The now-vacant mill site in Slocan is for sale.
A sign on the property simply reads: “Available. 19.55 acres lakefront property” and provides an email address. Former mill manager Ralph Tomlin replied to a message from the Star, but declined to give any specifics.
“We are primarily interested in talking with potential buyers,” he said.
For nearly 50 years the property was home to a large sawmill — variously known as Pacific Logging, Triangle Pacific, Slocan Forest Products, Canfor, and Springer Creek Forest Products — until it was demolished last year.
“There is no doubt that the site holds huge community value and there is an absolute tremendous potential for something special to happen there,” Mayor Jessica Lunn said. “Ideally it will attract investors committed to a thoughtful, community-driven development plan but also with the capacity to make things happen.”
The Springer Creek Restoration and Preservation Alliance has held a few public meetings to discuss the land. Although privately held, acting director Abram Davis said “a core of people wants to move forward with the idea of the community being involved in the development.”