Vernon: A Rising Star in the North Okanagan (July 2004)
Once considered little more than a distant, kid cousin to the booming touritst town of Kelown, today Vernon is making its own, distinctive mark as a great place to live, work and play. Boasting some of the finest, year round outdoor recreational activities that characterize the Okanagan Valley, Vernon also has plenty to offer in other areas. And you’d better believe people are starting to take note.
Street & City Scapes
As part of the ongoing downtown revitalization and beautification, over two dozen Vernon walls have now become larger-than-life works of art. Spearheaded by the Downtown Vernon Association (DVA), the multi-year project has brought the city’s colourful heritage to life in the form of giant, outdoor murals - most recently a magnificent portrait of one of the Oaknagan’s most notorious characters, the Ogopogo himself.
The rest of the downtown core is also enjoying an extensive face lift that’s bringing renewed vitality to the entire town. “Phase by phase, we’re broadening the sidewalks, taking the streets back down to two-lane, and adding heritage street furniture,” says Diana Groffen, DVA’s executive director. “It meakes the whole area a lot greener and more applealing.”
Summertime also offers plenty of special events to entice both residents and visitors to linger in downtown. There’s the ever popular Sunshine Festival in June, a visual arts festival, the vocal arts festival, and this year, the First Annual Apple Festival in September.
Sports facilities and teams are everywhere in Vernon - and think far beyond the downhill and Nordic skiing offered at Silver Star. There’s curling, hockey, swimming, baseball, ringette, you name it. And with last year’s opening of a new MultiPlex, Vernon is now hosting events from concerts to rodeos.
Urban Amenities, Country Quiet (July 2004)
A mix of amenities with rural lifestyle remains high on the list of attractions for many people moving to Vernon. “The weather here is attractive, you can buy waterfront property with a nice house for $500,000, and we don’t have the traffic jams that Kelowna does now,” says Michael Tindall, general manager of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
Sure sign of a growing economy, big box retailers are discovering Vernon. Rona is building next to Wal-Mart, Kal-Tires has a new store opening soon, a Montana’s Restaurant is about to open, and homeowners will soon be able to shop at a 130,000 square foot Real Canadian Superstore.
Jobs too are opening up. A recently opened call centre is already employing 500 people with more positions expected soon. And as the residential building industry continue to heat up, the need for skilled tradespeople increases. “We expect some 1,200 new jobs will be created by next summer,” Tindall says, enthusiasm evident in his voice.
Not surprisingly, new housing is gearing up for another banner year. A 500-home subdivision at the end of Bella Vista and an Intrawest development near Ellison Park have received municipal approval. The Outback, a 65-acre project adjacent to Predator Ridge Golf and Country Club is breaking ground soon, and the Okanagan Hills Golf Course in Bella Vista will soon add approximately 1,200 homes as well as commercial space and an 18-hole golf course.
What should prove to be a fascinating addition to the tourims scene is the $60 million Crystal Resort now under construction at Predator Ridge. destined to become the flagship resort centre for Gernot Langes-Swarovski - yes, that is Swarovski of Austrian crystal fame - the resort wil offer a variety of healing treatments and alternative therapies, and become home to a major display of Swarovski crystal.
By Susan M. Boyce