Kelowna BC






previous A Pictorial History of Kelowna BC

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Okanagan Floating Bridge
Okanagan Lake Bridge
  • Largest Floating Bridge in Canada - overall length 7/8 mile
  • Lift Span is 265 feet long and can be raised to provide 60 feet of vertical clearance.
  • The Okanagan Lake Bridge was officially opened by H.R.H. Princess Margaret and Premier W.A.C. Bennett on July 19, 1958.
  • It was a toll bridge up until April 1, 1963.
  • Total construction time - 2 years.
Kelowna Airport
Opening of Ellison Field Air Terminal

     August 11, 1960, was one of the hottest days in Kelowna's history, when George Hees, Conservative Minister of Transport, fired a Very pistol to officially open Kelowna Airport. Improvements to Ellison Airfield were made by the federal government through the constant lobbying of Mayor Dick Parkinson.


The Bennetts Father and Son
William Andrew Cecil Bennett William Richard Bennett
     One of Kelowna's most remarkable citizens was the late William Andrew Cecil Bennett, the hardware merchant who became British columbia's Social Credit Premier in 1952 and ruled the province for 20 continuous, productive years.
     Mr. Bennett died in February, 1979.
     Following in his father's political footsteps William Richard Bennett was first elected as a South Okanagan MLA in September, 1973, representing Social Credit. He became a Premier in December, 1975, and was re-elected in May of 1979.
     Bill Bennett was born in Kelowna in 1932 and has always been active in sports, business and community affairs.

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