The Lower Nicola Indian Band says it’s unclear at this point what developments could come to the property of the former Coquihalla rest stop near Merritt.

LNIB chief Aaron Sumexheltza was asked after an announcement yesterday that five local First Nations are looking to acquire the property.

“We do want to create revenue, some examples might be we could have restaurants there for example, or a gas service station. But those have yet to be determined, as the first step is to actually finalizing the acquisition of the land,” Sumexheltza says.

“It is in the preliminary stages, however there is the old visitor centre building. So we want to make best use of that building. We’ll be looking at what is the best use of the land.”

He says leaders in the area also want to see a First Nations cultural centre included in the plans.

“Definitely, one of the things that the Chiefs have talked about is revitalizing and showcasing our culture, our songs our dances. We would like to have a centre there, so people have an opportunity to pull off the highway and learn about the people that actually live here in the Merritt area.”

The Merritt-area First Nations sent in a Crown land tenure application last December to acquire that piece of land. Those local bands include the LNIB, the Upper Nicola Band, the Coldwater Indian Band, the Shackan Indian Band and the Nooaitch Indian Band.

Sumexheltza says it’s unclear when they may find out whether the land transfer is successful, noting it could take up to a year or longer.

The province and Merritt-area First Nations signed an agreement yesterday in Coldwater, which includes prioritizing the land transfer application for that property, to expedite what is being called at the “Gateway 286” project.