Protecting our past so that today’s youth will have a connection to the accomplishments of their forefathers.

In a nutshell, that’s why the Fairview Heritage Townsite Society exists.

However, the future of the Society was in serious jeopardy heading into its Annual General Meeting, held Monday evening at Oliver Community Centre.

In fact, early into the meeting, a motion was passed to waive membership fees in anticipation of the society’s disbandment.

“The existing board does not feel that it wants to continue or that it can continue,” said Fred Wiley, acting chairperson for Monday’s important meeting. “My attitude tonight is that we’re looking to reinvigorate the Society, get as many new people in here as we can with talents in various areas.”

First, a bit of background.

This past February, the RDOS granted a license of occupation for one year. The Society’s directors didn’t think they could attract a developer within that time frame, and began to question if it should stay in existence.

“The mission is to protect, preserve, conserve, and present through education and display the unique history and environment that is the gold mining town of Fairview,” continued Wiley. “Considering recent commercial development interests in Area C and the Osoyoos Band lands, the Society believes that the hotel project and the site enhancement should be pursued by the Fairview Heritage Townsite Society. To do so, it requires legal tenure. – in other words, renewal of the sublease agreement for the lands from the RDOS.”

The goal of the Society is to help preserve the heritage and ecological nature of the area, located up Fairview Rd. and west of the Town of Oliver.

The Fairview Townsite is essentially the historical birth-site of Oliver.

Fairview began as a small claim staked by Fred Gwatkins and George Sheenan in 1887. From there interest in the area snowballed and a great many other claims were staked. The population increased steadily until 1897, when a proper townsite was laid out. It wasn’t long before the amenities of town life arrived at the settlement – a livery, businesses and offices, a drug store, a butcher shop, a Government Building, and hotels with liquor parlours. At its peak, the population of Fairview reached 5,000 and boasted of five operating mines.  By the time the Big Tepee Hotel was destroyed by fire in November, 1902, the settlement was beginning to decline.

Now, flip the calendar ahead to 2016, and the society is attempting to secure a developer who would become a partner in attracting tourists to the site, which has a view of the valley all to the way to Osoyoos. The society would like to build a 40 room hotel or even a smaller 10 bed country inn. They’ve even gone so far as to work with an architect to give them some plans and details about layout and viewscapes.

“I think the RDOS has to be convinced to secure the lease again and renew it for at least 10 years,” summarized Wiley. “If you go up there at night – winter, spring, summer or fall – it’s phenomenal to see the geography. The view you have is amazing. The potential for the place is immense.”

In the end, the Society, which was incorporated in 2000, voted to keep pressing forward, elected new directors, and will hold another meeting in the near future with the goal of moving its agenda forward – and attracting new members.

There will be another meeting to discuss the future of the Fairview Townsite.

Watch for more details on ODN.

-Dale Cory