New work share space clear for business downtown

Sep 2, 2020 | 5:15 AM

The doors have opened on a new collaborative business centre in Vernon designed to become a hub for emerging and established freelancers and entrepreneurs to collaborate, learn and grow.

The Vernon Innovation and Entrepeneur Workspace or VIEW will be in the heart of the downtown at 30th street and 30th Avenue in the former Naked Pig Restaurant location.

“The operation will provide flexible workspaces, a boardroom and opportunities to collaborate with freelancers, gig workers, consultants, business startups and and sometimes remote workers from established companies with a common goal of sharing information and supporting business growth,” Alex Goodhew, community manager for Accelerate Okanagan, said.

The idea for the centre started with local stakeholders and took hold thanks to local and federal funding and project management by Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO).

Ready for Wildfires, Other Situations

City of Vernon urging action under Emergency Preparedness Week

10h ago

Evacuation Preparedness

Pet owners urged to be prepared in case of major wildfire events

13h ago

Reality Check - Life Without a Home

Vernon couple sleep on street as part of homeless awareness initiative

May 02, 2026

COVID-19 has resulted in more people working remotely and there is a growing demand for remote working options like the VIEW, that demand is expected to stay strong post pandemic.

The centre will work with an evolving health and safety plan to ensure COVID-19 safety requirements are met, Goodhew said.

Accelerate Okanagan, a non-profit organization that supports technology driven ventures, will manage the centre.

Vernon resident and longstanding member of the local tech community, Jessica Wicks, is the Accelerate Okanagan community lead based in the centre.

“We are very committed to leveraging the feedback of the Vernon community to continue making this a centre they are proud of,” Wicks said.

The centre will continue to encourage collaboration with organizations such as The Okanagan Science Centre, Okanagan Regional Library, Vernon Arts Centre, City of Vernon, Okanagan College, School District 22 and others.

The project is supported in part by Western Economic Diversification Canada.

VIEW plans a hack-a-thon event in late October for businesses to innovate and connect. In the meantime, tours are being booked and desk space is now available.

by Kevin Rothwell

View Comments