A new branch and shared office space in Rock Creek, currently being constructed, is the first expansion for the Osoyoos Credit Union in its 74 years. (Osoyoos Credit Union)

By Dale Boyd

Osoyoos Times

The first expansion branch for Osoyoos Credit Union is set to be a unique location for the community of Rock Creek.

The new branch, expected to be completed by late September, will be a shared office space with local organizations.

The land was purchased by the credit union and the Rock Creek Farmer’s Institute and will house those organizations as well as the Trails to the Boundary Society and Boundary Family Services.

Soon to become the first bank in Rock Creek in some time, almost 90 years by some estimates, the branch will fill a need for the community according to Greg Sol, CEO of Osoyoos Credit Union.

“We just saw a need that wasn’t being managed, so we thought it was a good opportunity to start looking at what the opportunity might be,” Sol said.

The hours at the new branch have yet to be determined, but Sol said right now the organization is looking at staffing the location three days a week. 

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Construction is already underway on the four-acre piece of property which will have four extra offices and a conference room for use by local non-profit organizations.

It is the first expansion in Osoyoos Credit Union’s 74-year history.

“Even more exciting than that is the way we’ve been able to engage the community as a whole and go back to the co-operative roots,” Sol said.

“We’re also bringing in high-speed internet which is a big thing for the area. We’re bringing in lots of facilities from a technology standpoint that the area just doesn’t have right now,” Sol said. “Or they have, but not to this level. A lot of the non-profits are meeting around people’s kitchen tables, which is great, but we can give them some infrastructure.”

Along with what is being built right now, Sol said looking forward the space could possibly expand.

The new location is aiming to aid in economic development, without stepping on any toes, according to Sol.

“We didn’t want to be taking business away from someone else. We wanted to be complimentary to businesses there,” Sol said.