An artist’s rendition of what Gateway 286 could look like. The project will be located at the former rest stop at the junction of the Coquihalla Highway and the Okanagan Connector.A B.C. rest stop that closed six years ago will, in time, once again host tourists and travellers needing a road break.A former rest stop near Merritt will be transformed into a commercial hub
Destination BC, which ran the rest stop, said that when the Ministry of Transportation announced in 2016 that it was spending $9 million on a new rest stop at nearby Loon Lake, the rest stop’s days were numbered.Fast-forward, and a partnership between private enterprise and local First Nations, which now own the property after a land transfer, has devised a plan to reinvigorate the seven-acre site.
“The project is described as an unprecedented example of how partnerships between First Nations, industry and government can bring meaningful, recurring financial benefits to the local First Nations’ communities,” said Troika Management Corp. of Kelowna.The partnership also includes PR Petroleum of Kelowna and five Nicola Valley bands, with one company representing the First Nations.
The City of Merritt is also involved and is providing water and sewer services to the site, in support of a future development called Ranchlands Village.And, last week, Troika submitted development permits to Merritt city council.Canadian dead in Ireland, Global Affairs Canada says