Officials with the Westward Ho Campers Association (WHCA) have given an update on activities and plans at the facility to Mountain View County council. The review came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
Association vice-president Karl Senger and president Pat Strey appeared as a delegation before council.
Formed in 2012, the association operates the campground east of Sundre under a current 10-year lease with the county.
According to a financial statement presented by the delegation, the association assets as of Dec. 31, 2018 were $259,819.17; liabilities were $25,226.25.
Total income for 2018 was $519,123.33 and total disbursements were $525,237.81, including $265,032.08 for administration, $66,163.32 for utilities, $76,322.22 for building maintenance, and $52,607.01 for levies and property taxes.
Capital projects in 2018 included adding 20 picnic tables, 31 firepits, hall furnace replacement, hall renovation painting and kitchen upgrade, north shower house mural, and an upgrade of the main gate card reader.
The camp currently employs a park manager, an office manager, a park attendant, four part-time employees on weekends and holidays, and two night staff who work on weekend and holiday nights.
Current advertising and marketing plans include updating the camp’s website and Facebook page, advertising in third-party distributed tourist and community publications, and having campground brochures distributed to visitor information centres, hotels and RV sales centres.
Current pricing at the camp includes $25 per night, $150 per week, $350 per month, $1,250 per year, $5 for daily vehicle car pass, $30 for yearly vehicle pass, $110 for daily hall rental, and $25 per ball diamond per team.
Regarding water testing at the facility, samples are taken on a monthly basis from all well locations and submitted to Alberta Health Services.
As well, all spigots and taps are marked "do not drink" at all locations, dormant wells are "shocked" with chlorine before returning to service, and startup and shutdown procedures are included in the campground procedure manual.
In 2018 the association donated $2,500 to the Sundre Aquaplex. $2,000 to Mountain View County Habitat for Humanity, $2,000 for Sundre sports, $12,000 to Mountain View Food Bank, and $5,000 to the Didsbury Car Club’s suicide prevention program.
The current capital project list includes $7,000 for the placement of a mural around the south shower house flood barrier, $2,500 for road repairs and hall parking lot repair, $10,000 for additional features to add to existing playgrounds, and $15,000 for repairs and modifications as outlined by playground inspection.
Deputy Reeve Angela Aalbers asked Strey if the legalization of cannabis use has impacted the campground.
“To date I haven’t heard a single complaint,” said Strey.
Council accepted the delegation report as information.
