Tree Fruits plans new home

Photo: Jon Manchester

BC Tree Fruits Co-operative has purchased 85 acres of Kelowna land with the intention to build a new facility.

The land is located on Old Vernon Road, and the new facility will house the company’s northern operations. BC Tree Fruits has also agreed to sell its property in Penticton. Both transactions will be completed by May 31.

“Today is an exciting day for all of us at the cooperative,” BC Tree Fruits chief executive officer Todd McMyn said in a press release. “This purchase signals our commitment to the industry, our growers, our staff and the valley, and will give us the ability to compete on a global scale moving forward.”

The new facility, which is part of the company's "One Roof" plan, will house state-of-the-art apple, cherry, pear and soft fruit packing lines as well as office space, cider operations and a destination cidery.

There is no time frame for the construction of the new facility, which will need approval from the appropriate levels of government first.