Top Stories – Jan 18 – Parkinson Plans Proceed

Kelowna Council approved the Guiding Principles and Functional Program that will steer the redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre. Proposed new spaces include a competition gym, two recreation gyms, fitness centre, an eight-lane-25-metre pool, and community rooms. The current facility was built in 1972.

The YMCA and Childhood Connections groups in Kelowna are among 45 non-profit groups in BC splitting 5 Million dollars. The money comes from the Community Gaming Grants program. The Y will receive 40-thousand dollars while Childhood Connections will get 113-thousand.

Conservation Officers are warning the public after a cougar lunged at a man walking his dog at Mission Creek Regional Park Sunday night. The man was walking his leashed, large-breed dog when he noticed a cougar following them. The cougar then lunged and attempted to attack the dog but was scared off. There were no injuries.

The Cultural Facilities Master Plan was officially adopted by Kelowna Council. It looks at how City-owned cultural facilities are used in in support of cultural programming. Key recommendations include working with our community to understand specific needs, support sustainability of those delivering services, and make meaningful investments in amplifying existing spaces.

It’s still a lot, but the number new covid cases in BC continues to drop. Over 3 days on the weekend, there were just over 52-hundred, including 1,509 yesterday. There were 360 in the interior yesterday, and the number of people in hospital jumped up to 90 while 13 are in critical care. There will be an update on restrictions later today.

Health Canada has approved Pfizer’s antiviral treatment for COVID. It’s for adult patients with mild or moderate conditions who are also at high risk of becoming more seriously ill. The agency did not authorize it for use on teenagers, or for patients who are already hospitalized because of the virus.

The Kelowna General Hospital Foundation has announced that Allie Ramchuk has been named the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. She has been the foundation’s Chief Development Officer for the past five years. Ramchuk takes over from Doug Rankmore, who held the role for the last 10 years.

The Regional District is looking for students to join them this summer in the Engineering, Parks, Protective Services and Finance departments. Each position offers valuable experience often in a young person’s chosen field of study, and the RDCO offers a student wage of $20 per hour plus 4% in lieu of vacation. Check out the positions at rdco.com/jobs .

We found out earlier this month that the average single family home price in the Central Okanagan topped a Million dollars. Nationally the Canadian Real Estate Association’s House Price Index rose by 26.6 percent in 2021, the fastest annual pace on record. The group says the average price of a Canadian home that sold on MLS in December went for $713,500.

Sports

The Vancouver Canucks will wrap up their 5 game United States road trip today in Nashville. They will be looking for their 2nd straight win. The puck drop is at 5.

Veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano is retiring after 14 Major League Baseball seasons. The 38 year old started in 2005 and was released from a minors deal with the Toronto Blue Jays last spring.

Monday Night Football in Los Angeles saw the Rams dump the Arizona Cardinals 34-11. L.A. will take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in a divisional playoff this coming weekend.

The BC Lions added former stalwart defensive lineman John Bowman to their coaching staff Monday. Bowman was the Montreal Alouettes career leader in sacks and will serve as the Lions defensive line coach this season.

Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending January 16. Marchand had six goals, 10 points and five power-play points.

Montreal goalie Carey Price is restarting his rehab from offseason knee surgery and remains out indefinitely. Price missed time at the beginning of the season after voluntarily entering the NHL’s player assistance program for a month in October.