Local First Nations and Government Officials break ground at Gateway 286

This morning (March 15), the local first nation communities along with partners from the municipal and Provincial government gathered at Gateway 286 to hold a ground breaking ceremony.

“This is a celebration for Nicola Valley First Nations, who have come a long way on this project in the past five years”says Susan Roline, Chair and spokesperson for Spayum Holdings. “Although we have more to do, the site clearing and preparation work we see happening now shows our partner communities that this opportunity is real and it’s happening”.

The project at Exit 286 has been in the works for the better part of three decades as the local bands began speaking about the future of the site back in the 1990s. In 2019, Premier John Horgan was in Merritt for the signing of an ‘Economic Development Protocol Agreement’. One of the key factors in the agreement was ‘Prioritize the review of Nicola First Nations’ application to develop the proposed gateway 286 site as a cultural learning and visitor centre’.

The land it sits on is part of Nlaka’pamux and Sylix traditional territories, part of which was developed in 2005 by the Province into what became a well-known rest stop and visitor information centre. The rest stop was closed in 2018 before the Province transferred 11.6 hectares of the land back to the First Nations as part of a protocol agreement focused on strengthening support for local First Nations’ economic development.

The first phase of development, which will include approximately 30,000 square feet of commercial retail and services, will also include redevelopment of the Merritt rest stop. The balance of the land transferred to Spayum Holdings in 2021 will present additional development opportunities for the Nicola Valley First Nations in future.

The project is estimated to be a 20-year build-out separated into two cells. Cell A, which includes 3.6 hectares of the property is proposed to include;

• Administrative Office
• Artisan Studio
• Brewing and Distilling
• Drive-Through Business
• Filling Station
• Food Primary Establishment
• Gallery and Museum
• Liquor Primary Establishment
• Park
• Retail Store, Convenience
• Truck Travel Centre