14

As the Benvoulin Heritage Park site continued to attract more people to the use the church and the grounds, ideas about how to make the site more useable were discussed. In 1994, the society was offered the McIver House, a circa 1900s farmhouse.

Pat (McIver) Arcand, her brother Barry and mother Harriet, wanted to see the house preserved and lived in once more. The family decided to donate the farmhouse to COHS. Pat had gotten to know Ray Helgeson, caretaker at the Benvoulin property, while Pat worked in the Planning department for the City of Kelowna and Ray as a local newspaper photographer. The friendship between the Arcands and the Helgesons was a key reason behind the donation to the Heritage Society.

The McIver House would be moved to the back of the site, at the location of the original church manse, which burned down in the late 1960s, and would serve as the site managers' new residence. This would not only give the site managers a new and larger home, but it would free up Reid Hall to once again become available as a public meeting space with a kitchen, washroom and bridal change room. By accepting the McIver house, the society preserved and restored another heritage building, which would likely have been lost.

15

McIver House in its original location prior to its move to Benvoulin Heritage Park
Fall 1994
Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

16

In December 1994, the nearly 100 year-old McIver family house was moved from KLO Road to a new foundation on the Benvoulin property. Lesley-Anne Evans, a landscape architect, put together the concept plan and supervised the move. The foundation plan was drawn up by Peter Chataway and built by Ken Reid (KSR Construction). KSR Construction moved the McIver house across the fields to its new home at the Benvoulin Heritage Park.

17

Moving the McIver House to its new location at Benvoulin Heritage Park
3 December 1994
Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

18

McIver House's arrival at its new home in Benvoulin Heritage Park
3 December 1994
Benvoulin Heritage Park, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

19

Shaw Cable filming a video on the restoration of the McIver House and the need for public assistance
December 1994
Benvoulin Heritage Park, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

20

In early 1995, once the McIver House was on its new foundations, planning for the restoration of the building's exterior and the interior rehabilitation began. The committee included: Sandy Welbourn as project co-ordinator, Gordon Hartley as architectural advisor, Lorri Dauncey heritage conservation consultant and Grant Davies as building supervisor.

The restoration work was finished in September 1995 with support from the community in the way of grants and donations of time and money. Major contributors towards the restoration included: the Capri Rotary Club, the Kelowna Heritage Foundation, Jamie Brown, R.J. Bennett, Dave Bowden, and Ralph Livingston. The project also received help in restoring the building through an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Training Program, for labour equivalent to $57,000. Unemployed skilled construction workers were hired for 20 weeks on the McIver House restoration/rehabilitation. The UI workers were under the supervision of Grant Davies.

A $25,000 mortgage was taken out by the society in order to purchase building materials for the restoration. The mortgage was paid off a year later, with money raised through bingos and fundraisers.

21

New roof being installed on the McIver House as part of the restoration project
Spring 1995
Benvoulin Heritage Park, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

22

McIver House being painted in a heritage colour scheme as part of the exterior restoration
Spring-Summer 1995
Benvoulin Heritage Park, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

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McIver House's exterior restoration completed
October 1995
Benvoulin Heritage Park, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

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On October 26th 1995 the McIver House was officially opened to the public. The community was invited to come and see the restored heritage house, which would soon be lived in by the on- site managers. Pat (McIver) Arcand and Barry McIver planted a sunset maple tree near the house to commemorate the event.

The McIver House restoration, at a total cost of approximately $160,000 was on budget and on time, It was the third successful venture in fifteen years for the COHS. The first project was the Benvoulin Heritage Church (1982-86) followed by the Guisachan Heritage Park (Guisachan House, McDougall House and the Cameron Gardens) in 1987-1990.

25

Opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of the McIver House restoration
26 October 1995
Benvoulin Heritage Church, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds

26

McIver descendants in front of the restored McIver House
Summer 1996
Benvoulin Heritage Park, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
McIver Family Collection (Pat Arcand)

27

Burning the McIver House mortgage
March 1997
Benvoulin Heritage Park, Benvoulin, British Columbia

Credits:
Central Okanagan Heritage Society Fonds