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VISIONARIES, RISK TAKERS BEHIND YLW’S


By Tracey Fredrickson F


rom a simple grass airstrip used in the late 1920s in Rutland to its evolution as a major international airport, YLW has a colourful history that parallels


the growth of the Okanagan Valley. The one constant over the years has been the vision and foresight of the City of Kelowna and other stakeholders who realized from the start the economic impact the airport would always have on the region.


The City’s interest in aviation can be traced back to 1914 when an open-top Curtiss hydroplane was assembled at Hot Sands Beach and took off from the water on floats to entertain crowds during Regatta. The airport’s official history took off in 1946 when Kelowna residents voted by a narrow margin – only by six votes - to purchase the 320-acre property in Ellison, formerly a tobacco ranch, for $20,000. The grand opening of ‘Ellison Field’ in 1947 showcased a small terminal building, a 3,000 feet long grass airstrip and a variety of small aircraft.


Many milestones and strategic investments in the airport’s development followed the terminal’s completion. In 1948, the airport was licensed by the federal government’s Department of Transport and from 1948 to 1951, Penticton-based Okanagan Air Services offered chartered flights, flight instruction and sight- seeing trips out of Kelowna. Prompted by increasing demand


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