DKA Nets Top Honors at Best In The West Awards

The Downtown Kelowna Association (DKA) has been recognized as “Best In The West” for its role in making Kelowna’s downtown an increasingly desirable place to live, conduct business, work, and play.

The 2022 Best In The West Awards were presented on Tuesday, May 3 as part of this year’s Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC) Conference in Coquitlam.

The DKA received three awards in total: the Award of Merit in Special Events for the DKA Winter Street Market (2021), the Award of Excellence in Programming & Partnerships for Meet Me on Bernard (2021), and the Award of Excellence in Safety & Security for DKA’s On-Street Services.

DKA Executive Director, Mark Burley, accepted the awards on behalf of the organization. When accepting the Award of Excellence for Meet Me on Bernard, Burley gratefully acknowledged the valuable partnership that exists between the DKA, the City of Kelowna, and Tourism Kelowna who work together to produce the initiative. Meet Me on Bernard is the summertime, temporary closure of Bernard Avenue from Abbot Street to St. Paul. Meet Me on Bernard returns for a third season beginning July 1 this year.  

Especially significant is the Award of Excellence in Safety & Security, which highlights the continued work of DKA’s On-Street Services Department. Covering a 42-square block radius, the On-Street Services teams are dedicated to the safety, security, and cleanliness of Downtown Kelowna during and after business hours. The Downtown On Call (DOC) and Clean Team ambassadors are the most visible members of the DKA, working with business members, visitors to Downtown, the RCMP, and social service agencies to help foster and maintain a positive social environment in Downtown Kelowna. On-Street Services Manager, Ron Beahun, who will retire later this year was instrumental in the creation of the department in 2008.