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Penticton perfect for business and pleasure Dan Walton

Western News Staff

When your city’s geography is charged full of adventure-enticing terrain, tourism is bound to play a big role on the economy. Penticton’s summer months are eclipsed by visitors in comparison to the rest of the year, but Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, who focused his election platform around economic development, said that a growing niche manufacturing industry is helping to balance out business during the cooler months, listing Nor-Mar Industries Ltd., Peerless Ltd, and Britco as the largest contributors. Many other year-round careers are found in healthcare – one of the largest single employers in the community is the Penticton Regional Hospital with 900 employees. With a significant portion of the population nearing retirement or already there, the demand for healthcare is growing. Jakubeit cited the Regional Hospital District’s $325 million investment in a new patient care tower at the Penticton Regional Hospital. “This council is extremely business orientated,” he said. “A task force on economic development was created because we recognize its importance.” He said that economic investment zones have been created by council over the past five years, which have since garnered $32 million in investment and created 350 jobs.

Penticton Mayor andrew Jakubeit on the Lakeshore walkway.

Western news file photo

And for those who are ambitious enough to be their own boss, Penticton council focuses heavily on promoting entrepreneurialism. “We were recognized by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for being in the top 20 most entrepreneurial cities; we were the Open for Business winner in 2013,” he said. “And we were nominated for the Golden Scissors Award,” which recognizes the reduction of red tape for small businesses. The Golden Scissors nomination acknowledged two city staffers, economic development officer Colleen Pennington and former director of development services Anthony Haddad, for creating 30-day conditional business licenses, which allows for quicker business starts.

“As well we have one of the most aggressive business tax rate multipliers in the Okanagan and the province,” said Jakubeit. Upon taking the helm last fall, Jakubeit said that he’ll be focusing on “creating strategic priorities for driving economic growth and vitality.” Penticton is surrounded by two renowned lakes and a majestic set of mountains, so the city drives some of its growth by encouraging visitors to become residents, which exponentially expanda the value of the inherent tourism market. “We need to leverage tourism with recruitment,” he said. “It is our welcome mat, the foot in the door to showcase Penticton as the place to visit again, move

a business, start a business, move a family, start a family or retire here.” “Tourism is the front end of the economic development funnel,” Pennington said. “It’s often what gets people to move here and relocate their businesses.” A one-time visit to Penticton is an example of tourism, she said, where economic development happens when “they come to an event, and get exposure to a many businesses, experiences, and attractions that they may not have known about.” Often attracting businesses to Penticton is the city-owned electrical utility, which offers clean and stable power, he said. The city is developing a dark fibre network, which will offer businesses more raw infrastructure, particularly information technology. He added that Penticton has a strong labour force, and it’s a very pleasant place to live. “Many business owners notice a lower cost of operation, and their quality of life increases,” Jakubeit said, who himself is an entrepreneurial transplant. Since moving from Ontario more than 20 years ago, he’s found success as the owner of The Grooveyard and Groove-V Productions. To continue the community’s growth, he said that affordability is crucial to attractive new residents and investment. “We need a strong economy to lead to a strong community.”

tourism tailored for any taste with abundance of attractions Dan Walton

Western News Staff

There’s an abundance of attractions in Penticton as well as a high frequency of events – and the city keeps finding new ways to tie together its tourism treasures. Connecting both of Penticton’s lakefronts to the dozens of wineries is the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, which links cyclists onto a province-wide network of railroad pathway. “There’s real consorted effort to establish the Okanagan as a cycling precinct,” said Diana Sterling, head of the Tourism

Penticton Board. One of the area’s bestkept secrets she said, is the KVR Trail Store, where a hot day can be hampered with ice cream or a slushy. Sterling alluded to the Three Blind Mice trails, which are worldrenowned in the mountain biking community. On the other side of town is West Bench, which offers some of the region’s richest cherry-picking. If you don’t get a chance to tour the orchards, be sure to visit the Penticton Farmer’s and Community Market and the Penticton Arts Council boasts the best local art through

the Art Under the Trees market, which is held on the lawn of the Penticton Courthouse. The markets run simultaneously every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. “If you come to Penticton you’re going to the market,” Sterling said. While there are countless allures which can appeal to travellers, Penticton also has massive facilities – being home to the South Okanagan Events Centre and the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, which host stadium-sized concerts and banquets the size of small cities. Finding out more about

the local tourism scene is easy, especially after Tourism Penticton’s recent update to its website, visit-

penticton.com “We try to focus on the feeling – not the individual features, but more about

what the visitor is going to experience,” said Barb Schneiderat, who is on the PHA board.

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Business has passion for community Mark Brett

Western News staff

Neighbours helping neighbours. Penticton businesses give back in a big way and that touches every resident in some way. Those donations and support go to local non-profit organizations, many of which could not operate without the resources, to helping a single child who could not otherwise afford it take part in organized minor sports or receive developmental support at the most critical time of their lives. And in the case of many of these businesses, especially the likes of Peters Bros. Construction, Canadian Tire and the Penticton and Summerland IGA stores, the names of those who receive the assistance is much to long to list. Auto dealers locally, including the Skaha Ford, Kia and the Murray GM have also made a significant impact on the quality of life for many through donations and fundraisers to everything from bursaries to the United Way campaign. Also up there is Penticton Speedway Foundation which generously contributes and participates in events to help with everything from school breakfast programs to the South Okanagan Women in Need Society. Through extensive community involvement and invaluable partnerships, the foundation continually makes significant contributions to community organizations. In conjunction with the Penticton Vees and Underwriters Insurance, Wicked Wednesday fundraisers were held during certain home games at the South Okanagan Events Centre this season, where $2 raffle tickets accumulated more than $15,000. Ticket salespeople volunteered from the Penticton Rotary Club. “We’re trying to be involved in the community as much as we can and show people we do care about what is happening in our community,” said Canadian Tire franchise owner Doug MacMillan, who is

Owner/OperatOr Colin powell of Marketplace IGa with the Business excellence award for community support excellence he received at the recent penticton and wine Country Chamber of Commerce ceremonies at the penticton trade and Convention Centre.

western news file photo

deeply committed to the national Jumpstart program helping parents to outfit their children to take part in recreational activities. “Getting kids involved in sports and keeping them active and that’s why I think it’s important to stay involved in the community as much as you can where ever possible.”

MacMillan recently received the Penticton Fly Fishers president’s award for his generous support. Someone else who was honoured this year was owner Colin Powell of the Summerland and Penticton Marketplace IGA grocery stores.

pentICtOn Speedway FOundatIOn Johnny aantjes (left) presents a cheque to Canadian tire owner doug MacMillan (middle) for the JumpStart program.

His business was named the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce community support award winner out of a field of 18 nominees. “That really means a lot,” said Powell about the award. “I think we have a passion with both of our stores, trying to support our community. We’re locally owned and operated and that’s what our mission statement is, to try and support local business and our local community. “My customers consistently come in and comment and they value what we do for our community and when people see you out and about and involved the community like that they want to support that.” Valley First Credit Union is another huge contributor in terms of the various sponsorships it provides ranging from community theatre to major sporting events as well helping the less fortunate through programs such as Feed the

Valley. It also has a legacy fund through the Community Foundation of the of the South Okanagan that currently stands at about $80,000. Manisha Willms, executive director of the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre, is just one of the beneficiaries of the generosity of the local business community. “I really can’t say thank you enough to all of them for their support, without which we would not be able to help the children we do,” she said. Among the big contributors to that agency is LocoLanding Amusement Park which in recent years has donated thousands of dollars from its annual Easter Egg Hunt. “As businesses I think we all have an obligation to give back whenever and wherever we can because this is where we live,” said park owner Diana Stirling.

Penticton Western News Wednesday, May 6, 2015

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Investment in the future of health care By John Moorhouse SOS Medical Foundation

Health care has changed dramatically since Penticton Regional Hospital opened its doors off Carmi Avenue amid great fanfare in 1953. Costing $1.5 million, the hospital included 121 beds to serve a community of 10,500 with room for future growth. And we certainly have grown. Now serving the entire region with a population of 91,000, PRH requires the latest in diagnostic equipment and a lot more elbow room. Despite two expansions over the past 62 years, the hospital is often over-capacity, although the staff still manages to provide patients with top quality care. That situation will soon change for the better – the $325-million Patient Care Tower project at PRH is a definite “Go”. Interior Health is scheduled to select the private sector partner in the P3 project in early 2016. Construction will start soon afterwards and should be completed by late 2019. The current hospital will remain fully operational during the construction period, with the new expansion to be located on the southeast portion of the existing PRH parking lot. Parking for almost 500 vehicles will be provided in an adjacent parkade. The project will take place in two phases over four years. During Phase 1, construction activity will be centred on the new Patient Care Tower. Plans call for a building up to seven storeys high, covering some 26,700 square metres of floor space – roughly three times the size of the South Okanagan Events Centre. The tower will include new operatingsurgical rooms, ambulatory care clinics,

Dignitaries address the crowd during the official opening of Penticton’s new hospital in March 1953. a $325-million expansion of Penticton regional Hospital is set to begin in early 2016.

Photo courtesy of Penticton Museum

84 new single-bed rooms, a helipad and be home to the UBCO Medical School. Following its completion, many of the hospital’s departments will move into the new facility, opening the door for Phase 2 which will see extensive renovations to the existing building. The present lobby and adjacent offices will become part of an enlarged Emergency

Department – almost four times its current size. By far, the single biggest benefit will see a marked improvement in the hospital’s overcrowding situation. Aaron Depner, Interior Health’s business consultant for the South Okanagan, keeps a close eye on the number of patients each day at PRH.

“Patient day numbers are steadily climbing and have been steadily climbing over the last seven or eight years,” he said. “When I first started here (17 years ago), the occupancy rate was down around 80 per cent. Now we’re up over 115 per cent.” That scenario often sees admitted patients remaining in the Emergency Department or occupying Ambulatory Care beds normally designated for patients awaiting day surgery. “It’s crazy, seeing those numbers,” Depner said. “When the new building goes in, that should take care of it and de-congest everything and we won’t have this situation we’re in now.” Meanwhile, the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation must raise $20 million over five years to provide the bulk of the medical equipment for the new tower and the Emergency Department. This follows the lead of foundations in Kelowna, Vernon and Kamloops which raised millions for their recent hospital expansions. “We will never build another hospital in our generation, making this a truly oncein-a-lifetime opportunity for support and to leave a profound legacy of giving from the business community, service organizations, and residents of the South Okanagan-Similkameen,” said Janice Perrino, the Foundation’s executive-director. Every resident of this region will likely use the PRH Patient Care Tower at some point in their life. This is our hospital, our investment in our future health care. For more information about donating, contact the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation at 250-492-9027 or toll-free 1-866-771-0994. Email janice.perrino@interiorhealth.ca or visit our website at www.sosmedicalfoundation.com.

Penticton Western News Wednesday, May April6,29, 2015 2015

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Convention centre celebrates 50 years Dale Boyd

Western News Staff

Canada’s first free-standing convention centre is heading into its 50th year in Penticton and is celebrating one of its most successful years to date. In 2014, the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre hosted 10 conventions, not counting meetings, special events, banquets and trade shows. The conservative estimate for the economic impact of the centre over the past year is $12 million and it has generated over 40,000 rooms booked at local hotels. The Okanagan Wine Festivals, the Penticton Home and Reno Show, the Pentastic Jazz Festival, Penticton Oktoberfest, the Okanagan Fest-of-Ale and many more events contributed to bringing 131,000 people through the convention centre doors this past year. “2014 was one of our best years yet, and the momentum is continuing. 2015 marks the convention centre’s 50th anniversary. The Peach Bowl Convention Centre was a bold vision by Mayor M.P. Finnerty and council in the early 1960s,” said Dean Clarke general manager of the South Okan-

agan Events Centre with Global Spectrum. The centre originally opened on Aug. 4, 1965 and was called the Penticton Peach Bowl. The centre was made possible through the cooperation of municipal, provincial and federal government and served the 13,500 people who lived in Penticton at the time. Designed by architect Roy Meiklejohn and construction company Kenyon and Co. (now Greyback Construction), the centre is the only member of the Convention Centres of Canada that was built before 1970 and Federal Agriculture Minister Harry Hays attended the opening day. “I am pleased and proud to be able to refer to this federal involvement in the development of Penticton, but I think the real credit should go to the leaders of this community. They are the ones, after all, who had the vision and enterprise and faith in the future of this community to go ahead with all these developments which I’m sure will contribute to the welfare and prosperity of Penticton residents now and in the days to come,” Hays said on opening day in 1965. See CONVENTION on PG. 8

The Dropkick Murphys played to a packed crowd at the penticton Trade and convention centre in 2014. The venue not only holds conventions and tradeshows but has become known for hosting events such as concerts, the Jazz Festival and more.

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Wednesday, May 2015 Penticton PentictonWestern WesternNews News Wednesday, April 29,6,2015

Vision to become leader for special events From CONVENTION on PG. 7 Fifty years later, the Convention Centre is continuing to work towards bringing national conventions and exciting special events to Penticton. “It has come full-circle and dovetails directly into Penticton’s new mayor and council. Like the community leaders of the 60s building Canada’s first standalone convention centre, today’s mayor and council show innovative business first concepts. We’re very excited to work with them.” Each year, the convention centre sees 120,000-130,000 people coming through its doors, and generates 34,000-50,000 hotel rooms booked. Clarke said the vision for the next 50 years with the Trade and Convention Centre is to be Western Canada’s leader in meetings, conventions and special events. “It’s our job to identify and bring in

events that greatly benefit and boost surrounding businesses’ bottom lines. Our mission is to drive economic impact and help better the quality of life,” Clarke said. The Trade and Convention Centre is looking to create synergy with Pentictonites and becoming a leader in meetings, conventions and special events while driving the economic impact of the facility in the community. In 2015, local events like the Penticton Indian Band Career Fair, the South Okanagan Roller Derby Association, the Granfondo race, the Princess Margaret Secondary School graduation ceremony and the Okanagan Concert Band Festival will strengthen the local connection to Penticton. “Locals are ambassadors for Penticton as a destination, and working together helps to further position Penticton as a top meeting destination,” Clarke said.

AttrActing events such as the Aboriginal Business Match and Elder’s gathering opened doors to more conferences and conventions in 2014.

Western news file photo

College grows to meet needs of the community Emanuel Sequeira Western News Staff

Okanagan College is about transforming lives and communities. Since the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation opened in 2011, the college, considered one of B.C.’s largest trades training institutions, has expanded the number of trades and the number of sections offered as well as levels of apprenticeship. Donna Lomas, regional dean for the South Okanagan Similkameen, said the Sustainable Construction Management Technology program is doing very well. Additional trades include welding, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and residential construction. Lomas said there is an increased demand from employers for workers with that education and the sides have formed a valuable partnership. “We have been able to fill a lot of the classes,” she said. “Students recognize that there is

B.c. WinE guy Jay Drysdale, chef and winemaker, prepares for a wine tasting session in the B.c. Wine information Society Sensory centre at Okanagan college.

Western news file photo

a demand.” Okanagan College has built relationships with businesses throughout the Okanagan Valley and Lomas said that is “huge.” “There needs to be a really close partnership in order to make sure that the training that the students are getting is what

industry needs,” she said. “It also gives industry an opportunity to form connections and ties with students once they are graduating. The partnership is really essential.” Okanagan College has also extended a partnership to School District 67. As students work

towards graduating, they are receiving technical training towards first year apprenticeship, which Lomas said is fantastic. “What it does is it gets students on a real career path as they are coming out of high school.” Since the Sensory Centre opened last year, things have taken off in terms of training and working with the wine industry. The facility has been used by wineries to promote products and for tastings and professional development. Lomas said they are anticipating new programming for that facility. The Sensory Centre was built with a grant from the Wine Information Society and a matching grant from The Jim Pattison Foundation. Besides its educational functions, the Sensory Centre will host the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society’s professional judging for the 2015 B.C. Wine Awards. Jim Hamilton, president of the college, said that is an ideal use for the centre and the kind of role it was intended to fill from the start of planning when the

college started working with local industry to develop the lab two years ago. One thing people don’t know about Okanagan College, said Lomas, is they operate yearround. Health and trade classes are offered through the summer. Enrollment numbers have been stable with 2,348 students in 2013-14. The partnership with the school district also includes helping draw international students, which Lomas said they want to see grow. Among the programs that attract those students is Criminal and Social Justice (CSJ) and Business. The college has a capital master plan, which involves students and staff input to see where the college should be 10 years from now. A project that has Lomas excited is a partnership with Penticton and District Community Resources Society to establish a day care on campus. Lomas said they have heard from students and staff about the need for one which operates out of the normal hours. This would also allow day and night students to use it.

Penticton Western News Wednesday, May 6, 2015

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Skilled tradespeople draw businesses

Manufacturing sector backbone of community Steve Kidd

From MANUFACTURING on PG. 10

Western News Staff

Though they don’t often get as much publicity as tourism or agriculture, the industrial and manufacturing sectors play an important role in the economy of the South Okanagan. A diverse range of companies find the region an ideal place for their operations, ranging from the Penticton Foundry, in business for 80 years, to Jet Power and Controls, one of the newest companies to open a facility. Wood-burning stove manufacturer Blaze King, Brutus Truck Bodies, that builds for forestry, construction, mining and oilfield sectors, and world-class circular saw manufacturer Cut Technologies are just a few of the companies, leaders in their field, to locate facilities here. “There is some amazing business in this little town,” said Perry Grago, president of Swagman. “They are doing things here that aren’t being done in a lot of other places.” Grago said that over the 20 years Swagman has been in the business of developing bicycle racks and other outdoor-oriented products, they have managed to turn many apparent disadvantages of being located in the South Okanagan into competitive advantages. See MANUFACTURING on PG. 11

Penticton Western Western News News Wednesday, Wednesday, April May 6, Penticton 29,2015 2015

Welder Terry Wyman puts the finishing touches on another Blaze King wood stove at the company shop on Commercial Way.

Western News file photo

As an example, Grago points out that the cost of shipping product continues to rise. But since there is more net product coming into the region than going out, rather than return empty trailers, shipping companies have an incentive to work with companies shipping out. “Logistics costs have gone up over the last decade and we are shipping steel. Bike racks aren’t light,” said Grago. “We look at it (shipping from the South Okanagan) as a competitive advantage, not a disadvantage now.” The lifestyle available in the region, is also a factor for Grago. Not only does the branding of the region as a recreation mecca match the orientation of his company, it also translates to an advantage when it comes to recruiting and retaining staff. “We’re becoming more of an outdoor lifestyle brand. What has happened is that people we attract to work for us has changed. We’ve attracted younger, more sport and outdoor enthusiasts,” said Grago. “That’s another advantage that was

Economically, as far as space we were needing, it made sense for us to look at the Penticton market. — Vic Carreiro

originally a competitive disadvantage. A lot of our staff has been here for over 10 years, so it is good on the recruitment and on the retention side.” Modular building manufacturer Britco is a long-term part of the manufacturing scene in the South Okanagan, with a record of steady growth at their Penticton plant. One factor in making Penticton a good central location is access to resources like dimensional lumber and laminated wood products from companies like Structurlam, another key manufacturer, which produces its range of crosslaminated beams and structural materials in Okanagan Falls, on the former Weyer-

haeuser sawmill site. “The main focus for OK Falls for the moment is the high-end wood manufacturing sector, the custom manufacturing of wood,” said Okanagan Falls economic development officer John Powell. “We have Structurlam, we have Karoleena homes, we have furniture manufacturers. That is a sector that I think is a real strength for Okanagan Falls at the moment. It is building on what we have already got.” Jet Power and Controls moved into Penticton in 2014. Needing to expand to keep pace with growing customer demand for their power control systems and accessories, president Devon Sandford made the decision to set up a second manufacturing plant outside Calgary. “We needed to investigate expansion in one way or another. Economically, as far as space we were needing, it made sense for us to look at the Penticton market, said Vic Carreiro, corporate services manager. “The numbers made sense in terms of cost per square foot in Penticton versus what we were paying in Edmonton or any other market close by.”

In terms of getting the new facility open, Carreiro said city staff were instrumental in smoothing the way. “When it came to getting our permits and so on from the city of Penticton, there was a lot of help,” he said, adding that they also had strong support from the business community, almost immediately making connections for services needed to prepare the space for their new plant. They also found a ready employee pool to staff the new facility. “For the most part, our employees are local. What we found is that there were qualified trades people that were travelling up north in order to find work,” said Carreiro. “Once we put out ads, we found quite a number of skilled tradespeople that were interested in staying local, rather than trying to travel.” Despite the recent dip in oil revenues, Carreiro said they are staying the course with their new facility. “We are hoping for bigger and better as things get better here,” he said. “Our intent is to grow the business. The president of the company has made that commitment.”

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Wednesday, May 2015 Penticton PentictonWestern WesternNews News Wednesday, April 29,6,2015

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Skilled tradespeople draw businesses

Manufacturing sector backbone of community Steve Kidd

From MANUFACTURING on PG. 10

Western News Staff

Penticton Western Western News News Wednesday, Wednesday, April May 6, Penticton 29,2015 2015

Welder Terry Wyman puts the finishing touches on another Blaze King wood stove at the company shop on Commercial Way.

Western News file photo

Economically, as far as space we were needing, it made sense for us to look at the Penticton market. — Vic Carreiro

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Penticton Kia is driving change Western News Staff

Just like the vehicles they sell, the owners of Penticton Kia aspire to drive change. The owners of Penticton Kia, Joanna and David Newman, are known for their customer satisfaction and strive to give that same level of commitment to improving the community. “We have a program called Drive Change where all our employees get involved in a community project or charity and donate time to assist,” said David. “We want to give back to the community that supports us. As a business we not only want the best for our customers but our community as a whole.” Since 2010, Penticton Kia has supported a number of initiatives in the city including the SPCA, food drives to help the local food bank, sponsoring local sports teams and partnering with the Penticton Vees ticket angel program that gifts seats to the hockey games to those who may not be able to otherwise afford it. “Without our customers and community we are nothing. We moved here more than 20 years ago for the lifestyle and fell in love with the community. That is why we want to give back in any way we can,” said David. Growing community programs and leaders also applies within their own walls

at Penticton Kia. Through the Penticton Auto Dealer’s Association there are opportunities for their technicians to receive scholarships and bursaries to go back to school and continue their learning. Because of the community work and business excellence, Penticton Kia has been recognized by Kia Canada for its high levels of customer satisfaction and sales and service growth. The owners said their business continues to grow because of the connection they have made in the community as well as their award-winning lineup of vehicles. “We know that the quality, the affordability and value of the Kia product is second-to-none. Our demographic ranges from first-time buyers to people that are retired,” said David. One of the top selling vehicles they have is the Kia Soul. With a dramatic look, it turns heads rolling down the city streets or on the highway with a weekend’s worth of gear in it. “It has that youthful look, but we also sell lots to an older demographic because of its versatility, great vehicle warranty and price,” said David. In the years the Newmans have owned the Kia dealership, they have seen the vehicles continue to set standards with Penticton Kia managers (from left to right) Jay adams, Mike nikolic, Brent eisen new technology, sophistication and and the Kia mascot received donations of food for the Salvation army Food Bank that an increasing consumer demand for a packed the back of a vehicle at the Business after Business event. Western news file photo fun-to-drive vehicle.

the Kia Soul, known for its stylish look and functionality has been on automotive reviewer and columnists’ recommendation list ever since it came out in 2010.

Submitted photo

Penticton Western News Wednesday, May 6, 2015

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Wednesday, May 2015 Penticton PentictonWestern WesternNews News Wednesday, April 29,6,2015

PIB bridging new economic opportunities Steve Kidd

Western News Staff

A bridge across the Okanagan River channel is both a highlight of the Penticton Indian Band’s past year, and a promise for the future. The bridge is the result of long-term planning with the provincial government that resulted in a signed deal last year, with construction beginning in early 2015. Chief Jonathan Kruger said that when the bridge at Green Avenue is completed – expected to be before the end of the year – a huge swath of land on PIB lands will be opened up for development. Getting the bridge underway is a key part of the band’s development plans, but it is just one of many achievements over the past year for the PIB. That includes the PIB Development Corporation being named the 2015 winner of the Aboriginal Economic Development Corporation Award by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. The award represents years of hard work, according to Kruger, who said the band members, council and the PIBDC

stayed strong and on track through challenges to make thier plans a reality. PIBDC is the principal economic development, marketing and promotional organization for the band, pursuing business joint ventures and investment opportunities on behalf of the community that meet the established investment criteria developed by the development corporation, ensuring the band’s traditional values and provide a sustainable economic return. Balancing social and economic development is an important element in planning the future for the band. Seeing the success of the projects, according to Kruger, is only motivation to keep on the path and keep building momentum. The band’s current surge has been ramping up ever since the completion of the Outma Sqilx’w Cultural School in 2011. Projects like a new health centre, the fish hatchery, the Skaha Hills residential development, enhancement of the band’s watershed and now, the new bridge under construction across the channel, all contribute to building a solid economic base for the PIB. Skaha Hills has been one of the band’s

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ABM has also grown in the number of people attending, and is taking over both the South Okanagan Events Centre and the Trade and Convention Centre in 2015, as well as expanding across the country, with ABM events planned for Saskatchewan and Ontario as well. Another big and long-awaited event completed this year was the Kt cp’alk’ stim Fish Hatchery, a $9 million project that opened in September after more than a decade of planning. With a capacity of producing 5,000,000 salmon fry a year, plus a state of the art laboratory, the hatchery is a key factor in the Okanagan Nation Alliance salmon restoration plans as well as creating employment. So much has happened that Kruger said the phrase “We are doing so many great things” has become a regular part of his vocabulary. Seeing years of planning, development and relationship building coming together, and building real structures that people can see, feel, and walk through themselves, is a great source of pride for the PIB community, according to Kruger.

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Sporting events an economic driver Emanuel Sequeira Western News Staff

Sports is a big dollar economic generator for Penticton and the South Okanagan. Those dollars come from events like Prospera Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan (PGAMO), Challenge Penticton, the Canucks Young Stars Classic, Apex Mountain Resort, the 2016 B.C. Winter Games as well as youth tournaments. Rolling into Penticton for the first time in 2011, PGAMO, a cycling event for all skill levels offering three distances, including a kids race, generated $2.2 million over that weekend and Jeff Plant, event director through Axis Events Inc., said that the event has grown steadily over the four years. In 2014, the event brought in roughly $3.4 million, similar to 2013. Figures are generated using a Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance sport tourism economic assessment model. Plant argues that the impact of cycling tourism driven by the event, with teams, groups and individuals that come to train and people who vacation here based around cycling, “has a greater impact than the event itself.” “It drives a whole bunch of things. It’s been key in the recognition of the South Okanagan,” said Plant. “It’s one of Canada’s best cycling destinations. Our research shows the events like Granfondo attract a very desirable demographic. A mature, engaged and active one, above average household income levels.” Triathlons are popular in the Okanagan and Challenge Penticton appears to be on its way to re-inventing itself following three decades as Ironman. The second Valley First Challenge Penticton attracted about 1,350 athletes with 571 individuals competing and 486 competing in relay teams. Despite low participant numbers, organizers and athletes believe it will grow. “I just love the course here. I wanted to support the change and if nobody supports the local races they won’t happen,” said local pro athlete Jen Annett. “This race is going to get big and I know it.

Challenge PenTiCTon winner Jeffrey Symonds trades high-fives with spectators at last summer’s race.

Western news file photo

to see a week of endurance events for athletes before the race and a festival to create a new vibe with entertainment. There will be a stadium-style finish and an energy zone. “Have a more party atmosphere to bring more of the community to the event,” said Cutjar. “You would not The Young Stars Classic, which has been held for four years in Penticton, has grown into a major draw for the area, giving hockey fans a chance to see future stars in the making.

They did an amazing job.” Following the completion of the 2014 race, former Penticton mayor Garry Litke handed over the reigns to Kevin Cutjar and Michael Brown, who purchased the license from the city for $300,000 to be paid over five years. That money, along with the $125,000 received from the provincial government, will go towards paying the debt accumulated from the first two years. Cutjar, who had two top-10 finishes in the pro male division in 11 Subaru Ironman Canada races, has Litke’s confidence that their experience and reputation can help the race grow. “It’s going to provide a huge economic spinoff with the City of Penticton and the South Okanagan,” said Litke. “It’s going to be an even better race than what we saw on Sunday, which was already pretty awesome. It was a great race, so well run.” Cutjar and Brown have a vision for Challenge Penticton. Cutjar would like

want to miss the last week of August in Penticton.” As some feel Challenge Penticton signals the end of summer, then the Canucks Young Stars Classic kicks off hockey. See SPORTS on PG. 16

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Wednesday, May 2015 Penticton PentictonWestern WesternNews News Wednesday, April 29,6,2015

Facilities and natural surroundings draws athletes and fans From SPORTS on PG. 15 Last fall’s Canucks Young Stars Classic sold 16,500 tickets over the four days. Only two games, a tilt between the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames, and the Edmonton Oilers and Jets, attracted crowds fewer than 2,000, yet still attracted more than 1,500. In the three years the tournament has been on, 65 players have played in the NHL and it will only grow. Event chair Andrew Jakubeit said at the conclusion of the classic that attendance surpassed the previous year because of the 12 first round draft picks showcased. Flames GM Brad Treliving said he was impressed with the crowds, though the former Penticton Knight admitted to some bias because of his Penticton roots. “It’s not only one of the most picturesque parts of the world, there are great people here, great fans,” he said. “A really knowledgable fan base. It’s not surprising they have supported it as they have.” With the Edmonton Oilers winning the NHL’s draft lottery for the fourth time in six years, and expected to draft Erie Otters phenom Connor McDavid, described by media as a “generational talent” that should make the Classic a must-watch next fall. On the ski hill, Mount Baldy Ski Hill reopened in Oliver after a year-long hiatus and had favourable conditions, but an early spring made it difficult to attract skiers and boarders. “We had a great year and incredible conditions compared to so many other resorts across Canada, but it’s so warm in the valley, that people forgot about skiing,” said Dave Howard, vice president of Baldy Capital Corporation, following the first season of the hill’s new management. “What our goal is now, is to meet with the community leaders, and see what they want Mount Baldy to become

in the future.” At Apex Mountain Resort, the hills were packed with skiers from December through February, though James Shalman, general manager of the resort, said local visits declined. He suspects it was largely a result of spring-like conditions being deceptive. “Skiers travelling around the province have been the most impressed. They’ve told us that we really have the best snow in the province,” he said. Crews at Apex Mountain worked hard at building a strong base when a dry spell was experienced in the middle of winter. When spring hit, conditions attracted more skiers. “Spring skiing has been absolutely fantastic,” Shalman said. “We call it ‘eagles snow’ or ‘heroes snow,’ and what that means is just that top layer of snow gets nice and soft, and really allows your skis or snowboard to really grip into it, making you feel like you’re an even better skier or snowboarder than you actually are, because it’s really grippy and fun

snow to ski.” Apex Mountain was open until April 6 and produced some of the best conditions of the season. “Come July, people start saying to themselves, ‘Man, I really should have taken advantage of those last two weeks of the season.”” In February 2016, Penticton will be hosting the best athletes in the province for the B.C. Winter Games. The city is expected to be welcoming as many as 2,087 participants (1,507 athletes, 367 coaches, and 213 officials) from eight regions. The games will feature 17 sports with the age being specific to each sport, though the youngest is nine in gymnastics and figure skating and the oldest is 17 in netball. Athletes with a disability will compete in wheelchair basketball, Special Olympics figure skating, para alpine skiing and cross country skiing. The province is providing a base funding

of $525,000 through the BC Games Society, along with the city providing $45,000 and $50,000 in-kind services to the Games. Penticton will see an approximate $1.6 million economic impact, which is based on a study conducted at the Mission 2014 BC Winter Games. Minor sports are also a contributor as Penticton Minor Hockey Association hosted 12 tournaments this past season, including capping off the 2014-15 season as hosts of the BC Hockey Female Midget hockey tournament, which pumped $282,744 into the community in mid -March. On the soccer pitch, Pinnacles FC hosts three tournaments a year, attracting teams from B.C. and Alberta, while Penticton Minor Lacrosse Association’s three tournaments this season are full. Those are just some from the minor sports scene. Penticton and the South Okanagan benefit from weather and facilities that make people want to come here and play or enjoy taking in great action. To make visitors feel warm when they come to the City of Penticton is formulating a welcoming team to combine the interests of tourists and locals alike. Economic development officer Colleen Pennington is looking to assemble a group of relevant stakeholders who will demonstrate more of the community’s value – although the idea is still in its preliminary stage. “What we really want to do is leverage that tourism into resident and business recruitment,” she said. In addition to its natural surroundings, a significant allure of Penticton is the many options for athletic and professional training. “We hear from a lot of Penticton business owners that there’s something about the lifestyle of the community that really suits their personal goals.”

Penticton 2015 Penticton Western Western News News Wednesday, Wednesday, May April6,29, 2015

www.pentictonwesternnews.com 17 17 www.pentictonwesternnews.com

City as strong as its core Dale Boyd

Western News Staff

Historically a city is only as strong as its downtown core. “It is where everybody goes. If your downtown is dying, your city is dying, so it’s really important to continually put in to our downtown and support our downtown and keep it strong,” said Kerri Milton, executive director Downtown Penticton. Penticton is home to the largest downtown in the South Okanagan and supports surrounding communities including Oliver, Keremeos and Osoyoos. Perhaps the most key feature in Downtown Penticton is the bordering Okanagan Lake. “It’s very rare for a downtown to have a lake in it. We have Okanagan Lake right in our downtown with its own beaches, which is amazing,” Milton said. Along with Okanagan Lake, Downtown Penticton features tons of green space including Gyro Park at the end of Main Street, Okanagan Lake Park along the lakeshore and the Rotary Park at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Martin Street. These spaces play a big role in bringing many family-friendly and free events downtown and feature free music in the parks all through July and August. Penticton’s downtown is also host to the Downtown Community Market, the biggest of its kind in the Okanagan featuring hundreds of vendors selling everything from handmade goods to clothing, food and jewellery. The Community Market, which started in 2008, runs from May to October with new and exciting events highlighting this year. “What’s new with the markets is we’re doing a lot more fun interactive stuff in the markets,” Milton said. One of these new events includes the first ever Fire Truck Pull on June 6. The event is raising funds for muscular dystrophy and is set to have two teams racing to pull a firetruck as fast as they can past the finish line. Another event coming to the markets is the protective services S.O.S. Fest on May 9, hosting local firefighters, police, search and rescue and paramedics. Downtown Penticton is also a prime location for the many events and festivals that make their way through the city.

The Sunshine Cabaret, Peach City Beach Cruise, Canada Day festivities, B.C. Day and what is considered the largest free festival in all of Canada, Penticton’s Peach Festival. “Those events bring the people downtown which then translates to dollars spent,” Milton said. “We also give the downtown merchants the opportunity to be vendors in the park so they can make some sales right there in the park as well. The core is also a hub for local businesses. “What’s really interesting about our downtown is that we don’t have one big anchor box store to bring you to downtown. It’s a whole bunch of unique stores,” Milton said. A total of 700 businesses are located in Downtown Penticton and the majority of Main Street and the 200 and 300 blocks of Martin Street are dedicated to independent retailers. “Something really great that they do is that a lot of them have really embraced online shopping so they have really strong social media representation so there is people in Kelowna messaging them on Facebook to buy things from their store,” Milton said. Milton noted that this year, Something Pretty Boutique on Front Street was a definite standout. “It just has really hit the market as to what people want to see and they have really embraced the social media aspect and have a strong presence on it and is doing amazing sales through that,” Milton said. The Downtown Penticton Association is also dedicated to promoting love for Penticton. One example is the year-long I Heart Penticton campaign. The objective is to make Pentictonites remember all the things they love about the community. “Lots of Pentictonites have this image that you can’t get what you need here, that you have to go to Kelowna for stuff,” Milton said. “It’s that whole small-town stigma that Penticton still has. We have everything that you need, so we need to just keep reminding people of that.” The campaign will also make periodic appearances at conventions that come through town with the logo featured on the bags of free goodies and the items in the bag will feature products from local businesses as well as a guidebook with coupons and locations of businesses

LocaL Benjamin moore owners Tracy and john Kelly got out their paint buckets when the community helped win the Benjamin moore Paint What matters contest revitalization contest in 2013. Western news file photo

Downtown. That’s only the beginning according to Milton. “There will be all kinds of new I Heart Penticton stuff as the year progresses,” she said. “I know there’s been a lot of shop local campaigns and it’s a bit redundant to keep

telling people to shop local, so this is a creative way of reminding people of how great Penticton is.” Whether it’s a trip to the beach, some local shopping or a fun, free event accompanied by the Okanagan sunshine, Downtown Penticton has got it all.

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Wednesday, April 29,6,2015 Wednesday, May 2015 Penticton PentictonWestern WesternNews News

Agriculture industry headed in positive direction Steve Kidd

Western News Staff

Farmers in the Okanagan Valley aren’t immune from the ups and downs of market pricing, but the president of the BC Fruit Growers Association says the industry is leaving a negative outlook behind. “I think we have changed the direction already,” said Fred Steele, now in his second term as BCFGA president. Where growers were once pulling orchards out and letting the land lie fallow, now they are replanting immediately with high-value cherry varieties or new strains of apples. In the short term, Steele said, the drop in the value of the Canadian dollar has helped with sales to for- Farmer Steve Brown, showing early blossoms in his orchard in eign markets, and in the long-term, the Happy Valley area. seven-year, $8.4 million provincial John arendt/Black Press replant program will help rebuild making them work. a factor. Growers are replanting at the industry. “We have to change. We are go- higher densities with premium new But the key factor, according to Steele, is a new industry strat- ing in a positive direction to yield, varieties, increasing both their yield egy being developed to create more not a sustainable future, but a posi- per acre and price per pound. “We could plant all the hillsides inventory and jobs through some tive future,” said Steele. “That, in we wanted with ambrosia and we innovative thinking, and the new itself will create sustainability.” High density plantings are also still wouldn’t have enough. There is replant program is the lynchpin to

a lot of room to go in that direction,” said Steele, noting that ambrosia is just one of many newer varieties. Export markets are also changing. BC cherries are now being sold in China, and Steele notes India is also a vast untapped market and Pacific Rim trade agreements are improving the outlook with a number of countries. “In South Korea right now, if you were to send a boatload of apples, it would be a 45 cent tariff. In seven years, there won’t be any tariff because of the trade deal that was negotiated,” said Steele adding that developing the ability to supply those niche markets with the size, quality and varieties of fruit they demand is a solid industry strategy. “When the rest of the world looks at B.C., we are in a very unique position. We have clean air, clean water … all of those things, so your product now becomes more desirable. Now you just have to get people to pay for it,” said Steele. “We can ship those apples in there at a much higher price. By doing it by niche market, you make more money and are a viable

industry.” And with being “a viable industry” comes other benefits, according to Steele. “That’s a huge difference. When you are working together, the government looks at you as a way to increase their tax base,” Steele said, explaining that he would rather see the provincial government look on agriculture as a partner, rather than a group constantly needing support. These changes don’t happen overnight, but Steele said that even though they are still developing a new industry strategy, the outlook is positive. “A positive attitude is infectious, people want to be part of that. There were times when this industry wasn’t very positive, but they are now,” said Steele. “You have to find a mechanism and a means within the system to make the industry profitable. And we have set out on that road, the replant is part of it, niche marketing for export, making sure we are the top of the world in quality and in food safety.”

Penticton Airport cruising for record passenger numbers Western News Staff

The friendly skies over Penticton Regional Airport are getting a lot busier thanks to improved facilities and what has turned out be a needed consumer connection to Calgary. Since WestJet Encore started it’s daily, seven-day-a-week flights to the Alberta city late last year, response has been so good, a makeshift overflow parking lot to accommodate traffic has been added. According to airport manager David Allen the good news has spilled over in the Air Canada Jazz market between the Peach City and Vancouver as well as charter flights. “I don’t have the percentage numbers but it’s up over 100,000 passengers, that dialing in the WestJet flight once a day and they bring with it other traffic and even Jazz’s count went up so it was a very good year at the end,” said Allen. “That was great to see and we can only hope to see that continue into the future.” WestJet Encore president Ferio Pugliese was one of the passengers aboard the inaugural flight from Calgary to Penticton. “This one’s (service between the two cit-

ies) been a long time coming and we’re really excited about it,” said Pugliese. “We were looking forward to this fall and, more importantly, as we build this through next summer. “Penticton just makes complete sense.” WestJet Encore currently uses a 78-passenger Bombardier Nextgen Q400 turboprop aircraft on the route. Air Canada Jazz flights between Penticton and Vancouver are scheduled to jump from three to four a day as they have for each of the last two years. The company is already booking seats on the De Havilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft (DH3) which fly between the two cities on its website starting in May. In addition to the increased number of flights, the landings are also a bit smoother as a result of the runway overlay project that happened earlier in the year. “By putting a whole new blacktop on the runway, it will extend the life of the runway and the aircraft movement area, so overall things are going very well,” said Allen. One of the airports best customers in terms of landing fees is HNZ Topflight

which was formerly known as the Canadian Helicopters School of Advanced Flight Training. Known around the world for the quality of it’s training programs, especially the mountain flight training, the company recently added another feather to its cap by earning the Bell Helicopter endorsement for that program using Bell aircraft. Airbus Helicopter Canada gave a similar endorsement to the company in 2009. “This facility has really brought us into the modern age,” said Don Venturi, who took over the managerial duties in the spring of 2014 from Jan Rustad. “Training has been going on consistently for 64 years this year and we looked at what the future holds and how do we entice more people to come here.” How the company decided to do that, and at the same express its confidence in the airport, was building a $5 million, 20,000-square-foot facility to house its operations. Venturi said the structure has added a higher degree of professionalism to its

programs and an increase in client numbers which he added is a big bonus to Penticton as well. “There is a tremendous spinoff benefit for city businesses, especially during the off season,” he said. “With us it’s all military, paramilitary or police (clients) and they’re being paid and they’re on expenses and throughout the year that’s 2,500 room nights and sometimes more. These pilots are all being paid and expense accounts and they eat in the restaurants and rent cars.” HNZ has an annual payroll of over a million dollars with a total of 12 staff members and a fleet of six helicopters. Just down the runway is the airport’s other commercial rotary wing company, Eclipse Helicopters, formerly run by Eric Stoof who has since turned over the reigns to Derek Robinson. Eclipse has two helicopters and are involved in just about every aspect of charter service ranging from air ambulance, search and rescue, heli-skiing, forest fires, instruction and recreational flights.

Penticton Western News Wednesday, May 6, 2015

www.pentictonwesternnews.com 19

Another great year! Might as well jump!

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Our knowledgeable staff are always ready to assist and make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Larry Pidperyhora is proud to announce that they have been appointed the Scion dealership for the South Okanagan. With our Grand Opening fast approaching we welcome you to come into our Toyota/Scion showroom to view the full selection of new vehicles.

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