News, events and success stories

Aerial view of a West Kelowna lakeshore neighbourhood, with a marina, a sandy point and farmland on the benches above.

News February 5, 2026

WKEDC appoints its first CEO

Ryan Malcolm brings more than 24 years of leadership in economic development, real estate and community engagement across Indigenous, municipal and private-sector organizations. He started on February 23, 2026.

Ryan Malcolm brings more than 24 years of leadership in economic development, real estate and community engagement across Indigenous, municipal and private-sector organizations.

Source: City of West Kelowna

Tall pines and a rock outcrop along a forest trail.

Success Stories September 6, 2026 September 2026

Gorman Bros. Lumber: 75 years on the Westside

From fruit boxes built in a family shed to a lumber group with more than 1,000 people.

Success Stories September 5, 2026 September 2026

Quails’ Gate

The Stewart family planted its first vines here in 1961 and opened the winery in 1989.

Success Stories September 4, 2026 September 2026

Mission Hill Family Estate

An estate winery above Okanagan Lake, bought by Anthony von Mandl in 1981.

The Little Straw winery and restaurant building, with its sign above the balcony.

Success Stories September 3, 2026 September 2026

Little Straw Vineyards

The Slamka family planted the first vineyard here in 1969. The Sidhu family took over at the end of 2021.

Success Stories September 2, 2026 September 2026

Volcanic Hills Estate Winery

A family estate on Boucherie Road with three generations of grape growing behind it.

Evening traffic streaks past lit storefronts along Highway 97.

News February 1, 2026 February 2026

Kelowna International Airport welcomes a record 2.3 million passengers

YLW served 2,315,432 passengers in 2025, making it Canada’s ninth-busiest airport.

Source: City of Kelowna

Fireworks burst over Okanagan Lake with city lights along the shore.

News November 13, 2025

Inaugural Board of Directors appointed to lead WKEDC

Five local business leaders join a City Councillor and the City’s CAO on the new corporation’s board.

Source: City of West Kelowna

A plated dessert topped with pomegranate beside a glass of white wine.

News October 31, 2025

Kelowna named Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, with Westbank First Nation

The City of Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO announced the designation.

Source: Tourism Kelowna

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Gorman Bros. Lumber: 75 years on the Westside

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