Kelowna, British Columbia

Kelowna (2001 population 96,288, metropolitan population 147,739) is a city on Okanagan Lake in the interior of British Columbia, Canada.

- Kelowna, B.C. -

First settled by missionaries in 1859, Kelowna was officially incorporated in 1906. Neighbouring towns include Westbank to the west, Peachland to the southwest, and Penticton south of Peachland. Travel by car from Vancouver is expedited by going through the towns of Abbotsford, Hope, and Merritt, a trip of approximately 425 km.

The service industry employs the most people in Kelowna, the largest city in the tourist-oriented Okanagan Valley. In summer, boating is popular and in winter, Alpine skiing at the nearby Big White Ski Resort.

Kelowna is home to the late Premier of British Columbia, W.A.C. Bennett and the birthplace of his son, William R. Bennett, who would also become Premier of the province.

Major League Baseball player, Jeff Zimmerman of the Texas Rangers was born here.

Sports Teams:

• Kelowna Falcons - baseball team
• Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League

Events of Significance:

• In August 2003, a nearby wildfire destroyed over 200 homes and forced the temporary evacuation of approximately 20,000 residents.

External link: http://www.kelownabc.com/index.html