City says thanks to a long-time community builder

Former Kelowna City Councillor, MLA, and MP Al Horning has been honoured for his extraordinary contributions to the community.

During Monday’s city council meeting, it was proclaimed that Horning will have a street named after him.

Most notably, Horning who has been a local resident for almost 80 years, was on Kelowna city council from 1980 to 1988, and was eventually chosen by voters to represent the city as an MP.

In 1990, one of Horning's high-profile actions as councillor, was fighting for federal approval and funds to extend the runway at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) from 5,300 feet to 7,300 feet. That allowed the airport to become the significant gateway it is today.

To commemorate his efforts, the city will name a future road as Al Horning Way, which will connect the south end of the road at the airport to Rutland.

He joked about how street dedications are normally saved for hockey players.

“I’m delighted. What can I say, I didn’t expect it,” he told Kelowna10.

He added it would be a tough feat for him to be involved in politics today, compared to how it was done back then.

“The good part in those days, it was easier to do things,” Horning said. “Today with all the rules and regulations it’s tough to be a politician, and because it’s a tough job, you can’t please everyone.”

Horning, a resident in Rutland since 1944, said he’s starting to see the growth and potential the area has developed over the past several years.

“I noticed where I am, they’re starting to put up more high rises so that tells me Kelowna is [definitely] becoming a big city,” he said. “Rutland is going to follow because that’s the only way they can go. To me Rutland is the crown jewel of this whole area, that’s where everything’s going to take place.”

When he wasn’t serving the community, Horning was a champion snowmobile racer and founding member of the Kelowna Snowmobile Association.