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This new Kelowna Grapevine presentation lays out a practical, evidence-based plan for tackling homelessness, built around the Housing First model and other proven ideas. It argues that stable housing, faster affordable construction, adaptive reuse, and stronger income support can create a more humane and more cost-effective system.
View presentation →More in the series:
Kelowna has landed a one-time exemption from B.C.’s short-term rental principal-residence rule, starting June 1, 2026. That means some eligible units can legally return to STR use just in time for a packed summer.
There are still a few guardrails. The city is keeping limits in place through local zoning and licensing, and hosts will still need to make sure their strata allows it.
Read the full update →Kelowna this week: Pressure on the health system, a softer job market, and steady city-building moves. Add in smarter traffic flow and a few new business openings, and the picture is mixed but still moving forward.
Start using your new pink and grey curbside boxes May 1 - on your current blue bin pick-up days.
Read moreDowntown retail gets a big outdoor-brand boost, the Rail Trail moves closer to reopening, transit upgrades are underway in the Mission, and the Okanagan is staring down an early dry-season warning. Here are this week’s top local stories.
Patagonia is working on a Kelowna location at 510 Bernard Avenue, the former Lakehouse Home Store space. With Arc’teryx and Fjällräven nearby, Bernard is becoming outdoor-gear alley. Hide your wallet.
Read more →Kelowna began moving its temporary sheltering site across Crowley Avenue. The shift is meant to keep shelter spaces available while helping reopen the long-closed Rail Trail section in the coming weeks.
Read more →The Okanagan snowpack sits at just 58% of normal, the lowest April 1 level recorded since 1980. With hot weather moving in, water use may become a bigger local story fast.
Read more →Mayor Tom Dyas has been elected chair of the Municipal Finance Authority of B.C. The role gives Kelowna a stronger voice inside the group that helps finance local government projects.
Read more →The Kelowna Chamber marked its 120th anniversary and handed out several business awards. It is a nice reminder that local commerce has been a long-running Okanagan team sport.
Read more →Kelowna’s Cherry Blossom Triathlon returns this weekend with swim, bike, and run events. Expect extra activity around the course, and maybe a few people making the rest of us look lazy.
Read more →Volunteers used an AirTag to track a stray nursing cat to a hay barn, where her kittens were hidden deep inside. The Okanagan Humane Society is now caring for the little crew.
Read more →Rapidly-rising gas prices can’t be ignored. Here are the lowest gas prices in Kelowna.
Normal temperatures for Kelowna Centre are +18°C for the high and +4°C for the low. This week is running warmer than that, with highs in the mid-to-upper 20s.
Sunrise: 5:37 AM PDT
Sunset: 8:15 PM PDT
📘 2026 FINANCIAL PLAN Preliminary Budget:
PDF File →
📘 🏫 School District 23: Board Meeting Highlights (Dec. 10):
PDF File →
📘 Read the New B.C. Budget 2026 →
City Hall is quieter this week, with Kelowna councillors attending the Southern Interior Local Government Association convention in Revelstoke. The big civic themes remain the same: growth, transit, parks, housing, taxes, and how to keep the place working as more people arrive.
Kelowna’s latest regular council highlight remains the final 2026 budget approval. Council approved a $1.1-billion financial plan and a 4.40% municipal tax increase, about $115 more per year for the average homeowner.
The Mission Recreation Transit Exchange is getting better shelters, more bus bays, bike lockers, sidewalks, lighting, and future-ready servicing. It is one of those unsexy projects that actually matters.
Read more →Kelowna is asking residents about a possible future growth area along Glenmore Road between the landfill and Lake Country. The survey is open until May 13.
Take the survey →Regional leaders are gathering in Revelstoke from April 29 to May 2 to debate issues like housing, wildfire funding, forestry, water rates, and public safety.
Read more →Kelowna’s Neighbour Day lands Sunday, May 3. The City is nudging residents to meet, gather, and bring back a little old-school block energy.
Read more →Kelowna’s capital projects map remains a useful tool for checking road work, park upgrades, utilities, and other construction around town before you mutter at traffic cones.
View city projects →The Rockets are between playoff heartbreak and Memorial Cup hosting duties, the Raptors are fighting Cleveland, the Whitecaps have stadium drama, and Vancouver’s new PWHL team finished strong. Not a quiet sports week.
The Rockets were eliminated by Everett in Game 5, falling 2-1 in overtime on April 17. Next up is the big one: Kelowna hosts the 2026 Memorial Cup from May 21 to 31.
Rockets recap →The Memorial Cup returns to Kelowna for the first time since 2004. Fan events begin May 21, with games and festivities running through championship Sunday on May 31.
Memorial Cup events →Vancouver missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs and closed its season April 16 with a 6-1 loss to Edmonton. The final stretch had a few wins, but not enough runway.
Canucks →Toronto lost 125-120 in Cleveland on April 29, giving the Cavaliers a 3-2 series lead. The Raptors return home needing a response, preferably one with fewer heart palpitations.
Raptors →Vancouver visits LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 PM PT. Off the field, Mayor Ken Sim is urging action to keep the Whitecaps in Vancouver.
Match details →Vancouver beat Minnesota 4-3 in overtime on April 25 to end its inaugural PWHL season. The Goldeneyes also earned the first pick in the 2026 PWHL Draft.
Goldeneyes recap →The Canadians continue their Northwest League season with early-May games on the road before returning to Nat Bailey Stadium later in the month.
Canadians schedule →The Lions return to BC Place July 25, but Kelowna gets its football festival first. Touchdown Kelowna events are planned for June 27, June 28, and July 4.
BC Lions →Prospera Place, 1223 Water St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9V1.
May arrives hot, loud, and busy. There is country music, live skating, wine events, local cinema, markets, and a full Memorial Cup build-up. Basically, Kelowna is waking up from hibernation and immediately ordering tickets.
May 4, 7:00 PM - Prospera Place, 1223 Water St.
Old Dominion brings its country-pop tour to Kelowna with special guests Phil Vassar and Sacha.
May 10, 4:00 PM - Prospera Place, 1223 Water St.
Canadian figure skating stars stop in Kelowna fresh off the 2026 Winter Olympics, including Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier.
May 21-31 - Prospera Place and downtown Kelowna.
Junior hockey’s biggest event comes back to Kelowna, with games, fan zones, community events, and a downtown festival feel.
May 2, 1-3 PM - Ben Lee Park, 900 Houghton Rd.
Families can help celebrate the new waterpark features with a ribbon cutting, lawn games, inflatables, and early-season splash time.
This weekend - Kelowna.
The Cherry Blossom Triathlon returns with swimming, cycling, and running. Cheer them on, or quietly respect them from the brunch patio.
May 1, 7:00 PM - Lakeside Dining Room, 500 Cook Rd.
Live music returns to the Hotel Eldorado’s Lakeside Dining Room. A good pick for dinner, drinks, and a softer landing into the weekend.
Every Tuesday - Bernie’s Cinema, 353 Bernard Ave.
Bernie’s keeps Tuesdays easy with discounted movie tickets and extra showings. A useful little downtown escape without needing a second mortgage.
May events across the Okanagan.
Wine country is shifting into spring mode with dinners, tastings, and special events around the valley.
Patio season is knocking, and Kelowna is answering with lake views, winery meals, downtown bites, and enough “where should we eat?” options to make the group chat useless again.
A classic Kelowna lakefront choice for dinner, drinks, and visiting-company bragging rights. The view does half the work, which is helpful.
View dining →Dinner and a movie in one building is still a winning move. Bernie’s keeps the downtown night simple, especially on Toonie Tuesday.
Visit Bernie’s →Spring wine events are starting to stack up, and Gray Monk’s Lookout Restaurant is part of the early-May food-and-wine calendar.
Wine event listings →Tourism Kelowna’s restaurant guide is a handy starting point for patios, wineries, casual eats, date nights, and “we forgot to plan dinner” emergencies.
Browse restaurants →Reddit is not always wise, but it is honest. The local food threads are useful when you want real opinions from people who have already eaten the evidence.
Read local picks →
Kelowna’s spring market is awake, but not exactly sprinting. Buyers still have choices, sellers still need sharp pricing, and the market feels more careful than chaotic. Sensible shoes, not tap shoes.
March data shows the Central Okanagan moving into a more active spring market, but prices are still below last year in key categories. More sales does not automatically mean a boom.
Interior REALTORS® stats →March inventory rose from February across detached homes, townhomes, and condos. That gives buyers more breathing room and puts more pressure on sellers to price with reality, not nostalgia.
Read market update →The City’s permit stats tool tracks monthly building, heating, and plumbing permits, including counts and construction value. It is worth watching as housing supply and construction costs stay in focus.
View permit stats →For a quick look at current inventory, the Interior REALTORS® listing map shows active properties by area, type, status, and price.
Browse listings →James Roffel’s weekly Kelowna updates are useful for quick reads on listings, sales, price reductions, and what buyers are actually doing in the trenches.
Watch updates →
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This is your local newsletter, Kelowna. Email paul@kelownagrapevine.ca
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