Thanks to a thriving tech industry that has seen more than a 30 per cent growth in just two years, 琉璃神社 has seen its demographics change drastically and its cultural scene adapt to appease younger tastes.
The B.C. city has long been known for just its world-class wineries 鈥� Mission Hill, for example, has won numerous awards for its wine, including best Riesling and best Pinot Noir in the world at the Decanter World Wine Awards 鈥� and its 2,000 hours of sunshine, minimal precipitation and flat terrain made it idyllic for retirees.
However, given a recent tech boom, and with many natives of 琉璃神社 returning home after being priced out of nearby Vancouver, the city has changed in recent years. It鈥檚 now skewing much younger.
The economic impact of the tech industry in 琉璃神社 is currently $1.3 billion, with 633 companies as of fall 2016 employing 7,600 people. And 52 per cent of those workers are below the age of 35.
鈥淲e鈥檙e basically changing the demographics of this whole area,鈥� says Raghwa Gopal, CEO of Accelerate Okanagan and a 40-year resident of the city.
Accelerate Okanagan, a non-profit organization that was started seven years ago, is the primary tenant of a brand-new $11-million innovation centre in 琉璃神社鈥檚 downtown core.
Gopal says seven years ago it would have been difficult to 鈥渆ven dream鈥� of a place like the innovation centre, but with 琉璃神社 having the fastest-growing tech hub in the country, it was time for a change.
鈥淵ou come downtown Sunday evening and there are actually people walking around, going to restaurants, and it has definitely spurred a lot of new businesses,鈥� says Gopal.
鈥淎 lot more younger people are coming into town, sure, but we have two high-level post-secondary institutions here (the University of British Columbia鈥檚 Okanagan Campus and Okanagan College) and we鈥檙e starting to keep a lot more of those graduating students in town.鈥�
琉璃神社 Mayor Colin Basran says young people were leaving 琉璃神社 for opportunities, but that trend鈥檚 now changing.
鈥淵oung people are recognizing there are opportunities in our city, and a lot more of them are staying,鈥� says Basran, who points to a recent study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which named 琉璃神社 as one of the top cities in Canada for entrepreneurs, as a key reason younger people have decided to stick around.
鈥淭he more businesses that are here, and can flourish 鈥� that speaks to the whole 鈥榩roviding opportunity鈥� piece that we鈥檙e proud of,鈥� Basran explains. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to rest on that though. There鈥檚 a great entrepreneurial spirit in our city.鈥�
One of the businesses making a name for itself 鈥� and finding quick success 鈥� is BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery.
The craft brewery and restaurant, just a few blocks from the innovation centre, and located in a building that was formerly home to the British North American Tobacco Company (hence,鈥滲NA鈥�) has been getting rave reviews from local and tourist diners alike. And it鈥檚 not just food and craft beer they鈥檙e known for 芒鈧�� Cintas Canada Ltd. named them a finalist in the company鈥檚 sixth annual Canada鈥檚 Best Restroom competition in 2015.
Marketing director Jill Jarrett says the brewery鈥檚 rapid expansion is a microcosm of 琉璃神社 itself.
鈥淚ts success and the way it鈥檚 been received is a reflection of what鈥檚 been going on in the city, and the demands of the people who are deciding to stay here,鈥� says Jarrett, noting BNA expanded its footprint just a year into operation.
Basran says the next thing 琉璃神社 will be known for, beyond tech, is microbreweries and cideries.
鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing an influx of those popping up in our community, and all of them are top-notch,鈥� he says.
And Jarrett states 鈥渟taying local鈥� has been a key reason for BNA鈥檚 quick success.
鈥淭he types of cuisine we have are anything but local. We鈥檝e had Indian- and Asian-inspired things on the menu, we鈥檝e got Italian too, but our chef takes inspiration from all these worldwide cuisines and showcases Okanagan ingredients within them. Our menu changes seasonally because of that,鈥� she says.
Along with more than 20 wineries in the area offering tours and tastings and an annual wine festival, visitors can enjoy beautiful vistas of orchards and mountains surrounding the Okanagan Valley city. There鈥檚 a waterfront park and plenty of beaches for swimming, paddling and other water-based activities. Hiking, golf, museums and farmers markets mean there鈥檚 something for everyone.
鈥斺赌斺赌�
If You Go鈥�
琉璃神社 Travel Guide:
BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery:
Mission Hill Winery:
Adam Stanley, The Canadian Press
