A piece of Penticton history has been passed along to a new set of community hands.

Just like getting off the train at the city91裸聊视频檚 Canadian Pacific Railway station at 216 Hastings Avenue, it took a long journey for the Penticton Kinsmen Disability Resource Centre Society to make it to Wednesday, July 19, and formally gift the historic property to local non-profit organization OneSky Community Resources.

91裸聊视频淚t is truly humbling to be chosen by a group that has such a long and giving history in the community,91裸聊视频� said Tanya Behardien, executive director at OneSky. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 both an honour and responsibility to continue their legacy and ensure that the building stays as part of the community.91裸聊视频�

The process of gifting the landmark to a new group began in March 2022, after the Kinsmen Society had operated the building for more than 30 years. An aging and dwindling membership base prompted their decision to pass along the site to someone new.

They wanted to ensure the future operator of the 82-year-old CPR building was a local and registered society, with a long steady history in serving the community.

OneSky checked all the boxes.

91裸聊视频淲e thought it was important that the building stayed as a community building,91裸聊视频� said Norm Dishkin, director at the Kinsmen Society. 91裸聊视频�(OneSky) has a vision for a future and their aim and objectives align with ours.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e passing on a piece of Kinsmen91裸聊视频檚 history and Penticton91裸聊视频檚 history, and we91裸聊视频檙e very pleased that they have acknowledged that heritage and are going to maintain the building.91裸聊视频�

Dishkin described Wednesday as 91裸聊视频渉istoric,91裸聊视频� with several staff members from OneSky and Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield among those in attendance.

OneSky has assisted a wide range of people in communities across the South Okanagan for more than 50 years.

The Kinsmen Society says the non-profit group will have much-needed space and run and expand its existing programs inside the CRP property.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e been in social services for 30 years and never received a gift like this,91裸聊视频� Behardien said.

The three-storey building, listed as a heritage site, was valued at close to $1.8 million by BC Assessment in the summer of 2021.

91裸聊视频淲ith this merger, OneSky can continue their incredible work and PKDRCS can feel fulfilled and happy with the legacy of keeping the building in the hands of a worthy local community organization,91裸聊视频� said Penticton MLA Dan Ashton.

91裸聊视频淚 am so glad this significant building will be in good hands as it is an important historical site for the City of Penticton.91裸聊视频�

The Kinsmen Club91裸聊视频檚 disability resource centre was formed through the efforts of member Pat Duncan, the former publisher of the Penticton Western News and Summerland Review. Duncan died in February 2010.

He was among the many former members of the club, like Steve Gjukich, Brian Hval and John Reynen, who were thanked on Wednesday for helping preserve the building over the years.

logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com