Author: Isaac Green

Summerland has officially broken ground on a new affordable housing project for seniors. The Dickson Manor facility, located at 13609 Dickson Avenue, will provide 90 units for aging residents. The project is a partnership between the Parkdale Place Housing Society and the District of Summerland, with funding support from BC Housing and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 17, with members of the Parkdale Place Housing Society and Summerland council attending. Work on the foundation is already underway, and the project is expected to be completed by July 2027. Ian McIntosh, board chair…

BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has contained a small wildfire near the Summerland Rodeo Grounds after it ignited Friday afternoon. The blaze, measuring 0.009 hectares, sparked just after 3 p.m. west of Mount Conkle, roughly 1.5 kilometres from the rodeo grounds. BCWS crews, supported by one helicopter initially and an additional provincial helicopter, responded quickly to control the fire. Lightning is believed to be the cause of the blaze, which BCWS reports is now being held. A wildfire that is “being held” is expected to remain within its current perimeter or control lines, reducing the immediate threat to nearby structures and…

A Summerland winery has taken a bold step in interprovincial wine shipping by sending its wines directly to consumers in Ontario, despite barriers that still block many British Columbia producers from reaching that market. The move has reignited the debate over fairness in Canadian wine trade and the need for open access across provinces. Lightning Rock Winery owner Ron Kubek said the decision reflects a principle of equal treatment. Ontario wineries have shipped freely into British Columbia for years, and he believes it is only fair that B.C. producers do the same in return. For Kubek, waiting for lengthy policy…

A $23.2 million contract has been awarded to Emil Anderson Construction Inc. for the next phase of the Highway 97 stabilization project north of Summerland. The work covers the stretch between Callan Road and Okanagan Lake Provincial Park and aims to stabilize the slope alongside the highway. Construction is scheduled to start this fall and is expected to finish by spring 2027. Once completed, the project will allow Highway 97 to return to its full four-lane configuration. The work will include building a retaining wall and a catchment area at the base of the slope. A concrete wall will also…

Summerland, B.C., is officially adopting a four-day work week for many municipal staff and is considering expanding the program to additional departments. The pilot program started in July 2023 and allowed staff at municipal hall and the aquatic centre to complete full-time hours over four days instead of five. The trial lasted 18 months and tested how a compressed schedule could affect operations and employee satisfaction. Mayor Doug Holmes praised the initiative, saying it “provides a positive work environment by giving employees a better work-life balance.” He added that the program aligns with the district’s goal of supporting staff well-being…

A wildfire that broke out near the Summerland Rodeo Grounds on Friday afternoon is now being held under control. Fire crews moved in quickly to stop the blaze from spreading, and officials confirm it is not expected to grow past its current boundary. The fire began just after 3 p.m. on August 1. It was reported near the west side of Mount Conkle, close to the rodeo grounds in Summerland. The BC Wildfire Service deployed ground crews and one helicopter to respond to the flames. Later, an additional helicopter was sent to support firefighting efforts. According to officials, the blaze…

Summerland has become the first community in British Columbia to treat utility poles with a fire retardant in high-risk wildfire areas. The Summerland Fire Department is applying a long-term solution to help protect the municipality’s power services from potential fire damage. Deputy Fire Chief Pat Hawkes said the department is using Phos-Check LC95, a fire retardant designed to last throughout the wildfire season. Once tall grasses and overgrown brush are cleared from rural areas, the substance is applied to poles up to 2.4 metres in height. “This treatment helps ensure the utility poles remain safe even if a fire moves…

A small wildfire burning between Summerland and Peachland is now being held, according to an update from local fire crews. The Darke Creek wildfire, discovered on August 3, remains under one hectare in size and is not spreading. The blaze is believed to have been sparked by lightning during recent thunderstorms in the region. As of now, fire officials have deployed one initial attack crew and one helicopter to monitor and manage the fire. While the fire remains active, it is no longer growing. Crews are making steady progress to keep it from spreading. The BC Wildfire Service classifies the…

A small wildfire burning between Peachland and Summerland remains under control, according to the BC Wildfire Service. The fire, known as the Darke Creek wildfire, was first spotted on August 3. It has burned less than one hectare so far. Officials say the fire was likely started by lightning. One attack crew and a helicopter are working to keep it from spreading. It is now listed as “being held,” which means it is not expected to grow under current conditions. As of now, there are no evacuation orders or alerts linked to the Darke Creek wildfire. The situation is stable,…