Snyatan Shopping Centre Grand Opening


WESTBANK, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 1, 2011) - Westbank First Nation and Anthem Properties Group Ltd., the owners of the property, are pleased to announce the formal opening of Phase 1 of the Snyatan Shopping Centre in Westbank, BC. Snyatan, meaning gathering place in Sylix language, is located at Butt Road and fronting on Highway 97. This 93,000 square foot retail centre offers a wide variety of fashion, technology, food and personal service retailers, including: Winners, Future Shop, Dollar Tree, Bulk Barn, Second Cup and Peace Hills Trust.

On November 16, 2011 the owners of Snyatan will be celebrating the creation of an original work of art by Virgil "Smoker" Marchand, a renowned sculptor and a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation. Smoker Marchand's sculpture at Snyatan is a 13 foot high representation of a horse and rider at ease. The rider holds a shield that identifies him as a member of Westbank First Nation.

The festivities constitute the official opening of the centre and will be marked by greetings from WFN Chief Robert Louie, performances by aboriginal dancers and food sampling provided by the centre's existing food tenants.

The celebration is open to the general public and will occur at 5:30 p.m. on November 16, 2011 in the parking lot at the east end of the centre.

In attendance will be Chief Robert Louie, members of the WFN council, representatives of Anthem Properties as well as Smoker Marchand and special guests.

"Today is a historic day in Westbank. Snyatan is the first commercial retail project completed and operating on Westbank First Nation land that is owned in partnership by Westbank First Nation. We welcome our new tenants and their customers to this landmark centre that will provide economic benefits to our WFN members, their families, our neighbours and visitors to the area. This project represents one of the ways that WFN utilizes our lands to create and sustain economic value for the long term benefit of our community," says Chief Robert Louie.

Eric Carlson, CEO of Anthem Properties echoes the Chief's excitement for the project, "Anthem Properties is proud to be the partner of Westbank First Nation in this newest retail development in Westbank. We are really pleased with the end product and appreciate WFN agreeing to be our partner in Snyatan. This is the third retail project on WFN lands that we have developed and look forward to many years of continued good business in the area."

About Westbank First Nation:

Westbank First Nation is located in the heart of the Okanagan with a land base of over 5300 acres. WFN is self-governing since 2005 growing our membership to just over 700. Currently approximately 360 businesses operate on WFN lands as well as residential developments for the 9000 residents. WFN has the largest on reserve commercial centre in Canada and will continues its rapid growth rate in the foreseeable future.

About Anthem Properties:

Anthem Properties is a 100-person real estate investment, development and management company operating in Western Canada, headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. The group principally pursues retail and multi-family residential asset classes. The Anthem portfolio is currently comprised of 3.5 million square feet of retail, 50 acres of urban and suburban land held for future development, and approximately 1,000 residential condominium units under construction.

Contact Information:

Westbank First Nation
Jayne Fosbery
250 769 2402 ext 194
250 769 2443 (FAX)
jfosbery@wfn.ca
www.wfn.ca

Anthem Properties Group Ltd.
Alexa Ulinder Baughen
1 800 926 8436
604 689 5642 (FAX)
abaughen@anthemproperties.com
www.anthemproperties.com