After a months-long strike that has kept their doors closed through most of the past year, organizers for the Centre at Naramata are closing the facility permanently.
“It is with deep regret and heartfelt sadness that the board of directors of the Naramata Centre Society announces that the Centre at Naramata will cease operations and close immediately,” reads a release issued on Jan. 21.
After concluding the Crossroads fundraising campaign, according to the release, the board undertook a thorough review of the Centre’s future operations, revenue potential, staffing plan, expenses, and ability to be financially viable.
“The review concluded that the Centre could not continue to operate in a feasible, sustainable, and responsible manner on a long-term basis. Those who contributed to the Crossroads Campaign will be contacted to ascertain if they would still like to receive a receipt for income tax purposes or have their donation refunded.”
Picket lines went up in May 2014 at the centre as workers protested an attempt to contract out some of their jobs. The Centre continued to operate for a short time with replacement workers, but closed its doors and began cancelling bookings by the end of May.
The Centre at Naramata has been in operation for almost 70 years, founded in 1947 as a conference and educational centre of The United Church of Canada.
