Victoria which includes a stop-over in Vancouver either going there or coming home. In the United States, seasonal flights to Las Vegas and Phoenix are proving to be popular and could be expanded to year-round if there is enough demand. Overseas there is still not enough demand for direct flights from Kelowna although the airport is looking into the possibility of a charter company that could provide flights direct from Kelowna to overseas in the future. For Samaddar, who started at the Kelowna airport 20 years ago, the growth from start to finish and into the future has been substantial. “When I first started we had single departure room with two gates,” he said. “When we had a trans-border flight come in, people were lined up outside to come into the building to get processed through customs. We doubled the size of the building with an expansion in the late nineties and here we are planning another big expansion. It’s an exciting time.”
FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
FACTS:
www.kelownacapnews.com 15
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Kelowna airport through the years: • In 1946 Kelowna residents voted 466 to 460 in favour of purchasing the 320-acre Dickson Ranch in Ellison for $20,000, ofďŹ cially setting the stage for the Kelowna Airport. • In the 1950’s a 3,000 foot grass runway was replaced by a paved runway that allowed for DC-3 service to Vancouver. • In the 1960s local leaders asked for community support and funding for construction of a new Air Terminal Building at the south end of the runway and the heart of the current airport building was constructed in 1967. • The early ‘70s marked the introduction of an air trafďŹ c control tower and an on-site weather ofďŹ ce.
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We try to build in segments and make sure it is manageable from a cost perspective and we are not getting into a situation where we have to charge higher fees that are then passed on to the ying public. – SAM SAMADDAR
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• During the ‘80s and early ‘90s, more than $10 million was invested in upgrading the terminal building, runway, and airlines operating facilities.
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• By 1997, annual passenger volumes had risen to more than 800,000, making it one of the fastest-growing airports in North America. To prepare for anticipated volumes of one million by 2011, the City of Kelowna embarked on a $20-million expansion program in 1998.
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• In 2008 the runway was expanded to just under 9,000 feet, opening the door for bigger airplanes to be able to land and allowing for expanded service. • Today passenger trafďŹ c is 1.39 million per year with that number forecast to grow to 1.6 million passengers by 2015.
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Entrepreneurs: Old and Young, Stefan Theil claimed that” older entrepreneurs have accumulated expertise in their technological fields, have a deeper knowledge of their customers’ needs and have years of developing a network of supporters, often including potential financial backer… older entrepreneurs are just able to build companies that are more advanced and more sophisticated in their approach to customers and clients.” One simple reason cited is that baby boomers are now in their prime, venture start-up founding years, which is being touted as the advent of a genuine entrepreneurship boom. Since new venture companies create the vast majority of jobs, the positive impact on our post-recession economy in the Okanagan region could be great. Another interesting note for us of the boomer world is that when one wishes to discuss entrepreneurship options for folks in their golden years, let’s recognize the possibilities are endless for self-employment. Many people are turning hobbies and interests into small businesses that they can have fun with. So what’s the source that may be attributed to this immense burst of startup activity amongst our boomer population? Some economic conditions may play a part as many boomers may find some loss of the wealth cushion they once did. Some mature workers— those over 55 who were laid off and couldn’t find another job—have opted to begin their own venture out of by Joel Young, contributor necessity. Finding a job is more difficult in many avenues and retirement means For many years now, the channels of becoming entrepreneurial have back-to-work time for many seniors to supplement old-age pensions and the started from changes in employment—layoffs, business closures or changes in like. circumstances—to seeking personal change in one’s life journey. It’s clear to those of us embroiled in the entrepreneurial world—there’s The end result of that has become a new economic factor— baby boomer another trend at work, we’re living longer and we’re living healthier. entrepreneurs have become a driving force behind a genuine boom in our At the historical retirement age of 65, people may have another 20 years economy and our daily lives. of healthy productive living left, and one might get bored out of their mind Contrary to what we might otherwise believe, the highest rate of going to the golf course, winery or coffee shop. entrepreneurial activity in recent years, and anticipated in the years to come, People like to be active, and what we might consider work is what is not the Generation Y young upstarts, but baby boomers in the 55 to 64 age many boomers consider to be meaningful expression. Thus, becoming an group. entrepreneur appears to be a logical and realistic approach to one’s declining The Kauffman Entrepreneurial Foundation, considered the Taj Mahal of years in our valley landscape. global entrepreneurial research in the U.S., has presented some interesting Let’s take a short look at the exodus within the public service avenue with facts of late that declare the boomers are actually the driving force behind a more than a quarter of Canada’s public service retiring or preparing to leave renewed growth in self-employment. jobs within the next few years. Some people refer to this entrepreneurship From temporary employment firms to retirees revival as the “new mid-life crisis” for the baby turned consultants, new entrepreneurs are boomer demographic we might otherwise be capitalizing on the demographic shift. Boomers will have more impact and tempted to label as the “over the hill” group. Those of us who live in the Okanagan readily power in our regional marketplace Partially due to both the craziness of the realize the magnetic pull that draws boomers from for a lot longer than most of us might economy and to living longer, healthier lives, 60 throughout Canada, U.S. and abroad to our “special have expected. per cent of working boomers like me are now place on earth” and generates a strong attraction – JOEL YOUNG expected to stay in the labour force for at least nine to the “self-employment” option. The trend is only more years compared to preceding generations. going to continue. The touching aspect of this information So, boomers in our landscape will spend time indicates to us that the correct icon for an thinking about what they love and are good at. entrepreneur in our Okanagan Valley neighbourhood may now have grey hair We’ve seen people go back and become writers. We’ve seen people go rather than the warm glow of youth. back and teach. We’ve seen many become go back and become consultants But this is where the news gets really exciting—the baby boomer to their former industry. And then there are others who embrace a completely demographic is also creating a slew of new market opportunities throughout different entrepreneurial directions. the Okanagan such as improved health care facilities, construction of seniorI like this new boomer entrepreneurial approach for our Okanagan. I can friendly facilities and technical support for seniors by seniors. see how it help enlarge the perspective for potential valley entrepreneurs. Since entrepreneurship is undeniably a key driver of economic growth, One thing to remember is that one doesn’t have to find a new venture to this should bode well for the Okanagan as well as the provincial and national replace your entire amount of your pre-retirement salary. economy’s well being. If you have the luxury, find something you will enjoy as you extend your In terms of job creation, innovation and productivity, all entrepreneurs working life. drive growth. Meanwhile, for the Okanagan Entrepreneurs Society, we can consider a Many boomers have the purchasing power and become enthusiastic early baby boomer entrepreneur initiative that taps into this skilled workforce. adopters who help lead the way. This initiative would offer a variety of venture support services from In reality, they are becoming the new early adopters in entrepreneurial new mentoring, counselling and inspiring baby boomers to succeed in their late in venture creation. Remarkable announcement for our society I believe. life new ventures. Like the idea? Let me share some additional insights I have uncovered in my recent Joel Young is an entrepreneurship leadership coach and founder of Okanagan research on our Okanagan boomers. In a recent Internet post entitled Valley Entrepreneurs Society. eagleyoung@shaw.ca
BOOMERS
a driving force
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FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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by Kevin Parnell
Having completed an aggressive expansion plan last year, the Kelowna Family YMCA-YWCA is moving into the future with a modern, state of the art facility that has revamped the organization, increased membership and given a positive jolt to the community. The $5.7 million expansion added 18,000 square feet to the YMCA including a new gymnasium, a youth zone, expanded fitness space and office space. Situated in the heart of the community of Rutland, the new-look Y opened its doors last summer and instantly the facility became a meeting place in the community. “All the things we had hoped it would be...it is and more,� said Sharon Peterson, the CEO of the Kelowna Family YMCA-YWCA. “It’s an amazing scene. After school or early hours, if you walk into this facility it’s just humming. It’s amazing what has happened. We see youth we have never seen before shooting hoops in the gym or taking classes. We see
parents dropping kids off. It’s become an amazing centre for the community and that’s what we had hoped for.� “We recognized we were short on space and we weren’t addressing the needs of youth and young adults,� said Peterson. “Really it was about taking kids off the street corner and bringing them into the community. The multi-age aspect of this facility enables youth to be a part of the community. Building the gym and the youth zone allows us to have kids come down and shoot some hoops or play some interactive games. We were really looking to engage youth in a bigger way than we had been.� The Kelowna YMCA looks after more than just the people who walk into the Rutland facility. The Y also manages Kelowna’s H20 centre as well as a kids camp at Silver Lake. It also provides child care spots and meeting space for young and old. And opening the doors on a new facility has also breathed life into the volunteer base. “It’s really created a centre for the community,� said Peterson. “We want to involve people in sharing their talents. We’ve been able to recruit a lot more volunteers. T H E
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It’s given the community a place to connect with each other, their neighbours and their community.
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Y: A place to connect
We have people who just SHARON want to PETERSON be here. It’s a healthy place to be. It’s a place our volunteers can share their talents and skills or a place they can learn new skills.� “The last 10 years have really been focussed on growth,� said Peterson. “Now we want to focus on making it perfect, making it impactful and efficient. We are very focussed on working with other community groups and other organizations. “
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18 www.kelownacapnews.com
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Capital News FOCUS 2012
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Then and Now Despite the recent growth and future projects planned for Kelowna, some things have stayed remarkably the same over the years.
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FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Downtown Kelowna (KPA#5228) CN Railway Depot/Old Train Station Pub (KPA#3582) Laurel Packinghouse (KPA#850) Royal Bank/Kelly O’Bryan’s (KPA#3425) Guisachan House Restaurant (KPA#3412) Memorial Arena (KPA#4671)
Historical photos courtesy of the Kelowna Museum
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Capital News FOCUS 2012
20 www.kelownacapnews.com
Rapid transit
on its way by Kevin Parnell
Kelowna is being used as a testing ground for a new and improved way of offering transit service in the province of B.C. For more than a year a rapid bus line has been moving up and down Highway 97 from the Queensway bus loop to the University of B.C. Okanagan, and by the end of 2014 the rapid bus line will go all the way to the Westbank Centre under an agreement that is in the works between B.C. Transit, the City of West Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation. “The expansion of rapid transit is definitely one of the highlights of the future transit in Kelowna,” said Meribeth Burton, corporate spokesperson for B.C. Transit. “Ridership on the rapid transit route jumped between 20 and 30 per cent and ridership in general in Kelowna went up nine per cent. Clearly what the riders are looking for is rapid transit. It’s working and B.C. Transit believes
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Kelowna is setting the future standard for our busier centres around the province.” Rapid transit is designed to improve travel time, reliability, passenger comfort and convenience. It features fast, direct service with buses that are equipped with technology that can extend green lights at intersections allowing them priority over traffic. “Our aim is to be the most efficient and most reliable form of transportation,” said Burton. “We are competing against cars, bikes and walking. People have a lot of options for getting around but we want to be the best option. We’re always looking at what makes our service the most attractive option on the road.” Along with the the rapid line that will eventually link the Westbank Centre and UBCO, B.C. Transit has also established a frequent transit network that includes routes from the Mission to Rutland and in between, and is designed to filter traffic onto the rapid line. During peak times along the frequent transit network, buses appear every 15 minutes at a stop, decreasing to every 30 minutes in non peak times.
“We believe the ridership in Kelowna lends itself to a wider broader range of frequent transit network,” said Burton, who added Kelowna is one of the first communities to offer the rapid bus and the frequent transit network together, setting the stage for the way B.C. Transit plans to operate in the future. “We’re encouraged by the leadership in Kelowna,” she said. “We don’t have this in any one of our 81 systems. The success has been encouraging. Kelowna is a really dynamic community with important post secondary institutions and ridership is strong. It’s the shining example of how it can be done. The future is already in Kelowna.” As far as capital plans go, two new transit exchanges are scheduled to be constructed in West Kelowna: One at the Westbank Centre and one near Mt. Boucherie. Construction is scheduled for the summer of 2013 with completion by the end of 2014. A new transit exchange is also planned for Rutland although no timeline exists for construction there.
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Well positioned
FOR GROWTH
by Kevin Parnell
Dominated by tourists from western Canada, the tourism industry will look to expand the Kelowna brand over the next decade, attempting to draw more visitors to the Central Okanagan from Ontario and eastern Canada as well as international markets. While the past five years did see the tourism industry face Few destinations offer the quality, some challenges, diversity and value of experience overnight visits to that Kelowna does. With our Kelowna and area scenic beauty, robust attraction actually increased by and hospitality base, growing air 27 per cent from 2006 connectivity and industry supported to 2011. destination marketing; Kelowna The problem is well positioned for growth.” was tourists weren’t spending as much, – NANCY CAMERON resulting in a decrease in revenue during that same time period. The numbers were crunched in a document called the Economic Impact Study of Tourism in Kelowna, B.C. “One of the more interesting components of our study is we saw overall visitation climb in that five year period by 27 per cent but overall spending dropped by three per cent,” said Tourism Kelowna CEO Nancy Cameron. “People were traveling but they weren’t spending as much. They weren’t eating out or taking as many excursions. It was a more conservative way of spending.” With the global economy still sputtering away, tourism around the world has been in decline. According to Cameron, tourism has started to gain a firmer foot-hold but remains a tender industry. “Tourism world-wide is still climbing out of the recession and it’s a direct function of consumer confidence,” she said. “We’ve climbed back out of it for the most part.”
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PHOTO: Doug Farrow/Contributed Tourism Kelowna president and CEO Nancy Cameron says despite the global economy, visitors to Kelowna continues to rise.
2010 Bookings by Type
Tourism Kelowna Commercial Accommodation Survey
Corporate 24% Leisure 44% Government 7%
Comp 1% Other 4%
Tour 3% Sports 6%
M&IT 11%
FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
www.kelownacapnews.com 23
In Kelowna, the situation isn’t as bleak as in some parts of the world and, as the numbers suggest, people are still coming to the Central Okanagan. They come for the wineries, outdoor sports and golf courses, and the amount of recent investment by the private sector is positive news for the industry. “In the past five years there has been significant private sector investment in attractions,” said Cameron. “There are new wineries, new golf courses new hotels or expanded hotels. That is a clear signal that Kelowna is looked upon as a positive investment. When you see that kind of private sector investment, it’s a very strong indicator that the future is bright.”
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Executive Summary of Economic Impact Summary Kelowna Tourism
Among the new projects that could be helping the tourism industry is a new hotel planned across from the airport, as well as a new Greg Norman designed golf course in Peachland. The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is currently undergoing a feasibility study on a potential convention centre for Kelowna, meaning the investment dollars are still pouring in. In terms of the split between domestic and international tourists, the dominance of the Canadian tourist is expected to continue. “For the next 10 years the domestic tourist will be the significant driver of tourism but the goal is to build new markets,” said Cameron. “We hope we will see an increase in the U.S. market and in other international markets. We’ve been investing in Ontario and Southern Ontario for several years and have seen results from that.”
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Prospects for parks by Kevin Parnell
In the last 10 years, Kelowna has added several new recreation facilities to its inventory. What’s up next? Well, it’s a question with no perfect answer. “The city has completed many significant park and recreation projects over the past 10 years,” explained Jim Gabriel, the city of Kelowna’s director of recreation and culture. “Staff are currently in the planning stages looking ahead at what the coming decade may have in store. Planning for continued population growth, shifting demographics and changing trends in recreation and leisure activities are critical to understand.” City staff are in the preliminary stages compiling a sports and recreation infrastructure planning document, getting input from sports groups and other stakeholders about all of Kelowna’s recreation facilities. Eventually the document will go before Kelowna city council and plans will be made to move ahead. It will outline a framework for future
investment in the city’s park and recreation system and determine which facilities will be most needed and which projects have priority. “What we are doing with this document is trying to balance off the opportunities and what will provide the greatest recreation value to the public,” said Gabriel. “Obviously there is limited financial capacity within the city so we have to find the balance. What new facilities do we need and where are they best located? Our goal is to put together a reasonable, rational plan to meet the long term needs of the community.” Through the initial process, Gabriel said there are a few key questions that will be answered: 1. What facilities does the city have, what is the capacity and how much is it being used? 2. What rehabilitation to existing facilities is needed? 3. What new facilities are needed and where? 4. What are the long term financial implications? Taking a look back at where the city has come from, the past 10 years has seen the opening of several major new rec facilities. In 2003 the Capital News Centre, with two ice sheets and two indoor soccer fields opened. In 2009, the H20 complex JIM GABRIEL with an Olympic size pool opened. In 2006, new fields were added to the Mission Sports Complex, including an artificial turf field. This is the second year for the outdoor ice sheet at Stuart Park. Two new full size ball diamonds were added at the Mission recreation fields while various renovation projects took place at the Apple Bowl, Elks Stadium, King Stadium and Rutland Arena. “We’ve had some great additions in the last number of years,” said Gabriel. “We have what I consider a very active community. I think as we look to the future it’s important that we really take into account the changing demographics and stay tuned with sports trends. The important thing is to get through this process. It will really give us some good information about what is next and when.”
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The highest level of by Kevin Parnell
It seems like it’s been a long time coming but when the newlook Kelowna General Hospital opens its doors on May 27 of this year, Kelowna and the Central Okanagan will have a modern, state-
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make the change over as smooth as possible. The new patient care tower will feature an emergency room that is four times the size of the current emergency room, a 34,000 square foot clinical academic campus of the University of B.C.
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Medical School as well as five new operating rooms. “We’re so excited about the new buildings from a service delivery perspective,” said Tracy MacDonald, health services administrator for KGH. “It is a bright and beautiful space and a well-designed
FACTS:
environment for us to be providing patient care.” The relationship between KGH and the UBC medical school really takes the hospital into the future as it becomes a true teaching hospital. Thirty-two medical students have been on site since January,
working alongside KGH doctors. “Our relationship with UBC is part of our maturation as a hospital,” said MacDonald. “We’re very excited to become a teaching hospital. We’ve welcomed nursing students over the years, and now adding medical students is really exciting.” With new buildings at Kelowna General Hospital comes new philosophies. In addition the aging population in the Central Okanagan will continue to put a strain on the medical system. At the new KGH, day surgeries done in ambulatory care will become a more streamlined process as the hospital looks to have more surgeries done and completed, with the patient on the
V
• The new buildings at KGH are big. How big? The amount of floor space being added to the KGH site is the equivalent of what you’d find in a Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Rona, Golf Town AND Costco… combined. • Approximately 17,000 cubic metres of concrete was used in the Centennial Building. That’s enough concrete to fill seven Olympicsized swimming pools. It’s also the same as filling 115 million 5-ounce glasses with Okanagan wine. • All of the new construction is following the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) whole building approach to sustainability and will be LEED Gold certified. • The Centennial Building used approximately 7 million pounds (3.2 million kilograms) of reinforcing steel inside the concrete superstructure. This is enough raw steel to build approximately 30 km worth of railroad, which would be the equivalent of starting from KGH and finishing in Oyama, B.C. • There is approximately 673,000 feet – or approximately 205 kilometres – of CAT 6 data cabling within the Centennial Building. This is enough data cabling to stretch along Highway 97/Highway 1 from KGH past Revelstoke, B.C.
FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
What’s next?
way home the same day. “As technology improves we are doing our best to make the experience a shorter experience where patients can go home on the same day,” said MacDonald. “We’re really open to that and looking for opportunities to continue to shift patients to ambulatory care.” Five new operating suites will allow for more outpatient operations while this December will see the first ever open heart surgeries to take place at KGH. “We’re starting construction in June to our current operating suites to prepare to start open heart surgery,” she said. “That’s really quite significant for people in the Interior. We are anticipating doing 600 open heart cases per year and that means those patients and their families don’t have to travel to the lower mainland.” Another new approach to dealing with patients will be what MacDonald called a patient and familycentred approach to health care where patients will have more involvement in their SERVICE
PHOTO: Al Waters/Kelowna Capital News Kelowna General Hospital health services administrator Tracy MacDonald says Kelowna should be proud of the new KGH as expansion plans move forward.
own care. “We want to really engage people and their family and get their perspective of what is important to them,” said MacDonald. “In essence we will be partnering with the patients and families in our approach to their care.” In the immediate
“
It’s a bright and beautiful space and a well-designed environment for us to be providng patient care. – TRACY MACDONALD
PARTS
SAVOY EQUIPMENT
future, construction will begin later this year on the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre, which will be located where the Pandosy building currently is with a tentative completion date of 2016. When the dust finally settles, the new KGH will be something
“
SALES
www.kelownacapnews.com 27
the Central Okanagan should be proud of. “I think residents of Kelowna are very fortunate to have the services produced through KGH,” she said. “Seventy-five per cent of the care is directly meeting the needs of the community and 25 per cent are those services that are regional services. We’re fortunate in Kelowna that we have been been able to recruit and retain quite a skilled compliment of medical and clinical staff.”
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The next phase of construction at Kelowna General Hospital will take place this summer with the demolition of the Pandosy tower, the oldest part of the original hospital. In its place will be the $448 million Interior Heart and Surgical Centre (IHSC) Project, an important part of building patient care in the Interior – including new patient care towers at KGH and Vernon Jubilee Hospital and the development of UBC’s Southern Medical Program – and will bring to almost $900 million the total capital investment in the Central and North Okanagan since 2007. The IHSC will benefit patients across the health authority by being able to provide the highest level of medical care ever seen in the Interior in an integrated critical care facility supported by a full range of clinical supports closer to where people live. The IHSC’s state-of-theart inpatient surgical unit, combined with the cardiac revascularization program, will save lives by providing timely, life-saving therapies and surgeries to residents of the Southern Interior who previously would have had to be transported to the coast. Support services will be enhanced, including cardiac, surgical and intensive care units, a new and expanded central sterilization reprocessing department and expanded diagnostic imaging, pharmacy and materials management departments. Also, a new modern adult psychiatry inpatient unit, updated medical inpatient unit, and ophthalmology department will be created in the new KGH Patient Care Tower, along with an expanded laboratory and clinical departments in the new Clinical Support Building (CSB).
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28 www.kelownacapnews.com
Lake Country grows up fast by Bobbi-Sue Menard, contributor
The economy in Lake Country is poised to move forward on several different fronts. Significant current investments by government in infrastructure improvements are only part of the story. Residential developers are readying new lots for sale and light manufacturing on the outskirts of the community are looking to dramatically expand. The population continues to grow at an above Okanagan average rate and the community is perceived to benefit from its proximity to UBC Okanagan. The District of Lake Country stretches from
Winfield at its southern tip to Carr’s Landing along Okanagan Lake and Oyama on the northern shore of Wood Lake. Since 1996, the population of Lake Country has grown at twice the rate of incorporated communities in the Central Okanagan. In 2009, the population of Lake Country was 11,409 people. Residents of Lake Country enjoy the highest median income in the region as well as the highest labour force participation rate. The distribution of roles in the labour force in Lake Country reflects its proximity to larger population centers. Lake Country has fewer than region wide average
workers in sales and service, management and business roles. The local labour force has a high number of skilled tradespeople, teachers, health care workers and people in the natural and applied sciences. Transportation infrastructure is a primary economic development tool for a skilled and mobile labour force. Norm Letnick, the Liberal MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country, says the upgrade to Highway 97 at the north end of Lake Country is a big part of the economic puzzle. The $33.6 million project will by-pass the old Highway 97 along Wood Lake and create a separated four lane
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highway with higher speed limits and a safer route. “It is a major improvement for the area,� said Letnick. New busing routes will be established once the new highway is in operation and traffic volumes are expected to increase as Lake Country and regional residents take advantage of the quicker travel times. Letnick says students and professionals will be able to head north to Vernon and south to Kelowna with ease. The railway in Lake Country is also undergoing review in a new transportation master plan review. Letnick says infrastructure maintenance and development are a provincial priority. However locally the number one infrastructure priorities are water and water services. Like all areas of the Okanagan, Lake Country has a large infrastructure deficit. The Regional District of Central Okanagan approved a water rate increase of $49 per household this year. The Lake Country Water Plan calls for $70 million in investments over 20 years, about $2 million per year should be set aside to meet future needs. With the water rate increase for rate payers of $49 per year, the future needs for the Water Plan are underfunded by about $1.325 million - a significant amount for the population base. At a community
FACTS: Date of Incorporation:
V
............May 2,1995
Area: ............................. 122.16 sq. kilometers The 2011 population was 11,708 according to the Stats Canada. The population growth rate from 2006-11 was 21.9%, one of the fastest growth rates in Canada. HOUSEHOLD SIZE In 2011 the average household size in Lake Country was 2.2 persons. AGE DISTRIBUTION 5 to 14 ....................... ............................... 14.8% 15 to 24 .................................................... 13.0% 25 to 34 ...................................................... 8.9% 35 to 44 .................................................... 18.2% 45 to 54 ..................................................... 17.4% 55 to 64 .................................................... 11.0% 65 + .......................................................... 12.9% EDUCATION Percentage of the Lake Country population (2001) with: university education: ............................ 19.4% college education:................................. 26.4% trades certificate or diploma:.............. 15.8% HOUSEHOLD INCOME Average household income for private households (2001):...............................$53,513 BUILDING PERMITS 2011: 544 building permits taken out with construction value of ..................$29,005,010 level businesses are starting to recognize and act on the population growth in the community. “The timing for new businesses to come and invest in Lake Country is particularly good,� said Mark Koch, development services manager for the District of Lake Country. There is activity at the two largest planned development communities in Lake Country—The Lakes, located above Oceola Road, and Lakestone, located on the shore of Lake Okanagan,
south of Okanagan Centre. “Sales have been fairly steady at The Lakes,� noted Koch, as his department is expecting to see a shift in local demographics in the medium term. “We’ve heard a lot of people describe Lake Country as the ultimate retirement home.� Until residents decide to quit working at a higher rate than the rest of the Central Okanagan, Lake Country’s economic story is slightly different—it is the top working community.
FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Capital News FOCUS 2012
30 www.kelownacapnews.com by Kevin Parnell
Increased development, better health and education and more negotiations to settle its claim to lands in the Central Okanagan. That’s the quick look into the future for the Westbank First Nation, according to longtime Chief Robert Louie who says the past several years has seen unprecedented growth for the WFN with several commercial projects underway including retail, residential and road construction. “Over the last several years, our community on the Westside through Westbank First Nation have experienced extraordinary growth in a variety of areas,” said Louie, the 60-year-old band chief who first started as a member of the WFN council in 1974. “It’s something that has been needed and that has helped us focus on our land use plan to start to do various developments on reserve land.” The WFN consists of about 5,000 total acres of land on both sides of Okanagan Lake. There are over 700 Westbank First Nations members with between 500 and 600 actually living on WFN land. As well there are over 400 businesses located on WFN lands with that number growing on an annual basis. “We believe this is quite unprecedented growth, not only in this community but if you look at First Nations communities across Canada, I don’t think there is anyone that is growing as quickly as we are,” said Louie. “Some years our growth has exceeded 20 per cent. For a normal municipality you might look at two per cent growth. It took a lot of planning to get to where we
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are. We’ve been able to manage our growth quite effectively.” While the development on WFN lands is easy to see, what is not so easy to see is improvements in the education and health for members of the WFN. The Sensisyusten School has grown to capacity as more WFN kids than ever before are in class, giving education for WFN kids a boost. “Our education rates are catching up very quickly to the education standards in the rest of the country,” said Louie. “I believe within the next two generations the way that it Chief Robert Louie, Westbank First Nation is going now, our education levels will exceed the normal population in the country. We have really focused on education and targeted the quality of education that will give our students the best chance to carry on in life.” As far as health standards go, Louie says there have also been dramatic changes for members of the WFN. As of April 1 of this year the WFN started providing extended health and vision care along with dental care to its members, much the same way an employer would provide extended medical to its employees. “We have many members who can’t afford dental, chiropractic, eye care or whatever they might need in health benefits,” said Louie. “This benefit package is the first of its kind in Canada.” When it comes to land claims, Louie said he’s hopeful negotiations with the province will begin again this summer. The WFN pulled out of the B.C. Treaty process in 2008 after 16 years of talks failed to nail down a treaty. WFN is now in what Louie called a bi-lateral process that has them negotiating with the province of B.C., instead of the province and the federal government at the same time. So with advanced development in commercial and residential sectors and with positive changes to WFN health and education, Louie says things are definitely heading in a positive direction for the band and its members as it moves •Unlike most First Nations across Canada, into the future. Westbank lands are not governed under “I see the education the Indian Act. Rather, Westbank lands are levels getting to higher governed under a modern comprehensive standards,” said Louie. set of community laws. WFN has full “We’re trying to address jurisdictional control over Westbank lands housing issues. Health and resources. and dental are improving. I see job opportunities •Commercial properties contribute close to increasing. I see the 43 per cent of the total property taxes. desire of our community •Total property assessment on WFN lands members that haven’t had in 2012 are close to $1.3 billion (up about job opportunities in the $100 million from the year before). past now getting training and being employable. I •Taxation on new development has more think we’re witnessing than doubled over the last few years with an increased standard of tax dollars going towards improvements living that we have never in the community, such as sidewalks and had. We’re catching up streetlights. with the rest of society and I think in time we •The WFN is comprised of five reserves will exceed some of the totaling 5,340 acres. standards that now exist.”
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Capital News FOCUS 2012
32 www.kelownacapnews.com
Geography of the
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
in Kelowna
by Bobbie-Sue Menard, contributor
Nothing says confidence in future growth and economic good times than major projects being built in the commercial real estate market. The patient accumulation of capital and credit prior to launching the sales, then the activity of building as each individual sale, speak to the economic prospects of the immediate community. Kelowna has several distinct geographic communities each with their own economic profile of size, demographics and availability of land for commercial development. SOUTH PANDOSY, LOWER MISSION One of the most visible commercial projects in the South Pandosy area is is SOPA Square. It’s the result of patience and dedication to a single vision, says Stacey Fenwick, director of sales and marketing for SOPA Square. Fenwick noted assemblying the land for the project began in 2002 and early on, designing the project to complement the surrounding neighbourhood was a priority. “This is an area of transition and revitalization,” says Fenwick. “There are a lot of older buildings ripe for redevelopment. South Pandosy is an existing city centre only a block from the lake.” SOPA Square is an ambitious redevelopment of previous outlived buildings and empty lots. The commercial portion of the mixed-use building has 22 leases with 38,000 square feet of retail lease space. Almost completely spoken for, the commercial lease holders will include shops, retailers and vendors for an open-air market that are a mix new retailers and existing businesses that wanted to relocate to the higher traffic location.
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“South Pandosy is on the way home for people who drive home to the Mission,” remarks Fenwick, who feels that passing traffic is an economic advantage for the entire area. “There are multiple redevelopment permits for the entire area. We have concentrated residential in our neighbourhood. It is a big deal for businesses to have residents nearby. It makes Pandosy vibrant and active all the time.” RUTLAND It has been almost five years since the businesses of Rutland voted to form a Business Improvement Area, with the intent to revitalize the look and feel of the Rutland commercial area, predominantly located along Highway 33 from Hollywood Road to Rutland Road. Since the launch of the BIA, Rutland has seen a net gain in restaurants, expansion of some existing businesses and new office space being built at the corner of Rutland Road and Highway 33. The community has numerous basement suites and mortgage helpers attractive to students looking for a place to live while attending UBCO. In recognition of this in-fill population growth and in an effort to serve the largest area population within the City of Kelowna, the first phase of major transit improvements to Rutland is scheduled for this summer. The City of Kelowna and the province have committed to improving the overall speed of transit service. A key part of that plan is to create transit transfer stations to stage multiple bus routes. In Rutland, those routes need to go north to UBCO and south into the main shopping district around Orchard Park Mall and the downtown core for workers. The first phase of this is scheduled for construction this summer, the Shepherd Road Extension. Shepherd Road is located behind the Roxby Square parking lot. The extension will lengthen Shepherd across Asher Road to connect with Dougall Road, creating a loop with access to lighted intersections on Highway 33. The existing Roxby parking lot will remain as the BIA has plans to utilize the space with new events this summer. “There will be an outdoor art sale in Roxby Parking Lot in July and August,” says Deb Guthrie, executive director of the Uptown Rutland Business Association. The two empty lots at the corner of Rutland Road and Highway 33 which have been long dormant are also starting to see a change. Valley Credit Union has announced plans to build at the northwest corner lot, while the city remains optimistic the northeast adjacent parcel will attract development interest as the civic infrastructure improvements, such as transit service, come on stream. GLENMORE Of all the communities in Kelowna, Glenmore has the lowest ratio of commercial land to residential population—a situation that keeps John Harling, president of the Glenmore Residents’ Association, searching for innovative community responses to the pressures of sustainable growth. “Currently the biggest project finishing in Glenmore right now is The Conservatory, which will now have rental homes,” says Harling. The next proposed commercial development is an extension of the Kane Road Shopping area that will see a new grocery store and drug store added along with other retail stores. When you start to look at the edges of the Glenmore, the land development speaks to the belief of developers that more people are coming to the neighborhood. The Wilden residential development is working on a $7 million road project that will connect the entire 2,000-acre housing development to Glenmore Road. Melcor Developments has also begun the process of land and road development in the McKinley Landing area. Added to that, the city also has an unspecified time line on a connector road bridging Glenmore to UBCO.“We will have reached saturation in terms of residential to commercial in Glenmore. We really need a lot more commercial space in Glenmore, people shouldn’t have to drive out of the neighbourhood for so much,” says Harling. One thing Harling is hopeful residents won’t have to drive to for much longer is more parkland and recreation facilities. Land assembly has already begun for a park space near Dr. Knox Middle School that will become a major recreation facility, similar to the Mission sportsfield complex. Glenmore has 23,800 people, a population higher than many B.C. Interior towns, and Harling says sustainability will happen with more development. “We are a community, we want to keep people in the community, Glenmore is not just a dormitory.”
FOCUS 2012 Capital News Tuesday, April 24, 2012
www.kelownacapnews.com 33
F CUS
Small Business
DOWNTOWN KELOWNA Often a focus in recent years as lacking new development change, Kelowna’s downtown core is beginning to see new projects taking place that will help shed that image. Two big changes on the horizon are the upgrading of Bernard Avenue and renewed interest in condo residential development. The city will begin the first phase of the Bernard redevelopment plan this year. In mid-August, construction work starts to transform the Bernard section from Richter to St. Paul. “We are going to have a block party before construction starts,� says Peggy Athans, executive director of the Downtown Kelowna Association. “It is going to be a beautiful entry way to downtown Kelowna.� The downtown waterfront is also up for some major upgrades. A private developer has made a deal with the city to develop a new marina. The Stuart Park expansion will continue with the relocation of the seniors centre next to the Parkinson Recreation Centre and the moving of the Yacht Club are in the planning process. “There is a lot of planning right now, but in the next 18 to 24 months you will really start to see everything roll out,� says Athans. Private investment in development is carrying on. A new residential tower planned for Bernard called 24 recently went through the city permit process. And on Leon Avenue, Troika Developments has a new commercial/ residential project ready for building. At the other edge of downtown Kelowna, Athans says development along Manhattan Drive will be sparked by the addition of a second office tower on that street. “It is an exciting time for the heart of Kelowna,� says Athans. “It is all a real positive for more density in downtown Kelowna. Every few months more and more is happening.�
FACTS:
• Kelowna is home to more than 118,500 people. • Kelowna encompasses 214 square kilometres of land and 48 square kilometres of water area • Kelowna is 344 metres (1,129 feet) above sea level. • The average daytime high during July and August is 27.4 C. • The average daytime high during December and January is -0.3 C. The average low is -7.7 C. • Kelowna receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually and 28 cm of rain. • The new W.R. Bennett Bridge opened in May 2008, and has replaced the old Okanagan Lake Bridge (built in 1958) as the only vehicular crossing over Okanagan Lake. Named after former Premier William R. Bennett, the bridge is ďŹ ve lanes in width and almost 1,063 meters in length. It remains the only oating bridge in Canada. • Kelowna International Airport serves more than one million passengers annually with 62 daily ights • In 2010, Kelowna issued 1,873 building permits with a construction value of $358,500,000. In ďŹ gures tabulated up to August of 2011, 1,207 building permits were issued with a construction value of $189,100,000.
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MURRAY WILLS
250.808.6877 murray.wills@dtzbarnicke.com
$8,888,000 AWARD-WINNING VINEYARD Approximately 1000’ of waterfront on Okanagan Lake, 13.5 acres of gently sloping fee simple land offers a vineyard, restaurant, 5000 sq. ft. award-winning winery, 3000 sq. ft. residence, helipad & wharf. MLS®10044402
DIANE MOORE
250.868.1780
PRIME GLENMORE DEVELOPMENT SITES Convenient location bordering Highpointe & Traditions neighbourhoods. Partial offering of 19 acre property. 4 acres that yields 11-13 lots or 12 acres, yielding 15-20 lots. Exclusive Listing
JOE UNGARO $5,700,000 GRAVEL PIT This is a great opportunity to own a 148 acre Gravel Pit, 12 minutes to downtown West Kelowna, 18 minutes to the bridge, surrounded by crown land, other smaller pit operations & siding the Coquihalla Connector. Licence to print $$$. Also licensed to haul on Saturdays. Call Joel Lewis today. MLS®10037324
JOEL LEWIS
www.joellewis.ca • 250.878.6444
AFRAID OF CHANGE? NO
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GReat People
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At Grouse River, we like to be a little different.
This ad isn’t the work of a marketing firm or a lone HR bureaucrat; It is the result of our people unleashing our creative input and passion into everything we do. We are visionaries in pursuit of exceptional service through empowered employees. If building the ultimate company right here in your community sounds exciting then maybe‌
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