OKANAGAN VALLEY

Lying between the Coastal Mountains to the west and The Kootneys to the east life in the beautiful Okanagan valley has always been about the land.

Aboriginal peoples led a semi nomadic lifestyle here, moving between areas providing abundant fish and game. Today our fame is spreading worldwide. Wineries, orchards, golf courses, world class skiing, hiking, camping and of course boating, water sports and the beaches on our magnificent lake, draw visitors and new settlers every year.

Kelowna (population: 106,000), the largest city in the BC interior lies in the centre of the valley on the eastern shore of Lake Okanagan. Named as Cultural Capital of Canada (pop 50,000 -125,000) in 2004, art galleries, museums, theatre, public gardens and historic sites are well attended by both locals and visitors. Prospera Place, Kelowna’s largest concert venue regularly hosts world class music performances as well as sports events and was voted Best Concert Venue in Canada under 15,000 seats- (CMW Awards 2000).

Spending on local infrastructure is at an all time high with the city spending an estimated $144 on the new William R Bennett Bridge scheduled to open in 2008. Kelowna’s International Airport is the 10 th busiest in Canada and is scheduled for expansion to allow long haul flights from Europe.