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.

Learn More:

Grist Mill: http://www.bcheritage.ca/drawings/sites/site12/site12.html

Heritage Branch: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/heritage/

Media Contact:

Brennan Clarke, Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261