Despite delays caused by Westside Road Interchange repairs, Okanagan Lake Shopping Centre is still eying down a spring opening.
Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie said that soft openings on certain businesses within the shopping centre could begin as early as May 17.
“May 17 we have a soft opening of the Shopper’s Drug Mart and, I believe, the theatre. Most of (the businesses) are getting ready for June 1,” said Louie.
Louie said that construction on Okanagan Lake Shopping Centre was impacted by the Westside Road Interchange failure in November that brought on nearly four months of repairs and a temporary realignment of Highway 97.
“Definitely, we’ve been impacted,” said Louie.
The WFN chief noted that work was delayed on a chunk of land located on the most southerly portion of the property.
“Everything else is pretty much on schedule.”
Okanagan Lake Shopping Centre will house the following businesses: Shopper’s Drug Mart, TD Canada Trust, Royal Bank, Dairy Queen, Subway, Yamato, Sammy J’s, Dollarama and a liquor store.
One of the most notable features will be an eight screen Landmark Cinemas facility. During the ground breaking ceremony on April 6, 2011, the cinema was touted as a state of the art facility with one screen being similar to an IMAX experience.
Louie hopes that the theatre will attract not only West Kelowna residents, but also those in Kelowna’s downtown area. He added the location is a major appeal to many of the tenants in the new shopping centre.
Most businesses in Okanagan Lake Shopping Centre will be open by June 1; however, WFN is looking to host an official grand opening celebration at some point in July.wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
