BUSINESS
ENTERTAINMENT
THE OKANAGAN SUN has introduced its new head coach, Gavin Lake, who says a championship-calibre team is job No. 1.
COLUMNIST Maxine DeHart says a new service has arrived in Kelowna—a mobile physiotherapist. Hitting the road, physiotherapist Jason Gordon will bring his services to you.
BUCKMAN COE, who will be playing at the Minstrel Cafe Saturday to wrap up his current tour, says he has learned a thing or two while out on the road playing.
A21
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THURSDAY April 19, 2012 The Central Okanagan’s Best-Read Newspaper www.kelownacapnews.com
▼ KELOWNA
Airport hotel announced
Ground has already been broken for a project that’s being lauded as evidence of Kelowna’s maturing economic profile. And if all goes according to the plans announced Wednesday, those early stages of construction will lead to a Four Points Sheraton hotel that could very well change the dynamic of the Airport business development area— maybe even Kelowna— by this time next year. “For eight years I’ve been with Starwood,” said Scott Duff, senior director of development for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “And for eight years we’ve been talking about this project.” With 60 hotels in Canada, and 1,000 around the world, his company usually puts down roots in “major urban (centres), near airports and hotels.” But $20-million, stateof-the-art, 120-room hotels aren’t plonked down anywhere. Key to making a commitment is an analysis of the market, the site chosen and the partnerships that will make the brand a success. All those conditions came into alignment in recent months. Set across the street from an airport that ranks between eighth to 10th busiest in Canada in any given year, offers some in-
centive and recently announced upgrades offer more. As Mayor Walter Gray pointed out, the airport—which marks the “northern gateway to Kelowna”—will only get bigger and better. “We have approved a $62-million capital project over the next four years,” said Gray. “Having 1.6 million passengers a year, is the goal.” It’s a lofty one, but Kelowna itself is expanding. In the last census it was cited as the fourth-fastest growing Canadian city, and Gray said that it’s likely the area population will swell to 300,000-plus in the years ahead. Finally, local development company Argus proved to Starwood through previous projects that it has what it takes to make the hotel a major success. All the conditions for the business partnership aligning will also amount to a boon for the community. Argus representative, Tom Killingsworth, said the hotel will bring 85 fulltime jobs to the area, during the construction phase and 60 full-time and part time jobs once it’s operational. “Four Points will be a hub,” he said. “A new place for business and local gatherings.” kmichaels@kelownacapnews.com
GREG KRASICHYNSKI/CONTRIBUTOR
FIRE…An early morning fire at a Burtch Road townhouse complex gutted one home, left another uninhabitable for the time being and sent shivers through evacuated residents at the complex at the thought of what else could have happened. (See story page A4)
▼ POLICE
Fake firearms fire up Kelowna Mounties Kathy Michaels STAFF REPORTER
A fake gun frenzy washed over Kelowna this week, scaring area residents and keeping cops on their toes. The first of two episodes was sparked by a graduation tradition gone seriously awry in the 1800-block of Cross-
glen Court on April 16, at 10:30 p.m., explained Const. Kris Clark. “Apparently, a group of (young men) exited three vehicles, all wearing masks and brandishing firearms,” he said. That sight prompted a neighbour to call 911, and when the police swooped in they found the teens nearby. Mounties quickly
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determined that they were participating in a grad kidnapping, seized six imitation guns and spoke with some parents who weren’t exactly pleased with the police attention. “One guardian described the event as ‘harmless pranks’ but the police disagree,” said Clark. Mounties disagreed so strongly that they held a
the Kelowna RCMP were called to a report of a man waving around what appeared to be a handgun in the parking lot of the Same Sun Hostel, 245 Harvey Ave.,” he said. “Upon police attendance, it became very clear that the gun was a toy, con-
See RCMP A3
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dealer 2012 CADILLAC CTS SKT#55675
press conference April 17 to show how fake firearms can look menacing to an untrained eye and issued a public plea to keep them tucked away. Clark may have hoped it would mark the end of area gunplay, but by that night another episode was called to the police’s attention. “Just before 7 p.m.,
MSRP $43,530
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31,990
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STAFF REPORTER
McCurdy Rd.
HW
Kathy Michaels
+ Leathead Rd. Hwy 33w