Summerland opens its doors
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in Summerland? Soon you’ll get your chance to find out. On Saturday, Sept. 23, the first Doors Open Summerland will be held to give people access to some of the community’s most intriguing and unfamiliar buildings and spaces. There will be something for everyone, including local heritage, arts and culture, civic services, public infrastructure, and business operations.
“The idea is to promote awareness and appreciation of what we have in our own backyards,” said Summerland Coun. Doug Holmes, one of the organizers. “Studies have shown that the more people know their community, the more they’re likely to get involved in community life – attend local events, shop locally, volunteer with local clubs and associations, so on.”
The first Doors Open took place in France in 1984 and the idea soon spread across Europe.
In 2000, Toronto launched the first Doors Open day in North America and the first Doors Open Vancouver was held in 2014. Doors Open Summerland is the first Doors Open to be held in the Okanagan.
Doors Open Summerland is being organized by a small group of volunteers and is supported by the District of Summerland, Summerland Chamber of Commerce, Summerland and District Arts Council, Heritage Advisory Commission, and many local organizations and businesses.
Holmes says Doors Open Summerland will be a free, all-ages, family-friendly event.
“For some buildings, people can just drop in and have a look around. Other facilities will offer guided tours with set tour times,” he said.
Details such as opening times will be forthcoming through the press, social media, and the Doors Open Summerland website: www.DoorsOpenSummerland.ca .
More additional information contact Holmes at dholmes@summerland.ca or 250-494-0437.
The following is a list of confirmed sites participating in Doors Open Summerland:
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Summerland Research and Development Centre
• Angus Orchard Home
• Arts & Cultural Centre
• Backyard Beans
• Badminton Hall
• BC Ambulance Service – Station 334
• Detonate Brewery
• Fire Department Training Centre
• Food Bank & Resource Centre
• Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC – Trout Hatchery
• Lone Tree Coffee
• Mission Bottle Wash
• Municipal Hall
• Okanagan Regional Library – Summerland Branch
• Ornamental Gardens/Superintendent’s House
• Ryga House
• SASS Studio
• Service Station @ The Lakeside Church
• Summerland Credit Union
• Summerland Secondary School
• St. Stephen Anglican Church
• Water Treatment Plant
• Waste Water Treatment Plant On the net: www.DoorsOpenSummerland.ca