INNISFAIL – Town council has approved a new five-year lease agreement with the Innisfail Lions Club for managing the Anthony Henday Campground.
As well, approval was given to increase site rental fees for both trailer owners and tenters.
The two campground issues were presented to council at its regular meeting on Dec. 13. The new five-year lease agreement with the Lions Club, along with the plan to increase site fees, were both passed unanimously by council.
Steven Kennedy, the town’s director of operational services, told council the town and the Lions Club, which has managed the campground for the past 10 years, have had a “very good” working relationship.
He said in 2021 the campground had 3,293 trailer site rentals and 49 tent site rentals between May to September.
Council was also told the service club wanted to increase site rental fees for 2022. The plan was to increase rental fees for tenting sites from $15 to $20 per night; 15-amp power sites from $27 to $30 per night and 30-amp power sites from $32 to $37 per night.
Coun. Janice Wing said the tenting rental increase seemed high for unserviced sites. She wanted to know how many tenting sites were at the campground, and whether the hike was based on a market rate or if it was just a measure to offset increased costs at the campground.
Kennedy said he did not know how many tenting sites were at the campground. He said the Lions Club did do a market analysis for tenting sites, and confirmed the increases were made to offset costs.
He also told council the new lease with the Lions Club will see a higher annual fee from $15,000 to $17,000, with an option to extend for an additional five-year term.
The annual sum is to be reviewed between the town and Lions Club during the annual reporting in November of each year, council heard. The new lease agreement begins Jan. 1, 2022 and ends Dec. 31, 2026.
The new lease also has some minor revisions. Kennedy told council that periods of operation have been revised to include onsite accommodation for one facility caretaker/manager.
Council was also told there will not be more than five additional self-contained camping units during the off-season. As well, the campground will be allowed to hold seasonal events throughout the year. The previous lease said the campground was to be closed.
Kennedy told council any sale of potable water was to be given to the town as sales are not allowed by the campground.
Coun. Don Harrison wanted to know more about the availability of potable water for visitors, and who pays for utility costs at the campground.
Kennedy said utility costs will be paid from the $17,000 lease fee. As for the potable water, council was reminded the town now has its own site outside the campground that is available for RV owners.
“They (campground manager) were finding that on occasion that people coming in wanted to buy water,” said Kennedy. “They had a record last year that there was five units wanting that service, so they are trying to deter that.”
