2009 Economic Profile Regional District of the Central Okanagan
© 2009 Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission 1450 KLO Road, KELOWNA, BC, V1W 3Z4 [email protected] www.investkelowna.com Toll Free: 1.877.332.2673 250.469.6280
Disclaimer Notice:
This document was compiled for the Economic Development Commission of the Central Okanagan by Kettle Valley Research. The information contained within this publication has been compiled from sources deemed to be reliable and while every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, it is not guaranteed. Readers should be aware that any information stated herein may change at any time and without notice. This publication is intended as an information source and does not imply endorsement of any service, association or organization herein.
Please also note that this publication is not inclusive of all data available at the Economic Development Commission. If you have any questions or comments about the information in this document please contact our office at (250) 469-6280, toll free (877) 332-2673, or by e-mail at [email protected].
Copyright © 2009 By the Economic Development Commission, Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO). All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole, in part, or in any form.
About this Document
The Economic Profile is available online through the Economic Development Commission’s website: www.investkelowna.com.
The Economic Profile was updated in spring 2009 using the most up to date information and statistics available. Statistics Canada and BC Stats are major sources of information for this document. However, because these statistics are updated throughout the year, the reader may want to compare the statistics herein with the actual federal and provincial sources:
Statistics Canada: www.statcan.ca BC Stats: www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca
Throughout the profile, we have also included links to other websites for additional information. The Economic Development Commission of the Central Okanagan is a division of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan. Whenever possible, the information herein reflects the areas within the Regional District boundaries. Table of Contents
1 Introduction to the Central Okanagan ...... 1 1.1 Regional District of the Central Okanagan ...... 1 1.2 City of Kelowna ...... 1 1.3 West Kelowna District Municipality ...... 2 1.4 District of Lake Country ...... 2 1.5 District of Peachland ...... 2 1.6 Westbank First Nation ...... 2 1.7 Unincorporated Areas ...... 3 1.8 2006 Census Geography ...... 4 2 Population ...... 5 2.1 Population Distribution ...... 5 2.2 Population Density by Area ...... 6 2.3 Population Growth Components ...... 8 2.4 Migration Components ...... 9 2.5 Population Growth Projections ...... 10 2.6 Forecast Population Growth by Component ...... 11 2.7 Population Demographics ...... 12 2.8 Household Characteristics ...... 22 3 Labour Force Characteristics ...... 26 3.1 Definitions ...... 26 3.2 Size of the Labour Force ...... 27 3.3 Labour Force by Occupation ...... 31 3.4 Employment by Industry ...... 33 3.5 Self Employment ...... 35 3.6 Major Employers ...... 36 3.7 Unemployed Labour Force Characteristics ...... 37 3.8 Labour Force Income Profile ...... 38 4 Economic Sectors ...... 40 4.1 Proximity to Markets ...... 40 4.2 Access to Markets ...... 41 4.3 Regional Markets ...... 42 4.4 Business Activity ...... 43 4.5 Firms by Industry Sector ...... 47 4.6 Construction Industry Profile ...... 48 4.7 Central Okanagan Major Projects Inventory ...... 49 4.8 Housing ...... 62 4.9 Manufacturing ...... 67 4.10 Wholesale and Retail Trade ...... 69 4.11 Agriculture ...... 71 4.12 Tourism ...... 76 4.13 Forestry ...... 79 4.14 Technology Industry ...... 80 4.15 Industrial Land ...... 84 5 Infrastructure ...... 87 5.1 Transportation...... 87 5.2 Freight ...... 95 5.3 Communications ...... 96 5.4 Utilities ...... 97 5.5 Education, Government, Health and Business Services ...... 98 6 Life in the Okanagan ...... 100 6.1 Education ...... 100 6.2 Taxation ...... 105 6.3 Protective Services ...... 106 6.4 Location and Climate ...... 109 6.5 Recreation ...... 110 6.6 Cultural and Social Amenities ...... 113 6.7 Local Government ...... 115
1 Introduction to the Central Okanagan
1.1 REGIONAL DISTRICT OF THE CENTRAL OKANAGAN
The Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) is situated along the shores of Okanagan Lake in the southern interior of British Columbia. The region consists of more than 2,904 square kilometres (1,142 square miles) of diverse landscapes and topography, including nearly 295 hectares (7,300 acres) of clean, sandy beaches. The area is abundant with rich agricultural land, forested hillsides and mountain peaks. The area is an attractive tourist destination as well as a popular location for a wide range of businesses. The estimated population for the Central Okanagan for 2008 was 180,1141 which represent over 50% off the Okanagan Valley’s total population.
The Regional District of the Central Okanagan is comprised of seven separate areas: City of Kelowna, District of West Kelowna (incorporated in December 6, 2007), District of Peachland, District of Lake Country, Central Okanagan J (census subdivision), Central Okanagan East Electoral Area (formerly Joe Rich – Ellison) and the Westbank First Nation. All have unique characteristics but are closely interrelated.
The Regional District of the Central Okanagan was incorporated in 1967 and has a well-diversified economy, with agriculture, forestry and tourism being the main industries. The warm climate makes this area one of the more important agricultural centres in the province and is one of many attractions for tourists. Improved transportation links to the Lower Mainland have enhanced the Central Okanagan as a place to locate secondary and tertiary manufacturing.
The region has experienced significant growth in residential construction over the past several years. The development of the University of British Columbia – Okanagan campus and growing aerospace industry also attract people. Agriculture and the popularity of the region for tourism and as a retirement centre should ensure continued growth for the region.
For more information: Regional District of the Central Okanagan www.regionaldistrict.com
1.2 CITY OF KELOWNA
With a population of 118,5072 in 2008, Kelowna is the largest community in the Central Okanagan. Kelowna is located approximately 400 km east of Vancouver, BC, and 130 km north of the United States border.
Kelowna continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in BC with manufacturing, high technology, health care, tourism and post-secondary education sectors in particular attracting new business and residents to the area. The city’s vibrant retail and commercial base attracts a trading area of approximately 450,000 residents, making it the largest centre for urban development, business, commercial, retail, and health care services between the Lower Mainland and Calgary.
For more information: City of Kelowna www.kelowna.ca
1 Municipalities, Regional Districts and Development Regions Population Estimates, BC STATS, Service BC, BC Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, February 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/pop/pop/mun/PopulationEstimates_1996-2008.xls (Accessed April 16, 2009) 2 IBID
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1.3 WEST KELOWNA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
The West Kelowna District Municipality (West Kelowna) is a new local government incorporated on December 6, 2007. West Kelowna is the second largest municipality in the Central Okanagan with a population of 27,1613 (2008). The communities within the new district municipality include Westbank, which comprises just under half of the total population -- Shannon Lake, Glenrosa, Casa Loma, West Kelowna Estates, Rose Valley and Lakeview Heights. West Kelowna borders two self-governing reserves of the Westbank First Nation, Tsinstikeptum #9 and Tsinstikeptum #10.
For more information: District of West Kelowna www.districtofwestkelowna.ca
1.4 DISTRICT OF LAKE COUNTRY
The District of Lake Country has a population of 11,0514 (2008). Lake Country is comprised of four separate communities: Oyama, Carr’s Landing, Okanagan Centre, and Winfield. These communities are closely interrelated but are unique in their own right. Like other areas in the Central Okanagan, the area’s population growth has resulted in significantly increased residential and commercial activity, and continues to grow and evolve.
For more Information: District of Lake Country www.lakecountry.bc.ca
1.5 DISTRICT OF PEACHLAND
The District of Peachland has a population of 5,2325 (2008). Peachland is the southern-most community in the Regional District and is located 22 km south of Kelowna on the west side of Okanagan Lake. Over the past few years, Peachland has undergone a major development program, including improvements to transportation, municipal services and additional residential, commercial and retail facilities.
For more information: District of Peachland www.peachland.ca
6 1.6 WESTBANK FIRST NATION
Westbank First Nation, historically known as stqaʔtkʷníwt, is comprised of five reserves totalling 5,306 acres.
Tsinstikeptum Reserves 9 and 10 border Okanagan Lake and are in close proximity to the City of Kelowna. Westbank First Nation's band membership totals 657 with approximately 59% residing on reserve lands, along with approximately 9,000 non-members. Approximately 20% of WFN lands are developed and are fully serviced with cable, water, sewer and other utilities. The remaining reserve land are very desirable for future economic growth as the area responds to increasing demands for development. Westbank First Nation is self-governing and has implemented one of the most comprehensive sets of community laws in Canada that cover the development and regulation of reserve lands.
3 Municipalities, Regional Districts and Development Regions Population Estimates, BC STATS, Service BC, BC Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, February 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/pop/pop/mun/PopulationEstimates_1996-2008.xls (Accessed April 16, 2009) 4 IBID 5 IBID 6 Westbank First Nation, Community Profile, 2008, http://www.wfn.ca/profile.asp (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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For more information: Westbank First Nation www.wfn.ca
1.7 UNINCORPORATED AREAS
The remainder of the Regional District is made up of unincorporated areas, including Central Okanagan J and Central Okanagan East Electoral Area. The unincorporated areas population totals 18,163 (2008)
1.7.1 CENTRAL OKANAGAN J
Central Okanagan J is located on the west side of Okanagan Lake. It includes the communities of Caesars,Ewing, Fintry, Nahun, Trader’s Cove, and Wilson Landing.
1.7.2 CENTRAL OKANAGAN EAST ELECTORAL AREA
Central Okanagan East is located along the Mission Creek valley approximately 24 km east of Kelowna. This area is known for its natural features, open landscape and residential areas which are removed from the hub of Kelowna, yet only minutes away from its amenities and services.
For more information: Regional District of the Central Okanagan www.regionaldistrict.com
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1.8 2006 CENSUS GEOGRAPHY
Census data presented in this report reflect 2006 census boundaries which do include the new West Kelowna District Municipality. A new census profile was commissioned from Statistics Canada to accurately reflect population and demographic statistics for the new geography.
The map7 below outlines the current boundaries within the regional district, including the West Kelowna District Municipality. Central Okanagan J area includes the new district municipality but excludes Peachland and Westbank First Nation reserves.
7 Regional District of the Central Okanagan Website, About Us, Population, Map, and General Info, http://www.regionaldistrict.com/docs/about/rd-map-small.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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2 Population
2.1 POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
The total population for the Central Okanagan from the 2006 Census was 167,417. The estimated population for 2009 is 180,234. Population growth in the Central Okanagan has historically outpaced growth in the province overall. Note that the large percentage change in unincorporated areas resulted from the incorporation of West Kelowna in 2008.
Population Growth8
% 20099 1996 2001 2006 2007 2008 Change (Estimates) British Columbia 3,724,500 3,907,738 4,113,487 4,310,305 4,399,200 1.7% 4,448,134
Central Okanagan 141,628 154,156 167,417 174,052 180,114 3.5% 180,234 Kelowna 92,859 100,512 110,351 114,731 118,507 3.3% 119,253 Lake Country 9,330 9,518 9,790 10,233 11,051 8.0% N/A Peachland 4,675 4,710 4,938 5,125 5,232 2.1% N/A West Kelowna n/a n/a n/a n/a 27,161 n/a N/A Unincorporated Areas 34,764 39,416 42,338 43,963 18,163 -58.7% N/A
Note: BC Stats populations generally differs from Statistics Canada census counts and projections.
8 Municipalities, Regional Districts and Development Regions Population Estimates, BC STATS, Service BC, BC Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, February 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/pop/pop/mun/PopulationEstimates_1996-2008.xls (Accessed April 16, 2009) 9 Financial Post, 2009,FP Markets Canadian Demographics 2009
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2.2 POPULATION DENSITY BY AREA
The total land area of the Central Okanagan is 2,904 square kilometres. The population density for the region is 55.9 persons/square kilometre. Density ranges from a high of 504.1 persons / square kilometre in the City of Kelowna to a low of 3.2 persons / square kilometre in Central Okanagan East Electoral Area.
Population Density by Area10 Population 2006 Land area density per Population % of Region (square km) % of Region square km British Columbia 4,113,487 924,815.43 4.4
Central Okanagan 162,276 3.9% 2,904.01 0.3% 55.9
City of Kelowna 106,707 65.8% 211.69 7.3% 504.1 District of West Kelowna11 27,095 16.7% 121.42 4.2% 233.2 District of Lake Country 9,606 5.9% 122.16 4.2% 78.6 District of Peachland 4,883 3.0% 15.98 0.6% 305.6 Central Okanagan J 28,972 17.9% 1,297.81 44.7% 22.3 (Including West Kelowna) Central Okanagan (EA) 3,978 2.5% 1,244.16 42.8% 3.2
10 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Released March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 14, 2009) 11 Statistics Canada, Custom Data Run, West Kelowna Geography, 2006 Census Data, April 2009
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Population and Density 2001 to 2006 200112 200613 Population Population Population density per density per square km Population square km British Columbia 3,907,738 4.2 4,113,487 4.4
Central Okanagan 147,739 50.9 162,276 55.9
City of Kelowna 96,288 455.9 106,707 504.1 District of West Kelowna14 N/A N/A 27,095 233.2 District of Lake Country 9,267 75.9 9,606 78.6 District of Peachland 4,654 291.0 4,883 305.6 Central Okanagan J 26,001 20.1 28,972 22.3 (Including West Kelowna) Central Okanagan (EA) 3,672 3.0 3,978 3.2
12 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Released March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 14, 2009) 13 IBID 14 Statistics Canada, Custom Data Run, West Kelowna Geography, 2006 Census Data, April 2009
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2.3 POPULATION GROWTH COMPONENTS
Population growth in the region has been due primarily to in-migration. High inflows of migrants have resulted in the population of the region increasing by 90% from 92,772 in 1986 to 183,712 in 2009. The region was one of the highest growth areas in the province through the 1990s. The past several years have seen slower, but steady growth. The average rate of population growth from 2000 to 2009 has been 2.1% compared to 4.0% in the 1990s.
Population Growth Components 1996 to 200915 Natural Net Population Growth Year Increase Migration Population Rate 1996 500 3,262 141,628 2.7% 1997 368 3,467 145,463 2.7% 1998 214 3,085 148,762 2.3% 1999 201 1,342 150,305 1.0% 2000 256 1,537 152,098 1.2% 2001 173 1,885 154,156 1.4% 2002 -34 1,570 155,692 1.0% 2003 -13 2,585 158,264 1.7% 2004 -101 1,170 159,333 0.7% 2005 -71 3,880 163,142 2.4% 2006 -21 4,296 167,417 2.6% 2007 69 6,566 174,052 4.0% 2008 48 6,014 180,114 3.5% 2009 218 3,380 183,712 2.0%
Note: BC Stats population estimates generally differ from Statistics Canada Census counts and projections.
15 Population Section, BC Stats, Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, March 2009, P.E.O.P.L.E. 33 Projection Run
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2.4 MIGRATION COMPONENTS
Intra-provincial migration has historically been the largest segment of migration to the Central Okanagan. However, interprovincial migration has been an increasingly significant migration component over the past four years. The region has experienced a smaller but steady flow of international migration over the past four years as well.
Migration Components 1995/96 to 2006/0716 Year International Interprovincial Intra-Provincial Total Net (Net) (Net) (Net) Migration 1995 / 96 550 1,271 1,743 3,564 1996 / 97 335 719 1,818 2,872 1997 / 98 258 (179) 2,240 2,319 1998 / 99 72 (271) 2,177 1,978 1999 / 00 128 (291) 1,668 1,505 2000 / 01 339 (182) 1,593 1,750 2001 / 02 45 (27) 2,062 2,080 2002 / 03 (252) 827 2,243 2,818 2003 / 04 271 1,275 1,486 3,032 2004 / 05 327 1,205 1,250 2,782 2005 / 06 361 1,542 1,810 3,713 2006 / 07 371 1,718 1,810 3,899
16 BC Stats, Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, Feb 2008, British Columbia Regional District Migration Components, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/pop/mig/rdcomp07.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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17 2.5 POPULATION GROWTH PROJECTIONS
The population of the Central Okanagan is projected to grow to 264,196 by 2036. However, the growth rate is expected to decline steadily over this period from 3.5% in 2008 to only 0.7% by 2036.
Population Growth Projections 2008 to 2036
17 Population Section, BC Stats, Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, 2007, P.E.O.P.L.E. 32 Projection Run
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2.6 FORECAST POPULATION GROWTH BY COMPONENT
The net population growth projection from 2008 to 2036 indicates that all growth in the region will result from positive net migration. Net migration is expected to more than offset declining natural increase. Net natural increase is expected to be increasingly negative over the next three decades. Fertility rates have been declining and have consistently been lower than the provincial average since the mid-1990s.
Population Growth Projections by Component 2008 to 203618 Net Natural Population % Change in Year Increase Net Migration Growth Population 2008 48 6,014 180,114 3.5% 2009 218 3,380 183,712 2.0% 2010 198 3,307 187,217 1.9% 2011 184 3,174 190,575 1.8% 2012 169 3,220 193,964 1.8% 2013 164 3,144 197,272 1.7% 2014 157 3,173 200,602 1.7% 2015 145 3,225 203,972 1.7% 2016 117 3,243 207,332 1.6% 2017 104 3,236 210,672 1.6% 2018 63 3,214 213,949 1.6% 2019 28 3,216 217,193 1.5% 2020 (3) 3,217 220,407 1.5% 2021 (45) 3,231 223,593 1.4% 2022 (94) 3,220 226,719 1.4% 2023 (148) 3,220 229,791 1.4% 2024 (206) 3,234 232,819 1.3% 2025 (257) 3,207 235,769 1.3% 2026 (318) 3,205 238,656 1.2% 2027 (371) 3,204 241,489 1.2% 2028 (414) 3,180 244,255 1.1% 2029 (465) 3,156 246,946 1.1% 2030 (511) 3,157 249,592 1.1% 2031 (557) 3,140 252,175 1.0% 2032 (624) 3,144 254,695 1.0% 2033 (680) 3,159 257,174 1.0% 2034 (739) 3,154 259,589 0.9% 2035 (800) 3,142 261,931 0.9% 2036 (858) 3,123 264,196 0.9%
18 Population Section, BC Stats, Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, March 2009, P.E.O.P.L.E. 33 Projection Run
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2.7 POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS
2.7.1 AGE DISTRIBUTION
The population of the Central Okanagan is gradually aging. The median age of the population was 44.2 years in 2006, compared to 42.0 in 2001 and been increasing steadily since the 1980s. The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over increased from 22% in 1996 to 24% in 2009. The median age of the Central Okanagan’s population has been higher than the provincial median (41.5) for over 20 years, due in part to the areas large retirement base.
Age Distribution19 % of % of % of % of 1996 Population 2001 Population 2006 Population 2009 Population Under 5 8,302 6% 7,483 5% 7,397 4% 8,349 5% Ages 5-9 9,185 6% 9,056 6% 8,391 5% 8,649 5% Ages 10-14 9,503 7% 10,109 7% 10,052 6% 10,037 5% Ages 15-19 8,745 6% 10,336 7% 11,198 7% 11,434 6% Ages 20-24 8,587 6% 8,865 6% 11,109 7% 12,781 7% Ages 25-29 8,982 6% 8,359 5% 9,309 6% 11,935 6% Ages 30-34 10,714 8% 9,434 6% 9,141 5% 10,558 6% Ages 35-39 11,662 8% 11,737 8% 10,435 6% 11,731 6% Ages 40-44 10,957 8% 12,650 8% 13,032 8% 12,179 7% Ages 45-49 9,816 7% 11,486 7% 13,474 8% 15,064 8% Ages 50-54 7,573 5% 10,504 7% 12,261 7% 14,063 8% Ages 55-59 6,884 5% 8,455 5% 11,363 7% 12,529 7% Ages 60-64 6,876 5% 7,819 5% 9,423 6% 11,313 6% Ages 65 plus 23,842 17% 27,863 18% 30,832 18% 33,090 18% Totals 141,628 100% 154,156 100% 167,417 100% 183,712 100%
19 Population Section, BC Stats, Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, March 2009, P.E.O.P.L.E. 33 Projection Run
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2.7.2 POPULATION GROWTH PROJECTIONS BY AGE GROUP
The proportion of population aged 65 years plus is expected to increase over the next three decades from 17.8% in 2008 to 25.3% in 2036. However, over the same period, the proportion of those people aged 25 to 64 years is expected to decline only slightly from 53.1% in 2008 to 51.0% in 2036.
Population by Age Group 2008 to 203620 Ages Ages Ages Ages Ages Ages Year Under 5 5-12 13-17 18-24 25-44 45-64 65 plus Totals 2008 7,988 14,544 11,043 17,651 45,348 51,482 32,058 180,114 2009 8,349 14,432 10,914 17,555 46,403 52,969 33,090 183,712 2010 8,731 14,434 10,710 17,414 47,636 54,227 34,065 187,217 2011 9,108 14,457 10,633 17,070 49,110 55,105 35,092 190,575 2012 9,413 14,599 10,533 16,806 50,570 55,609 36,434 193,964 2013 9,729 14,780 10,397 16,535 52,135 55,972 37,724 197,272 2014 9,900 15,136 10,282 16,315 53,417 56,594 38,958 200,602 2015 10,075 15,614 10,161 16,056 54,471 57,319 40,276 203,972 2016 10,235 16,011 10,176 15,843 55,500 58,088 41,479 207,332 2017 10,394 16,459 10,171 15,616 56,590 58,746 42,696 210,672 2018 10,521 16,931 10,195 15,505 57,554 59,234 44,009 213,949 2019 10,608 17,418 10,231 15,403 58,519 59,689 45,325 217,193 2020 10,676 17,849 10,465 15,237 59,457 59,971 46,752 220,407 2021 10,731 18,259 10,598 15,153 60,303 60,383 48,166 223,593 2022 10,766 18,498 10,947 15,120 61,031 60,704 49,653 226,719 2023 10,798 18,721 11,319 15,102 61,694 61,038 51,119 229,791 2024 10,814 18,915 11,711 15,155 62,061 61,552 52,611 232,819 2025 10,817 19,093 12,013 15,310 62,283 62,127 54,126 235,769 2026 10,820 19,232 12,333 15,462 62,364 62,787 55,658 238,656 2027 10,810 19,327 12,507 15,886 62,333 63,461 57,165 241,489 2028 10,804 19,391 12,684 16,227 62,319 64,084 58,746 244,255 2029 10,803 19,427 12,833 16,626 62,007 65,006 60,244 246,946 2030 10,807 19,448 12,989 17,036 61,620 66,230 61,462 249,592 2031 10,815 19,462 13,100 17,454 61,213 67,697 62,434 252,175 2032 10,836 19,458 13,178 17,822 60,954 69,134 63,313 254,695 2033 10,868 19,447 13,237 18,202 60,726 70,679 64,015 257,174 2034 10,913 19,437 13,276 18,419 60,700 71,978 64,866 259,589 2035 10,964 19,426 13,300 18,632 60,753 72,988 65,868 261,931 2036 11,024 19,421 13,315 18,814 60,933 73,936 66,753 264,196
20 Population Section, BC Stats, Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, March 2009, P.E.O.P.L.E. 33 Projection Run
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Proportion of Population Aged 25 to 44 and 65 Years Plus21
21 Population Section, BC Stats, Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, March 2009, P.E.O.P.L.E. 33 Projection Run
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2.7.3 ETHNICITY
The Central Okanagan has significantly lower proportion of visible minorities than BC in general. Only 5% of the population in the region are a visible minority compared to 25% for BC overall. The most common visible minorities in the region are South Asian (28%), Chinese (18%), and Japanese (15%).
Visible Minority Population Characteristics22 RDCO BC % of % of Population Population Population Total population 160,565 100% 100% Total visible minority population 8,325 5% 25% Chinese 1,465 18% 40% South Asian 2,345 28% 26% Black 660 8% 3% Filipino 415 5% 9% Latin American 530 6% 3% Southeast Asian 715 9% 4% Arab 65 1% 1% West Asian 190 2% 3% Korean 270 3% 5% Japanese 1,230 15% 3% Visible minority, n.i.e. 130 2% 0% Multiple visible minority 305 4% 3% Not a visible minority 152,240 95% 75%
22 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009)
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2.7.4 MOTHER TONGUE
The region has a higher proportion of English only speaking people than BC in general with 85% English only compared to 71% for BC.
Mother tongue23 RDCO BC % of % of Population Population Population Total population 160,560 100% 100% English only 136,020 85% 71% French only 2,525 2% 1% English and French 175 0% 0% Other language(s) 21,835 14% 28%
Language Spoken Most Often at Home24 RDCO BC % of % of Population Population Population Total population 160,565 100% 100% English 152,435 95% 82% French 580 0% 0% Non-official language 6,000 4% 16% English and French 90 0% 0% English and non-official language 1,430 1% 2% French and non-official language 0 0% 0% English, French and non-official language 15 0% 0%
23 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Released March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009). 24 IBID
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German is the most common non-English language spoken most often at home (0.8%) followed by Punjabi (0.7%).
Top 6 Languages Spoken Most Often at Home (% of single response) 25 RDCO % of Population Population Total Population 159,015 100.0% English 152,430 95.9% German 1,240 0.8% Punjabi (Punjabi) 1,045 0.7% Chinese (All) 630 0.4% French 585 0.4% Vietnamese 335 0.2%
25 Statistics Canada, 2006 Census 97-555-XCB2006038 (prepared by BC Stats, Revised Jan 9, 2008, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/cen06/topics/homelnon.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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2.7.5 ABORIGINAL POPULATION
The Westbank First Nation is comprised of five reserves located in the Central Okanagan. The total land area of these reserves is 2,161.0 hectares. The total registered population of status First Nation people on Westbank First Nation’s reserves was 666 persons as of April 2008.
The Central Okanagan region has a slightly lower proportion of Aboriginal population (4%) compared to BC in general (5%).
Aboriginal population26 RDCO BC % of % of Population Population Population Total Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal identity population 160,560 100% 100% Aboriginal identity population 6,207 4% 5% Non-Aboriginal identity population 154,440 96% 95%
Westbank First Nation Reserves27 Reserve Size in No. Hectares Mission Creek 8 07419 2.0 Tsinstikeptum 9 07420 641.8 Tsinstikeptum 10 07421 339.0 Medicine Hill 09382 515.7 Medicine Creek 12 09383 662.5
26 Statistics Canada. 2007. Aboriginal Population Profile, 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-594- XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92- 594/details/page_Definitions.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=BAND&Code1=59630524&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&Sea rchText=Westbank First Nation&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&LineID=1000 (accessed April 15, 2009) 27Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, First Nation Profiles http://sdiprod2.inac.gc.ca/FNProfiles/FNProfiles_Reserves.asp?BAND_NUMBER=601&BAND_NAME=Westbank+First +Nation, (Accessed May 19, 2008)
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Registered Residency as of April, 200828 # of People Males On Own Reserve 212 Females On Own Reserve 197 Males On Other Reserves 12 Females On Other Reserves 10 Males On Own Crown Land 0 Females On Own Crown Land 0 Males On Other Band Crown Land 0 Females On Other Band Crown Land 0 Males On No Band Crown Land 0 Females On No Band Crown Land 0 Males Off Reserve 115 Off Reserve 120 Total Registered Population 666
28 Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, First Nation Profiles http://sdiprod2.inac.gc.ca/FNProfiles/FNProfiles_GeneralInformation.asp?BAND_NUMBER=601&BAND_NAME=Westb ank+First+Nation, (Accessed May 19, 2008)
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2.7.6 LEGAL MARITAL STATUS CHARACTERISTICS
The proportion of legally married couples in the Central Okanagan (52.8%) is significantly higher than the general population of BC (50.4%). The proportion of single people in the Central Okanagan is correspondingly lower (28.0% compared to 32.1%). The proportion of separated, divorced and widowed people were all slightly higher for the Central Okanagan than for BC overall.
Legal Marital Status Characteristics29 Total Legally Separated, Population 15 Never Legally Married but Still Years and Married (and not Legally Over (Single) Separated) Married Divorced Widowed British Columbia 3,433,880 1,102,395 1,730,480 110,575 285,860 204,570 % of BC Population - 32.1% 50.4% 3.2% 8.3% 6.0% Central Okanagan (RDCO) 136,755 38,225 72,210 4,665 12,520 9,130 % of RDCO Population 28.0% 52.8% 3.4% 9.2% 6.7% City of Kelowna 90,310 26,955 44,815 3,205 8,615 6,720 District of West 22,160 5,475 13,500 645.0 1,550 990 Kelowna30 District of Lake Country 8,015 2,075 4,615 245 695 385 District of Peachland 4,325 870 2,600 135 440 275
29 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Udated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (Accessed April 15, 2009) 30 Statistics Canada, Custom Data Run, West Kelowna Geography, 2006 Census Data, April 2009
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2.7.7 GENDER
The proportion of males versus females is relatively equal in the Central Okanagan, with slightly more females (51.5%) than males (48.5%). The proportion of males to females is similar to that for the province as a whole. There is little variation in the proportion of males to females between the communities of the Central Okanagan as well.
Gender31 Total
Population Males Females
British Columbia 4,113,485 2,099,495 2,013,990 % of Population (BC) 49.0% 51.0% Central Okanagan (RDCO) 162,275 78,745 83,530 % of Population (RDCO) 48.5% 51.5% City of Kelowna 106,705 48.0% 52.0% District of West Kelowna32 27,095 49.9% 50.1% District of Lake Country 9,605 50.1% 49.9% District of Peachland 4,880 49.1% 51.0%
2.7.8 EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
The proportion of people aged 15 years and over that have a minimum of a high school certificate or equivalent in the Central Okanagan (80.4%) is similar to BC overall (80.1%). The proportion of people with an apprenticeship or trades certificate (14.4%) or a college certificate or diploma (or other non-university certificate or diploma) (19.2%) are significantly higher than the BC averages. The proportion of people aged 15 years and older with university educations are correspondingly lower in the Central Okanagan compared to the BC average.
Educational Attainment33 RDCO BC People % of Population % of Population Total population 15 years and over 135,045 No certificate, diploma or degree 26,525 19.6% 19.9% High school certificate or equivalent 39,600 29.3% 27.9% Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 19,380 14.4% 10.9% College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or 25,890 19.2% 16.7% diploma University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level 6,695 5.0% 5.4% University certificate, diploma or degree 16,960 12.6% 19.3%
31 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009). 32 Statistics Canada, Custom Data Run, West Kelowna Geography, 2006 Census Data, April 2009 33 IBID
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2.8 HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS
2.8.1 HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND COMPOSITION
The number of households containing couples without children is significantly higher in the Central Okanagan (35.5%) than in BC overall (29.6%). The average household size is lower in the Central Okanagan as well (2.4 persons compared to 2.5 persons overall).
Selected Household Characteristics34 RDCO BC % of % of Households Households Households Total private households 67,000 Households containing a couple (married or common-law) with children 15,595 23.3% 26.3% Households containing a couple (married or common- law) without children 23,805 35.5% 29.6% One-person households 17,130 25.6% 28.0% Other household types 10,465 15.6% 16.1%
Average household size 2.4 2.5
The proportion of two person households is higher in the RDCO (40.6%) than for BC overall (34.2%).
Private Households by Size35 RDCO BC % of % of Households Households Households Total number of private households 66,925 100.0% 100.0% 1 person 17,165 25.6% 28.1% 2 persons 27,185 40.6% 34.2% 3 persons 9,090 13.6% 14.8% 4 to 5 persons 11,960 17.9% 19.6% 6 or more persons 1,520 2.3% 3.3%
34 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009) 35 BC Stats, 2006 Census Profile, Central Okanagan, CD, Revision 5, March 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/cen06/profiles/detailed/59035000.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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2.8.2 HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Overall, median household incomes36 were lower in the Central Okanagan than for BC potentially as a result of the large retirement base. Median household incomes for households with children was higher in the Central Okanagan than for BC overall.
There are several reasons for the region’s lower than average median income: 1. A large portion of retired people that do not have employment income, 2. A higher than average number of smaller, non-unionized companies, 3. A higher portion of the labour force that are self-employed, 4. The climate and lifestyle of the area attract a higher percentage of social assistance recipients than many other areas in BC.
Household Median Income in 200537 RDCO BC All private households ($) $50,308 $52,709 Couple households with children ($) $81,066 $79,509 Couple households without children ($) $58,214 $63,969 One-person households ($) $26,430 $27,773 Other household types ($) $44,848 $47,266
While average household incomes have been consistently below the BC average, they have grown faster than average over the past three years.
Average Household Income by Year38 % RDCO % Change BC Change 2001 $48,100 $53,637 2002 $49,600 3.1% $55,000 2.5% 2003 $51,400 3.6% $57,600 4.7% 2004 $58,700 14.2% $63,500 10.2% 2005 $58,000 (1.2%) $62,800 (1.1%) 2006 $58,109 0.2% $63,048 0.4% 2007 $65,139 12.1% $69,968 11.0% 2008 $67,746 4.4% $72,600 3.8% 2009 $73,400 8.3% $75,800 4.4%
36 Note: The median income of a specified group is that amount which divides their income size distribution, ranked by size of income, into two halves. That is, the incomes of the first half of the group are below the median, while those of the second half are above the median.
37 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009) 38 Financial Post, 2009, FP Markets Canadian Demographics 2009.
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Overall, median employment income for the Central Okanagan was lower than for the Province as a whole. Lake Country had the highest median income in the Central Okanagan ($28,735).
2006 Median Employment Income by Community39 Total Males Females British Columbia $27,862 $34, 934 $22,419
RCDO $26,473 $32,730 $21,717
Kelowna $26,611 $32,617 $22,011 West Kelowna (2005)40 $26,442 $35,453 $20,124 Lake Country $28,735 $35,737 $23,372 Peachland $22,668 $28,445 $18,908
Median Total Income by FSA (Forward Sortation Area)41 FSA Males Females Total V0H $30,821 $18,883 $23,687 V1A $36,385 $19,440 $27,441 V1P $37,281 $24,427 $30,330 V1V $44,214 $26,622 $34,010 V1W $40,500 $25,802 $31,925 V1X $31,091 $19,613 $24,265 V1Y $31,043 $21,538 $25,436 V1Z $38,349 $22,554 $29,535 V4T $36,549 $20,424 $27,166 V4V $35,163 $22,078 $27,696
39 BC Stats, Neighbourhood Income and Demographics, 2006, April 2008, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/dd/nid06/nidlocdata2006.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 40 Statistics Canada, Custom Data Run, West Kelowna Geography, 2006 Census Data, April 2009 41 BC Stats, Neighbourhood Income and Demographics, 2006, April 2008, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/dd/nid06/nidlocdata2006.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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2.8.3 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURES
Overall, household expenditures in the Central Okanagan ($71,172) were lower than the BC average ($72,945). The distribution of household expenditures by group was very similar to the typical BC household.
Household Expenditures – 2009 Estimates42 RDCO BC % of Total % of Total Expenditure Expenditures Expenditures Taxes & Securities $17,435 24.5% 25.2% Shelter $14,438 20.3% 19.9% Other * $10,489 14.7% 14.2% Transportation $9,609 13.5% 13.3% Food $7,764 10.9% 11.1% Recreation, Reading and Education $5,653 7.9% 8.3% Health & Personal Care $3,076 4.3% 4.2% Clothing $2,707 3.8% 3.9% Total Expenditures $71,172 100.0% 100.0%
* Other includes household operation; household furnishings and equipment; tobacco products and alcoholic beverages; gifts and contributions; and miscellaneous
42 Financial Post, 2009, FP Markets Canadian Demographics 2009.
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3 Labour Force Characteristics
43 3.1 DEFINITIONS
Labour force activity - Refers to the labour market activity of the population 15 years and over in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006).
Labour force - Refers to persons who were either employed or unemployed during the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006). In past censuses, this was called 'total labour force.'
Employed - Refers to persons 15 years and over, excluding institutional residents, who, during the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006): a) did any work at all for pay or in self-employment or without pay in a family farm, business or professional practice; b) had a job or business but were absent with or without pay, for the entire week because of vacation, an illness, a labour dispute at their place of work, or any other reasons.
Unemployed - Refers to persons 15 years and over, excluding institutional residents, who, during the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006), were without paid work or without self-employment work and were available for work and either: a) had actively looked for paid work in the past four weeks; b) were on temporary lay-off and expected to return to their job; c) had definite arrangements to start a new job in four weeks or less.
Not in the labour force - Refers to persons 15 years and over, excluding institutional residents, who, in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006), were neither employed nor unemployed. It includes students, homemakers, retired workers, seasonal workers in an 'off' season who were not looking for work, and persons who could not work because of a long-term illness or disability.
Participation rate - Refers to the labour force in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006), expressed as a percentage of the population 15 years and over excluding institutional residents.
Employment rate - Refers to the number of persons employed in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006), expressed as a percentage of the total population 15 years and over excluding institutional residents.
Unemployment rate - Refers to the unemployed expressed as a percentage of the labour force in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006).
43 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Released Revised March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009).
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3.2 SIZE OF THE LABOUR FORCE
3.2.1 THOMPSON OKANAGAN
The economy in BC’s Southern Interior has experienced continued growth over the past several years. Unemployment rose for the first time in several years resulting in part from an increase in the overall labour force and participation rate.
Labour Force Characteristics, Population 15 Years and Older, Thompson Okanagan – 1996 to 200744 Total Not in population In the the 15 years labour Un- labour Participation Employment Unemployment and over force Employed employed force rate rate rate
(000s) (000s) (000s) (000s) (000s) % % % 1996 359.2 223.8 200.3 23.5 135.4 62.3 55.8 10.5 1997 365.8 224.9 206.1 18.7 140.9 61.5 56.3 8.3 1998 370.3 226.0 207.4 18.6 144.3 61.0 56.0 8.2 1999 374.0 228.1 206.1 22.0 145.9 61.0 55.1 9.6 2000 377.3 231.7 210.3 21.5 145.5 61.4 55.7 9.3 2001 380.8 231.8 210.2 21.6 149.0 60.9 55.2 9.3 2002 385.0 229.8 208.1 21.7 155.1 59.7 54.1 9.4 2003 390.2 239.9 218.8 21.1 150.3 61.5 56.1 8.8 2004 396.7 245.9 229.7 16.2 150.7 62.0 57.9 6.6 2005 404.3 257.6 244.0 13.6 146.7 63.7 60.4 5.3 2006 413.8 267.4 253.7 13.7 146.4 64.6 61.3 5.1 2007 423.0 268.5 256.7 11.8 154.5 63.5 60.7 4.4 2008 431.0 280.5 265.0 15.5 150.5 65.1 61.5 5.5
Labour Force Characteristics, Population 15 Years and Older, British Columbia45 March April March April 2009 to 2008 to 2009 to 2008 to April April April April B.C. Mar-09 Apr-09 2009 2009 2009 2009
thousands %
Population 3,685.80 3,690.40 4.6 63.5 0.1 1.8
Labour force 2,420.20 2,437.10 16.9 10.1 0.7 0.4
Employment 2,240.10 2,257.40 17.3 -62.8 0.8 -2.7
Unemployment 180.1 179.8 -0.3 73 -0.2 68.4
Participation rate (%) 65.7 66 0.3 -0.9 … …
Unemployment rate (%) 7.4 7.4 0 3 … …
Employment rate (%) 60.8 61.2 0.4 -2.8 … …
44 Statistics Canada, Statistics Canada, CANSIM, table (for fee) 282-0055 and Catalogue no. 71-001-PIB. Last modified: 2009-01-09. http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/labor36c-eng.htm (Accessed April 15, 2009) 45 Statistics Canada, CANSIM, table (for fee) 282-0087 and Catalogue no. 71-001-XIE. Last modified: 2009-05-08. (Accessed May 14, 2009)
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3.2.2 CENTRAL OKANAGAN (RDCO)
The Central Okanagan has experienced consistently high population growth over the past decade. The numbers of people in the labour force as well as those not in the labour force have raised along with the population. In 2008, the participation rate rebounded after a small decline in 2007. Both the employment rate and unemployment rates increased, due in large part to a significant increase in the overall size of the labour force.
Labour Force Characteristics, Population 15 Years and Older, Central Okanagan – 1996 - 200746 Total Not in population In the the 15 years labour Un- labour Participation Employment Unemployment and over force Employed employed force rate rate rate (000s) (000s) (000s) (000s) (000s) % % % 1996 113.5 73.6 66.8 6.9 39.8 64.8 58.9 9.4 1997 116.6 71.4 65.3 6.1 45.2 61.2 56.0 8.5 1998 119.1 75.8 70.3 5.5 43.4 63.6 59.0 7.3 1999 121.5 76.4 69.9 6.5 45.1 62.9 57.5 8.5 2000 123.6 77.9 71.9 6.0 45.7 63.0 58.2 7.7 2001 125.8 80.6 75.3 5.3 45.1 64.1 59.9 6.6 2002 128.2 81.7 73.8 7.9 46.5 63.7 57.6 9.7 2003 131.0 82.3 75.2 7.2 48.6 62.8 57.4 8.7 2004 134.3 87.0 82.6 4.3 47.3 64.8 61.5 4.9 2005 138.0 86.4 81.7 4.7 51.6 62.6 59.2 5.4 2006 143.4 92.4 86.9 5.5 51.0 64.4 60.6 6.0 2007 148.7 92.5 88.2 4.2 56.2 62.2 59.3 4.5 2008 152.7 100.4 95.3 5 .1 52.3 65.7 62.4 5 .1
46 BC Stats, Labour Force Activity by Selected B.C. Cities - Annual Averages, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/dd/handout/lfscity.pdf, (Accessed April 16, 2009)
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47 3.2.3 LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS BY GENDER – 2006
Labour force characteristics for the Central Okanagan are similar to the province as a whole. However, significant job growth in relation to the increase in labour force has resulted in a lower unemployment rate for the region for both males and females. The region’s older population base contributes to the lower labour force participation rate (64.0%).
Labour Force Characteristics by Gender, RDCO and BC – 2006 Central Okanagan (RDCO) BC Total Male Female Total Male Female Total population 15 years and over 135,045 48.3% 51.7% 3,394,910 48.6% 51.4% In the labour force 86,390 52.1% 47.9% 2,226,380 52.4% 47.6% Employed 82,005 52.4% 47.6% 2,092,770 52.5% 47.5% Unemployed 4,385 47.8% 52.2% 133,615 50.2% 49.8% Not in the labour force 48,655 41.6% 58.4% 1,168,525 41.3% 58.7% Participation rate 64.0% 69.0% 59.3% 65.6% 70.7% 60.7% Employment rate 60.7% 65.8% 56.0% 61.6% 66.7% 56.9% Unemployment rate 5.1% 4.7% 5.5% 6.0% 5.8% 6.3%
47 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009)
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3.2.4 SIZE OF LABOUR FORCE BY COMMUNITY
Labour force characteristics vary by community within the Central Okanagan; Kelowna accounts for two thirds of the regions labour force (66.3%). Lake Country had the highest labour force participation rate (69.4%). Peachland had a significantly lower participation rate than the region as a whole (52.6%).
Labour Force Characteristics, Population 15 Years and Older, by Community - 200648 Total Not in population In the the Participation Employment Unemployment 15 years labour Un- labour rate rate rate
and over force Employed employed force % % % Central Okanagan 135,045 86,390 82,005 4,385 48,655 64.0% 60.7% 5.1% (RCDO)
Kelowna 88,810 57,305 54,525 2,775 31,505 64.5% 61.4% 4.8% West Kelowna49 22,160 14,395 13,555 835 7,765 65.0% 61.2% 5.8% Lake Country 7,950 5,515 5,250 270 2,430 69.4% 66.0% 4.9% Peachland 4,325 2,275 2,155 115 2,050 52.6% 49.8% 5.1%
48 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009) 49 Statistics Canada, Custom Data Run, West Kelowna Geography, 2006 Census Data, April 2009
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3.3 LABOUR FORCE BY OCCUPATION
The most common occupations in the Central Okanagan were in the sales and service occupations category. The majority of these sales and service occupations were held by women (60.3%). Business, finance and administration occupations were the second largest occupational category. Again, the majority of these occupations were held by women (76.0%).
Labour Force by Occupation, Central Okanagan and BC - 200650 Central Okanagan - RDCO BC Total Male Female Total Male Female Total experienced labour force 15 years and over 85,630 52.2% 47.8% 2,193,115 52.5% 47.5% Management occupations 9,745 63.9% 36.1% 229,945 62.9% 37.1% Business, finance and administration occupations 14,460 24.0% 76.0% 375,975 27.4% 72.6% Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 3,845 81.9% 18.1% 138,955 79.5% 20.5% Health occupations 4,940 20.6% 79.3% 120,360 22.0% 78.0% Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion 5,580 30.5% 69.7% 178,040 33.6% 66.4% Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport 2,395 47.0% 53.0% 76,460 46.5% 53.5% Sales and service occupations 22,580 39.7% 60.3% 555,880 40.8% 59.2% Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations 15,075 93.7% 6.3% 339,500 93.4% 6.6% Occupations unique to primary industry 3,755 68.6% 31.4% 86,460 71.9% 28.1% Occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities 3,260 72.4% 27.5% 91,545 70.9% 29.1%
50 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009).
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Labour Force by Occupation, by Community – 200651 Central West Lake Okanagan RDCO Kelowna Kelowna52 Country Peachland (EA) Total experienced labour force 15 years and over 85,630 56,800 14395.0 5,490 2,265 2,240 Management occupations 11.4% 11.0% 13.6% 10.8% 10.4% 11.8% Business, finance and administration occupations 16.9% 17.3% 16.1% 15.2% 14.3% 17.4% Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 4.5% 4.4% 4.4% 6.6% 4.4% 4.5% Health occupations 5.8% 5.9% 5.8% 6.2% 6.0% 4.0% Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion 6.5% 6.8% 5.8% 7.2% 4.0% 7.4% Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport 2.8% 3.1% 2.5% 2.1% 2.4% 1.8% Sales and service occupations 26.4% 27.0% 25.3% 21.2% 27.4% 20.5% Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations 17.6% 16.6% 18.0% 20.2% 21.4% 21.9% Occupations unique to primary industry 4.4% 4.1% 4.1% 6.7% 7.1% 6.3% Occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities 3.8% 3.8% 3.5% 3.7% 3.1% 4.2%
51 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009) 52 Statistics Canada, Custom Data Run, West Kelowna Geography, 2006 Census Data, April 2009
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3.4 EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY
There were several key changes in employment by industry between 2007 and 2008. The total number of persons employed rose 3% to 265,000, lead by the goods producing sector which grew by 3.2% overall. Employment growth in the goods producing sector was lead by growth in construction jobs which increased 22.7%.
Service sector employment also grew by 2.3% lead by Professional, scientific and technical services (27.5%), and Transportation and warehousing (17.3%).
Employment by Industry for BC Development Regions (000s) – Thompson Okanagan53 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Total employed, all industries 218.8 229.7 244.0 253.7 256.7 265.0 Goods-producing sector 52.7 59.1 65.0 69.8 67.9 72.0 Agriculture 7.0 7.6 7.0 7.8 7.7 7.0 Forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas 6.9 5.5 5.5 8.0 6.7 7.8 Utilities - - - 1.5 - 1.9 Construction 13.6 18.8 24.1 27.3 26.4 32.4 Manufacturing 23.9 26.3 27.1 25.2 25.8 23.0 Services-producing sector 166.1 170.6 179.0 183.9 188.7 193.0 Trade 38.9 37.4 39.7 42.2 44.4 41.6 Transportation and warehousing 12.2 12.0 11.6 10.9 9.8 11.5 Finance, insurance, real estate and 10.4 11.3 14.6 15.5 15.1 11.9 leasing Professional, scientific and technical 10.4 9.0 14.2 13.4 12.6 12.0 services Business, building and other support 8.3 10.9 7.2 9.1 10.3 11.1 services Educational services 14.1 13.8 12.1 14.1 15.4 16.6 Health care and social assistance 26.2 26.2 29.4 32.1 30.6 35.1 Information, culture and recreation 9.3 13.2 10.5 10.6 9.5 12.1 Accommodation and food services 19.5 19.5 23.0 19.0 21.3 22.1 Other services 10.1 10.6 8.2 8.4 10.8 10.0 Public administration 6.7 6.7 8.4 8.6 8.9 9.0
53 Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, Annual Averages Prepared by: BC STATS, January 23, 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/DATA/dd/handout/EMPREGN.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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The largest portion of employment by industry in the Central Okanagan is business services (17.4%), retail trade (13.1%), and constructions (11.6%) industries. Combined other services also accounted for a significant portion of the labour force (18.9%). Other services contain a diverse range categories, examples are listed below.
Employment by Industry by Community54 Lake West RDCO Kelowna Country Peachland Kelowna55 Total experienced labour force 15 years and over 85,630 56,800 5,490 2265 14260.0 Agriculture and other resource-based industries 4.4% 4.1% 7.7% 4.2% 3.9% Construction industries 11.6% 11.0% 12.8% 10.6% 12.7% Manufacturing industries 8.1% 7.6% 8.7% 7.7% 9.1% Wholesale trade 3.8% 3.5% 5.1% 3.5% 4.2% Retail trade 13.1% 13.3% 8.8% 11.5% 13.4% Finance and real estate 6.4% 6.7% 5.3% 6.4% 6.2% Health care and social services 10.7% 11.3% 8.7% 9.7% 10.2% Educational services 5.5% 5.8% 5.1% 4.6% 4.8% Business services 17.4% 16.9% 20.3% 22.1% 23.1% Other services (except Public Administration) 18.9% 19.8% 17.5% 19.4% 12.5%
Note: “Other services” include56: Repair and Maintenance - Automotive Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance Personal and Laundry Services Death Care Services Dry Cleaning and Laundry Services Other Personal Services Religious, Grant Making, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations Social Advocacy Organizations Civic and Social Organizations Business, Professional, Labour, Political, and Similar Organizations Private Households
54 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009) 55 Statistics Canada, Custom Data Run, West Kelowna Geography, 2006 Census Data, April 2009 56 NAICS, 2007 NAICS Codes and Titles http://www.census.gov/naics/2007/NAICOD07.HTM#N81 (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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3.5 SELF EMPLOYMENT
The number of self-employed workers in the Central Okanagan grew to 13,760 in 2006. The portion of self employed workers is higher in the Central Okanagan (15.9%) compared to the province as a whole (14.1%). The largest segments of self-employed workers in the Central Okanagan were in unincorporated businesses (10.6%) with the majority of these being small companies without paid help.
Overall, the province has experienced significant growth in self employment. Between 2002 and 2007, the average growth in self employment was 17.9%. The Kootenay region led the province recording a robust 27.3% increase over the five-year period. However, this was just 2.4% higher than the next fastest growing region, Thompson- Okanagan, at 24.9%.57
Labour Force by Class of Worker58 Central Okanagan (RDCO) BC Labour % of Labour % of Labour Force Force Force Total labour force 86,390 100.0% 2,226,385 Class of worker - Not applicable 760 0.9% 1.5% All classes of worker 85,630 99.1% 98.5% Paid workers 76,155 88.2% 89.0% Employees 71,545 82.8% 84.1% Self Employed Total 13,760 15.9% 14.1% Self-employed (incorporated) 4,615 5.3% 4.9% Without paid help 1,580 1.8% 1.8% With paid help 3,030 3.5% 3.1% Self-employed (unincorporated) 9,145 10.6% 9.2% Without paid help 6,420 7.4% 6.5% With paid help 2,720 3.1% 2.7% Unpaid family workers 325 0.4% 0.3%
57 Small Business Profile 2008: A Profile of Small Business in British Columbia, October 2008 Edition, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/bus_stat/busind/sm_bus/SBP2008.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2008) 58 Source: Statistics Canada 2006 Census, Custom Table run prepared by BC Stats May 22, 2008
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3.6 MAJOR EMPLOYERS
The majority (more than 80%) of companies in the Central Okanagan have fewer than 20 employees. The major employers in the region are listed below. Many of these companies also employ workers outside of the Central Okanagan. In previous years only total employees were reported. 2009 is reported as full time equivalent. Information based on number of employees on staff as of April 1, 2009.
Major Employers List for the Central Okanagan as of April 1, 200959 Company 2008 2007 2006 2009 FTE Total Emp. Total Emp. Total Emp. Interior Health Authority 2,425 3,420 3,779 4,589 SD #23 2,090 2,400 2,500 2,285 City of Kelowna 722 720 793 789 Okanagan College N/A 659 644 659 UBC Okanagan 633 485-1,111 585-1,160 398 Wal-Mart (Kelowna & Westbank) 573 N/A N/A N/A Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter 525 575 575 550 Overwaitea Food Group (Save-On Foods, Coopers) 476 703 657 673 Big White Ski Resort 399 860 765 765 Shaw Cablesystems G.P. 375 369 347 280 Sun-Rype Products Ltd. 368 371 374 430 Disney Online Studios Canada (Club Penguin) 292 200 N/A N/A Tolko Industries Ltd 258 314 330 451 Costco Wholesale Corporation 248 298 252 223 The Grand Okanagan Resort 246 284 324 294 Canada Safeway (Dilworth and Bernard locations) 218 N/A N/A N/A Fortis 194 194 N/A N/A HBC Group of Companies 192 N/A N/A N/A The Home Depot (Kelowna & Westbank) 190 295 168 200 Sysco HRI 171 172 184 175 Lake City Casino 144 147 202 195 Coast Capri Hotel 134 153 175 152 SRI Homes 114 230 220 225 Manteo Resort 105 168 205 277 Regional District of the Central Okanagan 97 N/A 180 190 Campion Marine 80 160 200 190 Rona Revy Incorporated 74 200 210 240 Ramada Lodge Hotel 74 105 N/A N/A Best Western 61 55 N/A N/A Terasen 47 44 N/A N/A Loblaws (Superstore Kelowna, Extra Foods Kelowna *626 Total employees includes F/T and P/T, and Westbank) FTE not available Note: listing in the database is voluntary and not all major employers in the Central Okanagan are included.
59 Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, by phone and e-mail, May 2009
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3.7 UNEMPLOYED LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS
3.7.1 UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
Unemployment rates have continued to decline over the past several years in both BC and the Thompson Okanagan development region. The unemployment rate for BC in 2008 was 4.5% and was 5.5% for the Thompson Okanagan. Kelowna’s unemployment rate in 2008 was also low at 5.1%.
Kelowna’s unemployment rate has been more volatile than for the province and development region. Reasons for this include the seasonal nature of some industries and continued high levels of population growth.
Annual Average Unemployment Rates 1998 to 200760,61 Kelowna Thompson BC (Urban Area) Okanagan 1999 8.5% 9.6% 8.3% 2000 7.7% 9.3% 7.1% 2001 6.6% 9.3% 7.7% 2002 9.7% 9.4% 8.5% 2003 8.7% 8.8% 8.0% 2004 4.9% 6.6% 7.2% 2005 5.4% 5.3% 5.9% 2006 6.0% 5.1% 4.8% 2007 4.5% 4.4% 4.2% 2008 5.1% 5.5% 4.5%
Annual Average Unemployment Rates 1998 to 2008
60 BC Stats, Quarterly Regional Statistics, First Quarter 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/qrs/rd35.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 61 BC Stats, British Columbia Unemployment Rates, January 2008, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/lss/lfs/ur08.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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3.8 LABOUR FORCE INCOME PROFILE
There were a total of 126,380 2006 tax filers in the Central Okanagan reporting a total of almost $4.9 billion in income. The median 2006 employment income for the Central Okanagan was $26,473. Lake Country had the highest 2006 median employment income ($28,735) in the regional district.
2006 Labour Force Income Profile62 Total Amt of Median Total # of Tax Total Income Employment Filers ($000s) Income ($) Central Okanagan (RDCO) 126,380 4,869,353 26,473 Kelowna 98,150 3,853,999 26,611 Lake Country 7,520 289,385 28,735 Peachland 4,170 148,989 22,668 Central Okanagan J 16,440 575,978 25,187 (West Kelowna not available) Central Okanagan (EA) 110 1,002 9,106
Employment income was the largest source of income in the Central Okanagan (59.1%). However, the portion of employment income reported in the Central Okanagan was lower than for the province overall (65.9%). This was likely due to the large retirement base and the larger than average number of self-employed individuals. The proportion of pension and investment income in the Central Okanagan was higher than the province overall.
Source of Total Income 200663 Central Okanagan (RDCO) BC ($000s) (% of Total) (% of Total) Employment $2,933,873 59.1% 65.9% Pension 794,642 16.0% 12.5% Investment 598,038 12.0% 8.6% Self-Employment 290,432 5.8% 6.0% Other 265,444 5.3% 5.0% Tax Exempt 80,658 1.6% 2.0% Total $4,967,922 100.0% 100.0%
62 BC Stats, Neighborhood Income and Demographics, 2006, April 2008, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/dd/nid06/nidlocdata2006.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 63 BC Stats, Community Facts, Central Okanagan, February 26, 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/dd/facsheet/cf090.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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Lake Country had the highest portion of income reported as employment income within the Central Okanagan Regional District (62.7%). Peachland reported the highest overall portion of income coming from pensions (24.3%).
Source of Total Income 200664 West RDCO Kelowna Kelowna Lake Country Peachland Total ($000s) $4,967,922 $3,930,170 N/A $237,751 $153,644 Employment 59.1% 59.3% N/A 62.7% 51.6% Pension 16.0% 15.3% N/A 11.8% 24.3% Investment 12.0% 12.5% N/A 13.1% 8.6% Self-Employment 5.8% 6.0% N/A 6.0% 6.0% Other 5.3% 5.2% N/A 4.7% 5.0% Tax Exempt 1.6% 1.6% N/A 1.6% 2.0%
64 BC Stats, Community Facts, Central Okanagan, February 26, 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/dd/facsheet/cf090.pdf, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/dd/facsheet/cf091.pdf http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/dd/facsheet/cf092.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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4 Economic Sectors
Diversification remains the Central Okanagan’s greatest economic strengths. Agriculture, forestry and tourism are all important industries in the region. The Kelowna International Airport and UBC Okanagan (University of British Columbia – Okanagan campus) have emerged as key growth drivers. UBC Okanagan has been a major economic driver since its creation in 2005, bringing to Kelowna direct and spin-off employment, significant capital expenditure, industry partnerships, research dollars, profile and demand for housing. Kelowna’s airport runway has been extended to accept direct overseas flights. Improved accessibility will enhance the area’s appeal to both tourists and potential home buyers. Other projects include the expansion of Kelowna General Hospital to include health care services currently available only in Vancouver, an important consideration for people seeking to relocate to this region.
The incorporation of the District of West Kelowna will generate additional economic activity and employment growth. The new William R. Bennett bridge across Lake Okanagan opened in May, 2008 and provides for significantly improved traffic flows through the region. Recent expansion of retail services in West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation will also attract more development and home buyers to the area.
Despite job losses in some sectors, the Central Okanagan continues to experience a shortage of workers. The shortage of labour has become a constraint to economic growth. High housing costs and near zero rental vacancy rates have emerged as a key concern among businesses seeking to attract and retain low and middle wage earners. Kelowna’s unemployment rate, though expected to edge up in 2009, will remain near record low levels.65
4.1 PROXIMITY TO MARKETS
The City of Kelowna is the largest city in the Central Okanagan and the major centre for trade and commerce. Convenient access from the valley to strategic markets is essential to the area’s diverse industrial base, tourism, agriculture and forestry industries. A number of highways lead to and from the area and extensive air access is available through Kelowna International Airport.
Distance in km from Kelowna to: City Distance City Distance (km) (km) Vancouver 457 Salt Lake City 1,614 Seattle 579 San Francisco 1,872 Calgary 612 Winnipeg 1,970 Portland 826 Los Angeles 2,494 Saskatoon 1,233 Denver 3,215
65 The preceding was summarized from: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Housing Market Outlook, Kelowna CMA, Fourth Quarter 2008
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4.2 ACCESS TO MARKETS
Due to its central location, the Central Okanagan has excellent access not only to key markets but also their population base.
Central Okanagan Access to Markets 2008 Populations Cumulative Canada66 Population Population British Columbia 4,381,603 4,381,603 Alberta 3,585,142 7,966,745 Yukon 33,144 7,999,889 Saskatchewan 1,015,985 9,015,874 Manitoba 1,207,959 10,223,833 Cumulative United States67 Population Population Washington 6,549,224 6,549,224 Oregon 3,790,060 10,339,284 Idaho 1,523,816 11,863,100 Montana 967,440 12,830,540 California 36,756,666 49,587,206 Nevada 2,600,167 52,187,373 Utah 2,736,424 54,923,797 Arizona 6,500,180 61,423,977 Alaska 686,293 62,110,270
66 BC Stats, Population Estimates, Province and Territories, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/pop/pop/dynamic/ProvPop/Query.asp?category=Prov&type=1&topic=Estimates, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 67 US Census Bureau, Population Estimates, http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.php, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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4.3 REGIONAL MARKETS
Kelowna is considered to be the largest trading centre between Greater Vancouver and Alberta.
2008 Regional District Populations68 Cumulative Regional District Population Population Central Okanagan 180,114 180,114 Okanagan-Similkameen 82,436 262,550 North Okanagan 81,932 344,482 Columbia Shuswap 53,038 397,520 Thompson Nicola 130,132 527,652
Proximity to Regional Centres – 2008 Population69 Distance from Major Centre Population Kelowna (km) Kelowna 118,507 0 Summerland 11,110 45 Vernon 38,444 53 Penticton 32,933 63 Salmon Arm 16,993 119 Osoyoos 5,044 128 Revelstoke 7,261 192 Kamloops 86,236 169 Merritt 7,606 267 Castlegar 7,579 344 Trail 7,349 357 Nelson 9,752 388
68 BC Stats, Population Estimates, Regional District by Development Region, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/pop/pop/mun/PopulationEstimates_1996-2008.xls, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 69 IBID
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4.4 BUSINESS ACTIVITY
In total, there were 16,071 firms in the Central Okanagan as of December 2008. These were split roughly equally between firms with no employees (8,379) and firms with employees (7,692). The majority (87.8%) of firms with employees had fewer than 20 employees.70
Since 2005, there have been significantly more incorporations annually than in prior years. During that same period the number of business and personal bankruptcies has been lower than prior years.
Incorporations and Bankruptcies 2000 to 200871 Bankruptcies72 Incorporations Consumer Business 2000 690 509 42 2001 635 492 50 2002 695 518 51 2003 811 531 41 2004 920 422 42 2005 1,425 437 47 2006 1,393 350 42 2007 1,578 351 29 2008 1 ,476 N/A N/A Jan-Mar 08 407 350 42 Jan-Mar 09 213 341 29
70 BC Stats, Quarterly Regional Statistics, Interim Report, First Quarter 2009 http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/qrs/bc.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 71 IBID 72 Note, BC Stats stopped reporting on consumer and business bankruptcies in 2007
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4.4.1 BUSINESS LICENSES
In 2008, there were a total of 11,827 business licenses issued as of December 31st, 2008. Of these, 1,704 were new business licenses. The relatively new Mobile Business License program has reduced the overall number of business licenses issued. Mobile businesses may now purchase a business license in the community where they reside and may now purchase a single license for all of the other participating communities where they do business.
Business Licenses73 District of City of Lake District of West Area Kelowna Country Peachland RDCO Kelowna Total
Total Licenses 9,324 644 197 412 1,250 11,827 2008 New 1,454 137 38 75 n/a 1,704
Renewed 7,870 578 159 337 n/a 8,944
Total Licenses 10,241 715 209 1,660 n/a 12,825
2007 New 1,604 136 45 295 n/a 2,080
Renewed 8,637 579 164 1,365 n/a 10,745
Total Licenses 9,162 662 230 1,561 n/a 11,615
2006 New 1,470 127 27 282 n/a 1,906
Renewed 7,692 535 203 1,279 n/a 9,709
Total Licenses 9,092 583 264 1,496 n/a 11,435
2005 New 1,582 127 45 452 n/a 2,206
Renewed 7,510 456 219 1,044 n/a 9,229
Mobile Business Licenses74 A Mobile Business is a business that performs a service in more than one participating municipality without an associated storefront, and who provides the service by moving from client to client. If your business falls within the definition of a Mobile Business you have the opportunity to apply for a Mobile Business Licence that encompasses all the participating municipalities. With a mobile business license you do not need to purchase individual business licenses for each of the communities where you do business. This however, does not exempt you from the requirement of having a Business Licence in the jurisdiction where you reside. The following communities in the Central Okanagan participate in the mobile business license program as well as several surrounding communities:
• District of Lake Country • District of West Kelowna • City of Kelowna • District of Peachland • District of Summerland
73 Municipalities by phone and e-mail 74 Regional District of the Central Okanagan, Inspections, http://www.regionaldistrict.com/docs/inspections/Mobile%20Business%20Licence%20Pilot.pdf, Accessed June 1, 2009)
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75 4.4.2 BUSINESS CONFIDENCE INDEX
Index Evaluation:
120 120 The overall confidence index 100.8 99.6 98.1 96.5 94.1 95 dropped to 57.4 in 2009-Q1 from 100 100 83.6 in 2008-Q1. The drop was 83.6 most influenced by the decline in 80 80 the current conditions index which 57.4 fell from 83.2 in 2008-Q1 to a 60 60 record low of 38.8 in 2009-Q1. 40 40 The future expectations index saw a much smaller decline over the 20 20 same period, dropping from 84.0 to 80.2. 0 0 Q1‐05 Q2‐05 Q3‐05 Q1‐06 Q2‐06 Q3‐06 Q1‐08 Q1‐09
Overall Current Conditions:
Overall Future Expectations:
Overall Index:
Table of Results: Q1-05 Q2-05 Q3-05 Q1-06 Q2-06 Q3-06 Q1-08 Q1-09 Overall Index: 100.8 99.6 98.1 96.5 94.1 95.0 83.6 57.4
Current Conditions: Overall economic conditions 99.8 101.5 97.4 94.6 95.8 96.8 66.4 21.9 Overall financial position 98.1 99.6 102.3 93.9 98.6 102.5 89.2 45.7 Profitability 100.5 97.4 102.8 93.8 97.9 104.5 88.9 46.5 Employment 100.6 104.2 101.8 85.7 91.2 99.4 86.1 47.4 Overall Current Conditions: 99.7 100.3 101.1 92.1 96.2 100.9 83.2 38.8 Future Expectations: Overall economic conditions 103.0 99.0 92.5 100.1 95.5 83.4 62.5 78.2 Overall financial position 101.1 100.0 98.2 99.4 96.0 92.7 88.8 81.1 Profitability 101.0 98.7 98.6 100.0 91.4 89.8 89.9 80.6 Employment 101.7 97.6 89.6 104.1 86.3 88.2 95.3 81.4 Overall Future Expectations: 101.6 98.9 95.1 100.6 92.3 89.0 84.0 80.2
75 Kettle Valley Research, 2009-Q1 Business Confidence Index.
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Current Conditions
Current conditions saw declines across all of its component indexes. The largest drop was seen in evaluations of current economic conditions which fell 44.5 points from 96.8 in 2008 to 21.9 in 2009-Q1. The other component indexes saw similar declines.
Future Expectations
While the overall future expectations index only dropped 3.8 points indicating that firms are generally more enthusiastic about the next six months than current conditions. However, there were mixed results for its component indexes. Future expectations for overall economic conditions rose significantly (15.7 points) to 78.2 for 2009-Q1. Other indices dropped between 7.7 points and 13.9 points.
Employment:
The current employment index was down significantly, likely due both to seasonal employment adjustments and in response to the economic downturn. Current employment dropped 38.7 points to 47.4.
Notably, future employment expectations were also down significantly despite normally seeing seasonal increases in Q1. Future employment expectations dropped 13.9 points to a record low of 81.4.
Capital Expenditures:
Significantly fewer firms indicated having made capital expenditures over the past six months than in prior surveys. Traditionally the proportion of firms who had made at least some capital expenditures had hovered around 52% to 53%. In 2009-Q1, however, only 44.0% of firms indicated having made capital expenditures.
Future expectations, conversely remained similar to past surveys with just over half (50.8%) of firms expecting to make some or significant capital expenditures over the next six months. As with past surveys, the majority of these (45.9%) indicated that they would make some capital expenditures and 4.9% indicated they expected to make significant capital expenditures.
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4.5 FIRMS BY INDUSTRY SECTOR
In 2008, the largest portion of firms in the Central Okanagan were in construction (20.0%), followed by professional, scientific and technology services (10.9%) and real estate and rental and leasing (10.8%).
2008 Central Okanagan (RD) Number of Firms by Industry Sector76
Firms Industry Sector based on NAICS Canada with No Less (North American Industrial Classification Em- than 20 to 50 to 200 All Percent Percent System) ployees 20 49 199 Plus Sizes of Total All firms of Total
Total, All Industries 8,379 6,755 668 241 28 7,692 100.0% 16,071 100.0%
Construction 1,797 1,292 94 24 1 1,411 18.3% 3,208 20.0% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 1,029 685 33 5 0 723 9.4% 1,752 10.9%
Real Estate & Rental & Leasing 1,382 333 8 5 0 346 4.5% 1,728 10.8%
Retail Trade (44-45) 459 788 108 37 5 938 12.2% 1,397 8.7% Other Services (excluding Public Administration) 424 640 27 5 0 672 8.7% 1,096 6.8%
Finance & Insurance 661 272 39 4 0 315 4.1% 976 6.1%
Health Care & Social Assistance 180 606 31 21 2 660 8.6% 840 5.2% Administration & Support, Waste Management 359 362 23 16 0 401 5.2% 760 4.7% Management of Companies & Enterprises 583 130 9 5 3 147 1.9% 730 4.5%
Wholesale Trade 304 371 44 5 1 421 5.5% 725 4.5%
Accommodation & Food Services 156 280 109 49 3 441 5.7% 597 3.7%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 272 263 25 6 0 294 3.8% 566 3.5%
Manufacturing (31-33) 192 274 42 24 5 345 4.5% 537 3.3%
Transportation & Warehousing (48-49) 301 199 25 8 3 235 3.1% 536 3.3%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 106 84 23 9 1 117 1.5% 223 1.4%
Educational Services 60 74 6 3 2 85 1.1% 145 0.9%
Information & Cultural Industries 71 50 10 7 0 67 0.9% 138 0.9%
Mining & Oil & Gas Extraction 33 34 8 0 0 42 0.5% 75 0.5%
Utilities 10 8 3 2 0 13 0.2% 23 0.1%
Public Administration 10 1 6 2 19 0.2% 19 0.1%
76 BC Stats, Quarterly Regional Statistics, Interim Report, First Quarter 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/qrs/rd35.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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4.6 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PROFILE
In 2006, there were 9,970 people employed in the construction industry in the Central Okanagan. This represents significant growth from 2001, where there were 5,455 people employed in the construction industry in the region.
The construction sector received a significant boost in late 2001 and 2002 with very low interest rates and an improving BC economy. In recent years, the industry had accelerated dramatically, however, new building permits issued in 2008 dropped significantly, with the exception of institutional and government permits, likely in response to the economic crisis.
Central Okanagan Building Permits by Type 2000 to 200877 Total Institutional Building Total Non- and Permits Residential Industrial Commercial Government Residential Units 2000 162.4 71.6 14.4 31.6 25.6 90.8 833 2001 202.2 70.2 4.0 40.6 25.6 132.0 1,027 2002 224.0 43.4 8.4 26.4 8.6 180.6 1,438 2003 354.4 74.1 4.5 57.8 11.8 280.3 1,918 2004 445.6 79.5 9.7 49.5 20.4 366.1 2,266 2005 775.0 232.3 19.5 158.8 54.0 542.7 3,217 2006 618.0 160.2 16.8 92.5 50.9 457.8 2,238 2007 900.1 241.8 19.9 174.2 47.7 658.3 2,951 2008 673.8 189.8 7.3 75.7 106.8 484.0 1,935
Jan-Feb 08 153.0 12.9 3.7 9.1 0.1 140.1 697
Jan-Feb 09 57.1 41.8 0.3 39.7 1.7 15.3 25
Growth in Building Permits 2000 to 2008
77 BC Stats, Quarterly Regional Statistics, Interim Report, First Quarter 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/qrs/rd35.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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4.7 CENTRAL OKANAGAN MAJOR PROJECTS INVENTORY78
The BC Major Projects Inventory (MPI) contains summary information on major projects in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, that are over $15 million (Cdn.) capital cost.
All capital costs are estimates, and therefore, subject to changes, especially in the early stages of a project proposal. Some capital costs are not included because estimates were not available at press time or the developer / owner requested that no capital cost be shown. The capital cost of all major projects listed as under construction in BC is estimated at $61 billion, up from $57.4 billion last quarter. Many major project proposals listed are in very preliminary stages and are not yet approved for construction, therefore capital cost estimates should be viewed with caution.
Summary of BC Major Projects by Status January–March 200979 Proposed Started Completed On Hold Total Development Region # ($ Millions) # ($ Millions) # ($ Millions) # ($ Millions) # ($ Millions) Vancouver Island/Coast 88 21,655 58 7,161 1 67 14 2,100 161 30,983 Mainland/Southwest 182 30,937 196 29,560 13 1,108 18 4,499 409 66,104 Thompson/Okanagan 84 11,919 80 16,435 2 104 6 675 172 29,133 Central Okanagan 34 4,958 27 7,359 1 30 3 485 62 12,832 Kelowna (and Area) 27 3,867 24 5,616 1 30 3 485 51 9,998 West Kelowna 3 243 1 192 4 435 Lake Country 3 828 1 1,517 4 2,345 Peachland 1 20 1 34 2 54 Kootenay 14 2,926 15 2,485 - - 1 750 31 6,176 Cariboo 22 3,497 10 2,072 - - 5 486 37 6,055 North Coast 36 23,732 4 941 - - 3 5,042 43 29,715 Nechako 11 1,151 - - - - 1 150 12 1,301 Northeast 24 9,630 7 1,128 - - 1 500 32 11,258 Total 461 105,447 370 59,782 17 1,294 49 14,202 897 180,725
78 BC Stats, Major Projects Inventory, December 2009, http://www.gov.bc.ca/tted/attachments/mpi_report.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 79 IBID
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4.7.1 CENTRAL OKANAGAN MAJOR PROJECTS INVENTORY
4.7.2 STATUS: PROPOSED Hwy 97 Improvements: Gordon Drive to Hwy 33 Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Ph: Kelowna (250) 387-7787. Widening of Hwy 97 to 6 lanes between Gordon Drive and Hwy 33. This project is Highrise Condominium funded by the Province of British Columbia ($7.7M), Aquilini Investment Group, Proposed 26 storey, 207 the Government of Canada ($3M under the Building unit residential development located at 426 to 454 Canada Plan) and the City of Kelowna ($4M). Bernard Ave. Architect: Bevanda Architecture. Status: Proposed Start: 2009 Status: Proposed Est. Cost ($ million): 15 Est. Cost ($ million): Finish: Fall 2009 First Entry: Dec 2008 First Entry: Sep 2008 Start: Not Available Last Update: Dec 2008 Finish: Not Available Project ID: 2280 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 2304 Okanagan College Expansion Okanagan College Ph: (250) 763-6011 (Kelowna Sopa Square Residential Development City). Proposed Child Care Centre will be a Home Fenwick Developments Ph: (250) 763-6011 for Learning project. Site preparations are (Kelowna City). Proposed plan for an 11-storey underway and construction is expected to residential tower built over levels of commercial and commence in Fall 2008. retail space, with two 4-storey buildings around a central green space. Development approval has Status: Proposed been received from council. Project is registered to Start: Spring 2009 meet LEED Gold standards for Leadership in Energy Est. Cost ($ million): 24 and Environmental Design. Finish: Fall 2009 First Entry: Sep 2008 Status: Proposed Last Update: Dec 2008 Est. Cost ($ million): 25 Project ID: 2196 First Entry: Dec 2008 Start: Fall 2009 Timber Ridge Resort Development Finish: Not Available New Future Developments Ph: (250) 763-6011 Last Update: Dec 2008 (Kelowna City). Proposed resort located north of Project ID: 2328 Kelowna will include 100 condominium and cabin units in phase 1, a recreation centre and an 80 slip marina. Phase 2 is in preliminary planning stages. Caban Gyro Beach Cityhomes Website: www.timberridgeokanagan.com Cressey Development Corp. Ph: (250) 717-1299. Proposed 130 unit condominium development in Status: Proposed two 6-storey concrete midrise building joined by a Start: Early 2009 podium of retail space. Architect: Meiklejohn Est. Cost ($ million): 15 Architects Inc. Finish: Summer 2009 First Entry: Sep 2008 Status: Proposed Last Update: Dec 2008 Start: Early 2009 Project ID: 2300 Est. Cost ($ million): 24 Finish: Condominium Development - Lakeshore Road First Entry: Sep 2008 Ph: (250) 763-6011 (Kelowna City). Proposed 6 Last Update: Dec 2008 storey condominium development to have 125 Project ID: 2250 residential units over ground level retail space. The project located on Lakeshore Rd. and Richter St. Highrise Condominium Development will require rezoning. Ph: (250) 763-6011 (Kelowna City). Proposed 280 unit condominium development in two 19 and 23 Status: Proposed storey towers located at Doyle Ave. and St. Paul St. Start: Not Available Rezoning will be required. Est. Cost ($ million): 25 Finish: Not Available Status: Proposed First Entry: Jun 2008 Start: Not Available Last Update: Sep 2008 Est. Cost ($ million): 55 Project ID: 2194 Finish: Not Available First Entry: Sep 2008 Last Update: Sep 2008 Project ID: 2249
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Aqua Residential Development Kelowna Downtown Highrise Plan Mission Group Ph: (250) 448-8810. Proposed 6.75 Westcorp Developments Ph: (250) 763-6011 acre resort community development located on (Kelowna City). Proposed plan of 12 highrises up to Okanagan Lake and Lakeshore Rd. The project is in 27 storeys, in the area between Water and Abbott preliminary stages and plans to include residential streets and Hwy 97 and Queensway Ave. Council units and resort accommodation with water features has approved rezoning and public hearing was held and pedestrian amenities throughout. in Oct 2008. Status: Proposed Status: Proposed Start: 2009 Start: Not Available Est. Cost ($ million): Est. Cost ($ million): 150 Finish: 2020 First Entry: Dec 2007 Finish: Not Available Last Update: Sep 2008 First Entry: Jun 2008 Project ID: 2083 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 2222 Northwood Retirement Resort Regency Retirement Resorts Ph: (250) 763-6011 Power Station - Casorso Road (Kelowna City). Proposed 160 unit 4-storey Fortis BC Inc. Ph: (250) 368-0500. Proposed power retirement condominium to be located on Gordon station located on Casorso Road has received Drive. Demolition on site has commenced. support in public open house held in Apr 2008. Approval received from BC Utilities Commission. Status: Proposed Application must be made for exclusion from the Start: Early 2009 Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and for re-zoning. Est. Cost ($ million): 15 Finish: Summer 2009 Status: Proposed First Entry: Dec 2007 Start: 2009 Last Update: Dec 2008 Est. Cost ($ million): 18 Project ID: 2074 Finish: 2010 First Entry: Jun 2008 Orchard Springs Condominium Development Last Update: Dec 2008 Witmar Developments Ltd. Ph: (250) 763-9901. Project ID: 2189 Proposed condominium development located on KLO Rd, with 56 units in each of four 4-storey Highrise Residential Development buildings. Of the 224 units, 12 units will be Tri-Power Developments Inc. Ph: (250) 763-6011 designated as affordable housing. Development (Kelowna City). Proposed 19-storey highrise permit application has received final approval. development with retail space located on Bernard Construction is expected to start on the first of four Ave. phases in Late 2008, the second phase to start in May 2009 and complete in Jul 2010, followed by Status: Proposed phase 3 with expected completion in Sep 2011, and Start: Summer 2009 phase 4 completing in Nov 2012. Website: Est. Cost ($ million): www.orchardsprings.ca Finish: Late 2011 First Entry: Mar 2008 Status: Proposed Last Update: Jun 2008 Start: Early 2009 Project ID: 2124 Est. Cost ($ million): 40 Finish: 2012 Tapestry Residential Development First Entry: Dec 2007 Ledingham-McAllister Ph: (250) 763-6011 (Kelowna Last Update: Dec 2008 City). Proposed 500-unit, 30-storey condominium Project ID: 2082 development with three, four-storey residential buildings adjacent to the tower, located on Shelter Bay Residential Neighbourhood Springfield Road near Orchard Park Mall. The Concord Pacific Ph: (604) 681-8882. Proposed project would include 80 subsidized rental units. development for the west side of Okanagan Lake. Development permit received. The developer is in negotiations with the Westbank First Nations for a 125 year lease that would allow Status: Proposed for 1,500 condominium units, including highrise Start: Spring 2009 towers and a marina. Est. Cost ($ million): 235 Finish: 2011 Status: Proposed First Entry: Mar 2008 Start: Early 2009 Last Update: Sep 2008 Est. Cost ($ million): 1000 Project ID: 2123 Finish: 2018 First Entry: Dec 2007 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 2084
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West Harbour Condominium Development Pandosy 3000 Condominium Development Troika Developments Ph: (250) 869-4945. Fenwick Developments Ph: (250) 763-6011 Proposed 1500-unit townhouse development in five (Kelowna City). Proposed 11-storey highrise 15 to 20 storey highrise towers and lowrise development with 50 units on 9 floors and office condominiums on a 45 acre site. Project will include and retail space on the first 2 floors. 30 lowrise retail and recreational amenities, including a marina townhouse units will be included in the project and amphitheatre. Rezoning application has been located on South Pandosy street. Project will be submitted. Construction is expected to commence registered to meet Leadership in Energy and in Jan 2009. An agreement is in place with Terasen Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Website: Energy Systems to design, build and manage a www.3000pandosy.com renewable energy system for the project.
Status: Proposed Status: Proposed Start: Early 2009 Start: Jan 2009 Est. Cost ($ million): 18 Est. Cost ($ million): 1000 Finish: 2010 Finish: Summer 2012 First Entry: Sep 2007 First Entry: Jun 2007 Last Update: Dec 2008 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 2034 Project ID: 1977
Dilworth Mountain Estates Ellison Substation Dilworth Homes Ph: (250) 861-8969. Proposed Fortis BC Inc. Ph: (250) 368-0500. A new development to comprise phase 4 of the Selkirk substation to service the northern portion of neighbourhood which will include 40 new Kelowna is proposed. The project has received homesites, 60 townhomes in Wycliffe at Selkirk and British Columbia Utilities Commission approval. 100 townhomes in Dilworth East. Status: Proposed Status: Proposed Start: Summer 2008 Start: Early 2009 Est. Cost ($ million): 15 Est. Cost ($ million): 48 Finish: 2009 Finish: 2010 First Entry: Mar 2007 First Entry: Jun 2007 Last Update: Jun 2008 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 1509 Project ID: 1981 South Slopes Neighbourhood Mixed Use Development Ph: (250) 763-6011 (Kelowna City). Proposed Ph: (250) 763-6011 (Kelowna City). Proposed 14 neighbourhood plan for 1,200 homes in the South storey highrise located at Hwy 33 and Rutland Slopes area has received preliminary approval. The Road. Development will include commercial space project will include a commercial centre, a school, over a 2 level underground parkade, followed by 3 single and multi family dwellings. The plan to levels of office space and 9 floors with 54 redevelop an area, that was severely fire damaged condominium units. Rezoning has been approved. in the 2003 Okanagan fire, went to public hearing in Apr 2007. Project will undergo provincial, city Status: Proposed and district approvals. Very preliminary. Start: Early 2009 Est. Cost ($ million): 20 Status: Proposed Finish: Early 2009 Start: Not Available First Entry: Jun 2007 Est. Cost ($ million): 200 Last Update: Dec 2008 Finish: Not Available First Entry: Mar 2007 Project ID: 1979 Last Update: Sep 2008 Project ID: 1920 Townhouse Development - 1967 Cross Road Maxwell House Developments Ph: (250) 717-7262. Sundance Ridge Condominium Proposed 88-unit townhouse development located Renascence Development Corp. Ph: (250) 762- at 1967 Cross Road. Development permit has been 4777. Proposed low-rise condominium approved by Council. development to include 208-units in three storey and townhouse buildings. Website: Status: Proposed www.renascencedevelopments.com Start: Spring 2009 Est. Cost ($ million): 17 Status: Proposed Finish: Late 2009 Start: Early 2009 First Entry: Jun 2007 Est. Cost ($ million): 55 Last Update: Dec 2008 Finish: Dec 2009 Project ID: 1978 First Entry: Mar 2007 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 1924
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Ethanol Plant Lakeview Plaza Condominiums Okanagan Biofuels Ph: (250) 766-9044. Proposed City of Kelowna Ph: (250) 763-6011 (Kelowna ethanol plant to produce 115 million litres of City). Proposed 100 unit condominium development ethanol annually on the Hiram Walker site on Jim in four terraced buildings near Hwy 97. Bailey Rd. Funding and permits have been secured.
Status: Proposed Status: Proposed Start: Not Available Start: Early 2009 Est. Cost ($ million): 20 Est. Cost ($ million): 100 Finish: Not Available Finish: Fall 2009 First Entry: Sep 2006 First Entry: Mar 2005 Last Update: Jun 2008 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 1854 Project ID: 1331
Residential Tower - Springfield Road Star Vintage Landing Resort Vista Developments Ph: (250) 469-8626 (Kelowna G Group of Companies Ph: (250) 763-4444. Plans City). Proposed redevelopment plans on the site of on a 351-hectare site include a 1000 residential the Elks Lodge includes a 12-storey tower with 72 unit resort in the form of a boutique hotel and condominium units on the 3rd through 12th floors, bungalows, retail facilities, a health and wellness and retail and office space on the first two floors. centre, convention space, a 16 ha vineyard and winery, 18-hole golf course, marina and beach club. Status: Proposed The first building, a five star hotel to start Start: Early 2009 construction in 2008. Agreements need to be Est. Cost ($ million): 15 reached with the city for off-site improvements of Finish: 2010 sewers and roads. The Thomas McBroom designed, First Entry: Sep 2006 Kinnikinnik golf course is expected to complete in Last Update: Dec 2008 2010 in McKinley Landing. The project is in permit Project ID: 1813 approvals.
UBC - Okanagan Library/Learning Center Status: Proposed University of British Columbia Ph: (604) 731-3103 Start: Spring 2009 Proposed expansion of the existing library to add Est. Cost ($ million): 477 100,000 sq ft. Finish: 2017 First Entry: Mar 2004 Status: Proposed Last Update: Dec 2008 Start: Not Available Project ID: 1097 Est. Cost ($ million): 30 Finish: Not Available Wood Lake Resort First Entry: Mar 2006 Renascence Developments Ph: (250) 762-4777 Last Update: Sep 2008 Proposed resort development to be located at Project ID: 1666 Seymour and Woodsdale Rds. Phased development will include 480 units in three 6-storeys buildings Okanagan Transmission Reinforcement and restoration of a lagoon. Rezoning has been Fortis BC Inc. Ph: (866) 436-7847. Fortis has approved. proposed a plan for electrical expansion and upgrades in the South Okanagan and Kelowna Status: Proposed areas in a series of public meetings. The project Start: Early 2009 includes upgrading of the existing line between Est. Cost ($ million): 90 Oliver and Penticton, and the addition of a second Finish: Summer 2010 line from Vaseux Lake to Penticton. Received First Entry: Dec 2007 approval from the British Columbia Utilities Last Update: Dec 2008 Commission (BCUC). This project is part of their Project ID: 2065 long-term System Development Plan (SDP). Website: www.fortisinc.com
Status: Proposed Start: Spring 2009 Est. Cost ($ million): 141 Finish: 2011 First Entry: Dec 2005 Last Update: Sep 2008 Project ID: 1564
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Peachland Lake Country Reflections On The Lake Estates Woodsdale Ranch in Lake Country Roy and Gloria Stewart Ph: (604) 864-8555 Amadon Group Ph: (604) 688-1451 Proposed multi- (Architect). Proposed residential development on a use development on 1100 acres in Lake Country, 2.09 acre site near Antlers Beach to include 112 consisting of 750 units, including tourist units in a 10-storey building. Plans also include a accommodation, multi-family and single family pool and exercise room, as well as a tunnel under units, two 18-hole golf courses, vineyards and other Hwy 97 to access a floating marina. Website: components. Phase 1 includes a golf course and www.reflectionsonthelakeestates.com some residential units. Currently in approvals stage. Capital cost is for phase 1. Website: Status: Proposed www.amadongroup.com Start: Early 2009 Est. Cost ($ million): 20 Status: Proposed Finish: 2010 Start: Early 2009 First Entry: Jun 2005 Est. Cost ($ million): 700 Last Update: Dec 2008 Finish: 2013 Project ID: 1394 First Entry: Mar 2006 Last Update: Dec 2008 West Kelowna Project ID: 1679 The Heritage Condominium Hwy 97 Improvements: Winfield to Oyama EM Power Financial Services/Investicare Seniors Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure / Housing Corporation Ph: (250) 763-4918 (Central Government of Canada Ph: (250) 828-4297. 4 lane Okanagan Regional District) Proposed development realignment of the 9.0 kms of Highway 97 between of 180 units in a 10-storey condominium tower and Winfield and Oyama. This project is funded by the 160 units in a supportive living tower. Project also Province of British Columbia ($44.3M) and the includes an 8-storey commercial building and is Government of Canada - Building Canada Fund located on site of former packing plant on Brown ($33.6M). Rd.
Status: Proposed Status: Proposed Start: Spring 2010 Start: Not Available Est. Cost ($ million): 78 Est. Cost ($ million): 85 Finish: Spring 2012 Finish: Not Available First Entry: Sep 2008 First Entry: Dec 2007 Last Update: Dec 2008 Last Update: Sep 2008 Project ID: 2248 Project ID: 2064
Sonata Ridge Condominiums Westbank 138 kV System Reconfiguration Medican Developments Ph: (403) 526-3477 BC Transmission Corp. Ph: (604) 699-7300 Proposed residential development of 213 units in 3 Reconfiguring and reinforcing 138 kV system in the phases and is located above the developers Sitara Westbank Area. on the Pond project. Status: Proposed Status: Proposed Start: 2009 Start: Early 2009 Est. Cost ($ million): 33 Est. Cost ($ million): 50 Finish: Oct 2013 Finish: 2010 First Entry: Dec 2007 First Entry: Jun 2007 Last Update: Jun 2008 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 2103 Project ID: 1989 Copper Sky Condominiums Rempel Copper Sky Development Ltd. Ph: (604) 850-8509 Proposed lowrise condominiums with 536 units in 10 buildings. Website: www.copperskyliving.com
Status: Proposed Start: Early 2009 Est. Cost ($ million): Finish: 2011 First Entry: Sep 2007 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 2043
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Kelowna Downtown North Crystal Mountain Ski Resort Canada Lands Corp. Ph: (250) 712-4216 Pheidias Project Management Ph: (250) 768-5189 Construction of a mixed use, multi-family 3,800-bed ski hill development to include a hotel, development on ten parcels of land to consist of townhouses, single-family dwellings and condos, approx 1,700 dwellings for 3,500 residents on a 18-hole golf course, day lodge, restaurants, and 23.5 ha site bounded by Sunset Dr, Gaston Ave and conference centre. Proposal includes 11 new ski Ellis St. Project would include up to 880 homes in lifts. Project has all provincial approvals. Regional up to 21-storey towers and 4-storey apartment and District of Central Okanagan review is progressing. condominium buildings, and renovation of the Website: www.crystalresort.com existing CN Station. Parcels are being sold and developed separately. Brandt’s Creek Crossing is a Status: Proposed neighbourhood section of Canada Land’s overall Start: Early 2009 development. Two parcels are on Bay Ave. and Est. Cost ($ million): 125 three parcels are on Recreation Ave. A building Finish: 2011 permit has been issued for 1147 Sunset Dr. to First Entry: Jun 1999 Navigator Development Icon Corp. and a 21-storey, Last Update: Dec 2008 94 suite tower called Lucaya at 1151 Sunset Dr is Project ID: 581 on hold. Website: www.city.kelowna.bc.ca & www.brandtscreek.com. (Also see Waterscapes, Project id #1922) 4.7.3 STATUS: ON HOLD Status: On hold Kelowna Start: Late 2005
Est. Cost ($ million): 220 Marriott Fairfield and Hampton Hotel inish: 2012 Marriott International Inc. Ph: (250) 469-8626 First Entry: Mar 1998 (Kelowna City) Two hotels will be located near the Last Update: Dec 2008 intersection of Highways 97 and 33, with a total of Project ID: 363 217 rooms. The Marriott Hotel at 2480 Hwy 97 will be 4-stories with 117 rooms. The Hampton Hotel will contain 94 rooms. The Marriot has completed 4.7.4 STATUS: CONSTRUCTION STARTED construction, and the Hampton is on hold. Kelowna Status: On hold
Start: Spring 2006 Est. Cost ($ million): 15 UBC - Okanagan Health Sciences Centre Finish: Not Available University of British Columbia Ph: (604) 827-5252 First Entry: Sep 2005 New home or the Southern Medical Program, a Last Update: Sep 2008 4,266 sq m facility, including high-tech classrooms Project ID: 1518 and lecture theatres, research facilities and faculty offices which will all be interconnected to the 3 Lawson’s Landing Residential/Commercial other UBC Medical Program facilities. Development Westcorp Properties Inc. Ph: (780) 431-3300 Status: Construction started Proposed development on a 4 acre site to include Start: Fall 2008 550 residential units in five condominium towers, Est. Cost ($ million): 34 commercial space and a hotel located at Bernard Finish: 2011 Ave, Mill Street, and Queensway. Architect: Kasian First Entry: Sep 2008 Kennedy Architecture Inc. A new application will Last Update: Dec 2008 likely be submitted after a complete redesign of the Project ID: 2275 development for the area within Harvey, Abbott, Queensway and Water st reets.The new plan is Wastewater Treatment Expansion expected to define site as a comprehensive City of Kelowna Ph: (250) 763-6011 (Kelowna City) development zone under new provincial legislation, Proposed expansion of the wastewater treatment which allows costs and development rights to be facility to increase capacity and service area. shared by property owners. General contract of $37.5 mil was awarded to Maple Reinders. Status: On hold Start: Not Available Status: Construction started Est. Cost ($ million): 250 Start: Oct 2008 Finish: Not Available Est. Cost ($ million): 60 First Entry: Dec 2004 Finish: Spring 2010 Last Update: Sep 2008 First Entry: Sep 2008 Project ID: 1260 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 2264
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Kelowna International Airport Expansion Chute Lake School Kelowna International Airport Ph: (250) 765-5125 School District 23 Ph: (250) 491-4000. New 350- Expansion of Kelowna International Airport includes student capacity elementary school on Lark Street a new concourse, runway extension to 8,900 m in at Chute Lake Road. Greyback Construction has length, gates and apron expanded to accommodate been awarded tender. The project which is expected larger aircraft. A larger 2-storey international to start construction in Jul 2008, will be built to terminal and departure area planned for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design expected increase in passengers to 1.6 million by (LEED) gold standards. Architect: KMBR 2015. Contract for runway extension has been Architects/Bevanda Architecture Inc. awarded to EBA Engineering. Construction is underway on parking and road improvements by Status: Construction started Peter Brothers Construction and contract for Start: Jul 2008 improved parking has been awarded to Peter Bros. Est. Cost ($ million): 16 ($2.9m). Finish: Sep 2009 First Entry: Mar 2008 Status: Construction started Last Update: Sep 2008 Start: Feb 2008 Project ID: 2188 Est. Cost ($ million): 36 Finish: 2015 Okanagan College Campus - Centre for First Entry: Sep 2007 Learning Last Update: Dec 2008 Okanagan College Ph: (250) 762-5445 5-storey, Project ID: 2035 6,819 sq m Centre for Learning expansion to the Okanagan College will include 22 new classrooms UBC - Okanagan Engineering Management with technology, media and library facilities. The Building project has received $23 million provincial funding University of British Columbia Ph: (604) 731-3103 announced Nov 2007. Project is registered to meet Cost-shared construction of a 15,700 sq. metre LEED Gold standards for Leadership in Energy and building for the School of Engineering and the Environmental Design. Faculty of Management. The building includes a large lecture theatre, smaller classrooms, Status: Construction started undergraduate teaching labs, research labs and Start: Early 2008 academic support space. The Provincial Est. Cost ($ million): 28 government is contributing $35.1 million. Finish: Jun 2009 First Entry: Dec 2007 Status: Construction started Last Update: Sep 2008 Start: Sep 2008 Project ID: 2071 Est. Cost ($ million): 74 Finish: 2011 Yaletown Condominium Development First Entry: Jun 2007 Troika Developments Ph: (250) 869-4945 122-unit Last Update: Dec 2008 lowrise condominium development located in North Project ID: 1980 Glenmore. Construction is expected to complete in Spring 2009. Big White Casino and Convention Centre Chateau Blanc Development Corp. Ph: (604) 455- Status: Construction started 5000 6,000 sq m conference centre and casino Start: Fall 2007 located in a new Big White village core. Architect: Est. Cost ($ million): 24 Downs, Archembault & Partners. Plans also include Finish: Spring 2009 a Greg Norman signature golf course, developed First Entry: Dec 2007 separately, Project has started construction and is Last Update: Sep 2008 expected to complete in Summer 2010. Project ID: 2014 Status: Construction started Centre Point at Summerfield Residential Start: Summer 2008 Development Est. Cost ($ million): 200 The Webster Group Ph: (250) 762-7770 Low rise Finish: Sep 2009 residential development in three phases located in First Entry: Mar 2007 the South Glenmore area. Architect: Water Street Last Update: Dec 2008 Architecture. Website: Project ID: 1918 www.centrepointkelowna.com
Status: Construction started Start: Jan 2008 Est. Cost ($ million): Finish: 2011 First Entry: Sep 2007 Last Update: Sep 2008 Project ID: 2032
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Waterscapes Neighbourhood Big White Substation Ledingham McAllister Ltd. Ph: (250) 763-6011 Fortis BC Inc. Ph: (866) 436-7847 Electrical (Kelowna City) The 776 unit, 9 building substation in the Black Mountain area to include a development will include the Skye, a 183 unit, 26- transmission line along Highway 33 and storey condominium tower under construction at improvements to distribution lines at Big White 1089 Sunset Dr., the Herons, 8 lowrise townhome Village. The substation will serve the Big White, Bell buildings and the Osprey townhomes which have Mountain and Kirshner Mountain areas. started construction in May 2008. The project is located in Brandt’s Creek Crossing (see project id Status: Construction started #363 Kelowna Downtown North). Website: Start: Nov 2006 www.liveatwaterscapes.com. Est. Cost ($ million): 20 Finish: Dec 2008 Status: Construction started First Entry: Mar 2007 Start: Nov 2007 Last Update: Sep 2008 Est. Cost ($ million): 150 Project ID: 1925 Finish: Oct 2009 First Entry: Mar 2007 Invue Condominium Last Update: Sep 2008 Rykon Group Ph: (250) 763-5541 Development of a Project ID: 1922 90-unit, 14 storey condominium tower located at Springfield and Barlee Rd. is under construction. Chateau Blanc Resort Hotel Project will include some commercial and retail Berezan Management Ltd. Ph: (250) 368-9148 space. A fire in the parkade level in Fall 2008 may (Regional District of Kootenay Boundary highrise cause some delays. Website: www.invue.ca hotel, destination casino and convention centre located at Big White’s current Ridge parking lot. The Status: Construction started project would include 400-plus rooms in a 17-storey Start: Oct 2007 tower, a casino of up to 10,000 sq ft, a 10,000 sq ft Est. Cost ($ million): 20 convention space, and 10,000 sq ft of commercial Finish: Summer 2009 space. First Entry: Mar 2007 Last Update: Dec 2008 Status: Construction started Project ID: 1973 Start: Fall 2007 Est. Cost ($ million): 200 Snowbird Lodge Resort Finish: Fall 2009 Amadon Group Ph: (604) 688-145. 1 92 unit lodge First Entry: Dec 2006 and 3,200 sq ft spa will be located in Silver Star Last Update: Dec 2008 Village. Phase 2 is in the planning stages. Website: Project ID: 1869 amadongroup.com Kelowna Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade Status: Construction started City of Kelowna Ph: (250) 469-8890 Upgrades have Start: Fall 2007 commenced to the Kelowna Sewage Treatment Est. Cost ($ million): 15 Plant. The expansion of the major components to Finish: Early 2009 allow for a maximum capacity of 120 million litres First Entry: Mar 2007 per day is expected to commence in Early 2009. Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 1951 Status: Construction started Start: Apr 2008 UBC - Okanagan Arts & Science 2 Expansion Est. Cost ($ million): 61 University of British Columbia Ph: (604) 731-3103 Finish: Dec 2010 The project is a 7,850 sq. metre building that will First Entry: Dec 2006 house a large lecture theatre, smaller classrooms, Last Update: Dec 2008 undergraduate teaching labs, research labs and Project ID: 1874 academic support space. The Provincial government is contributing $25.7 million.
Status: Construction started Start: Sep 2008 Est. Cost ($ million): 42 Finish: Fall 2010 First Entry: Mar 2007 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 1926
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Last Update: Sep 2008 Mission Meadows at Casorso Condominium Project ID: 1433 Development Mission Meadows Development Corp. UBC - Okanagan Campus Student Residences Ph: (250) 860-2351 University of British Columbia Ph: (604) 731-3103 Condominium development of a potential 252 units Residences for the new UBC Okanagan campus to in four 4-storey condominiums located at Gordon meet commitments for added student spaces. Dr. and Casorso Rd. Phases 1 and 2 (72 units) are Phase I and Phase 2 have been completed, Phase 3 currently under construction with Building 1 and with five buildings started in Jul 2008 and are clubhouse completed in Aug 2007 and Building 2 expected to be completed in Sep 2009. nearing completion. Phase 3 is at foundation stage and has been put on hold due to lack of pre-sales. Status: Construction started Architect: Water Street Architecture Inc. Website: Start: Late 2005 www.missionmeadows.ca Est. Cost ($ million): 24 Finish: Sep 2009 Status: Construction started First Entry: Jun 2005 Start: Summer 2006 Last Update: Sep 2008 Est. Cost ($ million): 63 Project ID: 1454 Finish: May 2010 First Entry: Sep 2006 Black Mountain Golf Community Last Update: Sep 2008 Melcor Developments Ltd. Ph: (780) 423-6931 Project ID: 1816 Major development on 385 acres to include approx 800 units of single-family homes, condominiums, Madison Residential Tower North Ellis Street townhouses and quarter share villas to be built in Developments Ltd. Ph: (250) 862-3339 (Kelowna eight phases. Phase 1 consists of 17 single-family City) 15-storey, 57 suite, residential tower in lots on Henderson Dr. Phase 2 consists of 28 downtown Kelowna at Ellis Street and Doyle Ave. single-family homes, and three villa developments City approval obtained. Construction underway. containing single and semi-detached Website: www.madisonkelowna.com villas/duplexes. Phase 2 also includes two multi- family condominium/ townhouse developments. The Status: Construction started Black Mountain Golf Course, an 18-hole course, has Start: Mar 2008 completed construction. The Tuscan Sun Resort is a Est. Cost ($ million): 15 Finish: hotel which will contain 100-suites, a conference Fall 2009 room, restaurant/pub, spa, gym, pool, retail space First Entry: Mar 2006 and underground parking. The Rialto Plaza 1 and 2 Last Update: Sep 2008 will be two buildings with small retail shops, offices Project ID: 1668 and services with 5 residential units above each, and underground parking. In Jun. 2005 the UBC - Okanagan Student Association Building developer changed to Melcor Developments Ltd. University of British Columbia Ph: (604) 731-3103 Website: www.blackmountain.ca Approximately 75,000 sq ft student association building will include the J. Peter Meekison Student Status: Construction started Centre, theatre, cafeteria and multi-purpose space. Start: Summer 2004 Est. Cost ($ million): 500 Status: Construction started Finish: 2011 Start: Sep 2007 First Entry: Dec 2004 Est. Cost ($ million): 33 Last Update: Sep 2008 Finish: Spring 2009 Project ID: 1280 First Entry: Mar 2006 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 1665
Southwind At Sarsons G Group of Companies Ph: (250) 861-5117 Three- phased development at the corner of Sarsons Rd and Lakeshore Rd in the Mission District will consist of 11 town homes and 129 condominiums with a total of 229,000 sq ft. The project includes a ground loop and other heat recovery systems, and other amenities. Phase 1 which will consist of 32 condominiums and 11 townhouses has been completed, 60 units in Phase 2 are commencing construction.
Status: Construction started Start: Spring 2006 Est. Cost ($ million): 70 Finish: Summer 2009 First Entry: Jun 2005
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Kelowna General Hospital Expansion Central Okanagan Bypass Kelowna General Hospital Ph: (250) 979-7771 The Kelowna City Ph: (250) 763-6011 (Kelowna City) expansion at Kelowna General Hospital will include Construction is underway for the first phase of the 360,000 sq ft Patient Care Tower and a 34,000 sq ft North End Connector, now referred to as the expansion to accommodate the UBCO Clinical Central Okanagan Bypass, between Ellis St. and Academic Campus. Infusion Health was awarded Spall Rd. Running along the existing Clement Ave. the construction contract in Aug 2008 which from Gordon Dr. to High Rd., Clement Ave. will be combines the capital costs of this project and the upgraded at intersections and along the frontage of Vernon Jubilee Hospital Expansion (see project ID # the new development. Further phases of the 1921 - the combined total capital cost of the two bypass, which will include the new four-lane projects is $432.9 million). The expansions have roadway traveling underneath the bridge on been designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Bernard Ave. before intersecting with Spall Rd. and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. extending to McCurdy Rd., are expected to be in place within the next 20 years. The portion from Status: Construction started Gordon Dr. to Spall Rd. went to tender in Spring Start: Sep 2008 2006, and construction completed in late 2006. Est. Cost ($ million): 433 City council has given approval for design of Spall Finish: 2012 Rd. to Hwy. 33 section. First Entry: Sep 2000 Last Update: Dec 2008 Status: Construction started Project ID: 685 Start: Fall 2005 Est. Cost ($ million): 15 Glenmore Highlands Development Finish: 2025 Wilden Glenwest Developments Inc Ph: (604) 739- First Entry: Dec 2003 7526 (Ekistics) Development of 2,800 housing units Last Update: Dec 2008 made up of single-family homes, townhouses, row Project ID: 1051 houses, including some 3 to 4-storey apartment buildings, 10,000 sq. Ft. of convenience commercial Mission Recreation Park Aquatic Centre areas, an elementary school and a park between (formerly Legacy Aquatic Centre) Glenmore and Clifton Roads. Total area is 720 ha. City of Kelowna Ph: (250) 862-3381 As part of the Phase 1, includes 450 single-family units and is Mission District Park, which has already completed under construction, this phase will eventually several recreation projects on a 42 ha site on include a school, and a mixed-use village centre. Gordon Drive near Mission Creek, the City is Phase 1A, included 45 single-family units plus a 14 currently proposing to develop an aquatic centre unit townhouse made available in 2004. Phase 2, with an indoor/outdoor waterpark, 50 m length Terrace Hill includes 65 single family units. Phase 3, competition size pool, 1000 seat stadium, and a Still Pond included 24 single family units made major fitness centre. City Council has approved an available the spring of 2005. Phase 4, Ledge View Alternative Approval Process for Oct. 2006 to seek includes 14 detached homes which opened in spring elector approval for partial financing of $29.5 2006. Rezoning for the balance of the property is million for the facility. An integrated design team complete. Architect: Ekistics Town Planning Inc. was formed by an Early Partner Agreement between the City of Kelowna and PCL Constructors Status: Construction started Westcoast Ltd. in Jan 2006, to finalize design and Start: Summer 2002 budget requirements for a fixed price design/build Est. Cost ($ million): 2100 proposal from PCL. The project has commenced Finish: 2020 construction. First Entry: Mar 1998 Website:www.missionrecreationpark.ca Last Update: Sep 2008 Project ID: 267 Status: Construction started Start: Fall 2007 Est. Cost ($ million): 46 Finish: Feb 2009 First Entry: Dec 2000 Last Update: Sep 2008 Project ID: 697
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Big White Ski Resort Expansion Lake Country Big White Ski Resort Ltd. Ph: (250) 765-3101 Long- term program of ongoing ski hill developments, Lakestone Resort Development including a license to build up to 22,000 bed units; Lakestone Developments Ph: (604) 639-4558 presently there are approx 13,500 bed units Resort development with a residential component of available. Construction in the 2004/2005 season 1,350 units. Phase 1 - 17 vineyard villas, is included 250 single and multi-family condo units expected to begin construction in Spring 2008 along ($100 million sale value), two new chair lifts, with a golf course. A winery, hotel and 75-slip terrain changes, and new grooming machines. marina will be built over a period of 10 years along Firelights development has been discontinued; The with the remaining residential phases. Golf course Edge condominium is currently being developed. is expected to be completed in 2010. Website: Renovations and improvements to nine ski runs www.lakestoneresort.com have now expanded to fourteen. Included in the project is a $7-million Snow Ghost Express, six- Status: Construction started passenger chairlift. Construction has started on the Start: Jan 2008 400-room Chateau Blanc hotel and convention Est. Cost ($ million): 1500 centre. Website: www.bigwhite.com Finish: 2017 First Entry: Sep 2006 Status: Construction started Last Update: Dec 2008 Start: Jun 1992 Project ID: 1814 Est. Cost ($ million): 250 Finish: Summer 2009 Sitara on the Pond Condominium Development First Entry: Dec 1997 Medican Developments Ph: (403) 526-3477 A four- Last Update: Dec 2008 story condominium project developed in two Project ID: 283 phases. Phase 1, the Lakes, located at 2611 Stillwater Way with 38 units, completed in Mar Tower Ranch Golf Resort 2007. Phase 2 will include 82 units, located at 2551 IntraWest Developments Ltd. Ph: (604) 669-9777 Shoreline Drive. Championship golf course, country club, hotel, 800 unit residential development and village centre will Status: Construction started proceed with construction. Dilworth Homes is to Start: May 2006 build 238 single-family units, with the model homes Est. Cost ($ million): 17 completed in Summer 2007. IntraWest plans Finish: Early 2009 include a village centre and 562 multi-family units. First Entry: Dec 2005 Development of the Thomas Broom designed golf Last Update: Dec 2008 course was completed in Jun. 2008. Website: Project ID: 1622 www.mytowerranch.com Peachland Status: Construction started Start: Spring 2007 Trepanier Manor Hotel Est. Cost ($ million): 1000 Manor Developments Ltd. Ph: (250) 767-2647 Finish: 2016 (Peachland City) Five star, three-storey luxury hotel First Entry: Dec 1997 ($20 million) with 38 rooms, a spa, restaurants, a Last Update: Dec 2008 conference centre, and 20 luxury homes on 25 Project ID: 270 acres are planned in the Trepanier Bench area. Project has been approved by council. Construction Conservatory Towers has started on the luxury homes. Vintage Properties Ph: (250) 869-1832 Four structures on a 15 acre site at the corner of Status: Construction started Glenmore Rd and Summit Dr. Four structures of 8, Start: Spring 2008 12, 16 and 20-storeys and 2-storey townhouses for Est. Cost ($ million): 34 a total of 1.25 million sq ft will eventually house Finish: Fall 2009 1,200 people and include a 150-bed extended-care First Entry: Mar 2006 facility, 2 acre tropical indoor garden, 40,000 sq ft Last Update: Dec 2008 of commercial space and amenities. All permits Project ID: 1667 have been issued. A 91 unit condominium is the first building under construction, expecting to complete in late 2008. Construction will follow with 135 units in phase 2.
Status: Construction started Start: Feb 2005 Est. Cost ($ million): 150 Finish: 2011 First Entry: Sep 1997 Last Update: Sep 2008 Project ID: 271
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Miravista Condominiums West Kelowna Renascence Development Corp. Ph: (250) 762- 4777 Low-rise condominium development will Lakewind Residential Development include 224 units in two phases. Website: Medican Developments Ph: (403) 526-3477 www.miravista.ca Westbank residential development project located on Carrington Road will include 717 units overall Status: Construction started linked by pedestrian walkways. The Lakewind Start: Nov 2006 project will be developed in 4 phases. Phase 1 and Est. Cost ($ million): 52 2 will include Kaleido 1, 88 units and Kaleido 2, 93 Finish: Feb 2009 units in 4-storey condominiums and an amenity First Entry: Mar 2007 centre. Phase 3 will have 116 units in a 16-storey Last Update: Dec 2008 tower (Lumina) and phase 4 will have 77 lowrise Project ID: 1923 units. The Galleria will have 11 and 18-storey towers and The Encore will be a 10-storey tower. 4.7.5 STATUS: COMPLETED Status: Construction started Kelowna Start: Late 2006 Est. Cost ($ million): 140 Kelowna Road Improvements Finish: 2018 City of Kelowna Ph: (250) 862-3381 Multiple road First Entry: Jun 2007 improvement projects have been completed, Last Update: Dec 2008 including the $7.2 million project to link Water and Project ID: 1988 Pandosy Streets, road widening at Richter Street, the $6.8 million project to reconstruct Swamp Road and replace Casorso Bridge across Mission Creek, and numerous paving improvement projects.
Status: Completed Start: Mar 2007 Est. Cost ($ million): 30 Finish: Late 2008 First Entry: Mar 2007 Last Update: Dec 2008 Project ID: 1919
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4.8 HOUSING
In 2006, there were 67,000 private dwellings. Of these, 57.6% were single detached houses which was a significantly higher proportion than for BC overall (49.2%).
'Occupied private dwellings' refers to a private dwelling in which a person or a group of persons are permanently residing. Also included are private dwellings whose usual residents are temporarily absent on Census Day.
2006 Occupied Private Dwellings by Structural Type80 RDCO BC Total private dwellings occupied by usual residents 67,000 1,643,150 Single-detached houses 57.6% 49.2% Semi-detached houses 4.6% 3.1% Row houses 5.5% 6.9% Apartments, duplex 7.0% 10.0% Apartments in buildings with fewer than five storeys 18.4% 20.9% Apartments in buildings with five or more storeys 1.2% 7.1% Other dwellings 5.7% 2.8%
The Central Okanagan also has a higher proportion of owned dwellings (77.3%) than BC overall (69.7%). Dwellings are typically new in the region with 48.6% having been constructed between 1986 and 2006, compared to 38.1% for BC overall.
2006 Occupied Private Dwelling Characteristics81 RDCO BC Percent Percent # of Total # of Total Total private dwellings occupied by usual residents 67,000 100.0% 1,643,150 100.0% Number of owned dwellings 51,760 77.3% 1,145,050 69.7% Number of rented dwellings 15,220 22.7% 493,995 30.1% Number of dwellings constructed before 1986 34,415 51.4% 1,017,335 61.9% Number of dwellings constructed between 1986 and 2006 32,580 48.6% 625,815 38.1% Dwellings with more than one person per room - 0.5% - 1.9% Average number of rooms per dwelling 6.9 - 6.4 -
80 Statistics Canada. 2007. Central Okanagan, British Columbia (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Updated March 10, 2009. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed April 15, 2009) 81 IBID
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82 4.8.1 NEW HOME MARKET
New home starts and sales of existing homes will moderate in 2008 and 2009, dropping back from 2007’s record levels. Demand has softened in response to slower economic and employment growth and increased costs of home ownership. Expect existing home prices to adjust downward in 2009. The outlook remains positive despite fewer sales and housing starts.
Kelowna’s diversified economy and growing population together with rising wages and favourable interest rates will help support demand for new and resale housing next year. Sales and housing starts are forecast to begin picking up later in the second half of 2009 and stabilize at lower levels next year. Home buyers will benefit from stronger price competition and better selection of existing homes.
New Home Market Starts 1990 to 2009 Median New Year Single Detached Multi-Family Total House Price 1990 1,257 811 2,068 $124,428 1991 1,294 923 2,217 $135,030 1992 1,484 1135 2,619 $159,009 1993 1,149 822 1,971 $174,901 1994 918 576 1,494 $177,632 1995 776 429 1,205 $179,955 1996 859 523 1,382 $180,000 1997 988 748 1,736 $190,000 1998 751 88 839 $190,000 1999 675 204 879 $200,000 2000 602 327 929 $225,000 2001 625 486 1,111 $260,000 2002 987 603 1,590 $265,400 2003 1,290 848 2,138 $279,250 2004 1,341 887 2,228 $349,900 2005 1,205 1,550 2,755 $374,900 2006 1,122 1,570 2,692 $469,000 2007 1,130 1,675 2,805 $549,000 2008 (Forecast) 850 1,550 2,400 $605,000 2009 (Forecast) 750 1,050 1,850 $625,000
82 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Housing Market Outlook, Kelowna CMA, First Quarter 2009, March 2009, http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/64183/64183_2009_M03.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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Growth in Median New House Price 1990 to 200983
84 4.8.2 HOUSING RESALE MARKET
Forecasts for MLS Sales were revised downwards for 2008 and 2009, while new MLS listings forecasts were revised upwards, placing significant downward pressure on MLS average prices.
Resale Market – Kelowna CMA MLS® Sales 2005 to 2009 2008 % 2009 % 2005 2006 2007 Forecast Change Forecast Change MLS® Sales 5,256 4,790 5,584 3,800 -31.9 4,000 3.6% MLS® New Listings 7,883 7,432 9,320 12,000 28.8 10,500 -9.1% MLS® Average Price ($) 352,228 432,056 507,780 545,000 7.3 502,000 5.0%
83 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Housing Market Outlook, Kelowna CMA, First Quarter 2009, March 2009, http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/64183/64183_2009_M03.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009) 84 IBID
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4.8.3 85 RENTAL MARKET
The Kelowna area vacancy rate edged up to 0.3 per cent in October 2008 from zero vacancy a year ago. Sustained low vacancy rates have put upward pressure on both apartment and townhouse rents during the past year. The Kelowna area vacancy rate is expected to increase to one per cent in 2009. Rents are forecast to continue rising in 2009. Expect smaller increases as demand for rental homes eases slightly. Rental housing starts have continued to lag behind growth in demand. Also, the stock of existing purpose-built rental housing has declined, contributing to sustained low vacancy rates. High home prices have, for some renters, delayed the move to home ownership.
Average Rents - All Private Apartments 1996 to 200886 Bachelor Suites One Bedroom Two Bedroom Three Bedroom Survey # of Avg. # of Avg. % # of Avg. # of Avg. % Date % Chg % Chg Units Rent Units Rent Chg Units Rent Units Rent Chg 1996 101 $423 0.7 1,563 $523 0.2 1,822 $644 1.6 130 $707 0.7 1997 101 $418 -1.2 1,584 $521 -0.4 1,846 $640 -0.6 132 $706 -0.1 1998 94 $423 1.2 1,628 $510 -2.1 1,857 $638 -0.3 135 $706 0.0 1999 102 $425 0.5 1,651 $518 1.6 1,880 $642 0.6 133 $711 0.7 2000 103 $435 2.4 1,646 $523 1 1,861 $645 0.5 132 $718 1.0 2001 114 $464 6.7 1,737 $541 3.4 1,941 $663 2.8 121 $722 0.6 2002 116 $478 3.0 1,618 $559 3.3 1,955 $680 2.6 123 $736 1.9 2003 120 $483 1.0 1,710 $575 2.9 2,002 $697 2.5 128 $741 0.7 2004 120 $467 -3.3 1,708 $589 2.4 2,021 $723 3.7 130 $770 ** 2005 131 $497 6.4 1,734 $616 4.6 2,034 $755 4.4 117 $781 1.4 2006 133 $524 5.4 1,744 $661 7.3 2,131 $800 6.0 136 $834 6.8 2007 135 $568 8.4 1,737 $715 8.2 2,042 $846 5.7 135 $953 14.2 2008 131 $624 9.8 1728 $803 12.3 1927 $967 14.3 118 $993 4.1
85 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Rental Market Report - Kelowna CMA, Fall 2008 release. http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/64395/64395_2008_A01.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009) 86 IBID
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87 4.8.4 AVERAGE RENTS – PRIVATE ROW (TOWNHOMES)
Average Rents - All Private Townhomes88 One Bedroom Two Bedroom Three Bedroom Survey # of Avg. % # of Avg. % # of Avg. % Date Units Rent Change Units Rent Change Units Rent Change 1996 18 $419 2.4 377 $627 1 95 $703 0.7 1997 18 $413 -1.4 372 $623 -0.6 99 $701 -0.3 1998 18 $412 -0.2 375 $615 -1.3 105 $732 4.4 1999 18 $484 17.5 371 $618 0.5 103 $793 8.3 2000 19 $429 -11.4 396 $610 -1.3 107 $731 -7.8 2001 19 $425 -0.9 356 $612 0.3 109 $736 0.7 2002 33 $489 15 394 $631 3.1 114 $747 1.5 2003 32 $488 -0.2 392 $633 5.1 116 $744 -0.4 2004 33 ** ** 397 $680 2.6 110 ** ** 2005 ** $505 ** 379 $732 7.6 109 $834 ** 2006 30 $551 9.1 323 $768 4.9 93 $900 7.9 2007 24 $571 3.6 301 $834 8.6 94 $1,048 16.4 2008 25 $608 6.4 290 $920 10.3 86 $1,164 11.1
4.8.5 AVERAGE RENTS – SECONDARY SUITES
Average Rents – Secondary Suites89 Bachelor One Two Three Dwelling Type # of Units Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Single Detached 3,411 n/a n/a 1,040 1,411 Semi Detached, Row and Duplex 2,574 n/a n/a n/a 1,039 Other Primarily Accessible Suites 1,649 n/a n/a 868 n/a Total 7,634 n/a 847 976 1,270
87 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Rental Market Report - Kelowna CMA, Fall 2008 release. http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/64395/64395_2008_A01.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009) 88 IBID 89 IBID
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4.9 MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing activity in the Central Okanagan is extremely diversified and reflects the importance of agriculture, mining and forestry as well as the arrival and growth of new industries such as metal product & plastics manufacturing. Manufacturing is one of the largest contributors to job creation in the region, employing 6,945 or 8.1% of the labour force in 2006.
Manufacturing jobs are typically well paying jobs that are not seasonal in nature. Major employers in this sector include Kelowna Flightcraft (525 employees) Tolko Industries (258 employees), and Sun-Rype Products Ltd. (368 employees). The industry is also well represented by producers of fabricated metal products, food manufacturers, wine producers, aerospace industries, and other value added manufacturing.
The Kelowna Flightcraft Group of Companies was founded in 1970. Kelowna Flightcraft is an award winning AMO and operates two full service MRO facilities in Kelowna, BC and Hamilton, ON Canada. These facilities are powered by 900 skilled and experienced staff that fly, maintain, modify, engineer and paint aircraft. Kelowna Flightcraft is a one stop-shop servicing the Aviation Industry worldwide. Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter Ltd. is the exclusive air cargo carrier for Purolator Courier Ltd. They ship up to 600,000 lbs. of freight nightly on their fleet of B727’s and CV580 with a staff of over 130 dedicated to flight operations. Kelowna Flightcraft’s subsidiary, Allied Wings, operates the Canadian Forces Contracted Flying Training and Support program. This 20 year contract with the Government of Canada is located near Winnipeg, MB, Canada.90
Tolko Industries is a manufacturer and processor of softwood veneer and plywood products which are sold into the Canadian, American, Asian, Middle Eastern and European markets.
Other, secondary value added manufacturers include wood window and door manufacturers, prefabricated log frame buildings, wood kitchen cabinets and counter tops as well as other furniture manufacturing. Norelco Cabinets and Hilbrecht Fine Furniture are two of the larger manufacturers in the area.
A small but significant number of firms manufacture various chemical products (e.g. lubricants, health products, plus soap and cleaning products), plastics (e.g. motor vehicle or truck accessories), and other moldings (e.g. Kelowna Industrial Plastics and Whitewater Composites), computer electronics (e.g. aircraft management systems and wireless communications products), as well as medical equipment and supplies.
Other examples of the diversity and strength of the manufacturing sector in the Central Okanagan include Dopplymayr Lifts Ltd., a major supplier of ski lifts to mountain operations world wide; Western System Controls who produce control panels, pneumatic systems and parts for aircrafts; and Campion Marine who have been building boats in the Okanagan for over thirty years.
90Kelowna Flightcraft website, homepage, http://www.flightcraft.ca/ (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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BC Manufacturer’s Directory - Firms by NAICS 200991 Description (NAICS) # of Firms Percent Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (Machine Shops, Metal Window and Door Manufacturing, 32 15% Metal Valve Manufacturing, Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating and Allied Activities, etc.) Food Manufacturing (Fruit and Vegetable Canning, Pickling and Drying, Rendering and Meat 30 14% Processing from Carcasses, Commercial Bakeries and Frozen Bakery Product Manufacturing etc.)
Wineries and Distilleries 15 7%
Wood Product Manufacturing 15 7%
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing 14 6%
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing 12 5%
Machinery Manufacturing 12 5%
Non‐metallic Mineral Product Manufacturing 11 5%
Miscellaneous Manufacturing & Other Services 10 5%
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing 9 4%
Printing and Related Support Activities 8 4%
Chemical Manufacturing 7 3%
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing 7 3%
Software Publishers & Computer Systems Design & Related Services 7 3%
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing 6 3%
Sign Manufacturing 5 2%
Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing 4 2%
Periodical Publishers 4 2%
Grain and Oilseed Milling 3 1%
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing 3 1%
Paper Manufacturing 2 1%
Dairy Product Manufacturing 1 0%
Mining (except Oil and Gas) 1 0%
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing 1 0%
Total 219 100% Note: Listing in the database is voluntary and not all firms in the sector are included in the database of firms by industry classification.
91 British Columbia Manufacturer’s Directory, List by Regional District, http://www.made-in- bc.ca/bcmd/servlets/bcmd.BcmdAdvSearchServlet, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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4.10 WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE
4.10.1 RETAIL SALES
Retail sales are expected to be essentially flat in comparison to 2008. According to the Financial Post Sales Survey, the total estimated retail sales for 2009 in the Central Okanagan were expected to be $2,516.8. This represents a drop of 0.8% compared to a projected drop of 0.4% provincially.
Retail Sales ($ millions)92
Central Okanagan Year (RD) Total Sales % Change BC Total Sales % Change
1999 $1,401.4 27.5% $34,881.8 6.2%
2000 $1,477.5 5.4% $37,437.7 7.3%
2001 $1,845.9 25.0% $36,141.4 -3.5%
2002 $1,761.3 -4.6% $39,321.1 8.8%
2003 $1,904.0 8.1% $42,184.2 7.3%
2004 $1,944.2 2.1% $43,039.3 2.0%
2005 $2,009.8 3.4% $45,035.0 4.6%
2006 $2,458.8 22.3% $52,390.7 16.3%
2007 $2,706.7 10.1% $55,506.5 5.9%
2008 $2,538.8 -6.2% $57,263.7 3.1%
2009 $2,516.8 -0.8% $56,986.8 -0.4%
Note: Retail sales estimates are based on Statistics Canada monthly survey
Note that the FP Markets no longer profiles retail sales by category at the sub-provincial level.
92 Financial Post, 2007, FP Markets Canadian Demographics 2008, 81st Ed.
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The Kelowna area is the largest retail and business centre in the interior of BC with a total of seven shopping centres. Orchard Park Shopping Centre is the largest shopping centre between Calgary and Vancouver and has recently undergone a major expansion. Most major chain stores are represented locally, including Wal-Mart, Costco, The Brick, The Bay, Sears, Zellers, London Drugs, Superstore, Home Depot, Rona, and Chapters.
Largest Stores in the Kelowna Area (Square Footage)93
Store Square Footage
Wal-Mart Supercentre (Westbank) 178,000
Real Canadian Superstore (Westbank) 175,000
Rona Home and Garden 140,000
Wal-Mart (Kelowna) 135,000
Home Depot (Kelowna) 130,000
The Bay 127,000
Zellers (Westbank) 118,000
Costco 117,250
Real Canadian Superstore 115,000
Canadian Tire (Kelowna) 104,000
Sears 95,000
Home Depot (Westbank) 85,000
Canadian Tire (Westbank) 58,000
93 Economic Development Commission of the Central Okanagan, 2008
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4.11 AGRICULTURE
In 2006, there were 1,285 farm operators in the Central Okanagan representing $1.2 billion in total farm capital on 1,580 square kilometres of land. Gross receipts for farm operations in 2006 were $72.2 million. The bench lands within and surrounding the City of Kelowna and extending to Peachland yield a large portion of the apples grown in the province, as well as increasing quantities of grapes, and a significant amount of cherries, prunes, plums, peaches, apricots and vegetables.
Beef cattle range over much of the surrounding hillside and range land. Dairy farming is also important in the area, however, most dairy production has been converted to more intensive agriculture or to non-farm uses. There are a small number of newer poultry farms as well as some farms growing nursery products and producing greenhouse crops. The head office of BC Tree Fruits Ltd., which handles the marketing of most fresh tree fruits in the BC Interior is located in Kelowna, as well as the headquarters of Sun-Rype Products Ltd.
Sun-Rype Products Limited is a major Canadian fruit processor located in Kelowna. In 1946, the BC Fruit Growers Association, who had already been in the apple business for over 50 years, created BC Fruit Processing Ltd. to produce and sell a pure 100% apple juice. This company later became Sun-Rype and is now the largest juice manufacturer's marketer in Canada. Sun-Rype now employs over 365 people in the Kelowna area. By maintaining its head office in the Central Okanagan, the company draws attention to one of the area's best known industries.
94 4.11.1 AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE
The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) in the Regional District of Central Okanagan was designated on July 24, 1974 and today accounts for 9% of the Regional District’s overall area.
94 Regional District of the Central Okanagan, Agricultural Overview, February 2009.
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Selected Farm and Farm Operator Statistics95 Central Thompson- Central Okanagan Okanagan Okanagan Subdivision Subdivision A B (RDCO) (DR) Farm and farm operator statistics Total population in 2006 1 122,214 40,062 162,276 491,479 Total number of operators 1,285 205 1,480 8,555 Average age of operators 55.3 56.8 55.5 54.5 Total male operators 820 135 955 5,400 Total female operators 460 65 525 3,155 Total number of farms 876 141 1,017 5,700 Land statistics Land area (km2) 1 1,580 1,324 2,904 94,308 Total area of farms (hectares) 23,407 3,794 27,201 713,986 Average area of farms (hectares) 27 27 27 125 Farm finance statistics Total gross farm receipts (excluding forest products sold) ($ Millions) $72.2 $14.1 $86.2 $450.2 Total farm capital (market value $ Millions) $1,239.5 $170.2 $1,409.7 $6,496.3 Crop and horticulture statistics Land in crops (hectares) 5,350 1,490 6,840 83,502 Top crops (hectares) Apples 1,683 853 2,536 x Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures 1,313 123 1,436 x Total area of nursery products 459 99 558 x All other tame hay and fodder crops 371 46 417 x Sweet cherries 295 35 330 x Livestock statistics Total cattle and calves 4,281 135 4,416 217,269 Total pigs x x 204 5,984
Note that farm receipts breakouts by category have not been released by Statistics Canada at the sub-provincial level since 2005 (reporting for fiscal 2003). As such, the BC Regional Index tables have been withdrawn as they no longer meet the expectations of users for current information.
95 Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Agriculture, Selected variables, http://www26.statcan.ca:8080/AgrProfiles/cp06/TableList.action?prov=59&geog_id_amal=590335020&tab_id= 1&search=search&loccode=52629&placename=central+okanagan&placestart=0&geog_id=590335020&offname =Central+Okanagan+G (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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96 4.11.2 FRUIT
Farm revenues from apple and other tree fruit crops are slowly shrinking as older orchards are being converted to more profitable uses, including grape growing, hobby farms, and non farming uses. However, revenues from tree fruit crops remains moderately high and is likely to remain so over the next several years.
The Central Okanagan is a participant in the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program (SIR). The goal of SIR is to control the codling moth, a tree fruit pest, to the point where no control interventions are required in commercial orchards and their surrounding areas in the participating fruit growing regions of the Okanagan, Similkameen, Creston and Shuswap Valleys.
SIR is a highly successful area-wide community initiative that applies nature-friendly technology to the control of codling moth, the BC tree fruit industries most damaging and costly pest. Prior to SIR, azinphos-methyl, a highly toxic organophosphate spray was the primary method used to manage the codling moth. It has been necessary for some growers to spray up to five applications of this product per year. This is an ongoing health concern, especially to growers who work on trees directly in the sprayed areas.
Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program Facts and Figures for 200897 Wild CM Fruit Injured Area # of Traps for 2008 Sampled Fruit Apples Pears Belgo 184 970 61,000 110 418.83 0.1 Benvoulin 54 204 16,750 16 21.78 100.75 East Kelowna 429 1,897 136,150 430 1,050.12 16.39 Ellison 155 107 54,415 47 389.94 3.34 Glenmore 135 674 46,200 39 261.55 71.48 Okanagan Mission 13 119 6,000 8 17.7 6.34 Peachland 18 16 4,500 0 40.82 0 Rutland 185 1,171 58,550 82 470 5.26 South Kelowna 207 1,672 72,500 174 462.27 17.22 West Kelowna 85 2,857 30,250 131 169.92 9.52 TOTAL ZONE 2 1,465 9,687 486,315 1037 3,302.93 230.40
96 Okanagan Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program, http://www.oksir.org/about.htm, (Accessed June 11, 2008) 97 Okanagan Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program, by e-mail, March 19, 2009
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4.11.3 WINE AND GRAPE PRODUCTION
Grape production in BC occurs in the Okanagan Valley, the Similkameen Valley, the Fraser Valley, and on the coastal islands. The majority of grape acreage is planted in the Okanagan/Similkameen region. The Okanagan/Similkameen Valleys are located in the rain shadow of the Coast and Cascade Mountain Ranges; the region is an ideal site for grape production. Long, hot summers are followed by cool nights and warm days in the fall which provide perfect conditions for ripening wine grapes. Winter temperatures are usually mild with little snow cover. However, some winters can be cold and winter injury of the vines is probable from time to time.
Ice wine is the product that distinguishes BC from most other wine growing areas of the world. BC is famous for its ice wine and while not a major portion of the crop is harvested as ice wine, it brings excellent publicity to the industry. Approximately 1.5% of the crop is harvested as ice wine. Temperatures must be at least -8°C for a period of several hours before harvest can begin. The berries must be frozen solidly and often the crop is picked during the night under lights and with frozen fingers. Some years, the crop is not harvested as ice wine as the winter is too mild.98
99 4.11.4 BRITISH COLUMBIA WINE INSTITUTE
The British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI) was created by an act of the provincial legislature, the BC Wine Act, in 1990. It was conceived as a component of a strategic plan of industry and government to create an internationally competitive wine industry. The strategy included the removal of labrusca and hybrid grape varieties and replanting vineyards to vinifera varietals, establishing an industry based on premium wine production.
The BCWI plays a key role in the growth of BC’s wine industry. Their 66 winery members and 15 grape grower partners represent 95% of BC VQA sales, 95% of the province’s total wine production and produce 88% of 100% BC grape wine production.
BC VQA wines are now the second-largest category (behind only non-VQA Canadian wine) in BC sales and these sales continue to grow. BC VQA wines now dominate the quality wine market in BC – meaning British Columbians choose BC VQA wines over imported wines from any other region or country.
The BCWI works to build and market the Wines of British Columbia (BC VQA) wine brand, creates the business climate that allows members to prosper, liaises with government and stakeholders on key business and regulatory issues and promotes the industry to key wine, food and travel media.
98 Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, An Overview of the British Columbia Grape Industry, 2004, http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/grape/publications/documents/overview_grapes_dec2004.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009) 99 British Columbia Wine Institute Website, About Us, http://www.winebc.com/aboutus.php (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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100 4.11.5 WINERIES
According to the BC Wine Institute, there are currently 144 licensed grape wineries in B.C. and 20 more proposed grape wineries with licenses pending. 66 are members of the BCWI. BCWI membership represents 95% of BC VQA sales, 95% of the total wine production in the province and produce 88% of 100% BC grape wine production. 63.1 % of wine grape acreage is winery owned or controlled. There are 710 vineyards in B.C. (both winery and independently owned), with acreage distributed as follows: • 84.3 % in the Okanagan Valley • 6.4 % in the Similkameen Valley • 7.3 % in the Coastal Areas • 2.0 % in Other areas of B.C.
4.11.6 GRAPE PRODUCTION
Most of the BC grape acreage is planted to wine grapes (approximately 9,100 acres in 2008.)101
Harvest and Estimated Production (Historical) 102 Harvest (short tons – Production Year 2,000 lbs) (litres, est.)
2008 22,200 14,996,100
2007 19,777 13,394,757
2006 20,369 13,802,563
2005 14,084 8,450,400
2004 16,642 9,985,200
2003 16,897 10,138,200
2002 15,523 9,313,800
2001 14,137 8,482,200
2000 10,022 6,013,200
1999 10,957 6,574,200
1998 10,188 6,112,800
1997 6,603 2,961,800
1996 6,102 3,661,200
1995 8,108 4,864,800
100 BC Wine Institute, B.C. GRAPE ACREAGE REPORT, August 2008, http://www.winebc.com/library/reports/2008_Grape_Acreage_Report.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009) 101 British Columbia Wine Institute Website, Quick Facts, http://www.winebc.com/quickfacts.php (Accessed April 15, 2009) 102 IBID
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4.12 TOURISM
The Kelowna area has developed into an international destination that attracts tourists year round from all over the globe. As a result, tourism is now a major employment and economic contributor to the Central Okanagan. Okanagan Lake and the abundant and accessible beaches, water recreation and parkland have provided the primary draw for summer vacationers for many years. In addition, the Kelowna area is truly a golf destination with 14 quality golf courses, and more under construction. Dotting the surrounding countryside are 13 wineries where visitors can sample the renowned of the Okanagan Valley throughout the year. In Kelowna’s Cultural District, a wide range of galleries, museums, theaters, fine dining restaurants, and unique shops are poised for discovery. Lake City Casino, numerous festivals and cultural events add to the vibrancy of the area. During the winter months, skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities are available at nearby Big White and Silverstar Ski Resorts and other wilderness lodges.
Meetings, conventions and sporting events play a vital role in supporting the local tourism industry. Kelowna has become a desirable destination for these activities, which are expected to grow due to the continued improvement in the region’s air access.
There are a number of dimensions to the economic impact of tourism in the Central Okanagan. These include:
Accommodations: There are over 45 hotels, motels and resorts, and over 100 bed and breakfasts in the region, as well as nearby campsites, supplying a large number of jobs and tax revenue for the local economy.
Attractions: The world renowned wineries, golf courses, ski resorts, galleries, museums and other attractions in the region also generate a significant number of employment opportunities.
Kelowna International Airport: Kelowna International Airport is Canada’s largest municipally owned and operated airport. YLW has over 30 departures per day with non-stop service to Calgary, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Prince George, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria on five air carriers; Air Canada, AC Jazz, Central Mountain Air, Horizon Air and WestJet. Seasonal charter service is also offered to Los Cabos, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
Other business benefit from tourism: Tourist spending benefits a wide range of businesses, including retail, food and beverage providers, and ground transportation (taxis, buses etc.).
4.12.1 TOURIST VISITOR SPENDING
Statistics Canada estimates that there were a total of 1.2 million person visits to the Kelowna area in 2004 by non-local residents. Of the 1.2 million visitors, 1 million (83%) stayed overnight in the Kelowna area, with the remainder being day visitors.
Each visitor to the Kelowna area spent an average of $425 during their stay on accommodation, retail, food and beverage, attractions, and other expenditures. In total, it was estimated that visitors to the area spend approximately $346 million per annum.
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4.12.2 ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM
Tourism in the Kelowna area generates 6,900 direct jobs, equal to 5,100 full-time equivalents (FTEs). Total wages associated with tourism related employment are $130 million.
Including multiplier impacts (direct and induced), a total of 9,800 jobs (FTEs) may be generated across BC by the region’s tourism industry.
In addition to employment, the region’s tourism industry generates roughly $220 million in direct Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and $390 million in direct economic output.
Including indirect and induced impacts, tourism in the region generates $320 million in GDP, and $610 million in economic impact for the province.
103 4.12.3 ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM
Employment Wages GDP Output Total Impacts Jobs FTEs ($ millions) ($ millions) ($ millions) Direct 6,900 5,100 130 220 390 Indirect 2,100 1,600 30 70 160 Induced 800 600 10 30 60 Total 9,800 7,300 170 320 610
104 4.12.4 ACCOMMODATION SECTOR
The accommodation sector experienced a difficult year in 2008 compared to the past decade. Room revenues remained essentially flat with economic conditions placing downward pressure on both business and leisure travel, particularly in the latter half of the year.
Accommodation Room Revenue 2008105 Revenue Properties Rooms % Change # Change # Change 2008 from 2007 2008 from 2007 2008 from 2007 Central Okanagan 95,336 1.6 59 4 3,934 49 Hotels 61,162 2.0 22 2 2,114 173 76-150 Rooms 34,968 6.7 11 1 1,186 99 Motels 13,325 -5.6 19 0 896 0 City of Kelowna 82,618 0.0 49 3 3,307 35
Note: Significant revision to past data make the 2008 data incompatible for comparison with previous releases.
103 Tourism Kelowna, November 2006, The Economic Impact of Tourism in Kelowna 104 Tourism Sector Monitor, March 2009, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/tour/tsmdata.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009) 105 IBID
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106 4.12.5 SEASONALITY
The accommodation sector in the Central Okanagan exhibits significant seasonality. Roughly two thirds of room revenue is earned in the middle quarters of the year (spring, summer and fall). July and August are the key revenue months.
Central Okanagan Quarterly Room Revenue 2004 to 2008 Year Total Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2004 68,490.7 12,684.4 16,481.2 28,144.8 11,180.2 2005 75,118.5 15,744.7 17,429.4 29,610.0 12,334.5 2006 80,372.7 15,215.0 20,014.2 31,568.2 13,575.3 2007 93,864.2 18,568.3 22,949.8 37,722.8 14,623.3 2008 95,336.1 19,015.2 24,864.6 36,639.9 14,816.3
2007-2008 Central Okanagan Quarterly Room Revenue
106 BC Stats, Quarterly Regional Statistics, Central Okanagan, First Quarter 2008, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/qrs/rd35.pdf (Accessed June 16,2008)
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4.13 FORESTRY
Forests in the Central Okanagan are part of the Okanagan Shuswap Forest District, which is one of 29 Districts in the Province. Fifty-seven Ministry of Forests staff located in Vernon, Penticton and Salmon Arm provide stewardship over diverse forest and range ecosystems in the Okanagan, Lower Similkameen and Shuswap drainages.
The area is one of the most ecologically complex areas in the province and covers approximately 2.25 million hectares. The area is approximately 320 km long by 140 km wide and stretches from the U.S. border in the south to Seymour River/Shuswap Lake in the north. The area consists of roughly 1.4 million hectares of forest land, of which 73% is available for harvest.
Vegetation ranges from wet interior hemlock/cedar forests to semi-arid sagebrush. Lodgepole Pine and Douglas-fir are the dominant tree species. The area has seven biogeoclimatic zones and is home to numerous endangered, threatened or vulnerable species.
The forest products industry continues to face a challenging year in 2009. Reduced demand for softwood lumber south of the border, low lumber prices, high Canadian dollar and supply issues stemming from the pine beetle epidemic have led to some job losses at Okanagan operations.107
4.13.1 ANNUAL ALLOWABLE CUTS (AAC)
z Okanagan TSA has an AAC of 2,655,000 m3/year. z TFL 49, Riverside Forest Products Ltd, has an AAC of 580,000 m3/year. z TFL 33, Federated Co-operatives Ltd, has an AAC of 21,000 m3/year. z TFL 15, Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd, has an AAC of 70,000 m3/year.
108 4.13.2 MAJOR LICENSES IN THE OKANAGAN TIMBER SUPPLY AREA
Approximately 93% of the cut is held in replaceable forest licenses and BC Timber Sales.
Allowable Annual Cut by Company Company AAC Location Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd 330,031 m3/yr Okanagan Falls Tolko Industries Ltd 783,497 m3/yr Lavington, Kelowna, Armstrong Gorman Brothers Ltd 228,119 m3/yr Westbank, Lumby Louisiana-Pacific Canada Engineered Wood Products Ltd 111,539 m3/yr Malakwa Federated Co-operatives Ltd 303,060 m3/yr Canoe Bell Pole Ltd 45 286 m3/yr Lumby BC Timber Sales 516,122 m3/yr Throughout the TSA
107 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Housing Market Outlook, Kelowna CMA, Second Quarter 2008 108 BC Ministry of Forests and Range, Okanagan Shuswap Forest District, Quick Facts, http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/dos/dist_qik_facts.htm, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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4.14 TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY
The high technology industry is not a standard industry defined in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) used by Statistics Canada. High technology, along with tourism and secondary manufacturing are specially defined sectors and are composites of smaller parts of traditionally defined industries under NAICS
The industry-based definition of the high tech sector includes manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, computers and other electronic products, aerospace products and parts, and medical equipment and supplies. Also included are service industries such as engineering, computer services, motion picture and video production, surveying and mapping, scientific and technical consulting, telecommunications, and research and development. For a list of NAICs codes included in the high technology industry see: http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/bus_stat/busind/hi_tech/htii2008.pdf
The Thompson-Okanagan Development Region accounts for approximately 8% of technology firms in the Province. Over one third of those businesses are located in the Central Okanagan. The high-tech sector in the Central Okanagan, as it is provincially, is dominated by service sector firms with 85% of high technology firms in the service sector. The Central Okanagan Valley has gained recognition as an expanding high technology centre and is considered the third largest technology zone in British Columbia, following Vancouver and Victoria.
According to an Okanagan Science and Technology Council (OSTEC) survey conducted in 2006, the bulk (81%) of technology firms in the Okanagan are located in Kelowna. In total, 85 OSTEC member companies were surveyed.109
High Technology Sector Establishments, by Development Region and Regional District, 2003-2006110 2003 2004 2005 2006 Mfg Service Total Mfg Service Total Mfg Service Total Mfg Service Total Thompson/Okanagan 78 563 641 75 557 632 86 595 681 80 641 721 35 Central Okanagan 43 223 266 41 214 255 48 221 269 45 247 292 39 Columbia- Shuswap 4 58 62 3 61 64 3 66 69 2 66 68 37 North Okanagan 9 72 81 10 81 91 12 90 102 11 97 108 07 Okanagan- Similkameen 8 69 77 7 62 69 8 71 79 7 77 84 33 Thompson-Nicola 14 141 155 14 139 153 15 147 162 15 154 169
109 Okanagan Science and Technology Council, The Present State Of High Technology Businesses In the Okanagan Region 2006, January 2007, http://silicon- vineyard.com/uploadedFiles/images/ThePresentStateOfHiTechnologyBusinessesIntheOkanaganRegion2006.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009) 110 BC Stats, Profile of the British Columbia Technology Sector, 2007 Edition, http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/bus_stat/busind/hi_tech/HTPcurr.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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Based on the BC Manufacturers Directory, industries represented in the high technology sector in the Central Okanagan include:111
NAICS Description Firms
339110 Medical Equipment and Supplies 5
511210 Software Publishers 4
334512 Measuring, Medical and Controlling Devices 3
336410 Aerospace Products and Parts 2
333310 Commercial and Service Industry 2
541510 Computer Systems Design and Related 2
334220 Radio, Television Broadcasting & Wireless Communications Equipment 2
335990 All Other Electrical Equipment and Component 1
325189 Other Inorganic Chemicals 1
325410 Pharmaceutical and Medicine 1
335315 Switchgear and Switchboard, and Relay and Industrial Control Apparatus 1
334210 Telephone Apparatus 1
The following list contains a selection of high technology firms in the Central Okanagan. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list, but demonstrates the breadth of technology companies in the region.
112 4.14.1 SELECTED HIGH-TECHNOLOGY FIRMS
Company Description Employees Club Penquin (Disney Online Virtual world website for kids ages 6 ‐ 14 which was acquired by The 292 Studios Canada Inc.) Walt Disney Company in August 2007. Disney Online Studios is one of the key firms credited with Canada being well represented in the global gaming production network. Quantum Windpower Designing, Developing, prototyping and engineering industrial, 27 Manufacturing Corp. commercial and residential wind turbine systems Northern Airborne Technology Manufacturer of specialized communication equipment for helicopter 150 Ltd. and fixed wing aircraft, including audio, FM, intercoms, P/A, data interface accessories, and satellite communications systems. Vadim Software Provider of fully integrated, innovative software designed specifically 51 for municipalities, local government, and utility companies. MK Technologies Ltd. Designs, prototypes and manufactures items from the high technology 6 sector to production runs of standard items. Market their own line of scale platforms, alignment gages, and support equipment for the motorsport industry. Identec Solutions, Inc. Active RFID (RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION) systems with 12 read/write range of 100 metres to track high‐value assts from raw material through assembly and finished goods management. Waterplay Manufacturing Inc. Design and manufacturing of aquatic playground equipment for use in 30 hotels, resorts, daycares, public parks and backyards.
111 BC Manufacturer’s Directory, http://www.made-in-bc.ca/ (Accessed April 15, 2009) 112 IBID
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The number of high tech companies in the Central Okanagan has increased from 266 in 2003 to 292 in 2006.
Growth in Technology Sector Establishments – Central Okanagan 2003 to 2006
For more information:
Okanagan Science and Technology Council www.ostec.ca
Two major research institutions provide a focus for research and development in the area. The Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre located just outside of Summerland, south of Kelowna, combines leading-edge technology with the study of agriculture to benefit the area’s diverse economy. Here, scientists partner with local orchardists, vintners, farms and private enterprise to develop innovative practices.
For more information:
Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre http://res2.agr.ca/parc-crapac/
The National Research Council’s Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory near Penticton offers antenna and radio frequency engineering services, including training, graduate student programs and industry consultation. Part of the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, this 25,000 square foot facility performs specialized research and development using wireless technology that has been applied by local companies.
For more information:
National Research Council www.drao.nrc.ca
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ORIC™ is an Applied Research & Innovation Organization with it’s headquarter located in the Industry Partnership Facility of National Research Council of Canada Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (NRC- DRAO) near Penticton, B.C., Canada. The mission of the Okanagan Research & Innovation Centre (ORIC)™ is to create high-tech jobs and sustainable economic value for the Okanagan Valley and beyond. ORIC and its client companies have access to the extensive equipment and know-how of NRCs world-class facility for radio astronomy.
ORIC’s new Innovation Centre in Kelowna opened in November, 2008. The Innovation Centre is a high- technology business incubator aimed primarily at nurturing the development and sustainability of start-up, high growth technology companies. ORIC Kelowna also hosts a full staff of the National Research Council of Canada- Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and the Okanagan Innovation Fund (OIF) / Southern Interior Innovation Fund (SIIF). The facility offers 7,500 square feet available for high-tech start-up companies as well as:
• Several offices for rent with different sizes. • A large board room (seats 18 persons) and two smaller meeting rooms • Hot-desking for visitors • Wired and wireless internet access • Receptionist • Snail mail address • VOIP telephone system • Plaza with water cooler for networking • Pre-incubation area
For more information:
ORIC www.oric.ca
In addition, Okanagan College offers its Research Services/Technology Access Centre in support of research partnerships with industry and college projects.
For more information:
Okanagan College www.okanagan.bc.ca
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4.15 INDUSTRIAL LAND
4.15.1 REGIONAL DISTRICT
Land uses within most of the Regional District of Central Okanagan are regulated by Official Community Plans and Zoning Bylaw No. 871. Zoning Bylaw No. 871 applies to the Regional District except for incorporated towns and cities (Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna and Lake Country), First Nations Reserves, and the area covered by the Joe Rich Rural Land Use Bylaw. On April 1, 2005, in accordance with the Westbank First Nation Self- Government Agreement, Westbank By-Laws in force prior to April 1st became Westbank Laws under self- government.
Zoning Bylaw No. 871 can be viewed, or obtained for a nominal cost at the Development Services Department (Planning) of the Regional District of Central Okanagan in Kelowna and the Westbank Chamber of Commerce, 2375 Pamela Rd, Westbank.
Relevant bylaws are available on line at the following locations:
RDCO Bylaw No. 871: www.regionaldistrict.com/departments/planning/planning_bylaw871.aspx Joe Rich Rural Land Use Bylaw: www.regionaldistrict.com/departments/planning/planning_joerichbylaw.aspx City of Kelowna: www.city.kelowna.bc.ca/CM/Page70.aspx Peachland: www.peachland.ca/council/bylaws/bylaws.htm Lake Country: www.lakecountry.bc.ca/Documents/Bylaws/ Westbank Fist Nation: www.wfn.ca/lands/wfnlaws.html
There are currently 1,405 acres of industrial zoned land able to be freely developed (this does not include Westbank First Nation). Four out of the five areas in the Central Okanagan accommodate industrial development. The Central Okanagan East (formerly Joe Rich-Ellison) region has no industrial areas defined, while the City of Kelowna contains the majority.
The Central Okanagan (RDCO) has several zoning classifications for industrial land. Lake Country, Electoral Area I (Central Okanagan East) and Central Okanagan J (excluding West Kelowna) are covered by the following industrial zoning:
I-1: Light Industrial I-2: Heavy Industrial I-3: Forest Industrial I-4: Gravel Extraction Industrial I-5: Rural Industrial
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4.15.2 CITY OF KELOWNA
There are 1320.2 acres of existing zoned industrial land (including gravel extraction). Gravel extraction accounts for 71.3 acres of that total. There has been recent conversion of some gravel extraction sites to other industrial/business park uses. There are currently 1721.5 acres of land that, although not currently zoned industrial, is designated for future industrial uses in the Official Community Plan.
4.15.3 WEST KELOWNA
Six percent of the total area of currently zoned industrial land in the Central Okanagan is located within West Kelowna, where industrial land use has become increasingly diversified. In addition to wine manufacturing (wineries), industrial activity in West Kelowna is focused in areas located north of Highway 97 in the vicinity of Stevens Road and at Gorman’s Mill. While the amount of currently zoned industrial land is limited in West Kelowna, the current industrial area north of Highway 97, between Daimler and Westlake Roads is one of the largest contiguous intact industrial areas in the Central Okanagan (including the City of Kelowna), and provides a source of employment and local diversity as well as opportunities for new industrial growth.
West Kelowna Council’s 2009 Strategic Priorities identify the following industrial related priorities: • Promote more industrial/commercial land • Identify light industrial park in Official Community Plan (to be completed by end of 2009) • Investigate Stevens Rd./Hwy 97 opportunities/enhancements • Re-development and clean up of industrial park – investigate opportunities for Eco-Industrial Park • Undertake a light industry strategy to identify strategies to promote further development and redevelopment of light industrial land.
4.15.4 PEACHLAND
The District of Peachland (incorporated in 1909) has evolved into a "hillside" community due to the combination of geographical location and terrain of the area. Bordered by Okanagan Lake, Mount Drought and Mount Coldham, Peachland has developed into a linear community. Lands of 20-30% slopes dominate the area, while critically steep (40% and greater) slopes form the hill above the downtown core as well as other areas.
Due to the physical profile of the area, only a small pocket of industrial development has occurred in the uppermost part of Peachland at the upper end of Princeton Ave. A total of six parcels constitute this area’s industrial supply, of which all are greater than four acres in size. The combined area of these properties is 46 acres, which is 3% of the total area of zoned industrial land in the Central Okanagan. The entire industrial area of Peachland is zoned I-1 for light industrial uses and warehousing. With the exception of resource extraction/gravel processing associated with specific development projects, the District does not have land suitable for heavy industrial activity.
Only 33% of the area’s industrial zoned land is developed and occupied. The high vacancy rate is attributed to not only the location of these areas, but also to the fact that limited services to these sites have afforded little development. The OCP promotes the location of appropriate clean industrial activity in the industrial designation. In so doing, roadway access and water service will be improved, and ultimately sanitary sewer extended to this area. Should a high-level bypass road be constructed, regional access into this industrial site will be facilitated.
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The District of Peachland has completed the installation of new sewers; all lakefront properties from north to south of Peachland’s downtown area now has sufficient sewage treatment, which alleviates pollutants from entering the Okanagan Lake.
For more information: Peachland www.peachland.ca
4.15.5 LAKE COUNTRY
Of the lands not in the Agricultural Land Reserve, 66 acres are zoned for industrial use in Lake Country, which is 4% of the total amount of industrial land zoned in the Central Okanagan. Four parcels that are 10 acres and larger account for 54% (30 acres) of the area’s industrial land supply, and 36% of the number of industrial parcels belong in the 1 to 5 acres size range (even though the total amount of acreage in this range only accounts for 5% of Lake Country’s industrial land supply). Light industry is the most prevalent use in this area since just over half (55%) of the non-ALR industrial zoned land is classified I-1.
Future plans for industrial development in Lake Country are extensive. A 495-acre creation of an industrial area is proposed to occur at the southeast end of the area, along the City of Kelowna – District of Lake Country municipal boundary. Development is planned to be in conjunction with the City of Kelowna/Winfield Beaver Lake Rd. and industrial area. Two industrial business parks are also proposed: one in the area between Glenmore Road and Okanagan Centre Road, and the second just north of the City’s new 60 acre industrial development in the Beaver Lake Road area. These business parks will accommodate retail and service uses developed to high standards, while forming an important component of the smaller, more land efficient businesses. It is the intent of the District of Lake Country to service these proposed industrial areas with municipal water and sanitary sewer.
4.15.6 WESTBANK FIRST NATION
Land uses within Westbank First Nation lands are regulated by Westbank First Nation Land Use Law No. 2007- 01. The WFN Land Use Plan which is Schedule "A" to the WFN Land Use Law, designates land that could be zoned to accommodate industrial uses.
There are approximately 51 acres of existing Light Industrial zoned land on WFN Tsinstikeptum I.R.#9. Of this land base, approximately 16.5 acres is currently developed with light industrial uses, approximately 4.5 acres currently has a residential non-conforming use, approximately 15 acres is in the development process with light industrial proposed uses, and approximately 15 acres is vacant and available for development.
WFN and the landholders are willing to consider all types of business relationships, including co-business ventures, partnerships, etc. WFN is self-governing under federal legislation and has assumed full jurisdiction over its lands, including lease registration . There are no Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) restrictions. Prime consideration will be given to manufacturing, industrial, first-class business office parks, commercial ventures and hotel and tourism related facilities.
For more information: Economic Development Officer Westbank First Nation http:// www.wfn.ca.
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5 Infrastructure
5.1 TRANSPORTATION
5.1.1 AIR
Kelowna International Airport is the gateway into B.C.’s southern interior and a vital part of the economic prosperity of the Okanagan Valley. Along with aerospace businesses and world class education facilities, Kelowna International Airport represents an employment cluster of nearly 2,000 jobs and $310 million in economic activity annually..113
The Kelowna International Airport is investing $36 million to expand facilities to meet the growing demand as passenger numbers are forecast to grow to 1.6 million passengers by 2015. These include a new international arrivals concourse capable of handling 250 passengers per hour and a runway extension from 7300 feet to 8900 feet completed in November 2008. A new screening area, opened in May 2008, features four fully- operational screening lines and the expanded departures lounge amenities, including a full service White Spot restaurant, a gift shop, cafe, children's play area and a wine shop which sells local vintages.
113 City of Kelowna, Kelowna International Airport, About YLW, http://www.city.kelowna.bc.ca/CM/Page135.aspx, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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5.1.2 AIR TRAFFIC
The first three quarters of 2008 proved to be the busiest in the history of Kelowna International Airport, with March being the busiest month ever. The economy downturn in the latter half of 2008 had a negative impact on passenger volumes in the final quarter of 2008 which were down modestly from 2007.
A total of 1,387,043 passengers used the Airport in 2008, compared to 1,363,391 in 2007, an increase of 23,652 passengers or 5%.
Kelowna International Airport Facts and Figures114 2005 2006 2007 2008 Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Total-to-Date Passenger Passenger Passenger Passenger Passenger Volumes Volumes Volumes Volumes Volumes January 89,656 104,256 120,075 125,448 125,448 February 90,229 100,113 113,013 124,644 250,092 March 95,961 110,771 128,040 128,999 379,091 April 74,718 88,067 106,406 106,532 485,623 May 82,202 93,049 109,572 110,622 596,245 June 83,228 92,936 106,583 107,133 703,378 July 92,439 105,744 113,575 116,638 820,016 August 101,521 112,087 122,397 124,214 944,230 September 85,470 98,538 106,129 108,081 1,052,311 October 90,488 101,526 109,093 111,757 1,164,068 November 86,948 98,955 103,101 102,006 1,266,074 December 105,792 120,400 124,851 120,969 1,387,043 Year Total 1,078,652 1,226,442 1,363,391 1,387,043
114 City of Kelowna, Kelowna International Airport, Facts and Figures, http://www.city.kelowna.bc.ca/CM/Page182.aspx, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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Major Routes115 Kelowna International Airport services nine non-stop destinations and 372 worldwide destinations with one-stop connections.
Non-Stop Destinations Calgary - Air Canada, WestJet (seven days a week) Edmonton - Air Canada, WestJet (seven days a week) Kamloops - Central Mountain Air (Sundays) Toronto - Air Canada, WestJet (seven days a week) Las Vegas - WestJet (Thursdays and Sundays) Prince George - Central Mountain Air (Monday-Friday) Seattle - Horizon Air (seven days a week) Vancouver -Air Canada and WestJet (seven days a week) Victoria- WestJet (seven days a week)
Seasonal Non-Stop Flights to Sunny Destinations December - April Cancun - Sunwing Vacations, Transat Holidays Los Cabos - Sunquest Puerto Vallarta - Sunquest, Transat Holidays
Customer Satisfaction
YLW has been participating in an independent national customer satisfaction survey by InterVistas Consulting Inc since 2003. 2008 results indicated an impressive level of satisfaction with Kelowna International’s facilities and services among passengers. YLW received an overall high rating. In 2008, YLW saw an increase in passenger satisfaction to 96 per cent, up from 92 per cent in 2007. Increased marks in the 2008 survey included areas of safety and security, terminal cleanliness, staff courtesy and access for the disabled. Areas for improvement included food and beverage facilities; however to address this, branded restaurants such as the WhiteSpot and Tim Horton’s were installed at the airport in 2008.116
115 City of Kelowna, Kelowna International Airport, Destinations, http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page1343.aspx, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 116 Airport News, ACI-NA, Another record breaking year at Kelowna International Airport, http://aci- na.org/index/todaysnews_012609e (Access April 15, 2009)
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5.1.3 ROAD
Highway 97 is the Okanagan Valley’s key north-south highway with connections to several east-west highways, including the Trans Canada Highway and Highways 3 (Crowsnest or Southern Trans Provincial Highway), 3A, 6 and 97C (Okanagan Connector). Highways 97A, 97B and 33 are north-south routes that parallel various sections along the Highway 97 spine. However, none of these routes provides a continuous connection between the communities in the north and the south.
Okanagan Valley Road Network Map
West Kelowna
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117 5.1.4 TRAFFIC VOLUME
Traffic measurement site P25-1NS-N monitors traffic on Highway 97, at the south end of the William R. Bennett Bridge. The TRADAS (TRAffic DAta System) has been used since 2004 to monitor traffic volume from 120 permanent and 550 occasional sites around the province. 65 of these measurement sites also provide information on vehicle length and speed. The TIG (Traffic Information GIS), used from 1994-2003, employed permanent traffic counters and short seven day counts along with mathematical modeling to approximate average numbers of vehicles at sites along the provincial highway system.
Both the TRADAS and TIG systems use common road-count terms in reports that display Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT), Annual Average Weekday Traffic (AAWT), Summer Average Daily Traffic (SADT), and Annual Average Weekend Traffic (AAWET).
Below are summaries of traffic counts for Route 97 at the south end of the William R. Bennett Bridge.
Traffic Data for: William R. Bennett Bridge – P25-1NS-N 1997 - 2005 Year AADT AAWDT AAWET 1997 41,595 44,476 35,488 1998 43,006 46,017 36,697 1999 43,989 46,889 37,824 2000 43,701 46,701 37,256 2001 43,809 46,616 37,772 2002 45,292 48,239 39,186 2003 45,992 49,098 39,498 2004 46,514 48,705 39,699 2005 46,786 49,132 39,604
117 Ministry of Transportation, Traffic Volumes Data, Traffic Data For: Okanagan Lake Bridge - P-25-1NS – N, http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/trafficData/index.asp, (Accessed June 24, 2008)
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5.1.5 TRAFFIC SEASONALITY
Traffic volumes on Highway 97 are highly seasonal. Peak months for travel volumes peak in July and August and are lowest in January.
2005 - Traffic Data for: William R. Bennett Bridge – P25-1N S-N118 Month MADT MAWDT MAWET Jan 37,786 41,237 28,758 Feb 43,401 45,322 36,342 Mar 45,551 48,516 38,082 Apr 48,097 50,200 40,750 May 49,999 51,664 43,572 Jun 50,739 53,348 42,890 Jul 52,744 55,118 46,836 Aug 52,265 53,940 46,215 Sep 48,159 49,670 41,866 Oct 46,898 48,688 40,216 Nov 43,898 47,038 36,237 Dec 41,901 44,840 33,490
2005 - Traffic Data for: William R. Bennett Bridge – P25-1NS-N
118 Ministry of Transportation, Traffic Volumes Data, Traffic Data For: Okanagan Lake Bridge - P-25-1NS – N, http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/trafficData/index.asp, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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Definitions:
Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT): A calculated annual estimate of the average number of vehicles traveling thorough a traffic monitoring (TM) site during a midnight-to-midnight period on any day of the year.
Annual Average Weekday Traffic (AAWDT): A calculated annual estimate of the average number of vehicles traveling through a TM site for each weekday (Monday through Friday).
Annual Average Weekend Traffic (AAWET): A calculated annual estimate of the average number of vehicles traveling through a TM site for each day of the weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
Monthly Average Daily Traffic (MADT): A calculated estimate of the average number of vehicles traveling through a TM site in the course of a calendar month.
Monthly Average Weekday Traffic (MAWDT): A calculated estimate of the average number of vehicles traveling through a TM site for each weekday (Monday through Friday) in the course of a calendar month.
Monthly Average Weekend Traffic (MAWET): A calculated estimate of the average number of vehicles traveling through a TM site for each weekend day (Saturday and Sunday) in the course of a calendar month.
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119 5.1.6 OKANAGAN LAKE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT (WILLIAM R. BENNETT BRIDGE)
The William R. Bennett Bridge has replaced the old three-lane Okanagan Lake Bridge in Kelowna. This corridor is the most congested stretch of highway outside the Lower Mainland accommodating an average of 46,000 vehicles per day. By 2017, more than 69,000 vehicles are expected to use the new bridge each day.
The William R. Bennett Bridge (Okanagan Lake Bridge), was completed in May 2008, and is the centerpiece of a revitalized road network in the Okanagan.
The five-lane structure will relieve congestion along Highway 97, ensuring the safe, efficient movement of people and goods through this growing corridor. It will play a pivotal role in growing the regional economy, particularly the Okanagan’s signature tourism industry.
119 Ministry of Transportation, William R. Bennett Bridge Project. http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/WilliamRBennettBridge/index.htm (Accessed June 24, 2008)
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5.2 FREIGHT
Over 15 truck lines, 10 freight forwarders, and three provincial and three inter-provincial freight forwarders service the area.
5.2.1 RAIL
For passenger transportation, both BC Rail and VIA Rail offer passenger stops in Kamloops, however they do not pick up and deliver passengers in Kelowna. BC Rail runs north/south between North Vancouver and Prince George, while VIA Rail serves communities moving eastward from Vancouver towards Alberta. The Okanagan Valley Railway provides rail service to and from CPR’s east-west main line at Sicamous. The Kelowna Pacific Railway has recently taken over as the short line operator of the Canadian National line with rights over the 77- kilometers (40-miles) between Kamloops to Kelowna and Vernon to Lumby.
To date, the Okanagan Valley Railway has transported a wide variety of products, including forest products, grain and industrial products. The entry of Kelowna Pacific Railway provides more options in getting products to markets.
Canadian Pacific, Canadian National and Burlington Northern Railway services interconnect across North America.
5.2.2 BUS
The Central Okanagan is served by Greyhound Lines of Canada Ltd., which provides a network to all Canadian and US destinations.
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5.3 COMMUNICATIONS
The Okanagan Valley is well served by state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities and high-speed networks. Firms moving to the area have a choice of competing suppliers of fibre optic networks at virtually any desired bandwidth. High-speed connectivity is also available from cable suppliers, DSL services, or wireless connections from local ISP’s.
Following are the major newspapers, radio stations and television stations based in the Central Okanagan.
5.3.1 NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
Publication Website Circulation
The Kelowna Daily Courier www.kelownadailycourier.ca Daily 18,023 Weekend 27,800
Events Magazine www.eventpub.com Wednesday circulation 55,000 plus Westside Weekly None Biweekly circulation of 12,159 The Kelowna Capital News www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_s Sunday circulation 50,637;
imilkameen/kelownacapitalnews Wednesday circulation 50,699; Friday circulation 49,231-household only The Lake Country Calendar www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_s Weekly circulation of 3,000
imilkameen/lakecountrycalendar Okanagan Business www.bclocalnews.com/businessex Monthly circulation free to 17,000 businesses in the
Journal aminer/thompson_okanagan Thompson/Okanagan Peachland Signal None Weekly circulation of 1,400 Okanagan Life Magazine www.okanaganlife.com Monthly circulation of 25,000
5.3.2 RADIO STATIONS
Branding FM Frequency Call Letters ERP Format Power 104 104.7 FM CKLZ-FM 36 kW Active rock The Juice 103.9 FM CJUI-FM 5.2 kW Adult hits B103 103.1 FM CKOV-FM 11 kW Country music Silk FM 101.5 FM CILK-FM 11 kW Adult contemporary Sun FM 99.9 FM CHSU-FM 10 kW Hot adult contemporary K963 96.3 FM CKKO-FM 7.1 kW Classic Rock The Bull 92.9 FM CKBL-FM 10 kW Country music
CBC Radio 1 88.9 FM CBTK-FM 5.2 kW Public Broadcasting
AM 1150 1150 AM CKFR 10 kW News / talk
5.3.3 TELEVISION STATIONS
• CHBC TV - CHBC News - Canwest Media, Inc. • Shaw Cable 11 – Local Cable - Shaw Communications
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5.4 UTILITIES
5.4.1 ELECTRIC POWER
FortisBC120 FortisBC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc. - a diversified, international electric utility holding company based in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fortis Inc.'s entry into BC began with its purchase of Aquila Networks Canada on May 31, 2004.
The Company serves approximately 110,000 customers directly in communities throughout south central British Columbia, including Kelowna, Osoyoos, Trail, Castlegar, Princeton and Rossland and approximately 47,500 customers through the wholesale supply of power to municipal distributors in the communities of Summerland, Penticton, Kelowna, Grand Forks and Nelson.
FortisBC provides the following services: • Generating and distributing electricity to homes and businesses in the southern interior of British Columbia • 24-hour outage repair and emergency response • Building, maintaining and upgrading power lines and facilities • Installing and reading meters • Providing electrical safety education in the community
BC Hydro121 BC Hydro is a commercial Crown corporation owned by the Province of British Columbia and regulated by an independent body, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC). BC Hydro is one of North America’s leading providers of clean, renewable energy, and the largest electric utility in British Columbia, serving approximately 95 per cent of the province’s population and 1.7 million customers.
BC Hydro’s mandate is to generate, manufacture, distribute and sell power, upgrade its power sites, and to purchase power from, or sell power to, a firm or person under the terms of the Hydro and Power Authority Act. BC Hydro owns the majority of the transmission and distribution systems that deliver electricity in the province.
120 FortisBC, About FortisBC, 200, http://www.fortisbc.com/about_fortisbc/company/our_vision.html (Accessed April 15, 2007) 121 BC Hydro, 2007 Annual Report http://www.bchydro.com/about/company_information/reports/2008annualreport/letters/mcpc.html (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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5.4.2 NATURAL GAS
Terasen Gas122 Terasen Inc. is a Canadian corporation headquartered in British Columbia and the parent company of the Terasen Gas companies, the principle natural gas distributor in the province of British Columbia. It is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc.
Terasen Gas delivers natural gas and piped propane to approximately 920,000 customers in 125 communities throughout British Columbia. Terasen Gas provides service to 95 per cent of BC's natural gas customers and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in Canada.
More information: http://www.kindermorgan.com/ www.terasen.com
5.5 EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, HEALTH AND BUSINESS SERVICES
5.5.1 EDUCATION
Diverse educational opportunities exist for children, including French immersion programs. Specific custom- designed career and technical training are available in addition to traditional university programs. For more detailed information on School District 23, the University of British Columbia-Okanagan, and Okanagan College, please refer to Section 6 of this document.
5.5.2 HEALTH
The aging population of the Central Okanagan is expected to generate more health care jobs. In addition to the public sector jobs, there are opportunities in the private sector with companies that manufacture and sell medical devices, equipment and supplies, health informatics, tele-health, pharmaceuticals and other biotechnology products.
In the Central Okanagan as in other areas, self-employment is expanding within many health care occupations – in addition to physicians, dentists, psychologists and other professionals who are traditionally self-employed. A major retirement community, the Central Okanagan is home to a greater proportion of seniors. Considerable opportunities lie in identifying innovative new niche markets within the home-care market, particularly care for seniors.
123 5.5.3 INTERIOR HEALTH
Interior Health was established as one of five geographically-based health authorities in 2001 by the Government of British Columbia. It is responsible for ensuring publicly funded health services are provided to the people of the Southern Interior. Interior Health serves a large geographic area covering almost 215- thousand square kilometres and includes larger cities such as Kelowna, Kamloops, Cranbrook, Penticton and Vernon, and a multitude of rural and remote communities.
122 Tarasen Gas, About Terasen Inc., http://www.terasen.com/default.htm (Accessed April 15, 2009) 123 Interior Health, About Interior Health, http://www.interiorhealth.ca/information.aspx?id=566 (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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124 5.5.4 KELOWNA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) is the Central Okanagan’s primary acute care health facility and one of two Interior Health tertiary referral hospitals in the region that offers high-level, specialty medical care. Kelowna General Hospital operates 372 acute care beds, 320 extended care beds and 20 bassinets.
Kelowna General Hospital's services are grouped into three main categories: • Medical/Surgical Services - Emergency medicine, family practice, geriatrics, obstetrics and pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery. • Ambulatory Care and Outpatient Clinics – Cardiac, chemical dependency, day care surgery, GI lab, EEG, ENG, EMG, hemodialysis, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pediatric chemotherapy, peritoneal dialysis, pulmonary function, rehab day program, respirology/allergy program and urology. • Diagnostic/Paramedical Services - Diagnostic imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, nutrition, counseling, occupational therapy, orthotics and prosthetics, drug counseling, physiotherapy, psychology, and speech pathology.
The Cancer Centre for the Southern Interior (CCSI), located in Kelowna, is the centre for cancer research, education, prevention, diagnosis and treatment in the southern interior of British Columbia. The CCSI is part of the BC Cancer Agency.
Kelowna General Hospital Expansion Project125 In 2005/06, KGH provided 68,137 outpatient visits and 109,019 outpatient diagnostic procedures. These numbers are expected to continue to grow by nearly 50 per cent through 2024.
The new KGH outpatient hospital and expanded emergency department is a 16,600-square-metre (approximately 180,000-square-foot) facility to be located on the northeast corner of the KGH site. The project will modernize and quadruple the size of the emergency department from 7,000 to 30,000 square feet. The project will also consolidate outpatient services and programs currently dispersed throughout KGH into one facility, and expand the existing emergency department. A new state-of-the-art emergency department will meet the most current standard of care for the delivery of emergency medicine and will ensure patients get the appropriate level of care in the most timely manner possible. Expansion and a total redesign will provide: a trauma area, minor treatment unit and crisis intervention centre.
The procurement process for the KGH and VJH projects were completed in 2007, construction started in 2008 with expected completion in 2010.
As part of the strategy to address existing and projected congestion at the KGH emergency department, Interior Health is planning to establish a Community Health Centre in West Kelowna. Services planned for the Westside Community Health Centre include an outpatient care treatment clinic, laboratory services, day procedures, group rehabilitation, community health, public health, mental health and addictions, nurse practitioner, aboriginal health liaison, group elder services and a health resource centre.
For more information: Interior Health www.interiorhealth.ca BC Cancer Agency www.bccancer.bc.ca
124 Ministry of Health, Interior Health, Regional Hospitals, Kelowna General, http://www.interiorhealth.ca/health- services.aspx?id=280 (Accessed April 15, 2009) 125 IBID
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6 Life in the Okanagan
6.1 EDUCATION
6.1.1 SCHOOL DISTRICT 23
The Central Okanagan School District serves 162,276 citizens living in four communities (Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country and West Kelowna), near the midpoint of the Okanagan Valley. The District stretches for 60 km along the shores of Lake Okanagan.
The student population is 21,850, served by 41 schools. Although the regional adult population is growing, the number of new students entering the School District in Kindergarten has shown a slight decline over the past 10 years. There is significant movement of families to new developments at the edges of the immediate region which creates some challenges for the District.126
In School District No. 23, the Board is comprised of seven elected citizens. Trustee elections are held every three years in conjunction with municipal elections. The next election is in November 2011.
School District 23 Quick Facts127 Educators 1,447 HC Non Teaching Staff 1,164 HC Operating Budget $ 157 Million Capital Budget $ 26 Million Special Purpose $ 5 Million
126 Ministry of Education, District Review Report 2007/08, School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan), November 2007, http://www.sd23.bc.ca/PDF/SD23_DistrictReviewReport.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 127 School District 23, Budget Planning for 2007/2008 http://www.sd23.bc.ca/FinancialReports/Presentations/2007-2008BudgetPresentation.pdf, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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School District 23 Student Statistics
Student Headcount - Headcount Each Grade128
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
Kindergarten 1,247 1,353 1,333 1,327 1,326 1,389
Grade 1 1,431 1,308 1,401 1,400 1,390 1,379
Grade 2 1,452 1,458 1,338 1,444 1,441 1,449
Grade 3 1,547 1,504 1,517 1,422 1,494 1,488
Grade 4 1,624 1,591 1,545 1,593 1,455 1,538
Grade 5 1,631 1,646 1,625 1,590 1,644 1,478
Grade 6 1,694 1,664 1,716 1,686 1,626 1,698
Grade 7 1,773 1,743 1,727 1,743 1,732 1,669 Elementary Ungraded ------
Grade 8 1,861 1,786 1,840 1,778 1,802 1,809
Grade 9 1,935 1,898 1,827 1,880 1,828 1,838
Grade 10 2,021 2,030 1,975 1,904 1,956 1,906
Grade 11 2,149 2,252 2,094 1,943 1,929 1,977
Grade 12 2,049 2,002 2,154 2,167 2,039 2,028 Secondary Ungraded Masked* Masked 7 12 15 61
Total 22,418 22,236 22,099 21,889 21,677 21,737
*Note: Masked - Fewer than five students fall within the category described and cannot be identified to protect their privacy.
Headcount: Selected Programs129
School Career Career School Co- Year Prep Technical Apprenticeship operative Continuing # # # # #
2003-04 3,135 31 103 - 162
2004-05 3,282 - 274 - 189
2005-06 3,289 178 85 - 140
2006-07 2,862 136 36 - 107
2007-08 3,251 115 19 - 70
2008-09 3,212 166 1 - 74
128 DISTRICT DATA SUMMARY 2003/04 - 2007/08, 023 Central Okanagan, March 2009, http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/sd_perf/023.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009) 129 IBID
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Headcount: Selected Student Groups130
Aboriginal Special Needs ESL French Immersion
Proportion Proportion Proportion Proportion of of of of School Headcount District Headcount District Headcount District Headcount District Year # % # % # % # %
2003-04 2,077 9.3 1,830 8.2 322 1.4 1,505 6.7
2004-05 2,047 9.2 1,807 8.1 328 1.5 1,590 7.2
2005-06 2,097 9.5 1,726 7.8 361 1.6 1,614 7.3
2006-07 2,062 9.4 1,546 7.1 343 1.6 1,662 7.6
2007-08 2,032 9.4 1,554 7.2 279 1.3 1,757 8.1
2008-09 2,079 9.6 1,600 7.4 318 1.5 1,801 8.3
130 DISTRICT DATA SUMMARY 2003/04 - 2007/08, 023 Central Okanagan, March 2009, http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/sd_perf/023.pdf (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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6.1.2 POST SECONDARY EDUCATION
University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus (UBC – Okanagan) 131
UBC Okanagan opened in September 2005 as a distinctive, small university campus. UBC – Okanagan is destined to quickly become an important, respected centre of learning and research, enhancing knowledge creation and innovation in the Okanagan. UBC Okanagan is growing to serve the needs of the region, increasing access to the internationally recognized UBC degree. As our student numbers increase and the campus master plan becomes reality, UBC Okanagan will continue to feature small class sizes, experiential learning, community involvement, and direct access to research activity.
Student Population: 5,325 Faculty Population: 353 Faculties: 7 Campus Housing: 1,078 single-student spaces Size of Campus: 260 acres Buildings: 46,400 sq. m (0.5 million sq. ft.) in 2005, expanding to 139,000 sq. m. (1.5 million sq. ft.) by 2010
UBC Okanagan is a regional economic driver: • Impact of 4,500 more students, new faculty and staff • New research infrastructure • Annual economic impact: $300 million • $350 million in new construction anticipated by 2009
UBC Okanagan offers: • Distinctive programs • Irving K. Barber School of Arts • Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies • Faculty of Education • Faculty of Science o School of Engineering o Viticulture • Faculty of Health and Social Development • Faculty of Management • Post-graduate programs • Integrated region-wide college transfer • One world-class UBC degree • An independent Okanagan Academic Senate • Global linkages by technology
131 University of British Columbia, 2008, – Okanagan, About UBC-Okanagan, http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/about.html, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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Okanagan College132
Okanagan College is a public, comprehensive, post secondary educational institution that was established under the provisions of the College and Institute Act (2004). Okanagan College offers a wide variety of career, continuing education, degree, developmental, trades and technologies, university transfer, and vocational programs. The region served by Okanagan College covers 37,750 square kilometers, and extends from Osoyoos and Princeton in the south and west to Mica Creek and Revelstoke in the north and east.
Quick Facts133 Campus Continuing Studies Centres Trades Training Centres Kelowna Revelstoke Salmon Arm Vernon (Kalamalka) Summerland Vernon (Kalamalka) Penticton Oliver Kelowna Salmon Arm Penticton
Student Full Time Equivalents by Campus (2007-08 Enrolment Year)134 Kelowna 4,067 Penticton 648.4 Vernon (Kalamalka) 620.5 Salmon Arm 393 Distance 184.1 Total 5,913
132 Okanagan College, 2008, Okanagan College Fact Sheet – 2007, http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/Assets/Departments+(Administration)/Finance+$!26+Corporate+Services/IR/Quick +Facts+2007.pdf?method=1, (Accessed April 16, 2008) 133 IBID 134 IBID
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6.2 TAXATION
6.2.1 MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SALARY
Provincial BC Individual Marginal Tax Rates for Salary135 5.06% on the 7.7% on the 10.5% on the 12.29% on 14.7% on the amount Year first next next the next over 2009 $35,716 $35,717 $10,581 $17,574 $99,588 5.24% on the 7.98% on the 10.5% on the 12.29% on 14.7% on the amount Year first next next the next over 2008 $35,016 $35,017 $10,373 $17,230 $97,636 5.7% on the 8.65% on the 11.1% on the 13% on the 14.7% on the amount Year first next next next over 2007 $34,397 $34,397 $10,190 $16,925 $95,909 6.05% on the 9.15% on the 11.7% on the 13.7% on the 14.7% of taxable Year first: next: next: next: income over: 2006 $33,755 $33,756 $10,000 $16,610 $94,121 2005 $33,061 $33,062 $9,794 $16,268 $92,185 2004 $32,476 $32,478 $9,621 $15,980 $90,555 2003 $31,653 $31,655 $9,377 $15,575 $88,260 2002 $31,124 $31,125 $9,221 $15,315 $86,785
Federal Federal Individual’s Marginal Tax Rates for Salary136 29% of taxable Year 15% on the first: 22% on the next: 26% on the next: income over: 2009 $38,832 $38,832 $48,600 $126,264 2008 $37,885 $37,884 $47,415 $123,184 29.0% of taxable Year 15.5% on the first: 22.0% on the next: 26.0% on the next: income over: 2007 $37,178 $37,179 $46,530 $120,887 29% of taxable Year 16% on the first: 22% on the next: 26% on the next: income over: 2006 $36,378 $36,378 $45,529 $118,285 2005 $35,595 $35,595 $44,549 $115,739 2004 $35,000 $35,000 $43,804 $113,804 2003 $32,183 $32,185 $40,280 $104,648 2002 $31,677 $31,677 $39,646 $103,000
135 Canada Revenue Agency: Federal and provincial/ territorial tax rates, 2008 http://www.cra- arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/fq/txrts-eng.html, (Accessed April 15, 2009) 136 IBID
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2009 Regional Property Tax Rates Real Property Tax Rates: $ per $1000 of Assessed Property (Land/Buildings)137 Municipality Business Light Industry Major Industry Residential Kelowna 17.5457 18.2170 22.4399 5.8896 Lake Country 18.3756 23.9426 24.2351 5.3632 Peachland 16.5344 22.0027 n/a 6.2241 West Kelowna 16.07103 15.4603 16.3023 5.6338 RDCO – Rural Tax* 14.2 to 15.8 19.7 to 22.0 19.7 to 22.0 5.8 to 6.5 * Note: Rural tax rates presented are estimates only. To determine the exact rate including local services you need to be familiar with the area or specific property. You can estimate rural property tax for specific locations using the on-line tax calculator at http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/applications/rpt/tax_calc/online_calculator.asp
6.3 PROTECTIVE SERVICES
138 6.3.1 FIRE DEPARTMENT
In 2008, fire departments responded to 239 fires, including structural, vehicle and chimney fires; 1,043 motor vehicle accidents; 4,751 medical first responder calls; and a number of rescue and hazardous material incidents. Below is a breakout of the type of responses by each fire protection area:
Statistical Report from January 1 to December 31, 2008 Fire Motor Protection Structure Vehicle Chimney Vehicle First Other Hazardous Other Area Fires Fires Fires Accidents Responses Rescues Materials Incidents Total Kelowna 83 50 10 529 3,015 13 1 5,612 9,313 West Kelowna 21 32 3 333 1,258 2 0 643 2,292 Lake Country 8 12 2 101 263 5 0 268 659 Peachland 4 6 1 36 151 11 0 145 354 Joe Rich 0 1 1 37 10 1 0 25 75 Ellison 3 2 0 7 54 0 0 54 120 Total 119 103 17 1,043 4,751 32 1 6,747 12,813
The Kelowna Fire Department’s full-time personnel promote public safety year-round through fire inspections and public education programs. Trained volunteer firefighters contribute greatly to emergency efforts in outlying areas of the city.
137 By phone and e-mail from: City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland, RDCO, June 2009 138 By e-mail, City of Kelowna, April 2009
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City of Kelowna: • 7 fire stations (4 manned and 3 volunteer) • 84 professional firefighters and 18 support staff • 74 trained volunteers • 29 pieces of mobile equipment (including 1 – 100 ft aerial ladder, 9 pumpers, 2 tankers, 1 mini- pumper, 3 bush trucks, 1 HazMat truck, 1 marine rescue boat and 12 others)
Region: 8 volunteer fire stations located in main centres: • Ellison Fire Department 1 hall • Joe Rich Fire Department 2 halls • Kelowna Fire Department 7 halls • Lake Country Fire Protection District 3 halls • North Westside Road Fire Protection District 1 hall • Peachland Fire Department 1 hall • Westside Fire Protection District 4 halls • Wilson’s Landing Fire Department 1 hall
Outlying Areas: • BC Ministry of Forests
139 6.3.2 POLICING
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provides services for the Central Okanagan. The RCMP is a national, federal, provincial, and municipal policing body which is separately accountable to the public at each of these levels through existing legislation and agreements with contracting partners. The RCMP currently provides community policing services to the populations of eight provinces, two territories, and 200 municipalities and 52 First Nation communities.
RCMP local policing services are maintained 24 hours a day and are currently handled by 214 officers. In addition to the main police office situated in Kelowna, the City has three Community Policing Offices in operation in the neighbourhoods of the Mission, Glenmore and Rutland. The municipalities of West Kelowna, Peachland and Big White ski resort also have Community Policing Offices in operation. The success of Community Policing can be attributed in a large part to the more than 300 highly skilled and trained community volunteers.
Policing Resources are distributed as follows: Municipalities of Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country • 214 Regular Members • 20 Traffic Members • 10 Public Servants • 64 Municipal Employees • Regional District of the Central Okanagan Employees
139 By e-mail, RCMP Community Policing, June 25, 2008
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RCMP Southeast District Headquarters Staff Resources: • 87 Regular Members • 26 Public Servants • 10 Technical Support-Civilian RCMP Employees • 146 Dispatch/ 911 Staff (93 Civilian RCMP Employees, 12 Regional District Employees, 1 Public Servant, 40 Temporary Civilian RCMP Employees) • 10 Civilian RCMP Employees • 1 Special Constable
In addition to the Members of the RCMP, the staff/volunteers at the five Community Policing Offices work in partnership with the police community and other agencies to prevent or resolve problems that affect comminity safety and quality of life. Operational support for the Community Policing is provided by the Community Operational Support Unit (COSU).
The policing services provided throughout the province by the Kelowna Detachment have been a model for addressing issues related to crime. The creation of specific units formed to deal with community/business- identified problems has been key in the reduction of crime.
2000 - 2007 Year End Police Activity Statistics140
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Police Strength 156 156 156 157 157 172 181 184
Case Load 102 101 105 121 146 126 109 104 Population Served Per Member 963 983 996 1,010 1,020 956 935 957
Violent Crimes 1,551 1,638 1,699 1,959 2,177 2,118 2,062 2,494
Property Crimes 9,016 8,100 8,590 10,795 12,287 11,952 10,535 9,447
Other Crimes 5,278 6,095 6,091 6,218 8,389 7,594 7,089 7,275 Total Criminal Code Offences 15,845 15,833 16,380 18,972 22,853 21,664 19,686 19,216
Drug Crimes 675 708 750 965 1,428 1,311 901 981
Assault: Level 1 1,181 1,193 1,230 1,397 1,574 1,480 1,444 1,832
Motor Vehicle Theft 815 821 867 1,075 1,412 1,661 1,250 1,164
140 Police Services Division, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, British Columbia, Regional Profile 2007, Released September 12, 2008
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6.4 LOCATION AND CLIMATE
The Okanagan Valley runs north and south between high plateaus containing the sources for the many streams draining into the Okanagan Lakes. Small lakes located on the surfaces of the plateaus act as storage reservoirs for the domestic and irrigation water systems throughout the Okanagan Region. Agricultural areas are located on the valley floor and the irrigated terraces and benches.
The climate of the Okanagan Basin is somewhat less continental than the rest of the interior of the province. The warm summers with fairly low humidity and relatively mild winters provide an excellent environment for agriculture and recreation.
The temperature is best described as being of the mild, continental type. The summers are warm, with hot days, but the nights are cool and sometimes cold. Winters, occasionally cold, are much milder than areas north and east of the Valley. In Kelowna, mean maximum temperatures vary from about 0C in January to 27.9C in July. About one third of midsummer is tropical in nature (maximum temperature greater than 30C), and thaws occur at valley bottom on about half of the days in January.
The Okanagan is characterized by cool, humid air and cloudy skies in winter, and by dry air with bright skies in summer. The mean annual hours of bright sunshine in the Central Okanagan is just under 2,000 hours.
Major Centre Climate Comparison141 Average Rainfall Avg. Annual Frost Free Record Record Annual City Altitude June - Sept. Precip. Days High Temp Low Temp Temp 354 m 107.2 mm 318.6 mm 39.0C -36C 9C Kelowna 140 1161 ft 4.2 in 12.5 in. 102.0F -33F 48F 3 m 185.4 mm 1112.6 mm 33.3C -17.8C 9.8C Vancouver 216 9 ft 7.2 in 43.7 in 87.1F -19.4F 52.3F 1084 m 248.4 mm 423.8 mm 36.1C -45.0C 3.4C Calgary 112 3555 ft 9.7 in 16.6 in 94.4F -41.2F 18.1F 239 m 284.5 mm 525.5 mm 40.6C -47.7C 2.2C Winnipeg 121 783 ft 11.1 in 20.6 in 106.2F -43.7F 11.7F 173 m 278.8 mm 761.5 mm 40.6C -32.8C 7.3C Toronto 149 567 ft 10.9 in 29.9 in 106.2F -30.1F 38.9F 36 m 325.5 mm 946.2 mm 36.1C -37.8C 6.2C Montreal 157 118 ft 12.8 in 37.1 in 94.4F -34.7F 33.1F
141 Environment Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000, http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html, (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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6.5 RECREATION
6.5.1 SUMMER RECREATION
Water Activities The beaches in Kelowna, BC are outstanding, and the activities are endless. Families can enjoy children’s water parks, water slides and swimming. For the more adventurous, there’s jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing and parasailing. With boats, canoes and kayaks, you can enjoy being on the water as much as you love being in it. Kelowna has miles of beautiful parkland, much of which is located along sandy beaches. Grassy picnic areas, playgrounds, washrooms and concession stands are all standard facilities at our many beaches.
For more information and listings visit: http://www.tourismkelowna.com/visitors/thingstodo/boating.php http://www.tourismkelowna.com/visitors/thingstodo/parksbeaches.php http://www.tourismkelowna.com/visitors/thingstodo/rentals.php
Field Sports Field sports, including soccer, football, baseball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, lawn bowling, and riding (English and Western) are popular within the valley.
Golf142 With an average of 2,000 hours of sun every year, the Okanagan offers one of the longest, driest golf seasons in Canada. With orchards over desert terrain, rolling hills and expansive lakes, it also offers the most scenic views. How could your game get any better? The Kelowna area boasts over 18 quality golf courses, including Predator Ridge, host of the prestigious PGA Skins Game in 2000 and 2008, the Okanagan Golf Club - the Quail and the Bear Courses, The Harvest Golf Club, and Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club. An abundance of courses, along with natural grass putting courses, are available for all levels in the immediate Kelowna area.
Waterparks The Central Okanagan has a number of excellent waterparks for the amusement of old and young alike. In Kelowna, there is Children’s Water Park in City Park and Ben Lee Park in Rutland and the Kettle Valley Playground in the Upper Mission.
Tennis There are multiple active community tennis clubs with both private and public facilities.
Hiking A wide selection of hiking trails throughout the Okanagan allows for enjoyment by all levels of fitness and inclination.
For information on Regional Parks, please visit www.regionaldistrict.com.
142 Tourism Kelowna, Skiing and Snowboarding, http://www.tourismkelowna.com/visitors/thingstodo/golf.php (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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6.5.2 WINTER RECREATION
Skiing143 The nearby Monashee Mountains boast consistent amounts of light, dry powder snow that challenge every level of downhill enthusiast. Four ski resorts within a short drive from the City (Big White, Silver Star, Crystal Mountain and Apex) offer a wide selection of amenities beyond the major attractions of skiing or snowboarding. Big White is the closest to Kelowna and is considered by residents to be the local mountain.
Apex Mountain144 Big White145 Silver Star146 Crystal Mountain147
Season: Nov - Apr Nov - Apr Nov - Apr Dec - Mar
Annual Snowfall 600 cm 750 cm 700 cm 310 cm
Base Elevation 1,575 m 1,508 m 1,155 m 1200 m
Summit Elevation 2,180 m 2,319 m 1,915 m 1400 m
Vertical Rise 605 m / 2,000 ft. 777 m / 2,550 ft. 760 m / 2,500 ft. 200 m
1,147 hect. / 2,765 1,240 hect. / 3,065 Terrain (Patrolled) 450 hect. / 1112 acr. 190 hect. / 470 acr. Acr. Acr.
Number of Trails 67 112 115 21
Longest Run 5.0 km / 3.0 miles 7.2 km / 4.5 miles 8.0 km / 5.0 miles 1.6 km / 1.0 miles
Trails
16% 18% 20% 30%
48% 54% 50% 50%
36% 28% 30% 20%
Terrain Parks 2 2 2 0
Half Pipes 1 2 1 0
Lifts 4 16 12 3
Lift Capacity 8,030 28,000 14,000 3,000 (riders/hour ) 35 minutes west of 45 minutes southeast 30 minutes north east 25 minutes west of Location Penticton of Kelowna of Vernon Kelowna
Website www.apexresort.com www.bigwhite.com www.skisilverstar.com www.crystalresort.com
143 Tourism Kelowna, Skiing and Snowboarding, http://www.tourismkelowna.com/visitors/thingstodo/skiingboarding.php, (Accessed June 25, 2008) 144 Apex Mountain Resort, Homepage, http://www.apexresort.com/ (Accessed June 25, 2008) 145 Big White Ski Resort, Fast Facts, http://www.bigwhite.com/index.php?fuseaction=home.showSection&ID=10, (Accessed June 25, 2008) 146 Silver Star, Fast Facts, http://www.skisilverstar.com/mountain_showSummerReport.html, (Accessed June 25, 2008) 147 Crystal Resort, History, http://www.crystalresort.com/expand/history/index.html (Accessed June 25, 2008)
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Nordic Skiing
The Okanagan Valley has extensive Nordic ski facilities that have an excellent reputation. A number of foreign national teams regularly come to train on the trails in the region. Many of these areas have chalets in addition to extensive groomed trail systems. Nordic ski facilities and trails are located at Big White, with 15 kilometres of maintained trails as well as Sovereign Lake Nordic area near Silver Star Mountain with 60 kilometres of maintained trails. Adjacent to Crystal Mountain, above West Kelowna, is the Telemark X-C Ski Club. All of these Nordic areas also offer backcountry and snowshoe trails.
Curling There are 12 sheets of ice for curling in Kelowna and four sheets of ice in Winfield.
Skating Skating is available at Prospera Place, Kelowna Memorial Arena, Mount Boucherie Recreation Centre (West Kelowna), Rutland Arena, Capital News Centre Arena and Winfield Recreation Centre.
6.5.3 YEAR ROUND RECREATION
Swimming Pools In Kelowna, there are three swimming pools: the H2O Adventure Centre, Athens Pool-YMCA-YWCA and Parkinson Recreation Centre. In West Kelowna there is the Johnson-Bentley Memorial Pool.
Mission Recreation Park Project148
The H20 Adventure and Fitness Centre comprised of an Olympic-size 50-metre swimming pool, two whirl pools, a children’s play area, a fitness centre and a large water park, the 8,920 sq m (96,000 sq ft) facility, opened in April 2009. The 8-lane 50-metre tank can be converted into a 25 metre pool allowing simultaneous activities such as length swimming, synchronized swimming and water polo. With movable bulk heads and a 12.5 metre adjustable floor, the facility will also be able to accommodate kayaking, scuba and springboard diving. The indoor water park is the largest in B.C. and the second largest in Canada. Features include:
• A 3-metre wide River Run (with vortex pool and adjustable water flow) • Canada’s first Flowrider with a standing wave that simulates an ocean wave for surf enthusiasts • A wave pool capable of generating waves up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) • Three slides, including a tube ride • One family and one “adults only” whirlpool
• Children’s play area with water jets and other interactive water toys
Bowling Lanes There are five pin and 10 pin bowling alleys in Kelowna, and five pin alleys located in West Kelowna, Winfield, and Peachland.
Other Recreation Services Judo and karate clubs, fitness centres and senior citizen activity centres are also located throughout the region.
148 Mission Recreation Park, Homepage, http://www.missionrecreationpark.ca/ (Accessed April 15, 2009)
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Parks A list of parks in the region can be found on the following websites:
City of Kelowna: www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page845.aspx West Kelowna www.districtofwestside.ca Regional District www.regionaldistrict.com
Kelowna offers recreation programs through the Parkinson Recreation Centre, and the Regional District offers programs through various venues; a recreation brochure is available online.
6.6 CULTURAL AND SOCIAL AMENITIES
6.6.1 LIBRARIES
The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) is a public library system established in 1936 to serve people in the regional districts of Columbia Shuswap, North Okanagan, Central Okanagan and Okanagan-Similkameen. The Board is made up of 22 representatives from the constituent regional districts and municipalities. With headquarters in Kelowna, the ORL serves over 300,000 people through its 29 branches from Golden to Osoyoos and Princeton. In the Central Okanagan, there are six branches - Kelowna, Rutland, Mission, West Kelowna, Peachland and Winfield.
Every library branch has a wide range of print and non-print materials available for circulation or use in the branch. The Kelowna branch has a broad range of reference materials and serves as the reference resource centre for all other branches. All branches carry both large print and taped books to meet the needs of people with visual disabilities, and Kelowna has an Optolec Reader which allows those with low vision to access materials in the branch. All branches in the Central Okanagan have public access catalogues.
6.6.2 CHURCHES
There are 132 churches in the Regional District of Central Okanagan. All denominations are represented.
6.6.3 ARTS AND MUSIC
Theatre: Kelowna Community Theatre: Rotary Centre for the Arts, Mary Erwin Theatre, Theatre Kelowna Society, The Sunshine Theatre, Dreamnasium and Foot Lights Play House.
Music: Okanagan Symphony Orchestra by Special Appearances and Kelowna Philharmonic Festival Society.
Art Galleries: The Evans Gallery, Freeman Galleries, Peachland, Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna Art Gallery, R. Dow Reid Gallery, Tutt Street Gallery, Blueberry Hill, Geert Mass Sculpture Gardens and Gallery, Art Ark, Alternator Gallery and Bronze Rooster Gallery.
6.6.4 MUSEUMS
Kelowna Centennial Museum, BC Orchard Museum, The Wine Museum, Okanagan Military Museum, Peachland Museum, and The Westbank Museum.
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6.6.5 SERVICE CLUBS
Practically all the better-known service clubs are represented; some have three or four chapters within the Region.
Ethnic Community: With representation by most ethnic groups, all can experience and share cultural backgrounds.
Senior Citizens: There are Senior Citizens Activity Centres in the region with other clubs and associations providing programs and activities for the seniors.
To find out what cultural events are happening in our region, additional information can be found at the individual chambers: Downtown Kelowna Association: www.downtownkelowna.com/ Kelowna Chamber of Commerce: www.kelownachamber.org/index.php Lake Country Chamber: www.lakecountrychamber.com/ Peachland Chamber: www.peachland.ca/ Tourism Kelowna: www.tourismkelowna.com/ Westbank and District Chamber of Commerce: www.westbankchamber.com/
Additional information on events can be found in the Kelowna Capital News - Showcase Magazine (www.kelownacapnews.com/) and Kelowna’s Daily Courier Event Magazine (www.eventpub.com/)
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6.7 LOCAL GOVERNMENT
6.7.1 REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL OKANAGAN
1450 KLO Road Kelowna BC, V1W 3Z4 www.regionaldistrict.com Contact: Harold Reay, Chief Administrative Officer Main Switchboard: Tel: (250) 763-4918 Fax: (250) 763-0606 Engineering Department Tel: (250) 469-6241 Finance Department Tel: (250) 469-6242 Inspection Services Tel: (250) 469-6211 Human Resources Department Tel: (250) 469-6249 Planning Department Tel: (250) 469-6227 Regional Parks Tel: (250) 469-6232
CENTRAL OKANAGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONToll Free: (877) 332-2673 Tel: (250) 469-6280 1450 KLO Road Fax: (250) 868-0512 Kelowna BC, V1W 3Z4 Contact: Robert Fine, Manager of Economic Development E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.investkelowna.com
6.7.2 CITY OF KELOWNA
1435 Water Street Kelowna BC, V1Y 1J4 Tel: (250) 469-8500 Contact: Ron Mattiussi, City Manager Fax: (250) 861-7412 www.kelowna.ca
6.7.3 DISTRICT OF WEST KELOWNA
Mount Boucherie Municipal Facility Tel: (250) 707-2999 West Kelowna, BC V1Z 2T6 Fax: (250) 707-2997 Contact: Jason Johnson, CEO www.districtofwestside.ca
6.7.4 THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF PEACHLAND
5806 Beach Avenue Peachland BC, V0H 1X0 Tel: (250) 767-2647 Contact: Elsie Lemke, Administrator Fax: (250) 767-3433 www.peachland.ca
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6.7.5 THE DISTRICT OF LAKE COUNTRY
10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road Tel: (250) 766-5650 Lake Country BC, V4V 2M1 Fax: (250) 766-0116 Contact: Randy Rose, Administrator www.lakecountry.bc.ca
6.7.6 WESTBANK FIRST NATION Tel: (250) 769-4999 301 – 515 Hwy 97 South Fax: (250) 769-4377 Kelowna BC, V1Z 3J2 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.wfn.ca
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