OKMR Spring 2011

A quarterly newsmagazine published by the Okanagan Mission Residents’ Association - Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

www.omra.ca Spring 2011

It’s a great day for sailing!Page 16

2 Okanagan Mission Review | Spring 2011

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Okanagan Mission Review | Spring 2011 3

From the editor | Dona Sturmanis

A News-Rich Review foR You

Please direct alladvertising inquiries to

Mr. Robin Tracy at 250-764-3141.

E-mail: [email protected] newsmagazine deadline

May 15

The Central Okanagan Sailing As-sociation is one of the focal points of this issue of the Okanagan Mission Review. Annually, almost 3000 students of all ages, including those with physical challenges, take sailing lessons here. That’s 4% of Kelowna’s population! Very impressive. But it’s no wonder... the Canadian Yacht-ing Association has deemed COSA the best sailing school in Canada numerous times. The association’s sailing direc-tor Devin Rubadeau writes all about the Learn To Sail programs which start up in the spring. Contributor Rand Zacharias also delves into COSA’s past and talks to some of the folks who helped make it into the organization it is today; passionate volunteers have played a major role. The Okanagan Mission is very fortunate to have COSA as a member of its community.

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is also celebrating its 100th birthday. Dr. Ken-neth Phillips, a member of the parish and acting dean of creative and critical studies at UBC-O, writes of the church’s history and profiles its activities today. Starting from its first service February 19, 1911 with about 100 in attendance, St. Andrew’s, now ministered by the Rever-end Dr. Catherine Hall, is heavily involved in outreach projects on local, national and

international levels with a special concern for our community’s homeless.

The Review would like to congratulate OKM student Elise Van Brummelen who won the Governor General’s award for academic excellence in 2010. She was honoured in a special assembly in Decem-ber of last year for her amazing average of 97.5 per cent. Contributor Robin Tracy chats with Elise and finds out about her interests and pursuits. Currently, she is enrolled at UBC-O with the goal of becom-ing a physician.

Enjoy the rest of our spring Review, which includes the OMRA president’s update on the progress of the Father Pandosy 150th anniversary commemora-tive sculpture. Mayor Sharon Shepherd provides an overview of Kelowna projects completed thanks to stimulus match-ing funding that came from federal and provincial governments. Deanna Merrick previews upcoming spring wine festival events. Bruce Smith fills you in on all the services provided by the Regional District of the Central Okanagan. And that’s not all...

In the meantime, spring into spring!Dona Sturmanis, Editor

Extra copies of this publication are available at the Okanagan Mission Library while supplies last. This and archived editions are available for download at www.omra.ca

The material contained within this newsmagazine does not necessarily reflect the views of the OMRA Board of Directors. It is for information purposes only and, while it cannot be guaranteed, it was obtained from sources believed to be reliable.

Publisher: Len McFarlane for the Okanagan Mission Residents’ Association

contents

Editor’s Message 3President’s Message 5OMRA Directors List 7Mayor’s Message 8In the Works 13

Regular Features

Special Features

GG Award Winner 10Meet OKM achiever Elise Van Brummelen.

Wine Festival 21Ten days of fun for lovers of the grape.

It’s All Good 14The Regional District of the Central Okanaganenhances our quality of life.

Learn to Sail 16Almost 3000 students a year come here.

The COSA Legacy 18The Central Okanagan Sailing Association was created by passionate volunteers.

Church Centennial 6Venerated St. Andrew’s Anglican Parish turns 100.

School Update 22Our school board solved some issues, but not all.

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President’s Report | Kerry Lomax

of PANdosY ANd PoliticAl ActioN

The following is a combined report with contributions from President Kerry Lomax and Past President Ron Hallick.

Father Pandosy SculptureWe are pleased to report that the

Father Pandosy 150th Anniversary Com-memorative Sculpture fund is approxi-mately 70% complete thanks in part to a large grant from Canadian Heritage and the efforts of our member of parliament, Ron Cannan. Early on during the fund raising drive Okanagan Mission Residents Association donated five thousand dollars in an effort to prime the pump as it were. This seems to have been successful as this amount was matched by the City of Kelowna.

At the time of our donation our primary goal was to help ensure that this project would reach its completion. It was also our preference to have the statue located within the boundaries of Okanagan Mis-sion for historical reasons.

The Pandosy Mission was established in 1860 and the community that grew up around it was commonly referred to as the Okanagan Mission Valley. In 1892 residents Bernard and Leon Lequime purchased the land to the north and laid out the town site which was later to become the City of Kelowna. Since Father Pandosy died in 1891 one could conclude that he never heard the name Kelowna during his lifetime.

It is therefore fitting that the sculp-ture will stand in Mission Recreation Park in the arboretum area across from the Thomson farm, on possibly what was once the expanded Mission ground. It will be seen by many people of all walks of life, both local and visiting, and will by surrounded by a semi-natural setting. The sculpture of Pandosy, along with its narrative frieze rich with images of the fur trade, gold rush and First Nation culture will visually inspire Okanagan Mis-sion residents to be proud of our history and of our community today.

The sculpture will be installed in Mis-sion Recreation Park by March 2012.

Political Action Email ListOur board of directors discussed the

difficulty with the process of communicat-ing important information to concerned Okanagan Mission residents prior to the time of any public hearing. In the past we have published a special edition of this newsletter to inform residents of a signifi-cant city council decision. As effective as it was, the process was both time consum-ing and expensive.

In an effort to expedite this process and to concentrate the message toward our concerned and community-minded read-ers, we have decided to initiate a Political Action Email List.

This list will allow the OMRA board to notify you in a timely manner when an

important council decision is at hand. You will be provided with relevant

dates, contact information, and the opin-ion and comments from the OMRA board of directors. This will allow you to freely compose your own opinion with regards to the issue and send it to the city clerk and our Mayor and Council. Your letters are a large part of the very meaning and importance of a public hearing.

Judging from past issues we anticipate that this may occur about once per year. Suffice to say we will not allow this effort to become a nuisance item for the resi-dents on this list.

The list will be kept confidential and no-one will be contacted and asked for donations of money or for volunteer as-sistance.

It is our hope that you share with us our concern about the future of this historic community and permit yourself to be knowledgeable about upcoming significant political decisions affecting our future. There is a lot to be said about strength in numbers and your voice counts.

To be placed on the Political Action E-mail List please send your address to:

[email protected]

statue funding almost complete and action email list initiated.

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Artist Crystal Przybille at work on the com-memorative sculpture in the Alternator Gallery

Studio 111 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.


Everyone who has driven past 4619 Lakeshore Road has seen the small wooden church on the east side of the road between McClure and Collett Roads. In 2011 St. Andrew’s Anglican Parish is celebrating the centennial of the build-ing of that church and of the creation of an Anglican congregation, both of which have played central roles in the history of Okanagan Mission.

About 50 local residents donated money for the original building project, and funds were also received from friends in England. The original budget for the church was $1,500; however, the final estimate from the architect came in over budget at $1,640. In the end the cost rose to $2,020.70, a considerable sum of money at the time.

The first service was held in the building on February 19, 1911 attended by about 100 people. Over the years a churchyard and hall were added, and in 1987 a new church was built just south of the original one. The parish has main-tained a continuous presence in Okana-gan Mission since 1911 and today consists of over 100 households with The Rever-end Dr. Catherine Hall as their priest and The Reverend Christine Ross as deacon. Services are held every Sunday at 8:00 and 10:00 am.

On February 6, 2011 parishioners, many with long connections to St.

Andrew’s and Okanagan Mission, again gathered in the original building before proceeding to the current church building to give thanks for the past century and to look forward to the next one. They were joined by Archbishop John Privett who presided at a celebration of the Eucharist. This service was the first in a series of events the parish is planning to mark the centennial and to call attention to its particular ministry in Kelowna.

Throughout its history St. Andrew’s has always been heavily involved in outreach projects on global, national and local levels, and has had a particular concern for the homeless in our commu-nity. In the past it sponsored a refugee family from Vietnam, and has worked with Habitat for Humanity and Inn from the Cold; it continues to offer bursaries to students attending the Okanagan campus of UBC. In recent years St Andrew’s has been known to some people as the “chili church” because of its reputation for mak-ing chili and serving it to the clients at the Kelowna Drop In Centre. After the Centre closed, the parish expanded this ministry to other groups and has developed two new projects to assist people in need. Before Christmas members of the parish prepared “welcome bags” with basic necessities such as a toothbrush, towel,

facecloth and a comb for people who are trying to leave life on the street and are in a transitional bed or a treatment program. Since Christmas the parish has begun to gather material for “start-up kits” for those moving into an independent living situation. The kits, which will contain the basic necessities for bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, will assist clients of New Opportunities for Women (NOW) and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

Over the years the original church and the parish have played important roles in the lives of many people in the neighbour-hood, some of whom have been baptized, married and buried there. The church yard alone offers an historical record of early inhabitants of Okanagan Mission. During this centennial year the parish invites everyone to join in the celebrations and to visit the building and grounds.

Kenneth Phillips is the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Stud-ies at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus. He is also a member of St. Andrew’s.

Community Report | by Kenneth Phillips, Ph.D

st. ANdRew’s At 100

St. Andrew’s as it was in 1930.

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the first service was held in the building on february 19, 1911 attended by about 100 people.


Address:

Name:

Phone:

E-mail:

Postal Code:

I would consider becoming a director of OMRA

Anyone living in Okanagan Mission who makes a minimum donation of $10.00 to the Association will become a member as long as the member remains living in Okanagan Mission.

Current Membership = 475

Okanagan Mission Residents’ Association MembershipPO Box 29138, Kelowna BC, V1W 4A7

email: [email protected] www.omra.ca

OMRA Directors 2010 - 2011

PresidentKerry Lomax 250-764-8892

Past PresidentRon Hallick 250-764-8697

Vice PresidentMark Ranger 250-764-7187

SecretarySue Goodwin 250-764-0097

TreasurerPeter Pugsley 250-764-7672

DirectorsRon Erickson 250-764-3217Mark Thompson 250-764-9357Wayne Wolfe 250-764-6430

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A new year has begun and although there will be fewer visible infrastruc-ture projects taking place, there will be many planning and project completion initiatives that will take our municipality through 2011.

Stimulus Funding ProjectsLast year was an unprecedented year

in dollars being spent on infrastructure and that was due to the stimulus matching funding that came from the federal and provincial governments to enhance the economy. There were over $200-million worth of construction projects in 2010! Our city had ready-to-go projects and we were able to take advantage of the oppor-tunity to apply for the funding. Without this incentive many of them likely would have remained in the planning stage for many years. Due to some seasonal chal-lenges we were able to apply to extend the completion date to the fall of this year but the majority of initiatives have been finished in time to meet the March 31, 2011 deadline.

I am happy to report that the residents of Okanagan Mission will not have any major road delays this upcoming year although Lakeshore Road is on the agenda for the future. The bridge over Mission Creek on Lakeshore does need to be replaced and will occur once funding and planning are in place. It is nice to observe the users of the multi-purpose corridor between Gyro and Rotary beaches, which connects along Barrera/Casorso to Gor-

don and back to the Mission Greenway. This past year the bike lane network

was expanded by 11 kilometres through-out the city to a total of 261 kilometres.

The stimulus funding also was used for many community parks and open space networks including Powerline Park in the Mission, upgrades on Rutland Arena, Elks Stadium, Kings Stadium, and the Apple Bowl Stadium, and the YMCA-YWCA expansion in Rutland.

Skating at Stuart ParkI hope that the skaters in the commu-

nity have been able to come downtown and enjoy the outdoor rink at Stuart Park. The delays were unfortunate but once it opened the space has been used continually. The hours of opening have been extended to 11 pm and a short-term concession contract will now provide hot dogs, hot chocolate, coffee and healthy food choices such as granola bars. It is important to check ahead that the rink is open by phoning 250-469-8800 (option 4). The city is reviewing the desire by some to have music at the site although we are hearing from other residents that they prefer to have no music and just enjoy the ambiance of the location. If you have any thoughts please let my office know!

Mission Creek Bridge Gordon Drive and the new bridge over

Mission Creek are now open and I know there are many happy motorists who are finally able to avoid the traffic congestion

KelowNA PRojects comPleted

Kelowna MayorSharon Shepherd

A quarterly message from the Mayor

Mayor Sharon Shepherd250-469-8980

[email protected]

Councillor André Blanleil250-862-0592

[email protected]

Councillor Kevin Craig250-448-1490

[email protected]

Councillor Robert Hobson250-868-5224

[email protected]

Councillor Charlie Hodge250-575-1674

[email protected]

Councillor Graeme James250-575-9424

[email protected]

Councillor Angela Reid250-215-7714

[email protected]

Councillor Michele Rule250-762-3749

[email protected]

Councillor Luke Stack250-878-4990

[email protected]

Mayor and [email protected]

City Council Contact List

Good communication with people can make a difference in the way you live in your commu-nity.

Similarly, the following people know that in order to vote on matters in your best interest they must hear from you.


that has been part of our lives for the last four months. The $6 million partner-ship between the federal and provincial government made this project a reality sooner than it was anticipated to be done. The bridge will carry more than 15,000 vehicles per day and the four-meter wide multi-purpose pathway will safely accom-modate pedestrians and cyclists.

Other Projects Projects that are not so visible but

yet essential in our growing community include the completion of a $60 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment facility which will accommodate growth to 2030.

The second phase of the new Cedar Creek pump station that provides clean and safe water to the Mission residents has been completed with a dedicated water transmission main from Okanagan Lake to Adams Reservoir above Kettle Valley. A pre-feasibility study for district energy was completed and the city en-tered into an agreement with Terasen Gas to develop a $22 million system in the city centre and a $16 million system in South Pandosy. Targets of reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) have been set for the corpo-ration as well as a goal of decreasing them by 33 percent below the 2007 levels.

City Budget Discussions The 2011 preliminary budget delib-

erations took place in December with a 12 hour open meeting. The budget

increase agreed to by all of council was 2.05% which included a pension plan addition for all RCMP members, two additional RCMP officers, four firefight-ers, a safe schools route project in Glen-more, and construction of a new landfill entrance at the south end of the property. There has been funding allocated to design and plan for a new policing build-ing for the newly purchased property on Clement Avenue, the Water Street Seniors Centre is to be relocated to a new addition at Parkinson Recreation Centre and the Kelowna Yacht Club is designing a new facility to be placed at the seniors centre location. This means that Stuart Park will be extended to the north and park land will replace parking and buildings. The city is working in partnership with the Downtown Kelowna Association (DKA) in the revitalization of Bernard Avenue with work potentially to begin in 2012.

Transit Gets Better Transit improvements continue and

the inventory of bus shelters in Kelowna is going from 48 to 75 and advertising-type shelters from 19 to 28. The additional funding for the new shelters and bus stop infrastructure improvements was provided through the Public Transit Infrastructure Program. Complementary transit passes are provided to an entire school class as a way of encouraging our young people to

experience and learn about the transit sys-tem. I recently travelled from City Hall to UBC-O and back on the rapid bus system with a trip time of 20 minutes!

Children’s Games International Children’s Games took

place from January 26th to 31st and included athletes from countries such as Switzerland, Austria, Greece, USA, Ger-many and Slovenia.

Public Reviewed Transportation PlanThe 2030 draft, 20-year servicing plan

and financial strategy for the transporta-tion network was reviewed by the commu-nity in February. Public input will be used to revise recommendations and will be presented to council. The resulting Official Community Plan (OCP) will then be presented for a public hearing.

Awards Coming The Civic and Community Awards

celebration will take place at the Kelowna Community Theatre on Wednesday, April 27th.

Drive safely this spring season!

Mayor Sharon Shepherd

Parks, bridges, recreation facilities, bike lanes and a pump station are among those that benefited from funding.

The Stuart Park skating rink proved to be very popular.

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The Governor General’s Academic Award for 2010 was presented to Elise Van Brummelen at a special assembly at OKM in December. The award goes to the student who achieves the highest standing in all subjects averaged over grades 11 and 12. Elise’s colossal average was 97.5 %, a truly remarkable achievement by this young Mission resident.

Elise has lived in the Okanagan Mis-sion for 11 years along with her mother, who works at OKM, her father, a school teacher, and her two younger sisters, Jes-sica and Vanessa, both of whom are high achievers in their own right. She feels as an extension of her Christian faith that it is simply her duty to make the most of the gifts she has been given, to work hard and get herself into a position to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

I had the pleasure recently of chatting with Elise and drawing her out on what

interests and inspires her and where she sees her life going into the future. She enjoys playing acoustic and bass guitar—volunteering to back up services at Trinity Baptist Church—and singing. When she had more time, she liked to draw and now makes silk-screened garments from her own designs. In good weather, she enjoys going out for a run and in the winter attends Zumba classes at the H2O Centre. When time allows, she’ll take in a good movie or pursue her love of liter-ary classics, C. S. Lewis being one of her favourite authors. Elise is inspired by the work of Craig Kielburger who, at the age of 12, founded Free The Children, a global network of children helping children to be free of slavery and exploitation.

Elise is now enrolled at UBC-O in an arts program but will shift to sciences next

year. Her goal is to become a physician and possibly specialize in neurology or paediatrics. At the same time, she wants to minor in English literature, valuing a balance between sciences and humanities. She wishes to be the kind of doctor who doesn’t forget to be human. Surely, there is nothing that this exceptional young woman cannot accomplish.

We congratulate her and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Robin Tracy is a past director of the Okanagan Mission Residents’ Associa-tion and the founder of OMRA’s annual bursary award program.

GoveRNoR-GeNeRAl AwARd wiNNeR

Community Profile | by Robin Tracy

Elise Van Brummelen stands with OKM Principal Scott McLean as she proudly holds her

Governor General’s Award and her Highest Academic Achievement Principal’s Award.

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A message fromSTEVE THOMSON

I would be pleased to meet with you to discuss any issues or concerns you have regarding the Provincial Government. Please call the office for an appointment and I will

do my best to accommodate you. Or, feel free to send me an email at the address noted below.

Province of British ColumbiaSTEVE THOMSON

MLA KELOWNA MISSIONOffice: 250-712-3620

E-mail: [email protected]

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This is a regular feature of our maga-zine highlighting public works projects in our community that we sometimes take for granted but may ultimately affect our quality of life.

The City of Kelowna’s Official Community Plan (OCP) is now in its final stages before it is adopted by city council in June. This Plan will outline our infrastructure priorities and the financial strategy for the next 20 years. The final set of open houses was carried out in late February. City staff are currently editing the Plan based on these consultations before reporting their results to council and preparing a bylaw for first reading next month. This will be followed by a

formal referral to the Agricultural Land Commision followed by a public hearing in May 2011.

Okanagan Mission’s largest project will consist of the upgrading of Lakeshore Road with the first phase taking place during the period of 2011 to 2015. The road will be widened to three lanes to accommodate a centre turning lane plus new streetscape features such as, modern overhead lighting and 272 new boule-vard trees. Future phases of the OCP will continue these improvements south to Vintage Terrace and Barnaby Road.

The cost of these improvements will come largely from DCC (Developer Cost Charge) revenues. For example, only 5.1 % of the cost for the Dehart Road

improvements will come from taxpayers’ pockets. Similarly taxpayers will be paying only 8.9% of the upcoming Lakeshore Road improvements.

One interesting change from the previous OCP is the result of public input regarding the 4-laning of Lakeshore Road. Although the 30 metre right-of-way will re-main the same, the artery will be reduced to 3 lanes and include an Active Transpor-tation (pedestrian and cycling) corridor.

Other improvements not shown here include extending Gordon Drive to South Perimeter Way in the years 2016 to 2025.

Len McFarlane is an Okanagan Mission resident and publisher of the Okanagan Mission Review.

In the worksby Len McFarlane

ocP RePoRt

This map represents the approximate OCP time lines for construction along Lakeshore Road.

Map

: Len

McF

arla

ne

Years 2011 to 2015: Road Servicing Plan for Okanagan Mission

Dehart Road Lakeshore Road to Gordon DriveWiden to three lanes to accommodate sidewalks and cycling lanes on both sides with a centre turning lane. Estimated cost $1.7 million.

Lakeshore Road Richter Street to Old Meadows RoadWiden to three lanes to accommodate an Active Transportation corridor from Cook to Old Meadows. Upgrade sewer and water infrastructure and improve street-scapes. Estimated cost $21 million.

Lakeshore Bridge Mission Creek CrossingReplace the old bridge to accommodate the continuity of the widening of Lakeshore Road and its Active Transportation corridor. Include an Active Trans-portation link to the Mission Greenway. Estimated cost $5.7 million.

Lakeshore Bridge Wilson Creek Crossing (beside The Manteo)Replace the old bridge to accommodate the continuity of the widening of Lakeshore Road and its Active Transportation corridor. Estimated cost $1 million.

2011 to 20152021 to 20252027 to 2030 Bridge replacementsAn outline of some of our upcoming

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When someone dials 9-1-1 in the Central Okanagan, the answer allows a re-gional district operator to direct the caller to the appropriate emergency service dispatcher for immediate response.

Counseling and PolicingYou may not realize that the Regional

District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) provides many other services to you and your family. Counseling, support and in-formation for victims of crime is provided through the Regional District. RDCO staff work with the volunteer board to offer the successful non-profit Crime Stoppers pro-gram throughout the Central Okanagan. Dog Control Officers promote awareness, education and encouragement of respon-

sible dog ownership while, in the interest of public safety, also provide enforcement activities.

How it all startedThe Regional District was created in

1967 by the Provincial government to fulfill three basic roles.

First, we provide a practical vehicle for the efficient and cost effective delivery of region-wide services to residents of our member municipalities and unincor-porated electoral areas. The Economic Development Commission and Regional Waste Reduction Office are additional

examples of services that provide an ef-fective ‘economy of scale’ right across the Central Okanagan.

Second, regional districts provide a political and administrative framework for inter-municipal or sub-regional partner-ships. An example of this is the Westside Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant which is operated by the Regional District in conjunction with the District of West Kelowna, District of Peachland and West-bank First Nation.

Finally, the regional district acts as the

it’s All Good

RDCO Profile | by Bruce Smith

the Regional district of the central okangan plays many roles in adding to our quality of life in okanagan mission.

The 19-kilometre Mission Creek Greenway Regional Park recreational trail is popular with those on foot, cyclists and the occasional horse rider.

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Mission-area residents know, the RDCO is also responsible for providing the region-wide response plan for emergencies. The 2003 Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park firestorm showed just how valuable a regional response is in a time of crisis. In the time since, other catastrophes in other communities brought together staff from various municipalities at the Emergency Operation Centre to support responders on the ground during the crisis.

Waste ReductionOur Regional Waste Reduction Office

has for many years been on the forefront of programs and initiatives designed to encourage each of us to practice the three R’s by reducing, reus-ing and recycling. Our program was expanded in 2007 to include the recycling of all numbered plastic products and late last year we began offering a one stop, year round centre for the safe and environ-mentally friendly disposal of household hazardous waste materials. This service is

available Monday through Saturday thanks to a contract with Battery Doctors, 1972 Windsor Road. With the continued sup-port and diligence of all Central Okanagan residents and businesses, we’ll provide effective options and assistance to reduce the amount of waste and expand the life expectancy of the region’s only active landfill.

ParksIf you’ve ever walked or cycled along

the Mission Creek Greenway, heard the owls hoot in the silence of Woodhaven Nature Conservancy or visited the Mission area’s waterfront gem, Bertram Creek

Regional Park, the regional district has positively contrib-uted to your quality of life. Our Parks

Services department stewards 29 parks in the regional park system from Peach-land to Lake Country. While some offer playgrounds and other structures more commonly found in the neighbourhood municipal park down the street, these

regional parks are larger in size and are often more natural in their experience. They conserve, preserve and protect significant ecosystems that are important to our region.

Over the past year we’ve made sig-nificant improvements to Bertram Creek Park, installing a new viewing platform, providing a new access area for boaters, while improving safety for swimmers. And through our Regional Parks Legacy funds, we recently purchased property next to the Scout’s Camp Dunlop in the Lebanon Creek area with the goal of one day creat-ing an additional linear recreational cor-ridor leading to Cedar Mountain Regional Park, further protecting this important south slopes ecosystem.

Learn MoreTo learn more about the Regional Dis-

trict, its programs and activities, visit www.regionaldistrict.com.

Bruce Smith is the Communications Coordinator for the Central Okanagan Regional District.

the Rdco covers the okangan valley from Peachland to lake country.

“Over the past year we’ve made many improvements to

Bertram Creek.”

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Tucked away near the end of Lakeshore Road, Bertram Creek Regional Park is perfect for family picnics, special events and a dip in the lake. A new fishing/viewing pier

and other waterfront improvements are designed to improve swimmer safety.


Of the many symbols used to represent the Okanagan, nothing is more distinctive than the iconic “Sails” image. And there is nowhere better to experi-ence sailing first hand than at the Central Okanagan Sailing Association (COSA) on Hobson Road.

COSA has long been recognized as one of the best sail training centres in Canada. Winner of the Canadian Yachting As-sociation’s Best Sailing School in Canada multiple times, COSA has consistently provided some of the most innovative and exciting sailing classes around. Want to know how fun sailing lessons are at COSA? Just ask any of 2700 students who partook in lessons in 2010, a majority of whom were under the age of 12, and as young as four years of age! Of course, any of the 200 adults who took lessons last summer will tell you that moms and dads can learn to sail too!

The list of programs available at COSA is staggering. Puddle Jumper lessons are taught on Sabots for kids between the ages of four and seven; eight-to-10-year-

olds enjoy Wind Rider lessons on Optimists; while 11-to-18-year-olds will work their way through the always popular CYA White Sail and Bronze Sail. Of course, if your kids want something a little different, how about catamaran lessons on new Hobie Cats, or maybe windsurfing lessons?

Adults need not feel neglected, as just about every lesson program that is available for youth is duplicated for adults looking to get their feet wet. This includes windsurfing lessons, which are taught on new wide-boards with ultra light sails. Re-member trying windsurfing in your youth only to find that you couldn’t get back to shore again? Improvements to equip-ment designs and some of the best sailing coaches in the country make windsurfing and sailing lessons fun –and easy.

Sailing lessons are offered from early May until late October, although a major-ity of youth take lessons during July and August. While younger students enjoy

lessons that take place from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday, parents wish-ing to ensure that their teens get a more vigorous workout will enroll their kids in the Combo program, which includes sailing, windsurfing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Adult lessons take place over a three week period, running Monday and Thursday evenings with new programs starting monthly beginning in May. May and June also includes lessons for stu-dents of School District #23, who partake in a full day of sailing as part of regular class field trips.

When the people of COSA say that they offer sailing lessons to everyone, they really mean everyone. Almost 20 years ago, COSA started offering sailing les-

Community Report | by Devin Rubadeau

sAiliNG is foR eveRYoNe

A young sailor enjoys going for a ride on a catamaran.

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sons to people with disabilities. This has continued every year, including last year, when two brand new sailboats designed for physically-challenged sailors were purchased. Using special lifts and modi-fied equipment, kids, teens, and adults with these challenges can enjoy a sail by themselves or with a friend, or even as part of regular sailing lessons.

The success of COSA’s learn to sail program cannot be attributed to any one element. Volunteers, many of whom have won local, provincial, and national recognition for their continued efforts to the club’s sailing programs, ensure

that boats are maintained, the facility is clean and attractive, and that the coaches receive the support that they need to be successful. Meanwhile, the coaches are some of Canada’s best, having won awards for their efforts on and off the water. The equipment that the coaches use is some of the best, and includes over 40 different

sailing craft, all of which are in excellent condition, or even new.

Devin Rubadeau is the Regional Sail-ing Coach for the Central Okanagan, and the Sailing Director for COSA. Devin has been coaching, sailing and windsurf-ing for almost 20 years.

with okanagan lake on our doorstep a good knowledge of sailing can turn itinto a very large and safe playground for the whole family.

Young sailors between the ages of 4 and 9 enjoy a little race on the water.

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A majority of Canadians who sail have taken the “White Sail” lessons

at some time in their lives.

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Adult Sailing Lessons (18+)3 weeks (evenings) $180Sessions Start May 16 Adult Windsurfing Lessons (18+) 2 days (evenings) $119Sessions Start June 20 Puddle Jumpers (4 to 7)1 week (mornings) $99Sessions start July 4 Wind Riders (8 to 10)1 week (mornings) $115Sessions start July 4

White Sail 1 and 2 (11 to 18)1 week (mornings) $125Sessions start July 4

Bronze Sail 4 and 5 (12 to 18) 2 weeks (9 am to 3 pm) $330Sessions start July 4

White Sail 3 (12 to 18)2 weeks (mornings) $260Sessions start July 5

Youth COMBO Lessons * (9 to 18)1 week (9 am to 3 pm) $249Sessions start July 11

Youth Windsurfing Lessons (9 to 18)1 week (afternoons) $159 Sessions start July 11 Youth Catamaran Lessons (11 to 18)1 week (afternoons) $199Sessions start July 11

Family Weekend Lessons (5+)2 days (9 am to 3 pm) $90Sessions start July 16

Learn to Race and Silver 6 (8 to 18) 1 week (9 am to 3 pm) $175July 25 to 29

* Youth COMBO includes Sailing, Windsurfing, and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding!

For more information please go to www.cosa.ca or call 250-764-2203

COSA’s 2011 Spring and Summer lineup of opportunities


“I’ve never seen a better maintained sailing facility,” said Vancouverite sailing competitor Robert Schleigenfeit of the Central Okanagan Sailing Association’s (COSA) complex located at the northern end of Hobson Road, just off of Lakeshore Road. The history of the only small boat sailing club in the Okanagan between Winfield and Summerland has been a labour of love, commitment, volunteerism and learning.

Volunteerism has been at the heart and core of the development of this nationally-

and provincially-certified sailing institution in Kelowna, which still leases its recently pave-stoned land and newly-painted build-ing facilities. “All of the work was done by members who volunteered their time to do a great deal of work,” states Learn to Sail director Gillian Thomson.

“It all started, for me, as a father and son activity,” states Bazett, long-time member, present executive and one of the founding sons of COSA, “It was ’68 or

so and my father and I, along with several other fathers and sons in the community, were working on our small sailboats.”

According to COSA’s 1992-93 brochure, the idea fermented, and fomented, for ten years in the minds of Doug Gillett, Neil MacGibbon, Graham Kinnear, Bob Bazett, Bob Primeau and Bill Thomas as an ad hoc group writing a letter to the City of Kelowna in 1978—a location was found. “After years of a membership possibility for small boat sailors with the downtown

Yacht Club (we sailed on the lake and stored our small boats where the walkway is now) we realized we needed our own place,” states Bazett, “and the city apportioned the old sea plane warehouse to us where the Delta Grand hotel now resides on that land.”

COSA was established on March 21, 1979 and at their first annual general meeting Doug Gil-lett was voted their first president. However, the now-organized group of sailors would have to move to its present Hobson

Road home quickly, because of growing membership and a growing need for more space — the first earth was turned in the fall of 1983.

“The building was erected by folks in Return to Work programs sponsored by government, paid workers and foremen, and, of course, volunteering members of COSA,” states Bazett. By April of 1984, the facility was open for business.

By early 1985 key players who would

make large contributions of their time over the next 25 years arose. Jim Mac-Donell supervised much of the facilities construction and played various roles in the executive. Bob Bazett was named as the first director of the Learn to Sail (LTS) program. In 1985 Ron Rubadeau supervised and co-ordinated the responsi-bilities of five staff members with the help of a Job Track program that amounted to $69,000. A young Gillian Thomson started to learn how to sail. Others played key roles at certain points of the club’s history, people like the honourable John Hindle, mayor of Kelowna, who played a role in finding the Hobson location. Mike Gillett and Bob Bazett, along with several volunteers, would spend thousands of man hours on a rebuild program for the Flying Juniors boats. “We started to call them [the boats] the flying Bazetts,” said the executive.

“In my first race, in 1986, I finished last,” states Thomson. “Four years later, I won the Hobie 18 Women’s World Cham-pionship, placed second the following year and competed in six world champi-onships in total.” Thomson became the Learn To Sail director in 1986 and has remained in that position to the present—a highlight was a trip to Toronto where Gillian received the William Abbott Senior Trophy for COSA—the annual award goes to the best training facility for sailing in Canada. There are hundreds of clubs in

Community History Report | by Rand Zacharias

ceNtRAl oKANAGAN sAiliNG AssociAtioN

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Bob Bazett and Gillian Thomson

Heavy lifting a portion of the dock into place.


the running—and COSA stands alone win-ning it twice, in 1991 and in 2000.

“I took lessons, got hooked and have made friendships all around the world,” replies Thomson when looking back at her sailing career.

“For me, the challenge of taking the wind,” says Bazett, “and challenging your competitor who has the same wind—chal-lenging him with your skill, your senses, to do more and win that race. It’s defi-nitely an adrenaline rush—when you push yourself to that limit—it’s an incredible feeling.” Bazett won the Bob Giordano Man of the Year award in 1997 for his volunteer efforts on the boats he worked so hard on.

Ron Rubadeau has played a most important role for COSA over the decades. He became the club’s first Senior National PRO—principal race officer—the referee. This position not only put Rubadeau in a boat on the lake during competi-tive events, but also overseeing several volunteers in two or three motorboats, waving flags, co-ordinating starts, marking courses—and requiring strict adherence to international rules and standards set by the International Sailing Association Fed-eration (ISAF). Rubadeau continued in this position for over 20 years—and won the 1998 Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management—the best race officer of the year.

Every year, from the very onset of the club, the Springtime Regatta has been COSA’s big event where all are welcome to view the beauty and majesty of sailing. Up to 100 competitors participate in up to

50 sailing vessels for all to see and enjoy.

The history of the club has been about family, friends and the love of a wonderful sport that has been taught to tens of thousands of young people over the course of COSA’s short history.

“We’re hoping to expand if the city will allow us to,” states Thomson, “our membership waiting list is actively looking for our expansion as the 80 boats we store right now show the need for our continued growth.”

The unique harbour, nestled just south of the William Bennett Bridge, makes the facility an excellent training site and with events like the International Federation of Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Trapseat 16 World Championships in 2002 & 2005, the North American Seaspray Championship in 2006, Youth World’s Canadian Qualifi-ers Hobie 16 in 2007, and the BC Summer Games in 1994 and 2008, to name but a few more recent competitions, COSA has world-class accommodations to play host to the world, local competitors and sailing amateurs for the decades ahead.

May the wind always be at your back, and your sails always open for more knowledge.

Rand Zacharias is a Kelowna journal-ist and book author.

A legacy of family, friends and the love of a wonderful sport.

Ron Rubadeau presenting the BC Sailing Circuit award to Brian Hardy, COSA Youth Team member.

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#201 - 1583 Ellis Street, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 2A7Bus: 250-861-8440 Cell: 250-862-4685

Email: [email protected]

Fred J. LindsayAACI, P.App., Dipl.T., R.I.

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There is always something to cel-ebrate living in Kelowna’s Okanagan Mis-sion, and spring itself is a great reason to make merry. This year’s Spring Okanagan Wine Festival offers ten days and dozens of ways to please your palate…right in your own back yard!

The Spring Okanagan Wine Festival takes place from April 29 to May 8, with event venues located all around the Okanagan. In the Okanagan Mission, there are close to 10 new events, along with nine or 10 perennial favorites. Add to that the ever-popular WestJet Tastings, and you’ve got a schedule that guarantees back-to-back good times. From the area’s own wineries to some of Kelowna’s finest restaurants, the best in food and wine is at your fingertips. Here are just a few ideas to get you started on planning your own agenda.

One sure-to-please new event will take place at Pioneer Market, which will host five East Kelowna wineries in the first Fab Five Tailgate Bash. Great music, delicious food and amazing wines from Camelot Winery, House of Rose, Sperling Vineyards, SpierHead Winery and Vibrant Vines are featured at this April 30 event.

Manteo Resort hosts a Salute to Food and Wine Kitchen Party on May 1, where you can meet some of the region’s most talented chefs, wine makers and wine personalities.

On May 5, Cabana Grill joins forces with Seven Stones Winery for a great dinner with live music.

The Hotel Eldorado is hosting a unique ‘white on white’ party to welcome the spring sea-son. Guests are encouraged to wear their best white cocktail attire, and there will be a plethora of wonderful white wines and delicious appetizers. Mark your calendar for Thursday May 5.

One of the new events that promises to become an annual one is the Cel-lar Dinner, Dancing and Winemaker’s Olympics at The View winery on May 7. A combination of fine food, great wine and live entertainment combined with the winemakers’ competition – including awards and closing ceremonies – is being planned.

If you’re looking for the perfect – and unique – Mother’s Day gift, be sure to squire Mom to House of Rose Winery on May 7 and 8, where she’ll receive a free glass of special wine, free appies, choco-late and free wine tastings. Hard to beat an invitation like that.

Also, don’t forget to check with all of the local wineries including CedarCreek, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, St. Hubertus and Tantalus Vineyards. They all have plenty of great events scheduled through-out the spring Okanagan Wine Festival.

Another event worth noting is Cabana Grill’s annual Gourmet & Grapes…Iron Chef Okanagan Throwdown. This mixing, mingling and grazing evening boasts food stations from some of the Okanagan’s most talented chefs, including Jesse Croy,

Jeremy Luypen, Heath Cates and Cabana’s own Ned Bell.

Christina Ferreira, Wine Festival Co-ordinator, sums it up best:

“We’re really excited to see the winer-ies in the Okanagan Mission Area and East Kelowna creating some fantastic new events. We encourage guests to buy their tickets early, as they do sell out.”

For event and ticket information, visit www.thewinefestivals.com

Deanna Merrick is a freelance writer who lives in Okanagan Mission.

March 22 Wild T and the SpiritMarch 31 John Gilliat TrioApril 2 Elizabeth ShepherdApril 9 Royal WoodApril 12 James Keelaghan

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Voted best place to eatand hear live music!

10 days of tastings, treats, tailgates and tours for oenophiles.

wiNe time

Wine Festival Report | by Deanna Merrick

Pioneer Market on Benvoulin enters the Spring Festival.

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School Updateby Sharon Spring

cRowdiNG issues

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The fall issue of the Okanagan Mis-sion Review outlined the detailed process the School District 23 staff and board were going through to resolve overcrowding in the Mission area schools, mainly due to the implementation of full day kinder-garten. We are able to report that the lengthy process was completed with final resolution at the school board meeting on January 12th, 2011.

What will be implemented for Septem-ber, 2011 is as follows:

• Anne McClymont Elementary (AME) will re-open the primary school build-ing - funding to come from the full day kindergarten roll-out from the Ministry of Education.

• Dorothea Walker Elementary (DWE) will implement French immersion (FI) alongside their existing English program. K to grade 3 will be implemented this year and one additional grade each year will be added until DWE is fully dual track FI up to grade 6.

• Chute Lake Elementary (CLE) will receive two new modular classrooms (por-tables) - funding to come from the full day kindergarten roll-out from the Ministry of Education.

All three area elementary schools will remain K-7 schools with continued discus-sion around the next school for the area to be a possible middle school (grades 7-9). If and when that happens, grade 7 students would shift away from the three

local elementary schools and grades 8 and 9 would shift away from Okanagan Mission Secondary School (OKM). This would give badly needed space to all four schools. There seems to be agreement at all levels locally that this is an urgent project.

Registration for the 2011-12 school year started on Feb 1st and one fear of area parents appears to be coming true. On the first day of registration there were families lined up from the early hours of the morning at Chute Lake Elementary resulting in 72 new students registered for kindergarten alone. In contrast, there were 33 registered for kindergarten at AME and 14 English and 34 French immer-sion at DWE.

Many Mission area parents advocated strongly for catchment boundary adjust-ments to be done at the same time as the above changes to ensure that the school populations were better balanced. This proposal was not approved by the district and board. We feel that these initial registration numbers support the claim that CLE boundaries are too large for the school’s capacity, even with the additional two new modular classrooms. A number of students may be sent to AME as it is designated as the “overflow” school.

We feel this will continue to cause frustration and upset for families as they are unsure whether some or all of their children will be attending CLE or AME for

the next few years with the likelihood of families having students in two different schools.

In addition, DWE parents will be focus-ing on implementing French Immersion and working hard to ensure an integrated and healthy balance between the French immersion and English school popula-tions. It is vital that they continue to have access to growth neighbourhoods as well to ensure their English student population continues to grow at the same pace as the French Immersion.

As Kettle Valley, South Ridge and the new Ponds neighbourhoods continue to grow and new families continue to move into our neighbourhoods, it will be chal-lenging for the School District to keep pace with the growth and make the ad-justments required to accommodate our students appropriately in their neighbour-hood schools in the coming years while we wait for a new school. It takes years for a new school to go through the plan-ning, approval, budgeting and develop-ment phases. As parents of school-aged children, we need to continue to apply pressure to the school district, school board, city, and provincial government to insist that the building of a new school in Okanagan Mission is a priority.

Sharon Spring is the Parents Advisory Council President for Chute Lake Elemen-tary School.

school populations to be better balanced.Two state of the art modular classrooms will be added to Chute Lake Elementary.


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In a word: spectacular. In location alone, nature was very good to CedarCreek. So we work hard at being nature’s equal in all other ways.

Try the Spring releases of our new winemaker Daryl Brooker; 2010 Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Ehrenfelser, Pinot Gris and our first ever Rosé.

We have put incredible effort in the little things that make these wines as remarkable as the views that surround our winery. And the results show in every bottle. On that, you have our word

Documents

OKMR Spring 2011