Key Warriors
The shipment the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association sent to the National Apple Competition in Toronto initially got lost. It took some heroics from rivals, the Ontario Fruit Growers’ Association, to recover the lost delivery in time for Okanagan apples to be part of the contest.
Ultimately, Okanagan orchardists brought home six of the top prizes from what is Canada’s biggest apple competition, held every year at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
Kelowna orchardist Fred Steele, who also happens to be president of the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association, won first place for his deep-crimson, crisp and sweet Red Delicious entry.
Steve Brown of Summerland, who is also a director on the board of the B.C. Tree Fruit Cooperative, was grand champion in the new varieties category for his Ambrosia apples.
David Bullach of East Kelowna was tops with Spartan, the apple developed at the Summerland Research Station in 1936.
Denise and Richard McDonald from Summerland scored first with Aurora Golden Gala and were named reserve champion in new varieties for their Salish apples.
Orchardist Angie Ritz from Kelowna placed first in the other new variety category for her Nicola apples.
Even after threatening to leave town earlier this year, the 2016 national Junior A champion West Kelowna Warriors were the big winner at the recent Key Business Awards.
The hockey club’s owner, Mark Cheyne, picked up the citizen of the year trophy and the team won the community and public service category.
In receiving the awards, which are put on by the Greater Westside Board of Trade, Cheyne and the Warriors were praised for employing Westside people, fundraising for local charities during game nights and supporting young men as they pursue their sports dreams and education dreams with scholarships.
Citing losing money and small crowds, the Warriors were all set to be sold and move to North Delta in January.
However, by March, some new investors were secured and the community rallied to bolster crowds at home games at Royal LePage Place and the team decided to stay put.
The winners in the 10 other categories are:
– Business of the year: Off the Grid Organic Winery
– Green business of the year: Off the Grid Organic Winery
– Large business of the year: Bylands Nurseries
– Tourism and hospitality: Uncorked Okanagan
– Small business: (tie) Fifth Avenue Auto and Distinctly Kelowna Tours
– Aboriginal business of the year: Tronson Logging
– Young entrepreneur of the year: David Nguyen of Revive Nails Bar
– New business of the year: Floramaxx Technologies
– Platinum service provide: Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital
– Performing arts: musical duo Room to Dance
Safety sale
West Kelowna’s B.C. Safety Products has a new owner, but it’s keeping its name and its storefront behind Bylands Nurseries on Juliann Road.
Surrey-based Raider Safety bought B.C. Safety Products for an undisclosed amount and is keeping former owner Wade Musseau on in the Okanagan.
B.C. Safety Products is a wholesaler and retailer that sells everything from first aid kits, hard hats, reflective vests and eye and ear protection to gloves, safety boots, signs and specialized safety harnesses.
It also has a van that makes deliveries and doubles as a mobile store to worksites.
Raider Safety has five vans that travel around the Lower Mainland as mobile stores selling safety supplies, clothing and equipment.
The Raider Hansen division wholesales industrial and construction supplies like nuts and bolts, warehouse shelving, safety products, grinding discs, power and plumbing tools and industrial chemicals.
“B.C. Safety’s acquisition offers our company an unrivalled and turn-key opportunity to expand the safety supply side of our business in the Okanagan,” said Cascade Raider Holdings CEO Rod Langtry.
Leading edge
Some Kelowna-made waterslide parts and components are integral to award-winning waterparks in
Steve MacNaull is The Okanagan Weekend’s business and wine reporter and columnist. Reach him at steve.macnaull@ok.bc.ca.