It took three tied votes and a random draw to select the new chair for the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) Board.

琉璃神社 Councillor Loyal Wooldridge was chosen as chair, returning to the role he stepped away from earlier this year to run in the provincial election for the BC NDP. According to RDCO governance rules, a random draw is used to break a tie after three rounds of voting.

Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland, who served as chair during Wooldridge鈥檚 absence, was elected vice-chair.

鈥淚 am deeply honoured to be elected as chair once again,鈥� said Wooldridge. 鈥淚 want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Vice-Chair Ireland for his exemplary leadership over the past six months.鈥�

Ireland had taken over the chair role from Central Okanagan East Director Kevin Kraft, who served as vice-chair since November 2023.

鈥淢y leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration, and I am excited to work alongside Chair Wooldridge to represent all residents of the Central Okanagan,鈥� Ireland said. 鈥淚 also want to thank Director Kraft for his dedication and partnership as vice-chair. It has been a pleasure working with him over the past six months.鈥�

The RDCO board elects its chair annually, with elections held during the first meeting each November.