OSOYOOS, OLIVER AND OKANAGAN FALLS | BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA SOUTHSOUTH OKANAGANOKANAGAN RELOCATION GUIDE EXCEPTIONAL FOUR-SEASON LIVING Community Profiles, Area Attractions and Recreation, Community Events, and so much more! SOUTHOKANAGANRELOCATION.COM | 17TH ANNUAL EDITION | 2019-2020 R Penticton Realty 1-800-652-6246 [email protected] n area of exceptional beauty The area has an ongoing variety of and diverse terrain, the outdoor recreation such as miles of Okanagan Valley is posi- hiking, cycling and horseback riding WELCOME tioned in the South Central trails along with rock climbing, boat- area of BC. Tucked into the ing, parasailing, swimming, fishing Asouthernmost corner of this valley hunting, wildlife watching, skiing and lies Canada’s only true desert. This golfing. The South Okanagan boasts extraordinary habitat referred to as a several championship golf courses, all TO THE shrub-steppe semi-desert is one of the with magnificent settings. rarest, most endangered and fragile The expanse of shimmering blue wa- ecosystems in Canada supporting ter and abundant beaches has helped numerous species that occur nowhere transform this valley into Canada’s SOUTH else on earth. summer playground. The Okanagan Valley was created by The strength of the South Okanagan OKANAGAN the retreat of massive glaciers ap- is built upon the land, climate and its proximately 10,000 years ago which people who have sown the seeds for a left large deposits of gravel, silt, clay strong and diversified economy. The and sand behind on the bottom and area’s agricultural base is varied and sides of the valley floor. A series of represents the roots of the economy. lakes connected by a meandering The wine industry produces interna- bow river amid terraced and arid, tionally recognized wines from local rocky hillsides was the final result of estate wineries. The South Okanagan this creative work of nature’s forces. boasts the greatest concentration of The divergent terrain has created vineyards in Canada. unique microclimates and soil types Businesses and entrepreneurs find in the various pockets, thus enabling a favourable business culture here. agricultural pursuits such as tree Enthusiastic cooperation and support fruits, vineyards, vegetables and cattle from community leaders and the busi- production. Immaculate rows of fruit ness community underline the South trees and grapevines decorate the Okanagan’s community’s commitment terraces and gently rolling hills, and a to growth and economic diversifica- variety of heat-loving vegetables grow tion. on the fertile valley floor. The small The overall quality of life is enhanced communities in the South Okanagan by one of the most attractive climates offer a full spectrum of amenities along in Canada, with low levels of precip- Credit: Darren Robinson - Oliver Tourism Association with cultural choices and recreation itation, high average temperatures, facilities. comfortable humidity & short winters. WELCOME TO THE SOUTH OKANAGAN 03 The South Okanagan is one of the best places in the country to call home. Find out why... OSOYOOS COMMUNITY PROFILE 06-24 Amenities, climate, industry, economy, agriculture, demographics, services, employment, education, health, transportation, housing, recreation, culture, history, local attractions and events. OSOYOOS INDIAN BAND PROFILE 25 Heritage, economy, industry, education and culture. OLIVER COMMUNITY PROFILE 26-41 Amenities, climate, industry, economy, agriculture, demographics, services, employment, education, health, transportation, housing, recreation, culture, history, local attractions and events. OKANAGAN FALLS COMMUNITY PROFILE 42-49 Amenities, climate, industry, economy, agriculture, demographics, services, employment, education, health, transportation, housing, recreation, culture, CONTENTS history, local attractions and events. AREA GOLF 50-51 The South Okanagan boasts one of the longest golf seasons in Canada. Learn more about our courses. AREA WINTER ACTIVITIES 51 Downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tobogganing on beautiful Okanagan Powder. SOUTH OKANAGAN WINE COUNTRY 52-53 This is wine country. Taste what makes this region one of the best wine destinations in the world. AREA LAKES 54 The Lakes in this area provide an abundance and variety of recreational opportunities from fishing, to water skiing, swimming & para-sailing. This Relocation Guide is published by Some information in this guide was used with permission of the following: The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, Munday Media & Design. Town of Osoyoos, Destination Osoyoos, The Osoyoos Indian PO Box 1753, Oliver BC, V0H 1T0 Band, Town of Oliver, and the Regional District of Okanagan [email protected] | 778-439-2321 Similkameen. No material in this publication may be www.mundaymedia.com reproduced in whole or part without written consent of Munday Media & Design. © 2019 Photos owned by Munday Media & Design unless noted otherwise. Cover Photo Provided by Destination Osoyoos. Munday Media & Design has made every effort to ensure the information in this guide is accurate and will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. RESOURCES: Town Of Osoyoos: 8707 Main St. Osoyoos | 250-495-6515 [email protected] www.osoyoos.ca 06-24 Destination Osoyoos: OSOYOOS Osoyoos Visitor Centre - 9912 BC 3, Osoyoos COMMUNITY 250-495-5070 PROFILE [email protected] www.destinationosoyoos.com Credit: Destination Osoyoos Town of Oliver: 6150 Main St. Oliver | 250-485-6200 [email protected] www.oliver.ca Oliver Tourism Association: Oliver Visitor Centre - 6431 Station St. Oliver 844-896-3300 [email protected] www.winecapitalofcanada.com South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce: PO Box 1414 Oliver BC, V0H 1T0 866-498-6321 [email protected] 26-41 www.sochamber.ca OLIVER COMMUNITY South Okanagan General Hospital: PROFILE 911 McKinney Rd. Oliver 250-498-5000 Credit: Asymetriq Productions - Oliver Tourism Association www.interiorhealth.ca Okanagan Falls Area D Community Services Office: # 1-5350 9th Ave (Hwy 97) Okanagan Falls 778-515-5520 [email protected] [email protected] www.rdos.bc.ca www.okfalls.ca Okanagan Falls Visitor Centre: Unit 2 5350 9th Ave. Okanagan Falls 250-497-6260 42-49 [email protected] OKANAGAN FALLS www.visitokfalls.com COMMUNITY PROFILE Live. Invest. Work. Grow. www.EcDevOsoyoos.com @EcDevOsoyoos OSOYOOS COMMUNITY PROFILE ular weather, abundant fresh fruit, and care facilities range from a regional vegetables provide the solid frame- 24/7 hospital, medical clinics, dental work for building a life and a lifestyle surgeons and optometrists, home care Credit: Destination Osoyoos in Desert Wine Country’s sweet spot. and day care services. Our learning And now a burgeoning wine industry institutions range from kindergarten to Osoyoos Lake and its beaches are with an international reputation for high school level. And our community a huge draw for the community. Combined with the desert heat the quality has gained centre stage. supports life long learning programs lake has been a draw for summer Your new lifestyle is also supported by throughout the year. vactationers for decades. arts and cultural facilities, that include two art galleries, museum, library and CONSIDER OUR ECONOMY Osoyoos f you are considering a lifestyle community theatre. You’ll also live an is a community with a progressive at- change . for a day . for a week active, good life with a wide range of titude toward economic development . for a season . or for a lifetime; recreational facilities including ice founded on growth and diversification. Osoyoos in the southernmost por- skating, curling, equestrian facilities, Our strategic location coupled with tion of the Okanagan Valley. It has several world-class golf courses and business and technology infrastruc- Ithe charm of a beach town but the so- a ski area. For those who are used ture all contribute to Osoyoos’ long phistication of a larger centre and has to multi-tasking, don’t forget that you standing reputation for a stable and been recognized from the beginning can golf and ski on the same day . in resilient economy. Advantageously lo- of human occupation as an ideal place February! cated at one of the busiest Canada/US to build a community… and a future. Border crossings and at the junction of CONSIDER OUR AMENITIES The best two major transportation routes—High- CONSIDER OUR LOCATION At the of both worlds is what lies in store for way 97 and the Crowsnest Highway junction of two major highways, adja- you in Osoyoos. Our charming town 3, Osoyoos is naturally poised as an cent to the US border and a scenic 4.5 provides boutique-style shopping economic hub for the South Okanagan hour drive from Vancouver, Osoyoos with unique products and personal region and as a gateway for traffic is a vibrant community with an area service. In addition, our service shops entering Canada or leaving for the population of 6,500. On the shores such as grocery, pharmacy, jewel- United States. of Lake Osoyoos in the fertile Okan- ry, hardware, florists, clothing and Five hours from the port of Vancouver, agan Valley, our location defines our furniture carry a wide selection for less than one hour from the Penticton lifestyle. such a small community, but because airport and two hours from Kelowna we are located close to major centres International Airport, Osoyoos is stra- CONSIDER OUR LIFESTYLE Unique in both B.C. and Washington State, tegically and internationally connect- desert ecology, choices of alpine, Osoyoos is just a short drive to big ed by land, air and sea. lakeside, rural or town living, spectac- box shopping, too. Excellent health- OSOYOOS COMMUNITY PROFILE 7 soyoos is home to an ac- When combined with our labour than by enjoying them on our sandy tive business community, pool, infrastructure and low overhead beaches. including many independent costs, Osoyoos’ open door business With every new visitor and each new operators who bring a rich support policy makes it quick, easy resident, our community grows not diversity to the local econo- and less expensive to launch a new just in numbers, but in spirit. We hope Omy. Built upon the wealth of our natu- venture.