Cold Water Ranch is located in the scenic rolling hills of the Coldwater Valley, 30 minutes west of Merritt, British Columbia, off the Coquihalla Highway. It boasts 820 acres of rugged terrain, lakes and streams perfectly suited for the horses and cattle that roam the property. Ten acres of land were carved out for Abilitas Foundation to operate a sprawling, accessible lodge nestled right in the heart of the ranch, where children and adults living with disabilities can bring their families and caregivers to rest, recharge and reconnect.
Abilitas Foundation is a small charity established in 2008 with a big dream of creating accessible opportunities for people living with disabilities, their families and caregivers. The foundation opened the Cold Water Ranch Lodge in 2013 to provide people with disabilities a place to vacation for up to four days between March and December every year. Guests stay for nearly for free, only having to pay a modest fee to cover the booking, cleaning and maintenance of the facility.
To help keep the lodge running at modest rates for people with disabilities, the Cold Water Ranch Lodge can be rented for corporate and board retreats. All rental proceeds, as well as the donations the foundation receives, fund the ongoing operation of the lodge. In other words, by having your company retreat at the Cold Water Ranch Lodge, and by giving generously to the foundation, you help us offer world-class accessible accommodation that is affordable to nearly all families that have a loved one with a disability.
Often, when you hear talk about vacations for people living with a disability, what comes to mind is caregivers "taking a break from" a person with a disability. But what we`ve learned, from talking with many families, is that they want to spend time together, with the family as a whole. They want time to rest and recharge, but also time to reconnect, to strengthen their bonds and to create positive memories together.
Abilitas Foundation has made every effort to make the Cold Water Ranch Lodge an accessible facility equipped to welcome children and adults challenged by differing restrictive physical, mental and social conditions. Rooms are spacious so that specialized wheelchairs can move about with ease. Bathrooms are equipped with special amenities, lowered counters and shallow sinks. The lodge has overhead lifts, adjustable beds and many other accessible features to make the place comfortable and safe.
Creating an accessible living space was the primary focus in the design of the lodge. At the same time though, it was important that the lodge feel cozy, like home. Families spend enough time in hospitals and institutions, so we wanted to offer them a break from those experiences. Warm sunlight and the rich golden colours of the ranch fill the lodge with a mellow and calming atmosphere.
Families that have a loved one with a disability are able to book a bedroom pod in the lodge for a nominal fee. A bedroom pod consists of two private bedrooms that are connected by double doors. One bedroom sleeps four and has a spacious accessible shower. The second bedroom sleeps three and includes a bathroom with a soaker tub, as well as overhead lifts from the bed to the tub and toilet. Shower commodes, bathseats and portable lifts are available if needed.
The lodge offers 6,000 square feet of meeting space, two bright conference rooms with a large boardroom table and views overlooking the ranch, and accommodates up to 26 participants. With a full kitchen facility at your disposal, outdoor terraces, and spacious hospitality suites, Cold Water Ranch Lodge is well positioned to welcome your board meeting, family gathering, training seminars and more. Coffee and tea are complimentary, along with use of the wall-mounted flat screen television, which doubles as a projector system.
To host your next corporate retreat at the Cold Water RanchLodge, please contact us by email at info@abilitasfoundation.org
Amazing and beautiful property and Lodge. The Lodge made for some awesome memories for my son this summer! Hope to come again! Elia Lanteigne
We had a fantastic time this weekend. The snow made it perfect. Thank you so much.Jennifer Blinko-Mallmes
