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Expressions of interest sought for Keremeos' Grist Mill

Expressions of Interests sought for historic SImilkameen Grist Mill

The B.C. government is looking for Expressions of Interest  from agencies, societies and business people with innovative ideas,  business knowledge and experience, and a love of B.C. history, that  would like to get involved with the future operation and management of  one of the province’s heritage sites, the Grist Mill in Keremeos.

Current and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in operating and managing  the Grist Mill site are asked to submit their business ideas to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ Heritage  Branch before Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m.

Copies of the Requests for Expressions of Interest package are  available on the BC Bid website: at: www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca (click ‘Browse’, then choose ‘by organization’, click ‘#72’, then ‘Operation  and Management of the Grist Mill at Keremeos’).

The Grist Mill is one of 23 heritage properties owned by the Province.

It is currently managed as a publicly accessible historic site museum  by a third-party manager. Arrangements with the current operator expire  March 31, 2013.

Proposals may include, but are not limited to, the site’s current  function as an outdoor museum. The Heritage Branch will consider new  uses for the site as long as they consider the site’s heritage values.

This process will allow ministry staff to review innovative concepts  that would increase financial viability and self-sufficiency of the  Grist Mill site.

Opened in 1877, the mill and store served the needs of local ranchers,  First Nations, miners and travellers on the historic Dewdney Trail. The  6.9-hectare (17-acre) site includes organic gardens, three historic  buildings, a modern building currently used as a visitor centre, as  well as some bare land. The site also has an heirloom apple orchard and  a small plot of heritage wheat growing on the upper fields.