The April 21 fire at Brent害羞草研究所檚 Grist Mill may have destroyed an unoccupied building, but the damage leaves a blemish on Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 history.

That害羞草研究所檚 according to the president of the Central Okanagan Heritage Society Donald Knox.

He said the building damaged by the fire was built around 1871 during a recession, which means there aren害羞草研究所檛 many buildings around the city that can also stand in as an example from that time.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 really well-constructed. The site is also the oldest grist mill in British Columbia, even older than the Keremeos mill,害羞草研究所� Knox said.

害羞草研究所淎nd, it was the first commercial building in operation in Kelowna, so the first business.害羞草研究所�

According to Knox, Kelowna doesn害羞草研究所檛 have as many heritage buildings as Vernon and Penticton, which is why the society wants to protect the little we have.

He did say the building itself can be rebuilt, but they have to follow the federal government害羞草研究所檚 guidelines on how to preserve heritage buildings.

害羞草研究所淭he experts we害羞草研究所檙e working with assured us there is still material (from the original building) that we can save.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭he federal government害羞草研究所檚 guideline is to retain as much of that material as possible. So whatever we have should really be maintained.害羞草研究所�

But, because the site is city-owned, he said the society itself can害羞草研究所檛 do much, unless directed.

害羞草研究所淭hey have the say on what to do with the material and how to go about reconstructing it. But we need to be able to sit down with them and work together on this, but that hasn害羞草研究所檛 happened yet.害羞草研究所�

Knox said they have already reached out to the City of Kelowna to set up a meeting, but because of the current circumstances due to COVID-19, they have yet to have the meeting.

The City of Kelowna has been reached for comment.

Kelowna RCMP said the fire is suspicious. The incident is still under investigation.

READ: Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 historic grist mill goes up in flames overnight

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