Construction on a major redevelopment project of Gateway 286, just off the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt could get underway in the summer.

Spayum Holdings, the development company which represents the five Nicola Valley First Nations (Upper Nicola, Lower Nicola, Coldwater, Shackan, and Nooaitch), has announced the signing of a development agreement for the former Merritt tourist information centre with Kelowna-based Troika PR Gateway Inc..

In a news release, Troika says the development agreement lays the foundation for the construction of a 30,000 square foot highway commercial centre which will include restaurants, convenience stores, a gas station, a dog park, and “Western Canada’s largest electric vehicle charging station.”

“This is an important milestone for Nicola Valley First Nations who have invested so much time and effort over the past decade to bring this important initiative to life,” former Merritt Mayor Susan Roline, the Chair and spokesperson for Spayum Holdings said, in a statement.

“There is more work to do but with the formal commitments contained here, our partner communities are able to see real economic opportunities coming closer to fruition.”

The tourist information centre was closed in 2018, and in Sept. 2020, 11 hectares (28.66 acres) of land was transferred to Spayum Holdings. Since then, the City of Merritt has been working to provide water and sewer services to the site, located near the intersection of the Coquihalla and the Okanagan Connector.

This new commercial development will be built on seven acres of land, with the remaining 22 acres expected to “present additional development opportunities for the Nicola Valley First Nations in future.”

Lower Nicola Indian Band Chief Stuart Jackson says the redevelopment project has been in the works for the past 30 years.

“Gateway 286 will provide employment and revenue to our five communities and in addition this development will provide a vital transportation hub for all the east and west bound traffic on Highway 5A,” Jackson said.

“We look forward to working with Troika Management Corp. in building this important future for the region of the Thompson-Okanagan.”

Troika says a Development Permit Application is expected to be submitted in early Spring of this year.

“All of the partners who have been integral in facilitating this agreement, including the government agencies that supported the initiative, are feeling optimistic about what we are creating, which we think can be a model for real partnership and reconciliation that others can follow,” Troika founder, and Kelowna-Mission MLA, Renee Merrifield, said.

The proponents say the development will incorporate elements that reflect the history and culture of Nicola Valley First Nations. They also say it will lead to economic and employment opportunities for members of the five bands.

“The project is the culmination of three decades of work and reconciliation between the five Nicola Valley First Nations, provincial, federal, and municipal governments, as well as two local companies – Troika and PR Petroleum,” a statement from Troika said.

“[It] is an example of how partnerships between First Nations, industry and government can bring meaningful economic reconciliation through recurring financial benefits to local First Nations’ communities.”