The Grist Mill and Gardens has made a desperate plea for support after their tourist season came to an early close with the summer鈥檚 wildfires.

General manager Chris Mathieson shared an open letter sharing the dire straits the site is currently in after another year of natural disasters in the region.

鈥淭his year, which we anticipated as an urgently needed rebound, took an unexpected turn when another fire in August disrupted our busiest weeks, leaving our cherished site far quieter than it should have been,鈥� Mathieson wrote. 鈥淥ur usual reserves have already been stretched thin by the last few years of difficulties, and this most recent set-back has tipped us into a tough situation.鈥�

When the Crater Creek and other fires erupted in the Okanagan, leading to a travel advisory from the provincial government, many of the Grist Mill鈥檚 bookings were cancelled, whether they were for use of the campground or the site itself for events like weddings.

Despite the site not having to pay the provincial government a lease for the property, under its agreement it isn鈥檛 a non-profit, which means that many things like property taxes still apply and require payment even in years of hardship.

The Grist Mill also doesn鈥檛 receive operating funding from any level of government, leaving them reliant on the use of their site and the support of the community to keep going.

鈥淰olunteers have played a crucial role in providing engaging experiences for tourists, supporting community events, and fundraising for special projects on site,鈥� Mathieson wrote. 鈥淥ur patrons, friends and neighbours have been generous in their words of encouragement and enthusiasm for what we do. This community鈥檚 steadfast support has empowered us to carry out so much of this meaningful work.鈥�

After three years of struggles, starting with COVID-19 in 2020 and with the fires of Keremeos Creek in 2022 and Crater Creek in 2023, the site鈥檚 finances have been strained to the limit and they are now reaching out for any immediate support they can get.

People who are interested in supporting the Grist Mill can do so in multiple ways, from booking stays at the site鈥檚 campground, to getting a season pass for 2024, and by donating directly to the continued operation of the site.

More information and how to support the site can be found online at oldgristmill.ca.