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Kelowna Grand Prix to shut its doors Sunday

Global Okanagan/Eric Szeto

KELOWNA — The Kelowna Grand Prix has been entertaining families for decades but tomorrow it’ll close its doors forever.

The owner says it was time to give the business up — a shift in tourism demographics led to a change in tastes, fun centres were just no longer profitable.

“Over the last 30 years there’s a lot of other attractions that have disappeared just some people might remember,” said Darren Prowse, co-owner of Kelowna Grand Prix. “Flintstones, the waterparks next door to us, Old Macdonalds farm and other attractions throughout the Okanagan.”

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The business has taken major hits in recent years: labour costs have increased so have taxes. Next year, more declines are anticipated as a highway 97 widening project will cut off access to the business.

Perhaps the most significant is the change in demographics. The Okanagan — especially Kelowna — was once considered a budget friendly destination, Prowse believes it now caters to a different clientelle.

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“Kelowna’s maybe matured a little bit maybe we’re more of a golf wine destination which does impact businesses like ourselves.”

Recent Tourism Kelowna statistics show families do still make up a majority of visitors in the city. Wine and golf are major attractions now, but most visit the city for the beaches, parks and outdoors. Families are choosing nature over go-carts. Even though people’s tastes have changed, Prowse doesn’t discount the many good years he’s had operating the Grand Prix.

“Kelowna’s been great to us, my family here they’ve all had a chance to work here. It’s been a family business and we’ve enjoyed it.”

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