Relocating Kelowna’s farmers’ market a priority for council: Mayor

Finding a new home for the decades-old Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market is square on the radar of Kelowna city council, mayor Tom Dyas says.

The market has a lease on the land in its usual spot at the corner of Benvoulin Road and Springfield Road, which is owned by Orchard Park mall, for this season. But the land was put up for sale this week for $13 million.

Once the land sells it will depend on the new owner whether to lease again next summer or push to get the site developed. That’s why organizers are hoping for help from the city.

READ MORE: Kelowna Farmers' Market in urgent need of new home

At this point, Dyas can’t say whether the solution is for the city to provide land or just facilitate a relocation, but it has council's attention.

“I’d hate to say this is exactly what it is right now because there are a number of scenarios that we’re discussing,” he said. “We’re looking at all considerations. It’s a priority of council. It’s something important to this community. From early indications, I know we will definitely make certain we get that done and find another spot for them.”


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Rob Munro

Rob Munro has a long history in journalism after starting an underground newspaper in Whitehorse called the Yukon Howl in 1980. He spent five years at the 100 Mile Free Press, starting in the darkroom, moving on to sports and news reporting before becoming the advertising manager. He came to Kelowna in 1989 as a reporter for the Kelowna Daily Courier, and spent the 1990s mostly covering city hall. For most of the past 20 years he worked full time for the union representing newspaper workers throughout B.C. He’s returned to his true love of being a reporter with a special focus on civic politics