Work begins on redevelopment of Gateway 286 rest stop in Merritt

MERRITT — Ground was broken today for the revival of a landmark rest stop in Merritt.

The five Nicola Valley First Nations, the City of Merritt, the province, and the federal government have all collaborated to start building Gateway 286.

The popular rest stop was closed in 2018, and redevelopment will see a new visitor information centre and 30,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.

“It’s very important for not only leadership of the five bands, but our communities as well,” says Coldwater Indian Band Chief Lee Spahan. “And that needs to happen because we want to be apart of the economic opportunities that B.C has as well as the Interior and here in the Nicola Valley.”

The land was transferred by the province to the five bands, who have joined together to form Spayum Holdings to oversee the project.

Along with the backing of development partners Troika Management and PR Petroleum and funding from the federal government, the City of Merritt has also pledged to provide permitting support.

“It means for the first time we’ve partnered with our First Nations community and we’re working together collaboratively for the future of Merritt and for all communities surrounding the city which is absolutely wonderful,” notes Merritt Mayor Linda Brown.

There’s no set timeline for when the project will be completed, but the first phase of construction has already started.