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Columbia Basin Trust looks at Slocan mill site

The Village of Slocan and Columbia Basin Trust are jointly eyeing the former mill site on the community’s waterfront.
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The former Slocan sawmill site is seen during demolition two years ago this month.

The Village of Slocan and Columbia Basin Trust are jointly eyeing the former mill site on the community’s waterfront but neither is willing to say much about it.

Council passed a resolution during a closed meeting on Dec. 14, which was made public last month, stating “that council and staff are working with the support of Columbia Basin Trust to explore acquisition of the old mill site, including diligence in pursuing site assessment.”

The Trust declined to comment, but Mayor Jessica Lunn told the Star in an email: “The site holds huge community value and tremendous potential for something significant to happen, so we are exploring potential options. As the site is privately held, there are many unknowns. Ideally, it will attract investors committed to a thoughtful, community driven development plan.”

Lunn added that due to the its historical use, “basic diligence such as site assessment would be prudent, as future use and costs of redevelopment hinge on what is in the soil. As there are costs associated with this, we are exploring options for support, including Columbia Basin Trust.”

Lunn acknowledged the site remains private property, and any such assessment would require the owner’s approval.

Springer Creek Forest Products, which owns the site, posted a sign last year that simply reads: “Available. 19.55 acres lakefront property” and provides an email address. No asking price has been revealed.

The site was home to a sawmill for nearly 50 years — previously known as Pacific Logging, Triangle Pacific, Slocan Forest Products, and Canfor — until it was demolished in 2014.