By Emma Jones, Director of Marketing and Communications, KF Centre for Excellence
Founded as a legacy project by Barry Lapointe, the founder and Chairman of KF Aerospace, the KF Centre for Excellence stands today as one of Canada’s most distinctive aviation destinations. Lapointe established KF Aerospace in Kelowna in 1970, building it into one of the country’s leading aerospace companies. More than five decades later, his vision for preserving and celebrating aviation history in British Columbia has taken physical form in the Okanagan Valley. Today, the Centre operates under the BPL Legacy Association, continuing Lapointe’s commitment to heritage, education, and community engagement. The idea for the Centre was conceived roughly six years before its opening and, fittingly for an aviation story, began with a simple sketch on a napkin. Lapointe’s ambition extended beyond creating a museum; he envisioned an architectural landmark that would itself embody aviation. The result is a structure built primarily from British Columbia mass timber and designed to evoke the form of an aircraft, complete with a central “fuselage” and expansive, wing-like hangars. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 30, 2022, the Centre officially opened to the public, marking a significant addition to Canada’s aerospace heritage landscape.
Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future
At its core, the KF Centre for Excellence exists to celebrate and preserve the rich aerospace history of the Okanagan Valley while inspiring curiosity and participation in flight. Through immersive exhibits and an impressive collection of rare aircraft, the Centre connects regional aviation achievements with broader narratives of innovation and technological progress. Its vision is clear: to serve as a welcoming hub for aviation enthusiasts, students, families, and industry professionals alike. By supporting STEM education and fostering a deeper understanding of aerospace, the Centre reflects Lapointe’s lifelong passion for aviation and his belief that history should not only be preserved, but shared in ways that inspire future generations.
An Evolving Aircraft Collection
The aircraft displayed at the Centre reflect decades of passion, opportunity, and preservation rather than a single acquisition strategy. Many were personally acquired by Lapointe over the years, while others were secured through partnerships, restorations, or strategic opportunities aligned with the Centre’s long-term goals. Among the most significant is the Odyssey DC-3, an aircraft that symbolizes both a global aviation icon and Lapointe’s own 1986 around-the-world Expo flight. The collection also includes the Convair CV580, de Havilland Mosquito, Hawker Tempest Mk II, Canadair Sabre Mk 5, Turbo Beaver, Cessna 180 Skywagon, de Havilland Chipmunk, and Beechcraft Staggerwing. Rather than following a strict chronological framework, the collection evolved organically. Each aircraft was selected for its historical relevance, technological importance, or connection to Canadian and Okanagan aerospace heritage. Together, they form a narrative of engineering achievement and the individuals who shaped aviation history.
An Architectural Landmark
One of the Centre’s defining features is the building itself. Encompassing 60,000 square feet, the facility has quickly become an architectural landmark in the region. It houses the world’s only free-standing helical mass timber staircase, created using a specialized timber-concrete composite system with doubly curved cross-laminated timber panels. The hangars are equally impressive. Among the largest hydraulic glass hangar doors in North America, they provide a 115-foot clear span capable of accommodating aircraft such as the Convair CV580 and DC-3. The structure reflects both aviation engineering principles and sustainable design practices, earning regional recognition for craftsmanship and innovation.
Programming and Education
Beyond its aircraft collection, the Centre has rapidly established itself as a gathering place for aviation-focused conferences, speaker series, and industry events. Purpose-built conference spaces support professional development, aerospace dialogue, and historical commemoration, reinforcing the Centre’s growing role within Canada’s aviation community. A cornerstone of its programming is the Youth Engagement Program, soon to be rebranded. Structured school tours welcome students from elementary grades through Grade 12, introducing them to aviation history, aerodynamics, aircraft systems, and potential career pathways in piloting, aircraft maintenance engineering, airport operations, and aerospace technology. Interactive exhibits and flight simulators provide hands-on STEM experiences, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry opportunities.
Community at the Core
Community engagement remains central to the Centre’s mission. Since opening, it has welcomed families, school groups, veterans, aviation enthusiasts, industry professionals, and visitors from across Canada and beyond. It is a place where generations connect—where a retired pilot may share stories beside a historic aircraft while a young student experiences flight simulation for the first time. The Centre works closely with local school districts, Okanagan College, the University of British Columbia Okanagan, and regional organizations to promote education and workforce awareness in aviation and aerospace. Through structured tours, youth programming, and career exploration initiatives, it helps create a pathway from education to industry. At the same time, the Centre fosters regional pride by highlighting the Okanagan’s substantial contributions to Canadian aerospace. It has become not only a destination for aviation enthusiasts, but also a space for the broader community to gather, reflect, and find inspiration.
Looking Ahead
As it looks to the future, the KF Centre for Excellence plans to expand its educational programming and strengthen partnerships across the aerospace sector. A key initiative is the development of a new Aerospace Training Facility adjacent to the Centre, in collaboration with Okanagan College. The project aims to build a strong talent pipeline for Canada’s aviation industry. Future plans also include ongoing aircraft preservation and restoration efforts, enhanced interactive exhibits, and continued programming that connects aviation heritage with modern aerospace innovation. From a sketch on a napkin to a 60,000-square-foot architectural statement, the KF Centre for Excellence represents more than a legacy project. It stands as a dynamic hub for heritage, education, and innovation—honouring the past while actively shaping the future of flight in Western Canada. For more information about the KF Centre for Excellence, visit www.kfcentre.ca.
