New leader soaking in downtown vibe
In conversation with the Downtown Kelowna Association's new president
Bookended by parks, situated lakeside and chock-full of shops, restaurants, services and activities, downtown Kelowna has a unique vibe that hums all four seasons, but especially in the summer.
Lawyer Yarden Gershony, who works downtown at Rush Ihas Hardwick, gets it.
So much so, he became involved with the Downtown Kelowna Association shortly after moving to Kelowna from Vancouver in 2014.
He was recently elected president of the 1,200member association.
The Daily Courier's Steve MacNaull spoke with Gershony about all things downtown.
COURIER: What made you first get involved with the Downtown Kelowna Association?
GERSHONY: I got involved in the DKA because I had recently moved to Kelowna (from Vancouver) and I wanted to see Kelowna’s downtown core thrive. I thought that running for a directorship at the DKA was the best way for me to have a direct impact on the growth and prosperity of our downtown. And I was right! I first became a director of the DKA in the summer of 2014.
COURIER: What would you like to see the association do over the next year under your presidency?
GERSHONY: I want the DKA to continue to focus on its core mission of making downtown Kelowna a great place to live, work and play. I believe the most important component of this mission is working alongside other downtown stakeholders—including the City of Kelowna, the RCMP, Interior Health and various social services organizations—to keep downtown safe and clean for its businesses, residents and visitors.
COURIER: What are downtown Kelowna's greatest assets?
GERSHONY: Downtown Kelowna’s greatest assets are the vibrancy and diversity of its local businesses and entrepreneurs. Small and medium-sized businesses are the lifeblood of our community. I’m also very proud of the DKA’s Downtown On Call team (aka the ‘red shirts’) and the Clean Team (aka the ‘blue shirts’), as they contribute immensely to the beauty, safety and livability of our downtown core. COURIER: How do we capitalize on those to showcase downtown to its greatest advantage?
GERSHONY: The DKA will continue to work hard to attract new businesses to set up shop downtown and to attract new visitors to support our businesses. The DKA works hard toward these goals every day. We also host numerous events throughout the year in order to attract visitors downtown, including Block Party in the summer; Light Up in the winter; Small Shop Saturdays; Foodie Fight; Downtown After 5 networking parties; among numerous other fun events.
COURIER: What are downtown's greatest challenges?
GERSHONY: Like many growing cities in Canada, our greatest challenge and focus is working with all other downtown stakeholders to reduce homelessness and addiction.
COURIER: How do we tackle those challenges?
GERSHONY: Homelessness and addiction are complex and multifaceted social issues. Working toward resolving them will require focus, compassion and patience. The DKA is working hard alongside multiple levels of government and social services agencies in an effort to move toward a solution to these issues.
The DKA is also focused on decentralizing the concentration of social services and shelters currently located on the 200 and 300 blocks of Leon Avenue, where in recent months we have witnessed a spike in social issues related to homelessness and addiction.
COURIER: You're a lawyer with Rush Ihas Hardwick. Why does the firm have its offices downtown?
GERSHONY: RIH’s offices are located downtown because we love the vibrancy and energy. We especially love the coffee shops and restaurants, where the lawyers and staff in our office often find a bit of refuge from our busy practices!
COURIER: What do you do at Rush Ihas Hardwick?
GERSHONY: RIH is a civil litigation boutique firm with 14 lawyers. We are laserfocused on resolving corporate, commercial, construction, employment, family and estate disputes for our clients. My area of specialty surrounds complex corporate and commercial litigation.
COURIER: What do you and your family like to do in your spare time in Kelowna?
GERSHONY: My wife, Haley, and I have three young children—so like many Kelowna families we spend a lot of our time with our family in the city’s parks and playgrounds and swimming at one of our beautiful beaches. In the winter we ski as much as we can at Big White. Most of all, we enjoy wandering around with our kids downtown, browsing through all the shops and grabbing a bite in one of our many great restaurants. We love it here!