The chair of the Grist Mill Foundation in Keremeos remains as concerned as ever about provincial plans to divest itself from the historic site, despite a constructive meeting with MLA Linda Larson.
“I’m equally concerned with what the B.C. Heritage Branch is doing, but I’m also satisfied that our MLA will do her best for the Grist Mill,” said Dave Cursons, chair of the foundation.
The provincial government has put out a request for proposals to find a private operator to run the historic site in a way that generates revenue and reduces the need for the province to fund it. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 26.
In a recent news release, Cursons said the foundation would “consider adding to their present goals that of growing into a capable business manager for the heritage property.”
He now says he “probably stepped out of turn” in suggesting this possibility, adding that “the foundation has no appetite to take on the management of it.”
He acknowledges the province and Larson were encouraging the foundation to take on this role, but said the foundation prefers to be similar to an auxiliary at a small hospital rather than to try to run it.
“We don’t have that kind of capacity,” said Cursons. “The other thing is that we’re so very happy with the current model provided by the current operator Chris Mathieson. I know there’s a general satisfaction at the progress that he’s making. We’re just hopeful that the Heritage Branch will recognize his work, his progress and see that he gets a long-term contract so that he can actually plan on season to season.”
The fact that Mathieson’s contract expires at the end of March 2015 makes it difficult for him to plan advertising and marketing for the 2015-16 season, Cursons said.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
