The man behind a plan to bring a new distillery to downtown Kamloops says its a great time to get into the industry.

Steve Earl says there have been changes to the regulations in the past several years as well as some enticing tax incentives if you’re producing and selling your own product.

“The distilling industry today is sort of where our wine industry in B.C. was 25 years ago as our wineries were developing through the Okanagan,” he told NL News. “You look at it being in that same sort of positioning right now, and we’re really excited by the opportunity and we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to make it work.”

First reported by NL News, Earl says the goal is to produce single malt whisky, gin, and vodka at the old CN train station in downtown Kamloops, hopefully as early as next year.

“Most distillers that have opened in B.C. over the last few years with the changes in the rules and regulations have gone that craft route and they’re producing some great product that can really showcase Kamloops and the great product we can produce here,” Earl said, noting that will help put the city on the map.

“There have been a lot of changes over the last several years to create a craft distilling industry in Canada and in B.C.,” Earl noted.

“We’ve recently seen a couple of smaller distilleries open here in the city as well. We’ve often heard in the hospitality industry that they’re looking for more activities and products that we can offer our visitors so we feel this will be a great addition.”

Earl says they’re working on buying the old CN Train Station building with plans to have a restaurant and showroom open this year.

“Of course, it is a historic building for Kamloops so the outside of the building would stay looking as is,” Earl said. Then on the parcel of land between the Sandman Centre and where the station is, we would look at the addition of the distilling facility, offering an amenity for local residents and visitors alike.”