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Watermark Beach Resort Media Coverage Penticton Western News, October 8, 2006. Osoyoos resort sells millions in one day A waterfront resort in Osoyoos sold more than 70 per cent of its 153 suites, bringing in $52 million Wednesday. "We are very pleased with the success of this single-daysales event, " said Glen Harris, partner and development manager for Watermark Beach Resort. "The buyers clearly recognized the appeal of the waterfront resort to families wanting to take advantage of this very unique and timely opportunity." The sales selection event was at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, with interested buyers paying a $5,000 reservation fee. Those purchasing suites in the four-star resort, located at the foot of Main Street in Osoyoos, are largely from Vancouver - about 60 per cent - or Alberta - about 35 per cent - and range in age from 39 to 55. The resort, which includes a variety of amenities, such as a pool, spa and fitness centre, restaurant, retail space and 200-seat convention centre, caters to people who want to purchase a suite for their own use or rent it out using a professional rental management company. "Watermark fulfills the three essential criteria that savvy real estate buyers look for in a property; prime waterfront location; the opportunity to generate revenue to offset ownership costs; and long term appreciation potential," said James Askew, rareEarth's president of project marketing. Job growth big business in B.C. The Okanagan region is leading the way in job growth, according to a local chartered accountant. "We have seen some good employment numbers in the province in the last year and the Okanagan region has shared in that good news," said Jeff Omland with KPMG LLP in Penticton. "The Thompson-Okanagan region of the province has had a better employment picture than the provincial average since 2004." Omland's comments come after the release of the 2006 Check-Up, Provincial Edition - a report released by the Chartered Accountants of B.C. - which show that the province was leading in job growth last year. In 2005, B.C. added 67,800 jobs, 30 per cent of all new jobs created in the country. Construction, followed by wholesale and retail, accounted for the most job growth. Despite the positive numbers, a shortage of skilled labourers continues to be a problem, with fewer grads finishing post-secondary education in B.C. compared to Alberta and Ontario. B.C. also fell below the national average in the numbers of post-secondary educated workers. Reprinted from Penticton Western News |
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