Life. The Okanagan Way
Nestled in the scenic Okanagan Valley between Kelowna and Vernon, Lake Country is part of the fast-growing
Central Okanagan region with a population of more than 185,000—the largest population centre between
Vancouver and Calgary. Bisected by Highway 97 and boasting easy air access via the Kelowna International Airport,
Lake Country has become a hub of growth and innovation for tourism, agriculture, technology, business and the
arts.
Serene Okanagan lakes, exquisite orchards and vineyards, and miles of sun-drenched landscapes: this is Life, the
Okanagan Way—and it’s what makes Lake Country the perfect setting for work and play.
Lake Country is home to four distinct neighbourhood communities which were incorporated as a district
municipality in 1995: Oyama, Winfield, Carr’s Landing and Okanagan Centre.
A place to learn
The Okanagan Valley is home to three centres of higher learning, Okanagan College, the University of British
Columbia’s Okanagan campus and the Centre for Arts and Technology. Accommodating more than 15,000 students
and generating an economic impact upwards of $300 million per year, the Okanagan’s post-secondary institutions
are the economic engines driving growth through research, development and job-ready graduates. More than half
of Lake Country’s workforce holds a trades certificate or college or university degree.
A place to grow
Central Okanagan and the Okanagan Valley continue to undergo significant urban development, and currently have
more than 568 hectares of development-ready, industrially-zoned land available to meet the growing demands of a
population expected to reach 250,000 by 2030. In the District of Lake Country, more than ten hectares of
commercially-zoned land have been serviced and set aside for the development of the community’s commercial and
cultural core, a traditional mixed-use commercial and residential neighbourhood. The District of Lake Country is
committed to helping business build, work and invest in the area, and offers competitive businesses tax rates lower
than the provincial average.
A place to prosper
Lake Country isn’t just a place to work—it’s a place to truly live. Residents enjoy hot summers and temperate
winters with boundless opportunities for year-round recreation: from water sports to cycling, golfing, skiing, hiking
and much more. Within a one-hour drive of three destination ski resorts and enjoying miles of lake front beaches
and parks, Lake Country is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. The vibrant, tight-knit community is also rich in culture,
offering extraordinary arts and entertainment, as well as acclaimed fine and casual dining. A place to learn, grow
and prosper, Lake Country offers limitless opportunity set in unspoiled natural beauty.
2015 Annual Report
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