The Kelowna Family Y recently held a press conference where they officially unveiled an ambitious expansion plan. They were excited to announce that over $4 million of the $5 million required for the project has already been raised! To find out how you can get involved, visit: http://yexpansion.com
Related post: http://rutlanders.ca/2009/12/28/big-changes-proposed-for-kelowna-family-y
Don’t forget, the Uptown Rutland Business Association’s monthly “Rutland After Hours” business networking event is Wednesday, Feb. 3, 5-7 PM at Petals from Heaven Flower Market (see previous post) at 239 Rutland Road North. The cost is $5 and includes beverages and appies.
For more info, see http://uptownrutland.com
A huge crowd gathered along Rutland Road to watch the 2010 Olympic torch relay pass through Kelowna. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of kids came from nearby schools to join hundreds of Rutland residents to celebrate the event.
It was exciting to hear that the 2010 Olympic Torch will be traveling through the Rutland Town Centre during its journey through Kelowna on Tuesday, January 26. Although there doesn’t seem to be a posted time schedule for the route, the City of Kelowna has posted a schedule of expected road closures (see below) resulting from the torch relay. It was a great idea to have the route pass close to a number of the Rutland schools as I’ve heard that many schools are arranging to have students take in the torch relay as it passes by.
Day 89 – Route Map travelling thru and departing Kelowna January 26, 2010:
| Here is the City of Kelowna press release: | ||
| For more info on Kelowna Torch Relay festivities visit http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/page2261.aspx (I’m sure this info is subject to change) | ||
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| On Monday, January 25 and Tuesday, January 26, there will be various rolling road closures to accommodate the Olympic Torch Relay.On Monday from 6:20 p.m. to 7 p.m., rolling road closures will affect the downtown core starting at 6:20 p.m., ending at 7 p.m.
On Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., the following rolling road closures will be in effect for the departure of the Olympic Torch: - Exiting from the downtown on Water Street, southbound on Pandosy Street to KLO Road (7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.) The Olympic Torch Relay will depart Kelowna along Highway 97 northbound. Motorists may experience minor delays as the Torch passes through the route. Free transit services will be offered from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on all routes for Monday evening’s celebrations in City Park, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Olympic Torch is scheduled to arrive in City Park at 7 p.m. Parking will be available at the corner of Springfield and Cooper Roads at Orchard Park Mall for park-and-ride transit to City Park. Transit will experience minor disruptions Tuesday, January 26 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., on all routes. Visit www.bctransit.com or call 250 860-8121 for schedule information. The City of Kelowna thanks motorists, pedestrians and businesses for their patience and support with welcoming the Olympic Torch to Kelowna. |
I had the pleasure of visiting the Okanagan Sikh Temple and Cultural Society on Rutland Road North in Kelowna to interview two of the temple directors, Phil Patala and Andy Sandhu. It was great to learn a little more about the rapidly growing Sikh community in the Rutland area and tour this beautiful new building.
The new Rutland branch of the Okanagan Regional Library is now open in Plaza 33 (301 Highway 33 West). They’ve moved down the mall in to a brand new larger space. http://orl.bc.ca
I visited Dr. Dale Forsythe, a long time Rutland resident and long time Rutland chiroprator at his office at 225 Rutland Road S in Kelowna to find out a little more about his practice and why he loves being a part of the Rutland community. http://forsythechiropractic.com
After being born in Kelowna and living here most of my life, my favorite Kelowna sight isn’t Okanagan, Kalamalka, or Woods Lake, it’s not the golf courses, the orchards, or the downtown Kelowna waterfront… (the list goes on).
My favorite Kelowna sight only happens a few times per year (due to the relative scarcity of winter sunshine in the valley and intermittent snowfalls) and it takes my breath away every time.
On a rare sunny winter afternoon following a good sticky snowfall, as I drive up Highway 33 from Highway 97 toward the Rutland and Black Mountain neighborhoods, I see Black Mountain and the surrounding hills (you can call them mountains if you’re from the prairies). The hills and their deciduous trees are covered in glistening snow as they reflect the afternoon sun shining on them from the west. The hills stretch from my far left to my far right and are pretty much uninhabited, except for a few newly built homes peaking down from the Black Mountain Golf Course development, the Tower Ranch development, and the Toovey Road neighborhood. I wish my schedule and level of “outdoorsy” abilities (I have none) would allow me to be standing on the top of the mountain looking down, but for now, this is perfect.
After pondering how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful city, I am quickly awakened from my reflections by a friendly honk from behind – I realize I’m only driving 25km per hour.
Quick! Cooper’s Foods in Rutland is having a killer once-a-year sale with tons of amazing deals. Go dig through your recycling bin and grab the flyer or print it off their website – http://coopersfoods.gsnrecipes.com/Shop/WeeklyAd.aspx – you have to clip the coupons. My wife came home from grocery shopping so excited about all the money we saved (she doesn’t usually come home from shopping excited).
I spoke with Allyson Graf at the Kelowna Family Y (YMCA-YWCA) to learn more about the Y and their proposed future expansion program which includes a gymnasium, youth centre, family resource centre, indoor walking/running track and much more. The Kelowna Family Y is located at the heart of the Rutland community (375 Hartman Road) and provides wellness and fitness programs to all, regardless of age and level of income. http://www.ymca-ywca.com
Related post: http://rutlanders.ca/2010/02/03/kelowna-family-y-expansion-fundraising-announcement
For some more info about the history of the Kelowna Family Y, check out this video by UBCO student Rachel Goshulak:
