It's a big deal

Photo: Don Kassa Realty

There is excitement building over the sale of the old glass plant in Lavington that should mean new manufacturing jobs in the North Okanagan although the numbers are not yet known.

A deal for the 92-acre site was inked late last week. It had been on and off the market for years.

Eco-friendly, technologically-advanced construction material is expected to be produced on the grounds once the existing buildings are retrofitted, according to Bill Hubbard, a commercial realtor with Century 21.

“It's probably the most complicated deal I've been involved with,” said Hubbard, who refused to disclose the price tag.

“I'm incredibly excited about this and the jobs this will bring to the North Okanagan. I believe this will help people who lost jobs when the glass plant shut down.”

A total of 300 people lost their jobs when the plant shut in 2008.

Hubbard praised former owner, Owen-Illinois Inc., for its environmental clean up and continued maintainence since the closure.

While the new manufacturing plant is expected to use 40 acres of land, there are plans for a series of subsidiary businesses to fill the rest.

The plant was taken off the market in 2013 with an original asking price of $9.4 million but it was posted earlier this year for $5 million.

The new owner has promised to reveal more information in the coming days.