The Summerland Chamber of Commerce is relocating from Highway 97 to a location in the community's downtown core.
Sally Pierce, executive director of the Summerland Chamber, said the new location, at 13230 Henry Ave., will be a good change for the chamber.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very positive to move to the downtown,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think it will be a great move.鈥�
She said the downtown site will help bring visitors to the core of the community.
The former chamber location, at 15600 Hwy. 97, had been built in 1989. At the time, the chamber constructed the building and leased the land from the municipality. This building has now been sold.
The downtown building will be leased to the chamber for one year, from March 28, 2025, to March 27, 2026, with the opportunity to extend up to two additional periods of six months.
While the location is a new space for the chamber, the building has a long history. It was constructed from 1909 to 1911 and opened for business as the Arkell Bakery and Candy Store.
Amy Arkell opened a bakery in the Summerland Supply building in 1909 and moved to the Henry Avenue location in 1912.
Her husband, Joe Arkell, worked for the municipality of Summerland on roads and water systems. In 1921, he became a provincial roads foreman. He later served on Summerland鈥檚 municipal council for 12 years.
While BC Assessment has classified the property as basic, Summerland historian David Gregory believes it is important to the community.
鈥淪lowly, Summerland is losing our heritage buildings and this is one of the few left in the downtown,鈥� he said.
