PENHOLD - The long-awaited recreational vehicle (RV) park in Penhold is now open.
The campground opened at the end of June, with area residents and visitors using the new 67-site facility.
The town is planning an official grand opening on Aug. 23.
“The plan came along about two years ago and construction started last (summer) and wrapped up this season,” said Penhold mayor Mike Yargeau. “They are all fully serviced lots with power, water and sewer. We put in all the infrastructure for that and we planted trees, planted grass, put in gravel pads, firepits and picnic tables too.”
The RV park is located adjacent to the Penhold Regional Multiplex off Highway 42 and is open until Sept. 9.
When the park opened in June, it had an original price tag of $45 per night. Penhold council has since made the decision to drop the price to $35 per night.
“I think it never should have been $45 per night,” said Yargeau. “I think $45 was too much and we recognized that and changed it.”
Council also expressed some concerns with marketing for the new RV park which was originally estimated to cost about $1.1 million.
“We’re a fair bit over budget on this project,” said Coun. Mike Walsh at the council meeting on July 9. “I hope we’re doing everything possible to try and attract people into that campground.
“I think we really got to think outside the box on how to get people whether they’re driving through (or visiting), to just stop and camp,” he added.
Rates for the campground are prepaid and reservations can be made online at https://campreservations.ca/sites/site-details/682
Yargeau made note of the park’s central location.
“Penhold is perfectly situated right along Highway 2. Even if you’re someone that’s just passing through on vacation and need a place to stay for a few days, we have fully serviced lots. We can set you and your family up,” he added.
The RV park has had some users already this summer, said Yargeau.
“It’s brand new and we don’t expect it to be full every weekend, but it’s something we are building up and as we put more events on in town and build up the area around it, we will see it fuller and fuller,” he said.
“The campground is one step in (the process of) what the long-term vision of the Penhold Multiplex Recreation Area is going to be,” added Yargeau.
The plan for the recreation area was introduced last summer and includes the RV Park, the skatepark, ball diamonds, soccer field and other possible ideas.
“We want a really great outdoor space where people can come for recreational purposes and enjoy,” Yargeau concluded.
