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Big shifts and local wins. B.C.’s new pharmacare program begins, Kelowna launches a rebate to help businesses upgrade security, and the community rallies with $126,000 after a major adaptive bike theft. Here are this week’s top stories.
A big local show of support: a community rally brought in $126,000 for Adaptive Adventures after a reported $300,000 theft of adaptive bikes and gear. The fundraiser helps replace stolen equipment and keep programs running for local riders who rely on specialized gear.
Kelowna launched a rebate program that can cover up to $3,000 for eligible business security upgrades. The goal is to reduce break-ins and help smaller shops afford basic protection like cameras, alarms, and other safety measures.
Kelowna’s street sweeping kicked off early this year, starting in the downtown area, with crews also moving into business parks. The city says the timing depends on weather so crews can clean effectively and reduce dust.
BC’s Pharmacare National Pharmacare Plan launched March 1, 2026, covering the full cost of many diabetes medications and menopausal hormone therapy. The province says it will support about 570,000 people living with diabetes and about 160,000 people with menopausal symptoms.
Preliminary BC Coroners Service data reports 1,826 unregulated drug-toxicity deaths in 2025, an approximate 21% decrease from 2024. The report also notes where deaths happened most often, and which substances showed up most in testing.
BC’s general minimum wage will increase by 40 cents to $18.25/hour on June 1. The province links annual increases to inflation, and several other job categories will also see bumps.
A Kelowna restaurant is making its kids eat free deal a permanent feature after a trial run. A small move, but it lands big for families trying to make eating out feel less like a monthly car payment.
The RDCO is again offering rebates of up to $150 to help residents replace gas-powered lawn equipment with eligible electric tools (like mowers, trimmers, blowers, and chainsaws), as long as the old gas gear is recycled.
Kelowna was ranked Canada’s top boating town for 2026 by BoatBooker.com, based on its internal booking data and destination-level boating activity. Okanagan Lake did not comment, but we assume it’s thrilled.
Cybersecurity experts warn that generative AI is making tax scams easier to produce and harder to spot, including more believable emails and voice calls. The key advice: skip links, go straight to official CRA channels, and never share personal banking info under pressure.
BC says the March 8, 2026 “spring forward” will be the last seasonal clock change. Clocks will not “fall back” in November, as the province transitions to a single year-round time setup.
Global events can move fast. Canada’s government page pulls together crisis updates, assistance info, and travel tools like registration for Canadians abroad.
Gas prices in Kelowna are up 20 cents a litre in the past few days because of the Iran/US/Israel war. Here are the lowest gas prices in Kelowna.
Normals: Max 6°C • Min –3 °C
Sunrise 6:33 PT - Sunset 5:47 PT
The weather forecast is often wrong because the atmosphere is chaotic, data is limited or imperfect, and even small errors in initial information can quickly grow into significant inaccuracies in predictions. Best to check the website below for current reports.
📘 2026 FINANCIAL PLAN Preliminary Budget:
PDF File → At the City of Kelowna council meeting on March 2, 2026, council moved forward on a key rezoning for transit-friendly apartments, reviewed fees for non-residents using local recreation facilities, and dealt with a few “nuts and bolts” bylaw items.
📘 🏫 School District 23: Board Meeting Highlights (Dec. 10):
PDF File →
📘 Read the New B.C. Budget 2026 →
🏛 City Council Update: March 2, 2026
Meeting Highlights (March 2, 2026)
The City of Kelowna is starting major upgrades along Burtch Road this spring as part of its long-term transportation plan. The work will improve road safety, cycling connections, and pedestrian access along the corridor while preparing the area for future growth.
The project will be completed in phases and may include lane reductions and traffic impacts during construction. The city says the upgrades will create a safer and more complete corridor for drivers, cyclists, and walkers.
Mayor Tom Dyas says Kelowna is focused on moving forward together as the city tackles growth, housing pressures, and infrastructure needs. In a recent update, he highlighted work underway on transportation improvements, community safety, and long-term planning.
Dyas said collaboration between council, staff, and the community will be key as Kelowna continues to expand and manage the challenges that come with rapid population growth.
Curious what’s under construction around Kelowna? The city maintains a live map of current capital projects, showing road upgrades, parks improvements, utilities work, and other infrastructure projects underway across the community.
The interactive map helps residents track projects in their neighbourhood and see how construction fits into Kelowna’s long-term growth plans.
Golfers: Driving Ranges, and courses around the city have started to open already.
Rockets, Canucks, Raptors, and Goldeneyes latest, the Memorial Cup, plus the report from the slopes. (as of Mar 4).
The Kelowna Rockets picked up their seventh win in eight games with a 5–2 victory over the Spokane Chiefs on March 4 at Prospera Place.
Vojtech Cihar led the attack with three assists, while Tij Iginla added a goal and two assists. Carson Wetsch chipped in with a goal and an assist, and goalie Harrison Boettiger stopped 32 shots to secure the win.
The Vancouver Canucks dropped a 6–4 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes on March 4.
The defeat marks the club’s seventh straight loss. Vancouver has struggled badly during the stretch, managing only two wins in their last 23 games.
The Toronto Raptors travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves tonight, Thursday, March 5.
Tip-off is set for 8:00 PM ET as Toronto looks to build momentum during the final stretch of the regular season.
The Vancouver Goldeneyes dropped a close 2–1 contest to Toronto in Vancouver last Sunday, March 1. This followed a dominant 5–0 win over the same Sceptres team in their previous meeting on January 22.
Next up is a matchup against the Boston Fleet in Vancouver on March 10.
The PWHL 2025–26 regular season will conclude on Saturday, April 25, 2026, when all eight teams will be in action.
After the final games, the top four teams in the standings will advance to the playoffs to compete for the Walter Cup.
Players from the BC Lions recently visited a Kelowna elementary school after students sent letters to the team. The visit gave kids a chance to meet players, ask questions, and learn about teamwork and staying active.
Which ski resorts got the most snow? In addition to the updated 72 - hour snow totals, this snow report also compares ski areas by snow base depth and open trails.
Canadian Elite Basketball coming to Kelowna this summer.
Prospera Place, 1223 Water St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9V1.
EVENTS for March.
Looking for plans? Tourism Kelowna’s weekend roundup is packed with live music, markets, family fun, food events, and pop-up experiences across the city.
It’s your quick scroll guide to what’s on. Date night, kids’ outing, or just something new. Pick your vibe and go.
The Rotary Centre for the Arts has a busy lineup this month, with theatre, comedy, music, and storytelling filling the stage.
Highlights include Chicago – Teen Edition, the jazz-age musical following Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in the 1920s; Improv Night in Kelowna II featuring local comic Stephen Keppler and friends; PWR/UP, a high-voltage AC/DC tribute show; and Garth Stevenson, blending live music, storytelling, and film footage of encounters with whales.
From open mics and live music to poetry nights and community gatherings, Inspired Word Café continues to be one of Kelowna’s coziest cultural hubs.
Check their calendar for upcoming performances, workshops, and intimate shows. Great coffee. Local talent. Good energy.
Winter isn’t done yet. Local wineries are hosting Fireside Warm-Ups with mulled wine and s’mores. Or head indoors for high-speed laps at Kelowna Karting.
The “River of Voices” exhibition is opening at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, exploring themes of community, storytelling, and shared cultural experience through visual and multimedia work.
The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how voices and stories flow through communities much like a river, connecting people across generations and cultures.
Bernie’s Cinema is bringing back its popular Toonie Tuesday series this February, with classic and crowd-pleasing films for just $2.
Movie lineup: Zoolander · Lilo & Stitch · O Brother, Where Art Thou? · Arrival · Easy A
The RCA calendar is packed with theatre, live music, and gallery shows throughout the week.
From tastings to winemaker dinners, Okanagan wine events continue year-round.
Local bands, touring acts, and pub shows are back after the holidays.
Hometown vibes. Impressive taps.
It’s no secret that the best moments in life include good people, great food and probably a drink or two. We imagined King Taps with all that in mind and set out to create the kind of place that feels like home (only more fun).
At the Old Spaghetti Factory “It’s all included” means a complete meal at one low price. All our entrées include Hot Sourdough Bread; Minestrone Soup or Crisp Green Salad; Spumoni Ice Cream; and Hot Tea or our own blend of Coffee. Dressing choices include Ranch, 1000 Island, Blue Cheese, House Italian or Low-Fat Basil Balsamic or: Substitute Side Caesar Salad, Cranberry Goat Cheese Spinach Salad, Clam Chowder or Baked French Onion Soup 2.95.
An evening spent in the Hotel Eldorado's award-winning Kelowna lakeside restaurant will be an evening to remember. Our Executive Chef strives to take advantage of the Okanagan's bounty of seasonal and organic farm to table fresh products provided by local suppliers. Boasting fantastically prepared AAA Sterling Silver Beef selections, fresh seafood and an award-winning wine list featuring over 150 different labels.
The Okanagan Vintners Exchange has no walls. The design is open-air. Picture a square wine bar in the middle of the space, with counters and bar stools around it. Simple, social, and built for travellers to stop, taste, and relax.
“The Vintners Exchange is a one-of-a-kind airport wine lounge that represents the local wine region,” said Bram Bolwijn, Guest and VIP Experience Manager at Iconic Wineries of British Columbia. Bolwijn helped curate the wine list for the lounge.
He says the idea fits perfectly with Kelowna’s growing global reputation for food and wine. UNESCO recently named the city a City of Gastronomy, recognition that highlights Kelowna as a destination to visit, dine, and experience exceptional local beverages.
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We went digging through Reddit to see what locals say is the best Chinese food in Kelowna. The runaway winner: Mr. Lu's Kitchen on Pandosy.
Known for traditional Szechuan and Hunan dishes with a modern twist, the restaurant is led by an experienced husband-and-wife team with more than 20 years in Chinese cuisine.
If you like bold spice, authentic flavours, and generous portions, this might be your next takeout night sorted.
If you’re stuck in the “where should we eat?” loop, this helps. Tourism Kelowna has rounded up 69 local restaurants across the city.
From lakefront patios and wine bar gems to global flavours and casual comfort spots, it’s a solid master list for both date night and “we forgot to plan dinner.”
Consider this your edible bucket list.
A small piece of IKEA is finally arriving in Kelowna. The Swedish furniture giant is opening a new planning studio this spring that focuses on design help, ordering, and pickup rather than a full warehouse store.
IKEA will open a “Plan and Order Point” in Kelowna in spring 2026 at 1500 Banks Road (Units 103–104) in the Central Park Power Centre.
This smaller format location is built around design consultations for larger home projects like kitchens and closets. Customers can sit down with an expert, plan a space, and place their order. Most items will then be delivered to a home or picked up later.
A limited selection of smaller products will also be available for immediate purchase, but this is not a full showroom or warehouse store. And no, the famous meatballs won’t be on the menu.
The Kelowna location will be the second IKEA Plan and Order Point in British Columbia, following a similar location in Abbotsford.
Key details:
1. The Dyslexia Behind the Names
IKEA product names exist for a reason. Founder Ingvar Kamprad was dyslexic and found names easier to remember than numbers. That led to today’s quirky naming system.
2. A Meatball Empire
IKEA is sometimes called the world’s sixth-largest food chain. The company sells more than one billion meatballs every year. The food program began after Kamprad noticed hungry customers leaving stores mid-shop and never coming back.
3. A BILLY Every Five Seconds
The famous BILLY bookcase might be the most successful piece of modern furniture.
4. What “IKEA” Actually Means
The name is an acronym:
5. Global Wood Consumption
IKEA is one of the largest wood users on Earth. The company uses roughly 1% of the world’s commercial wood supply each year to produce its flat-pack furniture.
Kelowna’s real estate market is sending mixed signals this spring. The city is refining rules for taller buildings and long-term growth, but rising costs and slower sales are forcing some developers to pause projects. Construction that once felt nonstop has cooled, leaving builders waiting for stronger market conditions before pushing ahead.
According to the latest data from Equifax Canada Co., 90-day-plus mortgage balance delinquency rates jumped 30 per cent year-over-year in the fourth quarter across Canada, rising as much as 54.5 per cent in Ontario.
New residential construction in Kelowna has slowed dramatically as developers deal with higher costs, financing challenges, and softer demand for new units.
Industry observers say some projects are being delayed or paused entirely until the market improves, signalling a cooling period after several years of rapid building across the city.
The City of Kelowna is updating its building height maps to make it clearer how tall projects can go in different parts of the city. The changes move height rules into the zoning bylaw and show both base heights and potential bonus heights on the map.
Under the new system, density bonuses will mainly apply to towers eight storeys or higher, with added height tied to contributions toward affordable housing. In some downtown areas, buildings previously capped at 12 storeys could reach up to 19 storeys with bonuses.
A proposed 33-storey mixed-use tower in downtown Kelowna has been put on hold as market conditions shift. The developer plans to return to city council to apply for a new development permit once conditions improve.
The pause highlights the tougher environment facing new projects, with financing and sales conditions making it harder for large developments to move forward right now.
Kelowna city council reversed a previous decision to take over the review of development applications in the Abbott Street Heritage Conservation district, opting instead to leave the authority with city staff, despite receiving abusive and threatening comments directed at planners.
Councillors initially considered assuming control after hearing about the negative comments, but later decided it would constitute bad governance by treating one neighborhood differently from others in the city. The decision, made in an 8-1 vote, means staff will continue to handle the files, with mechanisms available to address poor behavior, such as involving the RCMP for legitimate threats.
Call or Text James Directly: 250-808-4602
Local realtor James Roffel breaks down a possible shift in Kelowna’s short-term rental rules and how it could affect the condo market.
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An expert warns that as AI-generated images and influencers become more sophisticated, the problem of health misinformation is expected to grow. Research indicates that people struggle to distinguish authentic content from AI fakes, making them more likely to believe misinformation. Nearly nine in ten Canadians seek health information online, but many encounter false claims. Experts advise seeing a licensed professional for health advice.
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