DIDSBURY - Two weeks after approving a pilot project that will see seven sites at the Town of Didsbury-owned Rosebud Valley Campground remain open during the upcoming winter months, council has given first and second reading to a bylaw calling for a site rate of $650 per month.
The actions came during the recent, regularly-scheduled council meeting, held in person and on YouTube.
On Sept. 13, council members approved the pilot project, which will see the campground remain open from October to April for sites 22-28 in the inner loop. The campground is located near the town’s eastern boundary.
The year-round sites will offer electric service only, as water to the sites would be turned off during winter months.
Access to the washroom/shower facilities would remain open during the winter months. Testing conducted last year found there was not a risk of freezing at the facilities.
Following the Sept. 13 vote, council instructed administration to come up with a proposed winter rate.
In response, administration reviewed rates at two other campgrounds offering winter service in the district.
Westerner RV Park in Red Deer currently charges $520/month for winter camping which includes water, and each site is metered and power is charged by consumption, which averages $150/month, and total average cost per site is $670.
The Balzac campground charges $875/month for winter camping and includes water, power and sewer in that price.
In a briefing note to council, Didsbury's chief administrative officer Ethan Gorner said administration considered a number of things as part of its review, including (quoted from note):
• Power to individual sites is not currently metered. In considering power costs, we recognize that summer camping on 30 amp sites allows for use of air conditioners, which would be the main power draw during these months. During the winter months, the main power draws will be extended lighting use due to darker days and more indoor living than in summer.
• All sites on the inner loop approved for use in this trial period have been filled. The tenants have worked with a local propane company to arrange for delivery of small propane pigs for heating during the winter months, which means that the use of electric heaters will be greatly limited. All propane costs belong to the tenants.
• Administration acknowledges that although water service to each campsite will not be available due to shallow water lines, there could be more demand on the facility washrooms located at the campground, dependent on how often the users fill and dump their units.
Based on all the information collected, administration recommended a winter rate of $650 per month for the trial period, which is the same rate as the 30 amp power-only site for the regular camping season.
“We cannot offer other services, such as water and sewer, so rates similar to the campgrounds listed above would not be justified. All other costs for winter camping, such as propane, water fills, septic clean-outs, are at the expense of the camper,” he said.
Council passed first and second reading amending the Rosebud Valley Campground bylaw setting the new winter rate of $650 per month.
Coun. Bill Windsor voted against a motion calling for unanimous approval to consider third reading.
“I’m torn on the because I think it’s probably something that is good for the town, but I’m not sure this reflect prudent business arrangements,” said Windsor. “I’m not sure that it is reasonable to be charging the same amount, of $650 for a 30 amp power stall, when that’s exactly what is charged in the summer, when it is as completely different picture.”
The bylaw will be brought back before council on Oct. 11 for possible third reading.
