Sponsored Content Feb 26, 2022 / 12:01 am | Story: 361247
Photo: Contributed
A report released from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation on Feb. 11 confirmed what many in Kelowna already know all too well: Housing is very hard to find, particularly for those in the rental market.
The yearly rental statistics from CMHC show that the vacancy rate in the Kelowna census metropolitan area is at the lowest percentage since 2017, with only 0.6% available on the market. Studio apartments have the second lowest vacancy rate at a scant 0.1%, and townhomes come in as the sparsest commodity with a 0% open rate. Paired with housing costs that in January reached a benchmark of $515,700 for condos, an increase of 29.4% over January 2021, and $1,037,500 for a single family home, an increase of 36.4%, many people in Kelowna are faced with the inability to purchase or rent a home
However, a local developer is looking to change that for the city. Ryan Tamblyn of Millennial Developments is bringing two projects to the Kelowna real estate market designed to make homeownership more accessible. The first, Five Crossings, a collection of studio, one and two bedroom smart suites starting in the mid $200,000s, is located in the Landmark-Capri district and will be starting sales in spring 2022. Shortly following, Millennial Developments will be launching The Nest at Findlay, a community of townhomes with spacious three-bedroom floor plans created for family living, starting in the low $600,000s.
“First time homeowners need and deserve to have accessible options that don’t compromise on quality, that integrate appealing architecture with the latest design trends, amenity spaces and technology to enhance their lifestyles,” Tamblyn says. “And families should have choices that allow them to have a real family home of their own, that gives them pride of ownership and a place to make memories.
“I personally believe that it is so important that we create the ability for more people in Kelowna to be able to buy homes and gain that long-term security and advantage. That’s the goal with every Millennial Developments project—to look at what the community needs and then meet those needs with places that people will love to call home.”
Paige Monkman, of ACE Project Management and project manager for the Five Crossings development commented, “We are opening our presentation center early this March, but we have essentially had people ‘lined up at the door’ for months. People are so excited about being able to purchase a home in a great central Kelowna location in the mid $200s, and then when we tell them about all the smart technology features and lifestyle amenities included in the building, it just adds on to the high level of anticipation for the project.”
To learn more about how Millennial Developments is working to meet housing needs for the Kelowna community, or to see more about Five Crossings or The Nest at Findlay, visit www.millennialdevelopments.ca.
This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Sponsored Content – Feb 25, 2022 / 12:01 pm | Story: 361181
Photo: Zac Gudakov, Unsplash
The temperatures are still a bit brisk, but there isn’t much in the way of snow.
That means you can get to your shed.
It’s a great opportunity to pull out any lawn equipment that needs servicing right now—because right now also happens to be the time when you should bring it in to Savoy Equipment. If you try to get it serviced once the weather warms up, it’s going to be like going to your favorite restaurant at the height of the dinner hour and asking for the best table.
There is going to be a wait.
“People don’t find out that their machine isn’t running until they need it,” Savoy Equipment owner Dave Turner says. “Unfortunately, we have the same issue with snowblowers in the fall and for snow. … There’s not enough hours in a day. We tell them it’s going to be two or three weeks before we get this back to you. They almost start crying sometimes.”
This challenge has been further intensified with global supply chain issues that are predicted to remain into 2023, despite the fact that COVID-19 restrictions are starting to ease. Lead time for both replacement parts and new product stock are taking longer than ever.
Speaking of new product stock, if you have your eye on any new machines for this summer, it’s advantageous to start shopping soon.
The good news is Savoy made larger stock orders than usual to ensure it received as much product as possible, and it has also scheduled its stock orders to arrive earlier to alleviate the wait time. A good portion of its stock has already arrived, so now is the time to act.
Savoy, which is one of the largest outdoor equipment dealers in Western Canada, offers all the brands you have come to know and trust, including Husqvarna, Stihl, Echo and Toro—not to mention highly regarded battery powered products from Ego.
“If you have trouble keeping your engine clean, this would be a good alternative,” Turner says. “It’s powerful. It’s come a long way, and we often can’t keep it in stock.”
Shindaiwa Fleet Week starts next week, running from Feb. 28 to March 3, which means you will receive 15% off most Shindaiwa units.
Also, if you are looking to work for one of the Okanagan’s most trusted companies, Savoy is hiring. It offers scheduling flexibility, competitive wages and extended benefits.
More information about Savoy Equipment, which has locations in Kelowna and Vernon, can be found here.
This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Sponsored Content – Feb 24, 2022 / 12:01 pm | Story: 360941
Dynamic After-School Care from Limelight Studios on Vimeo.
The need for after-school care in the Central Okanagan is well-documented.
Now, thanks to a move by a local provider, parents whose children go to several Rutland, Mission and South Kelowna area schools have a new option.
After 20 years operating at its Birch Avenue location, the popular Dynamic After School Care has moved into a larger new location at 1880A Baron Road and can accommodate even more children.
In addition to servicing its existing schools in the Mission and Central Kelowna areas—Chute Lake, Anne McClymont, Dorethea Walker, Casorso and AS Mathison elementaries, it will add a number of schools in the Rutland area (those south of Highway 33) including Black Mountain, South Rutland, Belgo, Quigley and Spring Valley elementaries.
The center will also add the new Bellevue Creek Elementary to its pick-up route when that school opens in September, as well as South Kelowna Elementary.
According to Dynamic After School Care owner Velma Feeny, the move into the larger new space will mean the center can help even more families with their after-school care needs.
Dynamic is licensed to accommodate 87 children and up to now has just taken school-aged kids. But, with the new larger space, Feeny said the center plans to open a morning preschool starting in April.
She said after 20 years at its former location, the center is not only well-established and supported by the parents, it was popular too. She expects that will continue at its new location.
Moving forward, she said the larger space will mean more kids can attend and avail of the extensive school pick-up service Dynamic offers.
In addition to school-day and early dismissal day pick-ups, the center also provides care for children on teacher pro-development days and on holidays between 7:30 am to 6 pm
“After all these years, the center operates like a well-oiled machine,” said Feeny, adding she is looking forward to welcoming more children at the centre’s new larger location.
She said the relocation puts the center in a more central location in the city and thus, it can serve even more area schools.
In the case of Bellvue Creek Elementary, which will re-open as a school after a period of being closed and repurposed, the centre’s new location will help parents as the school was formerly used as a church and a daycare centre.
The former school was closed in 2002 due to a lack of enrollment and was leased to the church, which holds services on Sundays and subleases to a pair of childcare businesses.
Families who had children at the two childcares will likely be looking for places for their children once the building reopens as a school later this year.
You can contact Dynamic After School Care at (250) 212-2255 or visit its website at afterschoolcare.ca.
Photo: Contributed
This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Sponsored Content – Feb 24, 2022 / 12:01 am | Story: 361002
Photo: Contributed
Just one hour of pay.
That is the rallying cry for Dress For Success Kelowna’s first ever Your Hour, Her Power fundraising campaign, presented by TD Bank Group, to inspire people to donate one hour’s worth of their salary to help women across the Okanagan achieve economic independence.
“It is especially important to support women now as multiple studies have indicated women have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” Dress for Success Kelowna executive director Lori Stevenson says. “We want to change that narrative. This campaign is inspired by the belief that when a woman has access to opportunities that can change her life, she becomes powerful beyond measure.”
The Your Hour, Her Power campaign launched in February and will run throughout the month of March to raise money for Dress For Success Kelowna’s programs that provide support, professional attitude and development tools to help women in the thrive region.
Photo: Contributed
As part of the campaign, the organization will be hosting events and online activities to celebrate women in leadership, including a virtual panel event on March 7—the day before International Women’s Day—featuring local female executives offering advice and sharing more about their career journey . The panel event is free, but attendees will be required to register.
TD Bank Group has signed on as this year’s presenting sponsor.
“TD has a deep-rooted history of promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion within the workplace and beyond,” says Jennifer Kristen, district vice-president at TD for the BC Interior. “We are thrilled to support Dress For Success Kelowna as they continue to build a community focused on helping women in the Okanagan to thrive and reach their career goals.”
Women who are local and working in senior leadership positions are also asked to get in touch with Dress For Success Kelowna for consideration to be featured in its Empowered Women series—a digital storytelling campaign where participants can share a video message of inspiration and empowerment on the organization’s social channels.
All featured Empowered Women will also have the opportunity to nominate someone to be selected as a Woman on the Rise, which recognizes the next generation of future leaders and role models in their industry.
“Your Hour, Her Power is a great opportunity to highlight the importance and impact of female leadership, as well as inspire, empower, and share knowledge with women in our community,” Stevenson said. “We’re looking forward to celebrating women throughout the month of March and beyond.”
To participate in the Your Hour, Her Power campaign, visit https://kelowna.dressforsuccess.org/.
For more information about TD global corporate citizenship efforts, visit www.td.com/readycommitment and www.td.com/esg.
This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
More Think Local articles
