Fishing pier nets $25,000 donation

Efforts to raise money for a new fishing pier in Peachland have been given a significant boost. A $25,000 donation has been made by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., which is funded by fishing licences.

“We’re supporting and installing fishing docks around the province, to improve access and reduce barriers to angling, to enable greater participation in the sport,” says society president Andrew Wilson.

With the donation, advocates of the planned 400-foot pier along the shore at Heritage Park have raised $175,000. That represents about 40 per cent of the money needed to make the pier a reality.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Society for this significant gift, which will sponsor one of nine projecting bays that the pier will feature,” said Eldon Kerbes, president of the Peachland Pier Group. “This is going to be a truly wonderful public amenity, not only for the residents of Peachland, but for people from throughout the region. It will be a destination for fishermen, nature and history enthusiasts, a place for families with children and grandchildren, and an accessible retreat for people with mobility challenges, such as some of our elderly residents, and people who rely on walkers and wheelchairs. It should also be an attraction for tourists.”

For more information, see peachlandpier.org.