Peachland Ramps Up

Peachland Ramps Up is a community project to build an inviting, barrier-free plaza providing everyone with easy access to Peachland Historic School and Arts Centre. As a tenant of the Peachland Historic School the Peachland Community Arts Council curates the beautiful Mary Smith art gallery, hosts concerts, lectures, and other cultural events, programs the space, and operates the Visitor Centre. Here, locals and the thousands of tourists that arrive every year can learn about the amazing bat colony roosting in the attic, find out the history of Peachland and that of our Westbank First Nations neighbours, and be regaled with ever evolving stories of the lake monster, Ogopogo.

With its high ceilings, stunning lake views, and vibrant atmosphere, the Arts Council space exudes creative energy - the reason perhaps for it having attracted the attention and support of artists and art enthusiasts far and wide.

From School to Community Arts Centre

From 1908 when it was built, until its closure in 2003, generations of Peachland children were educated in this schoolhouse. Due to its dilapidated condition, it sat disused and boarded-up for several years after closure. With estimated restoration costs approaching $1 million the prospect of demolition loomed. Thanks to grants, community donations, in-kind support and a District contribution (and thanks to the discovery of one of BC’s biggest bat colonies living in the attic) “Save the School” efforts prevailed. In 2013 the beautifully restored building was re-opened for community use.

Accessibility is important to our community

Previous community sponsored projects include this barrier-free 120m long pier designed to help mobility challenged users enjoy lakeside fishing and other restful activities. A ramp and aquatic wheelchair installed at the popular Swim Bay beach is another. A third is the cluster of outdoor musical instruments waiting to be enjoyed by anyone arriving at one end of Peachland’s famous multi-use pathway.

Our Fund-raising goal

Creating barrier-free access to Peachland’s cultural hub will be an expensive proposition and our Society will be working tirelessly to generate the $400,000 we need.

Please help us to Ramp-up this project!

We want Peachland to be awash with ribbons!   

Anyone contributing to our project through this site will, in addition to having our gratitude, be acknowledged as follows:

• $25 or more: Peach  Ribbon and Tax receipt:
• $100 or more: Peach Ribbon, Tax receipt, plus name on group plaque:
• $500 or more: Peach ribbon, Tax receipt, plus name on personal plaque:
• $1000 or more: Peach ribbon, Tax receipt, plus name on special plaque.

If you are a Peachland resident please tie your ribbon to your car, front door, fence, or other privately owned property - yourself included!

If you are an Out of Towner, please consider having a member of our team tie your ribbon to our outdoor ribbon tree at our Visitor Centre as a reminder to others to help Ramp-up this project!

Tax receipts will be mailed separately by the District of Peachland.

Follow our Progress

Our Wayblaze appeal is an important element in our fundraising efforts. However, it is time limited, and will finish at the end of May 2021. For those with a continuing interest in our project we invite you to follow our progress and participate in some of the fun social events we have in mind as our campaign continues. Details will be available on our website www.historicschoolplaza.org

Please help us make Peachland Accessible to Everyone

Thank you for your generous support.