The April 21 fire at Brent香蕉视频直播檚 Grist Mill may have destroyed an unoccupied building, but the damage leaves a blemish on Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 history.

That香蕉视频直播檚 according to the president of the Central Okanagan Heritage Society Donald Knox.

He said the building damaged by the fire was built around 1871 during a recession, which means there aren香蕉视频直播檛 many buildings around the city that can also stand in as an example from that time.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 really well-constructed. The site is also the oldest grist mill in British Columbia, even older than the Keremeos mill,香蕉视频直播� Knox said.

香蕉视频直播淎nd, it was the first commercial building in operation in Kelowna, so the first business.香蕉视频直播�

According to Knox, Kelowna doesn香蕉视频直播檛 have as many heritage buildings as Vernon and Penticton, which is why the society wants to protect the little we have.

He did say the building itself can be rebuilt, but they have to follow the federal government香蕉视频直播檚 guidelines on how to preserve heritage buildings.

香蕉视频直播淭he experts we香蕉视频直播檙e working with assured us there is still material (from the original building) that we can save.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淭he federal government香蕉视频直播檚 guideline is to retain as much of that material as possible. So whatever we have should really be maintained.香蕉视频直播�

But, because the site is city-owned, he said the society itself can香蕉视频直播檛 do much, unless directed.

香蕉视频直播淭hey have the say on what to do with the material and how to go about reconstructing it. But we need to be able to sit down with them and work together on this, but that hasn香蕉视频直播檛 happened yet.香蕉视频直播�

Knox said they have already reached out to the City of Kelowna to set up a meeting, but because of the current circumstances due to COVID-19, they have yet to have the meeting.

The City of Kelowna has been reached for comment.

Kelowna RCMP said the fire is suspicious. The incident is still under investigation.

READ: Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 historic grist mill goes up in flames overnight

READ: Playgrounds to reopen across the Okanagan on June 1

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