LEVEL U P CENTRAL OKANAGAN BUSINESS REPORT Jan 2021

Front line workers profiled 5 Kelsey Serwa Catching up with the Okanagan’s favourite Olympic gold medalist

The Great Okanagan realtor Snowbirds have Winter Staycation donates kidney their wings clipped Wings clipped

Snowbirds in the Okanagan 24 rather than Arizona LEVEL U P CENTRAL OKANAGAN BUSINESS REPORT

Articles Now a monthly magazine Salute Kevin Brown Canadian Women Entrepreneur of Also on KelownaNow.com 02 He’s a paramedic with BC Ambulance 16 the Year Mandy Farmer is CEO of Hotel Zed Groceries are essential and Accent Inns 03 Salute cashiers Clio, Quinn and Simone Record high house prices Wastewater 18 And a red-hot real estate market 04 It’s a 24/7/365 job treating it 20 Michael Ballingall of Big White Ski Hawaii or Mexico, then we can this magazine with a Responsible 05 Salute water utility workers Resort Welcome enjoy this four-season playground Tourism Award, page 22. They help get 90 million litres of water a day to Is the new chair of the Thompson we call home. Kelowna residents Okanagan Tourism Association In December’s issue, we debuted Letter Garbage, recycling, yard waste Responsible Tourism Award The Great Okanagan Winter profiles of frontline workers who 06 It all gets picked up by E360S 22 The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Staycation story on page 26 gives have kept on providing essential Association wins Hooray! It’s 2021. you myriad options. services during the pandemic. Spinco expands 07 Into the at-home fitness bike business Merger And most importantly, it isn’t 2020 23 Two Okanagan real estate board join One of those choices is skiing at It proved so popular there are 08 Home of the Year finalists forces anymore. Big White Resort, which ties into five more such profiles in this They are stunning! two of the other stories in this issue, from page two through six, Staycation 2020 is crudely, but accurately, magazine. saluting a paramedic, grocery Skiing for fun 26 The Okanagan’s where it’s at 10 Olympic gold medalist Kelsey Serwa being referred to as a dumpster store cashiers, wastewater and fire of a year. 28 A View to Remember Cover girl Kelsey Serwa grew up water utility workers and a 12 Kidney donation The B&B cleans up at the Key on the slopes of Big White and is garbage truck driver. Leads to Realtors Care Award for Camille Business Awards With COVID and all its inherent now an ambassador for the resort. Steele restrictions, economic woes and Her story, on page 10, also outlines With monthly issues of Level Up Business Leader of the Year the long wait for a vaccine, I her accomplishments in between, throughout 2021, we’ll continue to 14 Laurel Douglas of the Southern Interior more than concur that 2020 was which, of course, includes the chronicle the Okanagan’s people Development Initiative Trust a stinky mess of garbage-inferno grand prize of all -- the ski-cross and growth as we get vaccinated proportions. Olympic gold medal at the 2018 and enter the post-COVID world. Winter Games in Pyeongchang, But, with vaccines on the way South Korea. there’s hope for 2021. Cover photo sales and advertising Big White vice-president Michael LEVEL UP Kelsey Serwa [email protected] The Okanagan, and it’s innovative Ballingall is the new chair of the (250) 862 8010 and resilient people, made the Thompson Okanagan Tourism managing editor best of 2020 and continues to do Association. See the story on Steve MacNaull ISSUE NO. 6 Steve MacNaull Contributors so this year. Steve MacNaull Rob Cupello page 20. Editor and journalist, PUBLISHER Taylor siemens Dylan McCullough NowMedia Group 16 flights publishing house Jim Csek Sydney Baerg After all, if we can’t escape the Speaking of the association, it - a division of NowMedia Group Nikki Csek Vince Yu cold this winter and jet off to makes a second appearance in

1 Salute grocery OUR SERIES store frontline OF PROFILES OF FRONTLINE workers Clio, WORKERS WHO Simone and Quinn STEPPED UP DURING COVID CONTINUES.

Written by: Steve MacNaull

Paramedic Kevin Brown works out of Kelowna ambulance station #341 on Keehn Road. Talk about being thrown in at the However, Clio has had her fair deep end. share of anti-maskers and people ready to tell their latest conspiracy Salute frontline worker and Clio was hired as a cashier at theory about the pandemic. Lakeview Market just as COVID paramedic Kevin Brown reared its ugly head. “The key is to gently remind people that wearing a mask is mandatory “It was surreal,” she said. and we can’t serve them unless they are wearing a mask,” she said. Written by: Steve MacNaull “I’d never experienced anything like it. Out of the blue people were “When people tell me the real showing up in droves and stocking disease is the government, not Everyday for the past 30 years, “I couldn’t stay away,” he said with Plus, dispatchers try to do a pre- up on toilet paper, pasta and non- COVID, I just listen while I check Kelowna paramedic Kevin Brown a laugh. assessment of patients over the perishables. It was weird.” their groceries out.” has made a difference in peoples’ phone to warn of any potential Cashier Clio started work at Lakeview lives. “After almost 30 years this job is cases of COVID and paramedics With grocery stores obviously Now that people realize Kelowna Market just as the pandemic started. part of my life and who I am.” do their own screening upon an essential service, Clio and isn’t going to run out of groceries, “It’s a real privilege to do work I Kelowna paramedics in arrival. co-workers continued to come to shopping has returned to normal love, helping people in distress ambulances rush out to an work and serve customers while with the expected spike for and working with the colleagues average of 1,650 medical “Basically, we treat every patient the rest of us were told to stay at Christmas and another coming up I do at the station, in the emergencies every month, as if they have COVID to keep home. for New Year’s Eve. ambulances and at the hospital,” including car accidents, heart everyone safe,” said Brown. said Brown. attacks and drug overdoses. “Despite the trying times, I love “Everyone is being pretty practical,” “I know of two patients with coming into work everyday,” said said Clio. Brown worked as a paramedic for Paramedics always wore gloves COVID that I personally Clio. 28 years in Sparwood, Nanaimo, and glasses to treat and transport transported to hospital.” “We’ll all get through this.” and Kelowna before patients. “I’m a people person and I enjoy retiring. In all, 115 paramedics work in everyone I work with and the customers. Lakeview Market is a But in these COVID times, Kelowna at three ambulance Cashiers Quinn, Simone and Clio work at Retirement only lasted four personal protection equipment stations--Keehn Road (where family-owned independent grocery family-owned independent grocery store months before he returned part has been upgraded to gloves and Brown works), downtown on store, so the vibe is different with Lakeview Market at 3033 Pandosy St. time. face shields. Lawrence Avenue and West a sense of community and loyal Kelowna. customers.”

2 3 OUR SERIES ON FRONTLINE Salute Kelowna’s water utility WORKERS WHO HAVE STEPPED UP IN THESE COVID TIMES CONTINUES. frontline workers

Salute wastewater frontline Written by: Steve MacNaull worker Mike Gosselin When you turn on the tap in “Especially in the summer, when The city’s water utility also has a Kelowna, fresh, clean water never people were stuck at home their new agricultural division, which fails to flow. yard became their sanctuary and replaces the Southeast Kelowna they kept their lawns and gardens Irrigation District, to distribute water from McCulloch Reservoir to Written by: Steve MacNaull During a pandemic we flush our “We changed shifts to create “Definitely, that’s our goal beautiful with outdoor watering,” orchards, vineyards and farms in toilets at different times, shower separate work bubbles of 12 hour each and every day,” said City said Weremy. the area. on erratic schedules and run the days, three on, three off. There’s of Kelowna water operations While Weremy is the manager, dishwasher and clothes washer been an impact, for sure.” manager Andy Weremy. he says it’s the 17 workers in the In the winter, there’s demand for more during the day. supply department and 10 in the about 45 million litres of water a Everything that goes down a drain “We deliver safe and reliable water distribution that keep everything day through the entire system. Mike Gosselin knows all this or toilet at any home, workplace, that meets or exceeds Canadian running smoothly. because he’s the wastewater business, school or institution in drinking water standards to our In the summer, when outdoor operations manager for the City of Kelowna ends up in the kilometres 70,000 customers.” Supply workers see water drawn watering peaks, up to 90 million Kelowna. of underwater pipes and lift from Okanagan Lake at four litres of water a day cycles through stations that deliver wastewater to Our customer based includes treatment stations (Poplar Point, the whole utility. “Before COVID many of us were the seven-acre treatment plant at homes, businesses, institutions Cedar Creek, Swick Road and in a routine because we worked Ethel Street and Raymer Avenue. and farms within the city. Eldorado) and disinfected with “We definitely are an essential outside of the home and there Glenmore Ellison, Rutland Water ultraviolet light and chlorine service and we know how were surges of wastewater coming In fact, 37 megalitres arrive daily at Works and Black Mountain before being pumped to a series important our role is,” said into the treatment plant after the plant to undergo a biological Irrigation Districts service the of large mains and reservoirs. Weremy. everyone got ready to go to work treatment (naturally occuring remaining similar customer base and school in the morning and microscopic organisms eating in Kelowna. From there, the distribution 1 “That’s why we follow all the after they returned home in the the nasties in the water) and then crew takes over to oversee the COVID protocols to keep ourselves late afternoon and early evening,” an ultraviolet light treatment that It’s a huge infrastructure that’s water allocated to all the pipes essential everyday and became under streets that go to homes, and the water supply healthy.” Mike Gosselin is the City of Kelowna’s explains Gosselin. sterilizes the water and kills the wastewater operations manager. organisms. even more important during the businesses, institutions, farms and That schedule, or “flow patterns,” pandemic. fire hydrants. as Gosselin calls them, is all over As such, it’s a 24/7/365 operation. “OUR STAFF the place now as people work from The treated water or effluent RESPONDED home. meets or exceeds drinking water VERY WELL TO standards and is discharged into “Our staff responded very well Okanagan Lake. THE CHANGES to the changes and gets the job AND GETS THE done,” says Gosselin, who’s worked The lake also happens to be the JOB DONE” at the treatment plant since 1982. source of all the water that comes into our homes through the city utility, so the whole process is a cycle. City of Kelowna water utility supply workers Rhonda Hogan, left, City of Kelowna water utility distribution workers Ben Callioux, left, and Don Sharpe do maintenance work at a pressure regulating and Ryan Duncan monitor the Leckie fill station. valve station.

4 5 OUR SERIES PROFILING FRONTLINE WORKERS WHO HAVE STEPPED UP Introducing the Podium DURING COVID CONTINUES. at-home fitness bike SPINCO IS A REAL Salute frontline E360S truck KELOWNA driver Danny Somerville KELOWNA-BASED SPINCO, WHICH HAS 18 SUCCESS STUDIOS ACROSS CANADA, LAUNCHED PODIUM STORY. AS A NATURAL EXTENSION OF ITS BRAND.

Written by: Steve MacNaull Written by: Steve MacNaull “This launch is a natural extension of our brand and we owe this Danny Somerville doesn’t like the “What I like about this job is the It’s like having a spin studio at milestone to our incredible term ‘garbage man.’ good pay and it’s recession and KELOWNA-BASED home. community of riders.” COVID-proof,” said Somerville. SPINCO, WHICH SPINCO is a real Kelowna success “The job is so much more than HAS 18 STUDIOS Kelowna-based SPINCO, which that,” said the truck driver for “I’m alone in the truck doing has 18 studios and more than story. Environmental 360 Solutions my job. The garbage, recycling AND MORE THAN 150,000 members across Canada, when we caught up with him on a and yard waste continued to 150,000 MEMBERS has introduced Podium, the What started in August of 2014 Tuesday on Terrace Drive. get picked up all through the ACROSS CANADA, at-home fitness bike. a single studio in a second-floor location in downtown Kelowna, pandemic. We didn’t miss a day.” HAS INTRODUCED “E360 picks up not just garbage, It’s a next-generation stationary has quickly expanded to 18 other but recycling and yard waste. I’m a E360 has noticed a 25% increase PODIUM, THE bike that costs $2,000 and communities to become Canada’s driver operator who drives through in materials put out for residential AT-HOME FITNESS is outfitted with a 22-inch, largest spin studio chain. your neighbourhood with one curbside pick up since COVID hit BIKE. high-definition, intuitive touch hand on the joystick to maneuver in March. screen for programming and The home spin trend is red-hot the hydraulic arm to grab the bin following workouts, 32 levels right now with people looking for and tip it into the truck.” People are spending more time of electronically controlled home workouts during COVID. at home, generating additional resistance, best-in-class SPINCO Podium’s main The hydraulic arm has been a garbage and recycling, and components and a sleek, black, competition, Peloton, caused a game changer in the curbside tending to their yards, resulting in kick-ass aesthetic. sensation earlier in the pandemic pickup business, automating much extra yard waste. with its $2,700 bike. of the process so there are no U.S.-based Echelon Fitness longer people hand chucking the What Somerville doesn’t like about is making Podium based on Orders are now being taken at contents of containers into trucks. the job some days is icy conditions SPINCO’s specifications, which SPINCOPodium.com. On any given day, Somerville will in the winter or dust and odour in includes immersive content by tip bins for 1,200 homes. the summer. SPINCO’s top instructors from Orders made before the end of the Kelowna-based SPINCO worked across the country as well as 24-7 month for the $2,000 Podium bike The 22 bright-yellow trucks E360 He jokes the challenges are with U.S.-based Echelon Fitness to access to Echelon’s line up of live will receive a free pair of shoes and develop the Podium at-home bike delivery in spring 2021. has out daily will pick up about seasonal, because garbage in with touch-screen programming and and on-demand workouts. 160,000 kilograms of garbage, the winter is generally frozen and electronically controlled resistance. The $2,000, at-home fitness bike At checkout, customers can Driver Danny Somerville can pick up recycling and yard waste. doesn’t stink. “The result is a bike that is true can now be ordered online at choose a charity, including Ronald garbage from up to 200 homes an hour SPINCOPodium.com for delivery in to our brand and an exceptional in his natural gas-powered Environmental spring 2021. addition to our in-studio McDonald House, to receive a 360 Solutions truck with vegetable oil- donation based on a percentage of powered hydraulic arm. programming,” said SPINCO founder Michelle August. each bike sold.

6 7 In fact, the inaugural designer While she isn’t a finalist in 1. A bedroom with a lake view in the Zenith of the year category is a nod the designer of the year home. Wow! Home of the Year to the Pinterest generation category, Natalie Fuglestveit 2. This modern lakefront mansion called Zenith, constructed by Bercum Builders, is obsessed with the style Interior Design is a finalist also a finalist for Home of the Year. finalists are stunning inspiration of the social media in six categories for master platform. suite design, excellence in 3. This contemporary infill home in the hospital district is called Urban Retreat and it IT’S THE MARQUEE CATEGORY OF THE ANNUAL decorating and styling, interior earned The finalists for designer of the design, residential renovations, OKANAGAN HOUSING AWARDS. 4. Papillon by Vernon’s Sunterra Custom year are Hannah Katey Interior kitchen renovations and Homes is also a finalist for Home of the Year at Design, Isabey Interiors and bathroom renovations. the Okanagan Housing Awards. Copper+Oak Design. Written by: Steve MacNaull Zenith, a modern waterfront For instance, Frame is also a mansion, is indeed a zenith, a finalist for builder of the year, powerful presence, above the excellence in urban infill (for lake. Urban Retreat), excellence in They all have names befitting single-family homes worth $1.5 their lofty status as Home of the This week, the Central to $2 million and $2 to $2 million Year finalists at the Okanagan Okanagan branch of the (as a double finalist for both Housing Awards. Canadian Home Builders’ Urban Retreat and Lakeside Association released its list of Haven) and excellence in They are Urban Retreat by finalists in 43 categories for the kitchen design. Frame Custom Homes of 29th annual Okanagan Housing Kelowna, Papillon by Sunterra Awards. Sunterra also got the nod Custom Homes of Vernon and in the excellence in master Zenith by Bercum Builders of With COVID dragging on, the suite design and excellence Kelowna. awards gala on Jan. 30 will be in bathroom renovations virtual. categories. “Urban Retreat is just that, an eye-catching infill development With 43 categories, virtually Bercum is also a finalist in the 1 2 in the (Kelowna General) every size, price point and style excellence for a home worth hospital district of a main home of home, renovation, room and over $5 million and excellence in and carriage house that have design is recognized. master suite design categories. modern exteriors, but inside are comfortable and functional and “But the marquee category is In recognition that interiors are full of architectural details,” said always Home of the Year,” said just as important as curb appeal Bill Frame. Daniel Winer, executive director and construction techniques, of the Central Okanagan there are more categories “Basically, it’s a beautiful family branch. lauding design for kitchens, home that fits the family’s master suites, overall interiors, lifestyle.” “Those homes caught the eye outdoor living space, decorating of judges as the best of the and styling. Papillon might very well have best. And the finalists, Frame, been labelled such for its Sunterra and Bercum, are all dramatic cantilevered roofs also finalists in other categories, resembling the flared ears of a proving they are top of their Papillon dog. 3 4 game.” 1

9 As a Big White ambassador, Kelsey, pictured here with husband Stan Rey, has popped Catching up with up in numerous promotional videos for the resort, including Kelowna’s favourite this one on YouTube. Olympic gold medallist

KELSEY SERWA IS RETIRED FROM COMPETITIVE SKIING AND GOING TO SCHOOL TO BECOME A PHYSIOTHERAPIST. Olympic gold medalists also Whistler, travelled for races and When Kelsey Serwa straps Kelsey, of course, is the have a life off and after the filmmaking and spent as much on the old skis now she Okanagan’s most famous podium. time as possible in Kelowna. doesn’t particularly care about Olympic gold medalist and, as technique. such, is a heck of a Big White In Kelsey’s case, we catch The couple now lives in ambassador. up with her as she walks her Kelowna as Kelsey finishes her “It’s kinda loose, kinda wild,” said sheepdog-poodle cross named last semester of human kinetics. Kelsey. In fact, Kelsey and Stan are Baloo. She’s applied to take a masters featured mostly recently degree in physical therapy “It’s just about fun now. Not in a one-minute Big White She is taking a short break from at UBC Vancouver and the that competition wasn’t fun. I promotional video (you can her UBC Okanagan studies University of the North in Prince always enjoyed the pursuit of catch it on the resort’s website in human kinetics (she is George. competitive . And to tell or YouTube) where they carve becoming a physiotherapist) the truth, in retirement, I’m still a through powder snow, stroll and revelling in an awesome So, the next chapter will be little competitive with whoever through the village and sip beers season at Big White. decided by school acceptances I’m skiing with.” and laugh at a bonfire. and where the greatest “Big White is the escape from opportunity lies. That’s most likely to be her Kelsey’s the ski cross champion my studies,” said Kelsey. husband, Stan Rey, also a retired from the 2018 Winter Games in What is certain, is Kelsey will from competitive ski cross, who’s Pyeongchang, South Korea and “We are so lucky in Kelowna continue to remain true to now a freeskiing filmmaker. the silver medalist from the 2014 to have the greatest family ski herself, ski Big White whenever Olympics in , Russia. resort in Canada right in our possible and use her celebrity to They tied the knot last year at own backyard.” make a difference. Big White Ski Resort, where Being an Olympic champ has, Kelsey learned to ski with her and hasn’t, changed Serwa. Her parents have a place up She’s created the KSER grandpa, former Kelowna MLA What came with the win is she at Big White where she and Scholarship Fund to help and Big White co-founder, Cliff is now a household name in the KELSEY’S THE SKI CROSS hubby Stan crash almost every Kelowna students graduating CHAMPION FROM THE Serwa. Okanagan and ski circles and weekend. from Grade 12 pursue excellence 2018 WINTER GAMES IN a sought-after role model and PYEONGCHANG, in athletics and academics and Big White isn’t just for nuptials motivational speaker. SOUTH KOREA “We’re classic millennials, still supports Kidsport, One Girl Can and learning to ski, it’s the popping up at our parents all the and Fast & Female, a group of world-class resort that tops our What hasn’t changed is she’s Since retiring from Written by: Steve MacNaull time,” says Kelsey with a laugh. women athlete role models that competitive racing in 2018, list of great Okanagan winter still a nice Kelowna girl who Kelsey simply skis for fun, While on the competitive circuit, encourages girls to rock life and staycations. loves to ski. mostly at Big White Ski Kelsey and Stan were based in sports. Resort near Kelowna. 10 11 Kelowna realtor donates “Absolutely, I was happy to do “I’m into Crossfit and took four it,” said Steele. weeks off and came back kidney, wins award gradually. Now, I’d say, I’m back “I’m a big believer in giving back at 95%.” CAMILLE STEELE OF ROYAL LEPAGE at every opportunity we have.” KELOWNA WON THE REALTORS CARE AWARD Steele is also a wife and mom of AFTER DONATING ONE OF HER KIDNEYS TO Humans are routinely born with two children, aged six and 12. A CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND. for a fire department and two healthy kidneys, which are volunteering at a community vital to remove excess wastes, As well, Steele donated 5% of hall. fluids and acids from the body, her real estate commissions control blood pressure, make over three months to the North “I don’t know how I will red blood cells and keep bones Westside Fire Department compete with that (kidney healthy. in Fintry, where she and her donation) next year,” said family lives, and volunteers at Steele with another chuckle. However, you can live a full and the Killiney Community Hall. healthy life with one kidney that Annually, the Okanagan works harder. The Realtors Care Award is Mainline Real Estate Board, based solely on philanthropy, which represents 1,300 The process for Steele started a not real estate sales. realtors, recognizes a single year before the transplant with realtor in its central zone with testing to make sure she was “Sales don’t have anything to the Realtors Care Award. the best match. do with it, because there are a lot of realtors who sell a lot Usually the award is When COVID hit, the surgery more than I do,” she said with acknowledgement of was put off for three months. yet another laugh. financial donations, organizing charitable When Washington state Steele’s boss, Royal LePage campaigns and-or re-opened for elective surgeries, Kelowna managing broker- volunteering with community Steele travelled to Spokane owner Steve Gray, nominated groups. where she met Bearden, who is Steele for the award. from Idaho, at the hospital. This is the first time the In 2019, Darryl Reuter of Royal Camille Steele of Royal LePage Written by: Steve MacNaull award has had a kidney- She was in the hospital for LePage Kelowna won, and in Kelowna has won the 2020 Realtors three days and stayed in 2018 it was Jane Hoffman of Care Award for donating a kidney to donation component. a close family friend, donating $2,300 Spokane two weeks after for Coldwell Banker. “Yes, the kidney donation to the North Westside Volunteer Fire follow up appointments to Department and volunteering at the probably put it over the top,” Steele had surgery on July ensure she was recovering and Killiney Community Hall. said Camille Steele with a self- 15 in Spokane, Washington well enough to travel back to deprecating laugh. to remove one of her healthy kidneys to be transplanted Kelowna. Steele, of Royal LePage Kelowna, into David Bearden, who had “I was moving pretty slowly is referring to her winning the two failing kidneys. for a week, but otherwise the 2020 Realtors Care Award for recovery was good and quick,” donating a kidney to a close Bearden is the husband of said Steele. family friend, raising money Steele’s mom’s best friend.

12 13 Laurel Douglas is Southern Interior Development Trust CEO Laurel Douglas has been named Business Leader of the Year for 2020 by Kelowna Business Leader the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s of the Year for 2020 Business Excellence Awards.

SHE HEADS UP THE SOUTHERN INTERIOR DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE TRUST AND PREVIOUSLY LED THE WOMEN’S Written by: Steve MacNaull ENTERPRISE CENTRE.

For Laurel Douglas, it’s always She continues to leave a legacy Douglas became CEO of the been about helping entrepreneurs of strategic thinking, impact and Southern Interior Development help themselves and grow the collaboration in the positions she Initiative Trust earlier this year. economy. has held.” Since its creation in 2006, the trust “When I arrived in Kelowna (23 The chamber announces the has provided funding for almost years ago), I wanted to use my Business Leader of the Year ahead $64 million in projects worth $250 background in business to help of its annual Business Excellence million that have created 3,650 jobs entrepreneurs access capital, Awards as a way to singularly in the Southern Interior. knowledge and markets,” said recognize the winner and create Douglas. hype around the Nov. 26, 2020 “In her new role, we are confident gala where trophies were handed her steady hand and clear- “And to help create the conditions out in 13 categories. headed planning will create to encourage economic great outcomes for this important development in our region. (We) When Douglas first moved to regional economic development are working very hard during this Kelowna in 1997, after working organization,” said Robinson. difficult time to support business in France, Germany, the UK and and community resilience and Ontario in telecom and financial Douglas is in good company as a recovery.”” services, she became the founding Kelowna Business Leader of the executive director of the tech Year. She’s done such an incredible industry support organization now job of it the Kelowna Chamber of known as Accelerate Okanagan. Past winners include KF Aerospace Commerce’s Business Excellence (formerly Kelowna Flightcraft) Awards recognized Douglas as She then worked for the National founder Barry LaPointe, Jeff Business Leader of the Year for Research Council before a long Stibbard of JDS Mining & Energy, 2020. tenure at the Kelowna-based Tony Stewart from Quails’ Gate Women’s Enterprise Centre, which Winery, Brad Bennett of McIntosh “Laurel has enriched our city and supports women entrepreneurs Properties and Pushor Mitchell our region,” said chamber president throughout BC with financing, lawyer Theresa Arsenault. Jeffrey Robinson. training, mentoring and resources.

“She has championed Over her 15 years at the centre, entrepreneurs and provided it provided direct and leveraged valuable community leadership in financing of $67 million to the economic development and hundreds of women-led post-secondary sectors. businesses, which helped create and maintain 3,650 jobs in the province.

14 15 Hotel Zed and

Accent Inns CEO is Accent Inns has five hotels in BC, including Kelowna, at the corner of Canadian woman Highway 97 and Gordon Drive. entrepreneur of the year people want to stay led to the The chain also works with the BC Written by: Steve MacNaull CEO winning the 2020 Royal Bank Cancer Agency to provide rooms Canadian Women Entrepreneur for out-of-town patients undergoing At Accent Inns you can use the Excellence Award. five-week rounds of chemotherapy. phone in the room to dial 1 for the “We lose money doing this, but it’s front desk, 2 to connect to another The excellence award is the the right thing to do,” says Farmer. room or 3 to report paranormal marquee of seven categories, activity to Ghostbusters. essentially making it the Canadian Farmer started leading Accent Inns woman entrepreneur of the year in 2008 and founded Hotel Zed in “There are hidden jokes accolade and the top honour in the 2014. everywhere in our rooms,” says nation for a businesswoman. Mandy Farmer, hanging out here in Accent Inns and Hotel Zed CEO Farmer’s dad, Terry, established the the backyard of a Hotel Zed, heads up Mandy Farmer. But the award is about more than first Accent Inn in 1986 in Victoria. the Victoria-based company that owns just fun and games. “Honestly, this being a family the Accent Inns and Hotel Zed chains. “You’ll also find them on the key Kelowna is home to both an Accent Inn business gave me a huge leg up,” and a Hotel Zed. card, the pen, that card that asks Judges dug deep and scrutinized says the younger Farmer. MANDY FARMER BEAT OUT 8,600 if you forgot something and the revenues, profitability, company OTHER NOMINEES TO WIN THE shampoo dispenser. It sounds like culture and customer satisfaction. “But I’ve continued to run the a small thing, but it’s actually big. If While COVID has certainly put chains with the deep family values TOP NATIONAL AWARD. we can have pops of humour and a it started with and I founded the sense of fun throughout the hotels a spanner in the works this year, Hotel Zed chain. So, I think the then we can put smiles on guests’ previously Accent Inns and Hotel Canadian Women Entrepreneur faces and that’s what it’s all about.” Zed had doubled profits over Awards recognized that.” You’ll also find a rubber ducky five years with a 52% increase in in every bathtub in Accent Inns, revenues. With a COVID vaccine on the way, because, after all, the hotel chain Farmer expects leisure travel and “gives a duck.” Even in these pandemic times, a hotel occupancy to surge quickly hotel employee survey showed that because everyone is dying to travel There are Accent Inns in Kelowna, 97% of workers were happy coming again. Kamloops, Burnaby, Vancouver to work and felt supported. Airport and Victoria. However, she suspects business During the worst of COVID, hotel travel may be forever changed now Hotel Zed has groovy, funky, retro occupancy plunged to 20% and that companies are comfortable hotels in Kelowna, Victoria and some staff had to be laid off. with virtual meetings and the cost Tofino. But Farmer made sure health savings that comes along with it. benefits for laid-off workers Hotel Zed is the place you’ll find continued and all staff received “But hotels are a resilient industry psychedelic decor, typewriters, $250 gift certificates for groceries. and is beautiful, so rotary dial phones, a hippie VW we’ll recover,” says Farmer. van parked out front and a ‘nooner’ Accent Inns also partnered with the package. United Way to create the Hotels for “I’m already looking at other cities Frontline Workers Fund so rooms for both Accent Inns and Hotel Zed.” Hotel Zed in downtown Kelowna exudes a retro, hippie vibe. Farmer’s leadership in curating could be offered free to essential 1 such distinctive hotels where workers who can’t go home. 16 17 The average selling price of a single- family home in the Central Okanagan DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, SALES AND in November 2020 was a record $856,956, up 14% from $752,004 in the PRICES SURGE. same month a year earlier. No sign of cooling: Okanagan real estate market

It’s an indication that homes Half of a duplex sold for an are selling quickly as demand average of $606,755, up 17% from Written by: Dylan McCullough intensifies and inventories $516,378. dwindle. The only home category that saw a decrease was condos, which “We continue to see high went for an average of $661,082 in The Central Okanagan’s real estate residential housing demand November 2020, a 10% drop from market continues to stay red hot. despite a mild seasonal slowdown the $402,589 of a year earlier. generally seen during this time of Despite the market spending the year,” says OMREB President Kim The pandemic prompted many first half of the year in a pandemic Heizmann. people to reevaluate their lives. induced rut, from the late summer If they didn’t like the home they onwards home sales from “It’s typical for market conditions were in, some of them moved. Revelstoke to Peachland have to cool as the weather cools, yet surged. that, much like everything else this Such soul searching also means year, hasn’t happened. Looking people in Vancouver, , In November 2020, the Okanagan at the numbers we can see that Edmonton and Toronto are pulling Mainline Real Estate Board consumer demand is not being up stakes and moving to the reported a 71% increase in met due to record low listings, Okanagan for the lifestyle and to residential sales in the Central which creates upward pressure escape harsher COVID realities. Okanagan compared to the same on pricing. Essentially, the demand month in 2019. is so high that it is difficult for Many of them look for a home they inventory to build up.” can work remotely from. In numbers, that’s 634 single- family homes, townhouses, The scenario has driven up prices. In November 2020, OMREB also condominiums, mobile homes The average selling price of a announced its official merger with and duplexes changing hands in single-family home in November the South Okanagan Mainline November, up dramatically from 2020 was a record $856,956, Real Estate Board to create the the 371 sales in November 2019. a 14% jump from $752,004 in Association of Interior Realtors. The homes that sold in November November 2019. spent an average of 62 days on Read the story about the merger the market, down from 75 days in For townhouses, the average was in this issue of Level Up. November 2019. $583,920, up 9% from $534,407.

18 19 Michael Ballingall is inheriting The 2021 board: a mixed bag of scenarios as he takes over as the new chair of the • Michael J. Ballingall as Chair Thompson Okanagan Tourism (previously Vice Chair), Big White Association. Ski Resort ”Right now, our first priority is • Frank Antoine, past-chair, supporting our industry partners Moccasin Trails tours and and members in this pandemic with consulting, Kamloops recovery programs and pursuing tourism funding (from government),” • Sandra Oldfield as Vice-Chair, said Ballingall, the vice-president of Elysian Projects & Fortify, Oliver marketing of Big White Ski Resort Michael Ballingall of Big White Ski Resort is the near Kelowna. • Gordon Fitzpatrick as Secretary- new chair of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Treasurer, Fitzpatrick Family Association. Ballingall admits there’s not much Vineyards, Peachland tourism activity in the region right now due to the provincial health • Don Brogan, Coast Oliver Hotel, Pandemic order to avoid all non-essential Oliver travel in BC. recovery • Beverly DeSantis, Tourism Hotels, restaurants, tour operators Kamloops, Kamloops and attractions are particularly job #1 negatively impacted. • Jessica Dolan, Ramada & Coast Penticton Hotel, Penticton for new However, you are able to move around in your own community, • Glenn Grant, BC Wildlife Park, tourism with COVID safety measures in Kamloops mind, for recreation, shopping and boss eating. • Lyndie Hill, Hoodoo Adventures, Penticton That means ski resorts, wineries MICHAEL and Okanagan hotels that offer long • Meira Larose, Cedar Haven BALLINGALL OF stays for Canadian snowbirds not Resort, Clearwater BIG WHITE SKI able to flee to Arizona or Mexico are doing OK, but not great. • Patricia Leslie, Andrew Peller, RESORT IS THE Oliver NEW CHAIR OF The Thompson Okanagan Tourism THE THOMPSON Association isn’t doing much • Monica Seys, Shuswap Marina, destination marketing right now Blind Bay OKANAGAN because of the damper on non- TOURISM essential travel outside your own • Andrea McFadden, Okanagan ASSOCIATION. community. Lavender & Herb Farm, Kelowna “The association is supporting • Steve Rice, Gold Country Written by: Steve MacNaull communities within the region and Communities Society, Spences Destination BC with their individual Bridge destination marketing,” said Ballingall. • Dale Sivucha, Coast Capri Hotel, The ski, wine and snowbird Kelowna accommodation sectors are doing “Our goal is helping with recovery OK. But the hotel, restaurants, and in the future partnering for • Kathrin von Andrian, Myra activities and attractions continue funding to build the industry up Canyon Ranch & Kelowna to be hard hit by COVID restrictions. again.” Stables, Kelowna 20 21 Responsible tourism Okanagan Written by: Dylan McCullough The Okanagan’s two real estate boards award goes to groups merge have officially merged into one entity.

Thompson Okanagan to create 13th Late last year, members of the The largest realtor Okanagan Mainline and South Tourism Association Okanagan real estate boards voted association in to amalgamate and combine their financial and operational resources. IT’S THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW THE LOCAL Canada ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AT Now known as the Association of Interior Realtors, it will serve more than THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS. THE OKANAGAN MAINLINE The Okanagan Thompson Tourism Association 1,600 realtors, making it the 13th largest has won the North America Responsible REAL ESTATE BOARD AND real estate board in Canada. Tourism Award for a third consecutive year. SOUTH OKANAGAN REAL ESTATE BOARD HAVE JOINED Its territory will stretch from Revelstoke recognizes that tourism has “Never before in the history of FORCES TO CREATE THE to the US border, Rock Creek to the Written by: Steve MacNaull to co-exist within the existing our industry have we faced the east and Eastgate Manning Park to the community and has to preserve challenges brought about by ASSOCIATION OF INTERIOR west. the environment for future the COVID-19 pandemic,” said REALTORS. Certainly, tourism is an industry, a generations. Thompson Okanagan Tourism The communities of Chetwynd, business and an economic engine. Association CEO Glenn Mandziuk. Tumbler Ridge and Dawson Creek in But, it is also a social, cultural and With COVID, the responsible Kim Heizmann, previously president Lindi Cruickshank, previously president of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate of the South Okanagan Real Estate the South Peace River region have also environmental force. tourism award also took into “It has only highlighted the Board and a realtor with Century 21 in Board and a realtor with Royal LePage been added. consideration the Thompson need for all of us to work Vernon, is the first president of the new Penticton, is vice-president of the new For recognizing and advocating Okanagan Tourism Association’s collaboratively on building back Association of Interior Realtors. Association of Interior Realtors. “I would especially like to congratulate tourism’s multi-faceted importance, efforts to help hard-hit members a more sustainable, resilient and presidents Kim Heizmann and Lyndi the Thompson Okanagan Tourism with one-on-one advice, training responsible tourism industry.” Cruickshank for their visionary Association has won the North and education and advocacy to leadership in bringing their boards America Responsible Tourism rebuild the industry through the The Thompson Okanagan Tourism together and to the directors of both Award for a third straight year. BC Regional Tourism Secretariat Association also won the North boards for their support of this historic Tourism Resiliency Program. America Responsible Tourism accomplishment,” Canadian Real Estate Responsible tourism is not just Award in 2018 and 2019. Association chair Costa Poulopoulos reaping the economic benefits The World Travel Awards, which said in a press release. of people visiting a region and hands out the Responsible Tourism A North America title automatically spending on hotels, transportation, Award, were to have been held in puts the winner in the running for OMREB will be bringing approximately dining, activities and entertainment the Okanagan this year along with the World’s Responsible Tourism 1,300 Realtors to the group, while and shopping. the conference attracting tourism Award. SOREB will contribute more than 300. types from across the globe. Voting for that global accolade It’s making sure that economic has closed and the winner will be OMREB president Kim Heizmann, activity happens while respecting However, COVID forced announced in the near future. a realtor with Century 21 in Vernon, the region’s social, cultural and cancellation of the conference and becomes the first president of the new environmental fabric. the awards to be held virtually. organization and SOREB president Lyndi Cruickshank, a realtor with Royal As such, the Thompson The Okanagan looks forward to LePage Penticton, becomes vice- Okanagan promotes Aboriginal- welcoming delegates in 2021 and president of the Association of Interior owned tourism operators and hosting in-person World Travel Realtors. understanding of the Sylix culture, Awards.

23 “And a great kitchen because I like three years are Roger and Peggy The Poulins also get out and COVID TRAVEL to cook.” Poulin from Meadow Lake, about for long walks, dancing and Saskatchewan. bingo at the Osoyoos and Oliver Snowbirds RESTRICTIONS MEANS THE At Walnut Beach Resort in seniors centres, pickleball at the OKANAGAN, NOT ARIZONA Osoyoos, almost all of the 110 suites “We’ve been wintering in Osoyoos Sonora Community Centre and have their OR MEXICO, HAS BECOME are being rented longer term this for the past seven years and volunteering at the Catholic church. THE NEW HOTSPOT FOR winter by snowbirds. jumped at the opportunity to be wings clipped ambassadors,” said Roger. “Our calendar is jammed,” said SNOWBIRDS. “Osoyoos has always been a bit of Roger. a destination for snowbirds, but it’s “We coordinate all the snowbird even more this season because of activities here, including the twice “Winters are pretty harsh in Some snowbirds, willing to take “But we’ll go back to Arizona for COVID,” said Walnut Beach general a week coffee mornings, cribbage Meadow Lake, so we might as well the risk, are defying government the winter as soon as there’s a manager Vincent Pouget. tournaments, bean bag baseball, be in Osoyoos because it’s the Written by: Steve MacNaull suggestions and are heading vaccine and we can get health afternoon and evening music jams nicest place in Canada.” south anyway. insurance sorted out. But in the “Walnut Beach is well positioned and potluck dinners.” future it will probably be a rental because all suites have a fully- In fact, most hotels and RV parks For Wendy and Stan Coutu, Others are coming up with a very rather than our own place.” equipped kitchen, we keep the Before retiring, Roger was meat in Osoyoos are full this winter with winters are usually highlighted Canuck solution--spending the heated pool and hot tubs open manager for 37 years at the snowbirds. by lounging poolside, walking the winter in the warmest regions The Coutus decided to move 365 days a year and rates start at Meadow Lake Co-operative dog in the sunshine and playing of Canada instead, namely the from La Casa to The Shore for the $1,800 a month.” grocery store and Peggy ran a Generally, hotels are suffering as tennis, softball and golf. Okanagan, Lower Mainland and winter so they can be in the city daycare for 27 years. COVID continues to keep people at Vancouver Island. and not have to drive narrow and The program at Walnut Beach is home. But not this winter. windy Westside Road to and from so entrenched that it has snowbird After all, if you’re from notoriously La Casa in the snow. ambassadors, who for the past However, the BC Hotel Association COVID quashed the Coutus’ frigid places like Prince George, started a campaign to help plans for a return to their holiday Edmonton, Regina or Winnipeg, an The Shore did its own COVID accommodations in the Okanagan, home in Maricopa, Arizona and Okanagan winter can be an oasis. pivot. Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland and instead they’re staying at the new Vancouver Island pivot to longer- apartment-hotel complex The The Coutus retired eight years The six-story complex across from term rentals for snowbirds as a way Shore in Kelowna. ago, Wendy from the pro shop at Gyro Beach, which has Shoreline to fill rooms. Osoyoos Golf and Country Club Brewing on the ground floor, was “We’re definitely going to miss and Stan as a teacher at Osoyoos designed for short-term rentals in Arizona this winter,” said Wendy. Secondary School. the summer and student rentals in “But the upside of being in the winter. Kelowna is we’re close to our They moved to West Kelowna three kids and two adorable and bought a cottage at La Casa However, with the pandemic, The granddaughters. We’ll get out as their summer home and also Shore decided it makes more for lots of walks with our golden purchased a home in Arizona with sense to offer short-or-longer- retriever and we’ll help our a pool for the winter. term rentals to anyone who wants, daughter with the renovation on including snowbirds. her house.” When COVID crashed the world in March, the Coutus sold the In fact, The Shore specifically Because of the pandemic, Arizona house they bought for targeted snowbirds. the Canadian government $143,000 eight years ago for recommends against travel $300,000. “We have an incredible fifth- internationally, a directive that floor corner unit with a beautiful puts the kibosh on thousands of “Yes, we made money, but we view of Okanagan Lake and the Roger and Peggy Poulin from Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan are spending the winter at snowbirds’ dream of escaping loved that house and it was tough mountains,” said Wendy. Wendy and Stan Coutu and their dog, Joe, usually flee to Maricopa, Arizona for the winter, Walnut Beach Resort in Osoyoos. winter’s freeze. to give it up,” said Wendy. but because of COVID, they are spending the season at The Shore in Kelowna.

24 25 Ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, skate, hike, COVID and beyond,” says general and 2,700 acres of space really in a change of scenery, get some stay overnight, spa, sip wine and craft The Great manager Ruth Hanbury. gives us an advantage.” exercise or feed your body and beer, dine in a dome or order in. soul. “The winery is open for tastings Big White also has the cachet of Okanagan Staycation and daycation options in the daily and we have 10 of these Kelsey Serwa as an ambassador. So check out the scenic winter Okanagan abound. Winter new, supercool beachfront dining hikes on Knox Mountain, at Bear domes where you and up to five Serwa grew up learning to ski at Creek or the Myra Canyon. True, there’s no turquoise ocean, the other people in your bubble can Big White and went on to win the Staycation temperature isn’t 30C and the palm have happy hour, high tea or a ski cross Olympic gold medal at Snowshoe at Telemark or Kelowna trees aren’t swaying as they would be Written by: Steve MacNaull five-course dinner.” the Pyeongchang Games in 2018. Nordic clubs, take a turn at the in Hawaii or Mexico. See the story, also in this issue of skating rink at Stuart Park in For the winter, Frind Winery in West Kelowna That’s right, the domes look Level Up, on what else Serwa is up downtown Kelowna and cap it off However, while COVID travel has set up 10 beachfront, heated domes for like stylish, clear igloos and are to these days. with lunch, dinner and-or drinks at stylish dining, wine tasting and high tea. restrictions rule out a tropical paradise heated, lit and elegantly set with a a favourite restaurant or an eatery this winter, a rejuvenating mini-break, table for six. Big White is part of Okanagan you haven’t tried before. be it a couple of hours, weekend or Bucket List, a group that’s been week, in the Okanagan is oh-so doable. Hanbury may be biased, but her touting world-class experiences to perfect daycation is typically wine- locals and visitors alike for years. “We all have to do things differently and-food-centric. The other members are Sparkling this winter,” admits Vincent Pouget, Hill Resort and Predator Ridge the general manager at Walnut Beach “You can definitely make a day Golf Resort, both near Vernon, Resort in Osoyoos. of visiting wineries and enjoying Eldorado Resort in Kelowna seated tastings and lunch or and Mission Hill Winery in West “But that doesn’t mean you can’t dinner,” she says. Kelowna. The front entrance of 149-room Sparkling Hill have fun. For instance, Osoyoos is the Resort near Vernon looks like an upturned warmest and driest place in Canada, crystal, a nod to ownership by the Swarovski “The hospitality industry in this Sparkling Hill Resort has done a crystal family. even in the winter, so a luxurious Valley is doing such a good job remarkable job marketing itself to stay at Walnut Beach, a day skiing at during COVID.” locals for winter staycations. Mount Baldy, some winery visits and restaurant meals would make for a For many, Okanagan winter As such, it’s full most of the time great staycation.” is synonymous with skiing with guests ensconced in stylish on mountains blanketed with suites and bathing in tubs with Such attributes also mean Osoyoos has champagne powder snow. a view placed right in the living become more than a daycation and And it’s proving true even more so room. staycation destination. this year. Guests also opt for pampering Big White Ski Resort is full with local and at KurSpa, dine at PeakFine and domestic guests this winter. It’s attracted snowbirds from elsewhere “If you can’t go to Hawaii, Palm Barrique and splash in the indoor- in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan who Springs, Mexico or Phoenix, then outdoor infinity pool. are calling the South Okanagan town definitely go skiing instead,” says COVID STYMIED home for the winter since they can’t Michael Ballingall, vice-president Yes, Sparkling Hill is the YOUR TRAVEL make it as far south as Arizona and of marketing at Big White Ski $122-million architectural marvel California. PLANS FOR HAWAII Resort. owned by the Swarovski crystals OR MEXICO? family with a front entrance that By the way, the outdoor pool at Walnut “We’re filled up with locals and resembles an upturned gem and STAYCATION AND Beach is heated year-round, so it’s domestic holidayers who are incorporates 3.5 million crystals DAYCATION IN perfect for a January dip. coming for the day, or overnight, or into the hotel’s decor. THE OKANAGAN for a week, buying real estate and Frind Winery in West Kelowna isn’t The outdoor pool at Walnut Beach Resort in INSTEAD. bringing multi-generations. Our Even if you have just a few hours, Osoyoos is heated year-round so you can take letting the pandemic get it down. ski-in, ski-out accommodations daycationing allows you to indulge a dip in January. “We’re going to clink to the end of 26 27 B&B comes up big at Westside business awards Business of the year A View to Remember Bed & Breakfast

A VIEW TO REMEMBER Citizen of the year BED & BREAKFAST IS ALSO A View to Remember Bed & Breakfast is Norm Parent of GRM Inc. owned and operated by Sue Willis and her CELEBRATING ITS 20TH husband, Dann. ANNIVERSARY. Large business of the year Boyd Autobody & Glass

Written by: Steve MacNaull Small business of the year categories were handed out during Carls Flower Company a Zoom gala. This bed and breakfast keeps New business of the year A View to Remember Bed & Breakfast is located on a quiet residential true to its name with ridiculously street in West Kelowna and has three comfy suites. A View to Remember picked Il Mercato Social Kitchen stunning views. up the marquee business of the year award as well as the Indigenous business of the year A View to Remember Bed & environmentally sustainable Syilx Trail Gallery & Gifts Breakfast, with three suites in a business of the year accolade. lovely home located on a quiet Environmentally sustainable street in West Kelowna, enjoys an The B&B has a gold rating with business of the year incredible aspect with vistas over the Sustainable Tourism 2030 A View to Remember Bed & Breakfast forest and vineyards to Okanagan project, which tracks a hospitality Lake and the mountains. business’ cleaning protocol, energy Home-based business of the year consumption, waste handling and YET Human Resources It’s sweet locale, combined with guest experience. 20 years in business, comfortable Entrepreneurial spirit suites and exceptional customer A View to Remember touts its Shift Power Yoga service earned the B&B two of the convenient location on a residential most prestigious trophies at the street, a short walk, cycle or drive Platinum service provider recent Greater Westside Board of to wineries, restaurants and the West Kelowna Integrative Health Care Centre A View to Remember Bed & Breakfast won business of the year and Trade 2020 Key Business Awards. beach. environmentally sustainable business of the year at the recent Greater Westside Board of Trade 2020 Key Business Awards. “Definitely, it was our longevity, Technology and innovation quality, constant rave reviews and Norm Parent of property business of the year environmental sustainability that maintenance company GRM Big Bear Software led to these wins,” said Sue Willis, Inc. was recognized as citizen who owns and operates A View of the year for his outstanding Tourism and hospitality business YOUR STORY to Remember with her husband, contributions to the business and of the year IS OUR Dann. wider community. The Cove Lakeside Resort BUSINESS

“We’re the longest active B&B in Parent is the director of strategic Arts and entertainment Let’s Connect the Thompson Okanagan and initiatives for GRM, mentors Okanagan Indigenous Music & Arts Society we had a fairly successful year young entrepreneurs and helped considering everything (like COVID spearhead the Pay it Forward Community and public service and travel restrictions).” initiative that helped restaurants West K Women of Influence NowMediaGroup.ca hard hit by COVID while raising Speaking of the pandemic, it Norm Parent of GRM property maintenance $4,500 for the Central Okanagan was named citizen of the year at the Key meant Key Business Awards in 14 Food Bank. Business Awards.

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