We are proud to be part of such a great town and excited to be celebrating Osoyoos’s 75th birthday alongside the city’s 75th anniversary itself! From our humble beginning as our small credit union to our expansion at Rock Creek, we are happy to be continuing the adventure alongside Osoyoos and its fantastic community. With regards to this amazing achievement, we would like to take a look back on all the incredible memories that led Osoyoos Credit Union (OCU) to where it is today and how we continue to play a leading role in the community.
The town was first incorporated in 1946 on January 14th. On January 31st, the village held its first meeting at the CPR Station, followed by official terms, a Mayor and Aldermen were adopted. This changed to a system of using a Mayor and Councillors in 1993. The population in 1951 was 899 and has grown to a strong community of 5065 last recorded in 2016.
Fun fact: Osoyoos was known for being a stop on the fur-trading route, a hot spot for gold seekers due to discovering the precious metal in Rock Creek, and perfect soil for growing soft fruit such as apples.
Located at 8312 Main Street, Osoyoos Credit Union has been a part of the community since 1946. We first opened on January 23rd and have been a staple of the town ever since. In October of 2019, OCU opened its second location, which resides in the Riverside Centre in Rock Creek. Since then, it has been bustling with activity and has given us the opportunity to help even more people financially. We hope to expand even further in the coming years to provide our customers and clients with even more financial help and support.
We are also proud members of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, which began in 1947 in Oliver. Since then Chamber of Commerce has grown to include Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls. OCU has built a strong organization by providing financial help, wealth management services, an active role in the community, and much more. We support many community activities, either through direct participation or donations.
One of the main ways Osoyoos has given back is through the Osoyoos Credit Union’s Community Giving Fund. It was designed to help support local non-profit organizations and aid in community projects and planning, organizational development, and more. This fund also helps break down barriers to help families achieve economic success and enhance their quality of life.
This year’s upcoming deadline for the Community Giving Fund is March 31st and we recommend all eligible applicants to apply as soon as possible to get their entry processed.
Finally, we would like to extend a humble thank you to everyone who has helped us get to where we are today and hope to continue to serve the community for many years to come. Happy 75th Birthday Osoyoos, we are proud to be a part of your history!