Beachfront guesthouse purchased for parkland
The last privately owned beachfront property in central Peachland has been bought by the town.
Council has acquired the Duck and Pug Guesthouse for $675,000, five per cent below its assessed value.
Following earlier waterfront purchases of a packing-house site, office building and railway pier, intentions are to convert the guesthouse property to public parkland.
“For almost 60 years, Peachland’s elected officials have made it a priority to preserve and improve Peachland’s shoreline,” Mayor Cindy Fortin said Tuesday.
“Now we have another opportunity to add to that legacy, for current and future generations to enjoy,” she said.
Purchase of the Duck and Pug, which has five guest suites on a property of 418 square metres, has been identified as a town priority for the past two years.
The acquisition was funded from town reserves, so there is no direct impact on taxation.
The Duck and Pug will remain in operation until the end of September, to accommodate guests who’ve already made reservations. After that, it’ll be knocked down and the property added to Heritage Park, says Elsie Lemke, the town’s chief administrative officer.
“Heritage Park is pretty well used and it could probably use the expansion,” said Dora Stewart, president of the Peachland Residents Association.
The municipality now owns all four kilometres of waterfront between the intersection of Princeton Avenue and Highway 97, and Buchanan Road. A restaurant and marina next to the Duck and Pug operate via a lease on town land.
“I think it’s a great idea for the town to control the waterfront,” said Richard Smith, Peachland’s unofficial historian.