Present operator of the Keremeos Grist Mill can look forward to another year of operation following an announcement by Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson on Feb.16 Credit: Grist Mill photo

Keremeos Grist Mill operator gets renewed lease

PENTICTON – After a long wait, the present operator of the Keremeos Grist Mill Historic site can get on with the business of operating the property.

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced a lease offering to Mathieson Heritage Services for operation of the Keremeos Grist Mill on Feb.16.

Mathieson Heritage Services has had stewardship of the Grist Mill since 2013. The province presented a further one year temporary lease as well as providing an invitation to apply for a 10 year nominal rent tenure on the historic site. The lease would take effect April 1.

The province has owned the five acre Grist Mill property since 1979, and has invested $1.35 million on the property since 2002.

“It’s great news. The strong community support we have is what tipped the balance,” said relieved Grist Mill operator Chris Mathieson on Feb.16.

Mathieson has been awaiting a decision from the province since late September last year after it issued a Request For Proposals for operating the historic site.

“We were hurt by the delay, but it’s nothing that can’t be overcome, said Mathieson, who said he was happy with the new contract.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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2 responses

  1. David Dedick

    I live near the Grist Mill and had no idea it was so wrapped up in red tape. I still don’t really know the extent of the provincial government’s involvement here, but I do agree with the other commenter on this basis. The government’s proper junction is the protection of individual rights. That means protection from those who initate force. Therefore I oppose their owning heritage sites, running radio stations, and just about every other thing they do with our money.

  2. Bob Earl

    What a waste of tax dollars, for a select few dingbats.wafw!

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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