Peachland View December 9, 2022

PHOTO PEACHLAND RECREATION

Despite

No big bidders for washroom at Heritage Park

JOANNE LAYH

The future of the wash room building in Heritage Park still remains uncertain over a year after its arrival in Peachland.

At Tuesday night’s regu lar meeting Coun. Randey Brophy asked staff for their comment about the still un used washroom building in response to a post circu lating on social media this week that included a link to an auction site where the fa cility was listed but did not receive a bid high enough to meet the reserve price.

“Somebody’s noticed it has been listed and I’d like some further information on that,” asked Brophy.

“The staff tried a new auction,” said CAO Joe Creron. “They tried it, we don’t like the result, so we’ll probably go back to the

original way we advertise these things but we thought we would try this new site.”

The District of Peachland purchased the washroom building because Interior Health Authority (IHA) had insisted there be washrooms installed next to the splash pad before it could be per mitted to open, despite the fact that there is an existing accessible set of washrooms just across the street.

The washroom building arrived over a year ago but during this year’s budget deliberations the previous council learned that the new facility, which was pur chased for approximately $100,000, would require an additional $40,000 invest ment for stairs and would not be accessible to wheel chair users unless an even more costly ramp were pur chased.

That council voted to keep the washroom so the splash pad could open. However, a short time after Coun. Condon told his colleagues he had learned that a “suc cession driven realignment within IHA was expected to result in a significantly more cooperative approach and return to reasonableness and common sense,” the munici pality issued a press release stating that IHA has agreed to waive the requirement for a new washroom and water fountain for Heritage Park.

That decision came af ter continued discussions between Peachland’s chief administrative officer and director of operations and IHA, including a site visit to the Heritage Park splash pad location.

The town stated it would increase safety at the cross walk on Beach Ave for

access to the existing wash rooms, and soon afterward a new speed hump and a flashing light were installed to make the trip from Heri tage Park to the washroom more safe.

ICBC’s Road Improve ment Program funded approximately 50 per cent of the flasher system costs.

At that time staff said the washroom would need to stay put in Heritage Park until fall because it is con nected to the electrical associated with the splash pad and the plan was to put it up for auction when the splash pad was shut down for the season.

The splash pad was turned off at the end of summer but it wasn’t until recently that the washroom went up for auction.

Part of the rationale for selling the washroom,

according to Peachland’s di rector of operations Shawn Grundy, is that while there are other locations around the district that could po tentially benefit from this installation, such as Lam bly Park, there would be some fairly significant costs involved in servicing the building with sanitary sewer, water and electrical services.

However, the town hasn’t ruled out keeping the wash room, according to Creron.

“People keep bringing up 13th Street. I don’t know where you’re going to put a big building like that, so I don’t want to talk about 13th Street. If we’re going to do anything with our fire hall, maybe we can look at a pub lic washroom and that type of facility,” said Creron. “But we’ll look around.”

He noted the washrooms

at Turner Park seem to be okay since being recently fixed up by staff, suggest ing it wouldn’t make much sense to put the facility there.

“We’ll look around. It’s a pretty big building. Putting something like that in an area that’s not got a lot of activity, somebody might say, ‘can you put it up in this area? We all walk dogs on the trails’ – you just have to be a little careful from a vandalism point of view, not that we experience a lot here, but we’ll take a full re view.”

Earlier this year staff estimated the facility to be worth approximately $140,000.

“I would prefer to sell it and get that money, but we’ll look at it a bit more,” said Creron.

Joanne Layh Publisher / Editor editor@peachlandview.com sales@peachlandview.com

Don Urquhart Contributing Reporter Melissa Morris Production designer@peachlandview.com

5878A Beach Avenue

Peachland, BC V0H 1X7 250 767 7771

published by Aberdeen Publishing Inc. Robert W. Doull, pres rdoull@aberdeenpublishing.com

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Can the District of Peachland reclaim its watershed?

After an inspiring AGM of the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance, it became quite obvious to me that we need to bring our community closer in line with the real ity of how essential our watershed is to our wellbeing.

We are encouraged by the presentation from Westbank First Nation (WFN) for est manager, Dave Gill, who is currently involved in the Trepanier Creek watershed which is part of their forest tenure. WFN also holds 15 per cent of Peachland Creek basin in their community forest license.

What we learned from Dave was that WFN is committed to a new paradigm in commercial forestry that values ecological and cultural aspects of the natural forest and balances these with social and economic values.

This aligns very closely with many of the same values that PWPA stands for. Cut ting trees in a way that doesn’t destroy the integrity of the forest and protects sensitive a nd important features such as water, habitat for fish and wildlife, traditional cultural harvesting, esthetic views and trails.

In order to protect and regenerate our watershed, we need to have more input from the community and to accomplish this, I think Peachland must reclaim its watershed and assume full responsibility for its protection and rehabilitation with the financial support of the provincial government and the corporations that have benefitted from it. Of course, this will not be an overnight transition but as our new mayor, Patrick Van Minsel, stated at the meeting, “We have to start somewhere and bringing atten tion to the need is a good place to start”.

I would like to thank the volunteers at PWPA for their consistent effort on behalf of our community and its watershed and encourage you to support their efforts and lend a hand where you can.

Wishing you all peace and happiness for this coming season.

Joe Klein, Co-founder, Director Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance

Do

plan to travel somewhere warm this winter?

Fruit board survives closed-door vote

ABERDEEN PUBLISHING

BC Tree Fruits recently survived a controversial vote to remove the board over their decision to close its Lake Country packinghouse.

A closed-door meeting in Peachland on Nov. 22 included a vote by growers to dissolve the board, but it narrowly failed.

Some growers expressed concerns about transparency and a lack of effective communication leading up to the Lake Country plant closure.

BC Tree Fruits previously stated it was closing the plant and expanding/upgrading operations at its Oliver facility on Co-op Avenue.

Board chair Andre Scheepers said the Peachland meet ing was well attended with 70 per cent of the members coming out to vote on resolutions that “would have serious

implications for the cooperative now and into the future.”

He confirmed the special resolution that was on the agenda did not receive enough votes to pass.

“It is now important that all members of the cooperative, its board of directors and management come together to focus on improving the strength of the cooperative to the benefit of all its growers,” Scheepers said.

Cooperative president Warren Sarafinchan said they have been actively communicating with members over the past three years and will continue doing that in the best interest of all growers.

“Rising costs of farm inputs and weather events over the last three seasons have put significant pressure on all grow ers,” he said.

Sarafinchan said the board is confident that its “difficult decision” to close one plant and upgrade another is nec essary to improve grower incomes as quickly as possible.

FILE PHOTO

LOCAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

BEVERLEY WINTER’S CHRISTMAS HOUSE full of wonderful decorations and beautifully dressed trees will be open from 1 pm - 6 pm on Dec 11 at 4750 Peachland Pl in support of the Peachland Food Bank.

PEACHLAND VARIETY SINGERS CHRISTMAS

CONCERT “COMFORT AND JOY” takes place at the 50 Plus Activity Centre. on Dec 11 at 2 pm. Christmas carols and refreshments will follow. Admission by donation.

WATERSHED PROTECTION ALLIANCE CHRISTMAS SOCIAL: COOKIES, CONVERSATION AND CRAFTS Dec 18 1 pm - 4pm at the Peachland Little Schoolhouse. Live music by Lloyd Sotas. RSVP peachlandpwpa@gmail.com

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER the Peachland Wellness Centre wants to ensure no one is alone or goes without a Christmas dinner. Doors open at 11:30 am, dinner served at 12:30 pm at the 50 Plus Activity

MONDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre

INDOOR WALKING

8 am - 9 am

Peachland Community Centre

50+ FITNESS 8 am - 9 am ($5 Drop In)

50 Plus Activity Centre

ADULT DAY SERVICE

9 am - 3 pm

Residences on 6th

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.0-3.5 9:05 am - 11 am

Peachland Community Centre

FITNESS FUSION

9:30 am - 10:45 am

Peachland Community Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 1.0-2.5 11 am - 1 pm

Peachland Community Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 1.0-2.5 1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre

BRIDGE

1 pm – 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

ACRYLIC WORKSHOP

1 pm – 4 pm

Peachland Little Schoolhouse CHAIR YOGA 2 pm - 3 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

SPIN, CORE & STRETCH

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre

ZUMBA

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre WOODCARVERS 7 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

TUESDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre YOGA

8:30 am - 9:30 am

50 Plus Activity Centre

FLOW YOGA 9 am - 10 am

Peachland Community Centre CARPET BOWLING 10 am - 12 pm 50 Plus Activity Centre

THERAPEUTIC YOGA 10:30 am – 11:45 am Peachland Community Centre AA 12 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.75+ 1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre PASSION 4 ART 1 pm - 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre MAH JONG 1 pm – 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

MEN’S COFFEE & CARDS

1 pm PWC (downstairs) YOGA FOR YOUR BACK 3:15pm - 4:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre

PEACHLAND HUB

NIGHT MARKET

4 pm – 9 pm Cousins Park

LINE DANCING

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

POUND 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

COMPUTER LITERACY

By Appointment Call 250 767 0141

Peachland Wellness Centre

WEDNESDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre INDOOR WALKING 8 am - 9 am

Peachland Community Centre 50+ FITNESS 9 am - 10 am ($5 Drop In)

50 Plus Activity Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 1.0-2.5 9:05 am - 11 am

Peachland Community Centre SPIN, SCULPT AND STRETCH 9:30 am - 10:45 am 1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre PICKLEBALL - DROP-IN LEVEL 3.0 11 am - 1 pm

Peachland Community Centre BARGAIN BIN  12 pm - 3 pm

Peachland United Church

Centre. Save your space by calling 250 767 0141.

ELDERLY BROTHERS MUSIC at the Peachland Legion Dec 29 5-7pm.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT FEAT. MARTY EDWARDS includes a salute to the music of Tom Jones, Engelbert, Michael Buble and Elvis plus soft rock, country and rock ‘n’ roll hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s and more. Dec 31 at the 50 Plus Activity Centre. Tickets at Peachland Pharmacy or eventbrite.ca

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.0-3.5

1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre BRIDGE

1 pm – 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

LEGION KARAOKE

3:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Royal Canadian Legion #69

MINI KICKERS SOCCER

5 pm - 6 pm

Peachland Community Centre HATHA YOGA

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre SPIN, CORE AND STRETCH 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre CENTRAL OKANAGAN MODEL RAILWAY CO.

Train modellers + visitors meet 7 pm

Peachland Musum

THURSDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre YOGA

8:30 am - 9:30 am

50 Plus Activity Centre YOGA FOR YOUR BACK 9:30 am - 10:45 am

Peachland Community Centre BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT  10 am-11:45 am

Peachland Wellness Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.5 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre

ANDY LEESE & BAND at the Peachland Legion Dec 31 7-10pm

NEW YEAR’S DAY POLAR BEAR WALK OR RUN - Jan 1; all ages, choose between a 2K walk or 5K run. Registration required; contact the Peachland Community Centre for details.

NEW YEAR’S DAY POLAR BEAR SWIM Celebrate the new year on Jan 1 with a splash into Okanagan Lake. Free, but pre-event check-in is required from 12-12:45 pm.

IRON AND SILK FIT

11 am - 12 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BARGAIN BIN

12 pm - 3 pm

Peachland United Church

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.75+

1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre

PASSION 4 ART

1 pm – 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BEGINNER UKULELE

230 pm - 330 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

MEAT DRAW

3 pm-5 pm

Royal Canadian Legion #69 BINGO

5:30 pm (EOW)

50 Plus Activity Centre

FRIDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre

INDOOR WALKING

8 am - 9 am

Peachland Community Centre

FLOW YOGA

9 am - 10 am

Peachland Community Centre

50+ FITNESS 9 am - 10 am ($5 Drop In)

50 Plus Activity Centre

WE ART HERE

12 pm - 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BARGAIN BIN

12 pm - 3 pm

Peachland United Church THERAPEUTIC YOGA

12:30 pm - 1:45 pm

Peachland Community Centre

CANASTA 1 pm 50+ Activity Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.0 -3.5 1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre

SATURDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre

CARPET BOWLING

10 am - 12 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BARGAIN BIN

12 pm - 3 pm

Peachland United Church

MEAT DRAW  3 pm-5 pm

Royal Canadian Legion #69

SUNDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre

PEACHLAND FARMERS & CRAFTERS MARKET 10 am - 2 pm Heritage Park

PICKLEBALL - LEVEL 2.5-3.5 12 pm - 2 pm Peachland Community Centre

PICKLEBALL - LEVEL 3.75+ 2 pm - 4 pm Peachland Community Centre

Adriana Preston appointed president of chamber of commerce

ADRIANA PRESTON PRESIDENT, PEACHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Peachland Cham ber of Commerce held its annual general meeting on Monday, Nov. 28, with members approving the reports, financials, budget and the new board mem bers.

Your new Board of Directors are: president Adriana Preston (realtor, Century 21 Assurance Re alty Ltd.), vice-president/ secretary Curtis Urlacher (executive assistant, TNI Business Services), treasur er Andrew Grieve (Acubed Holdings Inc.), Adelia O’Toole (branch manager, VantageOne Credit Union), Darlene Hartford (owner,

Pen2Paper), Bella Huang (owner, Hainle Vine yards Estate Winery Ltd.), and Colin Aves (owner, Southern Comfort Air Con ditioning Ltd.).

The board is excited for the upcoming year with more in person events. The first board meeting will be held on Jan. 17, 2023. Let’s build Peachland’s business community together.

I am a realtor with Cen tury 21 Assurance Ltd. and along with my family I moved to Peachland four years ago when my hus band accepted a transfer with the RCMP. I have a bachelor’s degree in In ternational Business of Commerce (B.Comm.) with a specialization in Economics. During my

years working in the cor porate field, I furthered my education studying finance, business administration

and accounting. I enjoy serving other busi nesses in my community. In addition to volunteering on

the board of directors of the Peachland Chamber of Commerce, I also take part of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) as an advisory council and am a member of the Kelowna Woman in Business.

I also belong to the Asso ciation of Interior Realtors, the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and cur rently hold the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES) designation.

To the Peachland Chamber of Commerce membership: Thank you all for your support. I am taking on this role with responsibility and gratitude. I am looking forward to meeting each of you and learning about

your businesses.

My goal, as the new president, is to grow and promote our business community and together contribute to Peachland’s economical growth.

To our outgoing president and board of directors, I want to say thank you, for everything you have done and all the hours you have put in volunteering. Your contribution and advice are always welcome.

To our new board of di rectors, I am excited to have you on board. Your valuable skills, advice, con tributions, and assistance will help achieve our goals together as a chamber.

I wish you all a warm and cheerful Christmas and holiday season.

The most wonderful time of the year

Top Right: Residents interested in making a donation to the “Tiny to Teens” Toy Drive are invited to stop into Vanta geOne Credit Union’s Peachland branch anytime until Dec. 17. Both toys and food donations will gratefully be accepted by the Peachland Food Bank. Kicking off the Toy Drive last week were Peachland Food Bank

Bottom Right: Carol and Jo anne Stimpson check out traditional Christmas ornaments at the Gasthaus Christmas Market. Over the last five years Joanne has been to the Christ mas market each year and found a new orament to add to her collection. The Gasthaus Christmas Market is open dai ly at 9:30 a.m.

Peachland Chamber of Commerce president Adriana Preston.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Above: Peachland Lions Club presi dent Steve Sweeney presented Peachland Wellness Centre president Kym Martin with a cheque for $1,000 to help support their holiday meals, including Christ mas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Sweeney said the Lions recognize and appreciate the huge effort that the wellness centre puts into providing for those less fortu nate.

volunteer Jane Tench, Van

tageOne Credit Union Peachland branch manager Dee O’Toole, member services representative Sarah Holland, and Cen tury 21 realtor Adriana Preston (shown left to right). Items will be collected until 3 p.m. on Dec. 17, when Preston’s Century 21 team will deliver the items to the food bank.

PHOTO RICK TENCH

PHOTO SHELLEY SWEENEY

PHOTO JOANNE LAYH

BUILDINGS

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St. Margaret’s Anglican Church 4464-4 St, Peachland, BC V0H 1X6 • 250-767-3131 stmargarets@shaw.ca https://www.facebook.com/ stmargaretspeachland106/ Sunday Church Service at 10:00 am. Zoom service on request Email or Call for Link Come Join Us! All are Welcome. Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

Mad Hatter BOOKSTORE Come in & browse 1/2 the price of new

ANNOUNCEMENTS Places of Faith Peachland PEACHLAND BAPTIST CHURCH Lake Ave at 13th St 250-767-9237 Sunday Morning Service 10:30 am PASTOR Lyle Wahl peachlandbaptistcanada.com There is a sermon audio available on our website each week.

BUY 5 BOOKS GET 6TH ONE FREE! OPEN TUES - SAT 10-3 #5 Plaza 97 South 2483 Main Street, Westbank madhatterbookswk.com 250.768.2231

In loving memory of Lynn Marie Walter (Leonard)

Lynn Marie Walter (Leonard) died at the age of 68 in her home in Peachland, BC, on the morning of November 30, 2022. She was surrounded by family in the place she loved. Lynn died after a short but fierce battle with cancer. She was amazing.

WANTED SASQUATCH SKULL - Also purchasing SILVER & GOLD coins, bars, jewelry, scrap, nuggets, sterling, 999+ BULLION, maple leafs, bulk silver, pre-1969 coins. Coin collector BUYING ENTIRE COIN COLLECTIONS, old $ & Royal Canadian Mint coins. TODD 250864-3521. Peachland Fellowship Alcoholics Anonymous PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER.

Lynn is survived by her husband of 50 years, Mike, her daughters, April (Todd) and Cara (Allan), her grandchildren, Jordan, Zach, Patricia and James, her sisters, Pat, Sandy (Al) and Jerri (Bill). As well as nieces, nephews, great nieces, & great nephews, and many extended family members. She was amazing.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at a later date.

Peachland United Church 4421 4th Street 250-767-2206 “Let Us Worship Together” Pastor: Ian McLean all are welcome For 10:00am online Zoom service visit www.peachlandunited.ca

ZOOM AND IN SANCTUARY SERVICES AT 10:00 AM

How to make bathrooms safer for seniors

“Danger” might not be the first word to come to mind when individuals consider their bathrooms, but perhaps it should be? After all, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year more than 1.5 million ag ing adults visit emergency rooms for fall-related injuries, many of which occur in the bathroom.

Many falls and spills that occur in the bathroom can be prevented. Seniors or their loved ones can make some minor adjustments to bathrooms so falls are less likely to happen.

• Install grab bars in the shower and bath and elsewhere,

as necessary. Grab bars make it easier for aging men and women to get into and out of the shower or the tub by giv ing them something to hold onto. This can be especially helpful for seniors who must step up and over their tubs to bathe. Though they’re primarily used in showers and tubs, grab bars also can be installed alongside toilets for seniors who could use a little help sitting down and getting up from their toilets. AARP notes that sheltering arm grab bars provide the best support around toilets. Such grab bars come around both sides of the toilet and look similar to armrests.

• Install LED lighting. Poor lighting in a bathroom can make it hard for seniors to see, which can make them more vulnerable to slips and falls. That’s especially so for se niors who find themselves making frequent bathroom visits overnight. Even bathrooms with seemingly adequate light ing may be dangerous if they feature dated light fixtures that rely on incandescent bulbs to light the room. Incan descent bulbs burn out with greater frequency than LED alternatives, which can last for years. The longer bulbs last, the less often seniors need to change them, which also reduces their risk for injury. In addition to replacing tradi tional fixtures with LED alternatives, individuals can plug in LED night lights that make it easy to see when making nighttime visits to the bathroom.

• Utilize non-slip bath mats. Non-slip bath mats often utilize rubber-backed liners to ensure the mats stay put even when floors get wet or damp from condensation after a hot bath or shower. Non-slip mats can be placed where individuals will enter and exit the shower and even by the toilet and sink so individuals always feel steady on their feet.

• Clean bathrooms regularly. Bathroom surfaces can grow slippery from soap scum, condensation and previous spills. Prompt and routine cleaning can reduce the likeli hood that seniors will fall in their bathrooms. Seniors who have difficulty keeping up with household cleaning can hire a cleaning service or ask a younger relative to help them keep their bathrooms clean and safe.

Seniors can fall anywhere in a home, but may be more likely to do so in a bathroom. Various measures can help make bathrooms safer for aging individuals.