Anticipation ends as MEC opens doors to its first store in the Okanagan

Kelowna to celebrate grand opening Saturday of new store at Orchard Plaza Shopping Centre

KELOWNA, BC, April 20, 2016 /CNW/ - With more than 40,000 MEC members in the Okanagan growing anticipation locally, MEC Kelowna is now open at the Orchard Plaza Shopping Centre. The outdoor retailer invites residents throughout the region to attend the store's grand opening on Saturday, April 23.

Visitors will be some of the first to explore the compelling assortment of outdoor products curated specifically for the region. The MEC team of activity and product experts will also be on-hand to provide guests with an overview of the gear, services and events the Co-op will offer throughout the year. The grand opening will also feature a bike battle, DJs, prizes and snacks. 

The newly renovated 20,000-square-foot location – MEC's fifth in BC and eighteenth in Canada– will showcase products that support activities popular in the Okanagan including camping, climbing, mountain biking, running, hiking, yoga, travel and paddling. MEC Kelowna will feature a full-service shop for bike and ski repairs as well as bicycle fitting and an equipment rentals program.

With the in-house MEC label as its foundation, the retailer's assortment offers a thoughtful selection of quality products from over 900 brands. For the grand opening MEC will put a special focus on the newest and coolest camping gear just in time for the May long weekend.

More than just gear, the Co-op has stood as a community hub for active Canadians for over 40 years by connecting members through regular 'how to' workshops, fully-supported events such as the MEC Race and Century Ride series, plus professional services and grant support.

"MEC has been investing in projects to help strengthen outdoor recreation infrastructure and organizations in the Okanagan for years," said MEC CEO David Labistour. Since 2005 MEC has invested more than $560,000 in numerous community-based projects in the Okanagan. "We welcome organizations involved with outdoor recreation or environmental conservation to engage with our grants program and invite them to make-use of our dedicated community room at the new Kelowna store."

Community spirit will also be on display at the grand opening event in the form of a 'bike battle'. MEC has invited the Executive Directors of Kelowna's Elevation Outdoors and CRIS Adventures to compete against each other in a bike race to raise money. Kilometers logged on the bikes will translate to dollars raised for the organization, up to $2,000. And it's personal; the competing Executive Directors are husband and wife.

What:	MEC Kelowna Grand Opening
Date:	Saturday, 23 April, 2016
Time:	9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Located in:	Orchard Plaza Shopping Centre
Address:	1876 Cooper Rd #100, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9N6

About MEC
Canada's leading outdoor retailer, MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) is passionate about inspiring and enabling everyone to lead active outdoor lifestyles. From city streets and yoga studios to backcountry trails and pristine waterways, MEC matches people with the expertise, experience, enthusiasm and gear they need for camping, snowsports, watersports, cycling, climbing, hiking, running, yoga and fitness. Through our commitment to 1% for the Planet, every year member purchases allow us to donate one percent of sales ($3.4 million in 2015) to Canadian non-profit organizations that help conserve ecologically and recreationally important areas. MEC has over 4 million members across Canada. Become part of MEC with a $5 lifetime membership and visit us at our 18 stores, at www.mec.ca and our Shop MEC iPhone® app.

SOURCE MEC

For more information and to arrange an interview about or obtain images of MEC's new Kelowna location, please contact: Sarah Fournier, Media Profile, [email protected], 416-342-1825; Andrew Sutherland, MEC Public Relations, [email protected], 778-320-4291 (mobile); Tim Southam, MEC Public Affairs, [email protected], 604-561-4528 (mobile), 604-707-4480 (direct)