Meet Keith Lacey. He's the newest addition to the NowMedia team, and has lived in the Okanagan for the past 7 years!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My partner in life is named Sandy and she is my best friend. We spend a lot of our free time together doing everything from walking the KVR trail to sharing our passion for hockey.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Don't really have one. I would rather go to the dentist than shop.
Describe yourself in one word.
Adventurer
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Australia and New Zealand. I've travelled many places over the past 15 years, but have never been in the land Down Under and would most certainly like to see that change in the next few years.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Playing squash. I'm a longtime player in the Okanagan Squash League and have been a competitive squash player for more than 25 years.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Almost missing the bus to return from Ottawa to my hometown of Sudbury following a Bruce Springsteen concert.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I would say the most inspiring thing that has happened to me was my first trip to Ireland. Having Irish blood, I had wanted to visit there my entire adult life and I finally had the chance to go over there back in 2009. I spent 17 days there and fell in love with the country, the people and the incredible beauty. I've been lucky enough to have gone back two more times in the past decade.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Most of my favourite childhood memories centre around the playground just down the street from the home I grew up in. It was called Eyre Playground and I spent endless hours playing outdoor hockey and tobogganing in the winter months and long hours playing soccer and other sports in the spring, summer and fall. I met almost all of my childhood friends down at that playground.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I've always thought my job as a career journalist was my way of giving back to the community. Because of my job and my love of sports, I don't have a lot of free time.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Make sure every human being on Earth has enough to eat every single day.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Haven't checked out enough of the hiking trails around the city.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Like many others, the lack of affordable housing is a real concern.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The gorgeous scenery and fantastic weather
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Continue to travel the world.
2. See Springsteen as many times as humanly possible because I happen to think he's the greatest musical artist of my lifetime.
3. Would love to attend the Stanley Cup finals and/or Super Bowl at least once.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I used to be an A-level squash player and I've won numerous tournaments over the years.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Mainly through email and Facebook
What is the name of your business/organization?
PentictonNow
Why did you get into/start this business?
My love of sports. I was a sportswriter for more than a decade before making the switch over to the news.
What is the goal of your business?
To keep readers informed about everything that is going on in their community.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
My biggest fault is lack of patience and there are many issues in life and at work that test my patience… but I'm working on it.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn't change much. I've been blessed to enjoy a 34-year career in my chosen field and I've loved it almost all of the time.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Yup…
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Work hard, play hard, smile, be nice.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Bruce Springsteen… easy choice. I've been a huge fan since age 16 and his music has provided the soundtrack to my life. I will put his music from 1972 until 1988 up against any artist from any genre, any era, ever.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Because it helps local business owners and through trickle-down economics, assists everyone who lives here.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I've managed to win a lot of journalism awards throughout my career… and I also was a freelance journalist for the Globe and Mail for more than a decade… and I'm very proud of those accomplishments.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
All of the people involved in minor sports. I think sports shape good people and I was lucky enough to be guided by some pretty amazing people involved in minor sports throughout my early days.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Joey Forster, the best squash player in Kelowna and former pro at the Global Fitness Squash Club.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
