By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
The Town of Oliver wants to boost economic development through a wine centre feasibility study.
On Monday council debated who should apply for a grant to cover the cost. Staff recommended the town should apply for it with a maximum of $20,000 coming from municipal coffers.
Director of Development Services Randy Houle said the purpose of the study is to explore possible locations for a wine education and tasting centre. This facility would allow local wineries to establish secondary tasting rooms in a shared space. He added the study would examine the market potential and provide a business case.
Houle said BC is investing up to $33 million this year for rural economic diversification to support projects that support clean growth and infrastructure.
The director said a cost estimate for the study has yet to be determined but suggested a grant application of up to $100,000, with a 20 per cent contribution from the town.
But Coun. Dave Mattes expressed his concern about the town taking the lead on this proposal.
“I see this as a feasibility study for business . . . to me that’s beyond what we are allowed to do. I think it needs to be done but I don’t think we are the vehicle,” Mattes said, adding he believes this is more of a tourism project.
Houle noted the wine centre initiative is one of the town’s economic development strategies.
Mayor Martin Johansen wanted to know what the town would be getting out of this study.
Houle said the goal is to do more research on where the centre would go, who would operate it and how it would be funded. He added that a partnership agreement could be considered.
Councillor Petra Veintimilla said she believes the town is the appropriate applicant for the grant.
“This is one of our priorities that we talked about.”
She said if the study comes back favourable, the town could ask the Oliver Tourism Association to play a role.
Johansen said he didn’t favour the town committing $20,000 right now, but he favours looking at a partnership.
Veintimilla said she didn’t want to wait around to see if someone else would take the lead.
In the end, council approved Mattes’ motion to consult with the regional director and bring back more information prior to the grant application.
The Town of Oliver has previously pitched the idea of a secondary tasting room to the province in hopes to garner support for the initiative.
Johansen said Oliver could be the first or one of the first to host such a tasting facility in a BC community.
