Kelowna sets stage for awards night, tackles infrastructure and procurement policies
Finalists for the 50th Annual Civic & Community Awards have been announced, spotlighting exceptional achievements in sports, arts, environmental efforts, and community volunteer work. The event will take place on Thursday, May 8, at the Delta Grand Hotel, where winners in all 13 categories will be revealed.
Certain recognitions such as the Young Citizen of the Year Award and the Teen Honour in the Arts Award come with scholarships. Additionally, the Volunteer Organization of the Year will receive a $3,000 donation from the Central Okanagan Foundation.
In other city developments, council reviewed how the City calculates its infrastructure deficit, comparing these methods to other municipalities. The findings recommend establishing clear criteria for evaluating and ranking projects, ensuring consistent data collection, identifying needs-to-delivery gaps, and considering all funding sources to refine deficit calculations.
Council has approved an investment of $1.3 million in Prospera Place to purchase new ice-making equipment, a scoreboard, and a sound system. This funding prepares the venue for the 2026 Memorial Cup and other future events, supplementing an earlier approval of $3.8 million.
A review of the City’s Purchasing Bylaw No. 11477 has been agreed upon by the council, aiming to prioritize Canadian suppliers in procurement. The suggested amendments seek to bolster the local and national economy and improve supply chains, promoting sustainability where competitive in price and quality.
For more information on the council’s decisions and to access video playbacks of meetings, visit “Past Meetings” at kelowna.ca/council.