Summerland declines to weigh in on local historical site for B.C. Heritage Week in February

Photo: Contributed

Summerland council has declined to pick a local historical building, site and tree for B.C.'s Heritage Week in February, preferring to leave the decision to the Okanagan Historical Society.

The society asked council for its selections before the end of the month, providing a list of potential options, but at Monday's meeting council felt unfit to make a call.

"I find this list a bit too apples and oranges. They're probably all totally worthy, and me not being an expert in all these different heritage sites, would it be possible to ask the historical society that we would like them to decide?" asked Coun. Doug Holmes.

Corporate officer Kendra Kinsley explained that the reason the decision was before council was because the Heritage Advisory Commission had been disbanded.

Council voted to send the matter back to the historical society to pick what they felt was fit. The selection is only a recognition of historical value, not an official designation of heritage protection.

"A bit of an easy out for council," Mayor Toni Boot said with a chuckle after the unanimous vote.

"But we'll be happy to recognize the historical value. But you know, we're not subject matter experts on this."

B.C. Heritage Week is Feb. 21-27, 2022.