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By Kathy Michaels
If all goes well, Mission Hill Winery will not only become a destination for sophisticated travellers in search of the ultimate Okanagan experience, it will also be a major economic driver.
Earlier this month, those behind moving the winery’s expansion proposal forward jumped through the District of West Kelowna’s first hoop, putting them in line to break ground for the first phase of the massive expansion by 2011, explained Art Phillips, lead consultant for Mission Hill Family Estate Winery. Completion, however, is much further down the road.
“What you are looking at is 18 months to two years for each phase,” said Phillips. “If everything works well, it could be completed by 2018.”
That growth, he said, would bring in excess of 200 new jobs to the region along with a steady flow of tourist traffic.
“The vision which Mark Anthony, the proprietor, has had for his winery for some time was to make it a true international destination,” said Phillips, adding he’s held two public meetings with area residents so far, and they’re largely in favour of the plan.
“The proprietor has been a promoter of the Okanagan Valley for 25 years, and he believes by expanding the hospitality component with the winery, it will bring more attention to the Okanagan and his winery.”
The expansion would include guest homes, an artist in residence studio, boutique hotel, wellness centre and conference centre. There would also be space for an art gallery, restaurant, winery, cidery and micro brewery gate house and caretaker house.
In total, they’re looking at constructing approximately 16,740 square metres of additional commercial and industrial space to accommodate the expansion of the winery.
While the plan is substantial in size, Phillips explained part of the design concept is to blend the additions into their surroundings.
“We have moss growing on the site, and the landscape architect from Summerland has found a way to create slurry with that which can be sprayed onto the roof where it will grow,” he said. “We are also looking into geo thermal heating and the new buildings will either have a copper roof or a living roof.”
When all is said and done, Phillips said the view from the winery’s terrace wouldn’t be in the least bit commercial in appearance.
“You wouldn’t see the winery, you would see the green roofs instead,” he said. “We don’t want to project out of the hillside, we want to grow into the hillside.”
The next public consultation, where locals will get a glimpse at a 3D model of the project, should be held in January.
By the numbers, the new expansion would include:
- 6,600 square metres of boutique hotel
- 2,000 square metres of restaurant at a maximum
- 1465 square metres of conference centres
- 1,200 square metres of wellness centre at a maximum
One Response to “Winery expansion will boost valley job opportunities”
Tags: Kelowna, Mission Hill Winery
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I would hope that Mission Hills also expand their vineyards congruently with there commercial space. New vineyards would add more permanent jobs tending to the vines and of course the spinoff of storing Carbon in the wood and thereby reducing there carbon foot print.
Please continue discussion on the forum: link