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South Okanagan Photos

Fairview Townsite society could fold

38 acres on the Fairview Slope - designated for heritage
88 acres on the Fairview Slope – designated for heritage

Flashback to February 2016

The RDOS gave unanimous approval (in committee) to the proposition of seeking a 30 license of occupation for the Fairview Mine townsite or a portion thereof.

Jessica Murphy spokesperson for the Fairview Heritage Townsite Society (formed in 2002) told regional district directors the present tenure agreement is about to end and this longer term license is needed. The goals of the Society is to help preserve the heritage and ecological nature of the area. Murphy was quick to point out that the license is only for 5% of the actual land once in the mining community that operated circa 1898-1902.

Shows ODN the map of land, cairn, heritage booth etc.
Shows ODN the map of land, cairn, heritage booth etc.

The society is attempting to attract a developer who would become a partner in attracting tourist to this incredible site with view of the valley all to the way to Osoyoos. Murphy says the society would like to build a 40 room hotel or even a smaller 10 bed Country Inn. They had engaged an architect to give them some plans and details about layout and viewscapes.

Subsequently a license of occupation granted for one year with the RDOS asking for the future development of the land.

***
Monday October 17 – 7pm – Room Two, Oliver Community Centre –

Fairview Heritage Townsite Society meeting.
***

The Fairview Heritage Townsite Society has directors: Fred Wiley, Monica Hoover, Joyce Thomson, Jane Stelkia and Allan Close.

Murphy has led the group for a number of years but has tired of the project wanting to move on and asks for more interest and younger blood to take over. If the Society folds at Monday’s meeting the assets will be given to the Oliver/Osoyoos Branch of the Okanagan Historical Society.

Murphy says people love stories of the old times but few are there to do this. What is needed is a computer literate person with a lot of time on their hands.
She the society has preserved the site from private development, built a walkway, constructed a fence but finding people with big pockets has been difficult.

Those stories she says might invigorate the idea of re-building the old Tee-Pee Hotel as a tourist attraction.

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