Summerlanders will have the opportunity to take a look behind some closed doors during a day of tours next month.
On Saturday, Sept. 23, Doors Open Summerland will offer a glimpse into a number of buildings around the community.
Coun. Doug Holmes, organizer of Doors Open Summerland, said the one-day event will offer access to some of the most intriguing and unfamiliar buildings in Summerland.
The buildings include the Summerland Research and Development Centre, the Fire Department Training Centre, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. hatchery, the Ryga House, the Water Treatment Plant, the Wastewater Treatment Plant and many more.
“The idea is to promote awareness and appreciation of what we have in our own backyards,” Holmes said. “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 and so on.”
Some of the buildings, most notably the Summerland Research and Development Centre, are traditionally closed to the public.
He added that he had not seen the insides of many of the buildings until he was elected to council late in 2014.
“Since being on council, I’ve visited a lot of these places,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of places I didn’t even know about.”
Doors Open Summerland is based on a concept which originated in Paris, France in 1984. Since then, Doors Open events have been held in other European cities.
In North America, the first Doors Open event was in Toronto in 2000.
The Summerland event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.