About Us

The Columbia House Enhancement Society (CHES) was formed in April 2017. It grew out of the Family Council, a provincial requirement for accreditation of long-term care facilities. While the Family Council works with Columbia House staff on matters concerning residents, the goal of CHES is to create projects to enhance their quality of life. The staff of Columbia House and BC Interior Health are fully supportive of ideas that will benefit residents and their families.

CHES’s first project was to facilitate the donation of Katie’s Van by the Gibb family. The society manages the maintenance and insurance for the handicap accessible bus to allow residents to attend appointments and outings.

The idea for a Healing Garden began with a bequeath to Columbia House for a memorial garden. With those donated funds, CHES commissioned Doug McRobbie of Hybrid Landscaping to create a plan for a therapeutic garden. Interior Health approved the plan using the land adjacent to Columbia House.

CHES committed to raise $600,000 to build an accessible, safe and secure garden. The society will also recruit volunteers to maintain the garden and work with Columbia House staff to assist residents to regularly visit the garden.

The Columbia House Enhancement Society main purpose is to enhance the quality of life for Columbia House residents through innovative projects.

Our Team

CHRIS GENT - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Originally from Vancouver Island, Chris spent over a decade exploring the globe before choosing to make his home in the Columbia Valley 21 years ago. Chris has always had a love of the outdoors, finding beauty in nature. This passion, combined with creativity helps bring each design to life. Chris strives to work together with clients to create a beautiful outdoor space that is unique to their needs and lifestyle.

JOHN NEWTON - PRESIDENT

JOHN IS A RETIRED BUSINESSMAN WITH EXPERIENCE IN INITIATING PROJECTS AND SERVES ON A NUMBER OF PUBLIC SERVICE BOARDS. WITH A RELATIVE IN LONG TERM CARE, HE HAS THE TIME AND DESIRE TO LEAD CHES AND DEVELOP THE HEALING GARDEN.

Bill Bonner, Vice President

BILL HAS BEEN A FULL TIME RESIDENT OF INVERMERE SINCE 2014. PRIOR TO MAKING INVERMERE HIS PERMANENT HOME, BILL WAS INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS CHARITABLE ENDEAVOURS IN CALGARY. BILL'S WIFE, DEBBIE, WAS A RESIDENT OF COLUMBIA HOUSE UNTIL SHE PASSED AWAY IN 2017. AS A TRIBUTE TO DEBBIE'S LEGACY, BILL MADE THE HEALING GARDEN PROJECT, AND THE BENEFITS IT WILL PROVIDE TO OTHERS LIKE DEBBIE, HIS PERSONAL CHARITABLE PRIORITY.

LINDA GOBLE - BOARD MEMBER

Linda is the Recreation Program Coordinator for Columbia House, where she plans activities for the residents that live in the home. Linda has recently moved from the West Coast after working in the Recreation field for 30 years. She has a passion for recreation and health and wellness for seniors. She loves gardening and has studied Permaculture. She enjoys the outdoors and loves calling the Columbia Valley her home.   Linda joined CHES to act as liaison for Columbia House and to provide input into what the needs of the residents are as the garden progresses.

JOHANA ROGGEMAN - DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

Johana’s deeply-held belief of living a life of greater purpose through touching lives has led her to follow her heart into working with non-profit organizations. She has immense experience with Web Design and online Marketing gained through working in the IT industry with big corporations like Siemens and IBM. As the founder of www.Holamedia.ca and www.rpurpose.ca she is on a mission to contribute to the social good in all forms. While she is not helping her clients, she likes to go on long walks in nature with her husband and son.

BETTY NEWTON – COHO FAMILY COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON

BETTY IS RETIRED FROM BUSINESS AND NOW ABLE TO PRACTICE AND TEACH YIN YOGA AND QI GONG. BETTY has been involved with CoHo for 10 years as her two SISTERS WENT INTO LONG TERM CARE AT AGES 54 AND 60. SHE Feels THE HEALING GARDEN is IMPORTAnt to create a SAFE AND BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR SPACE FOR RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND STAFF. "WE ARE A ‘FAMILY’ AT COHO AND THE GARDENS Are A PART OF “HOME”. HAVING A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN TO RELAX AND VISIT IN WILL BRING HAPPINESS TO ALL AND PEACE IN LIFE’S JOURNEY.

DANIEL ZURGILGEN - BOARD MEMBER

Daniel immigrated to Canada from Switzerland in the early 70’s and has been a businessman/entrepreneur in the Columbia Valley since 1980. He has been a board member for various organization and volunteer committees. Daniel and his family love all the recreation our valley offers. Recently retired, Daniel is looking forward to supporting the COHO Enhancement Society.

ELIZABETH SHOPLAND - HEAD GARDENER

“A Healing Garden experience for all to enjoy is one that is specifically designed to tantalize the senses, engage the Mind, Body, Heart and Soul and whisper its wisdom to all who seek it” , says Elizabeth M Shopland – Head Gardener of the COHO Community Garden. Elizabeth has lived in the Columbia Valley for over 25 years and is a well-respected Horticulturist, Horticulture Therapist, Garden Designer and Consultant. Over the past 18 years her business, Nature Inspired Living Co. remains rooted in nurturing our healing and sense of overall well-being by enhancing our awareness and re-connection with Nature.

DOUG McROBBIE - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Hybrid Landscapes serves the Columbia Valley in beautiful British Columbia including Invermere, Windermere, Radium Hot Springs, Fairmont Hot Springs and beyond. Drawn by the beauty of the area and ample outdoor recreation opportunities, Doug and his family moved to the Columbia Valley 20 years ago. ​ Doug brings 25 years of landscape design and construction experience to Hybrid and his strength is working cooperatively with all clients and budgets to create welcoming, beautiful outdoor spaces. Doug continues to expand Hybrid’s portfolio, employing both traditional and contemporary design elements.