Whereas the new Waterfront Plan speaks of a campground in Guindon Park; and
Whereas a municipally owned campground would be a large draw for tourists visiting Cornwall and area and provide an opportunity to compliment existing Campgrounds in Long Sault, Ingleside, and Lancaster, further making our area a tourist destination for camping enthusiasts; and
Whereas an urban campground could potentially provide approximately 200 campsites available for bookings, and would give visitors access to Cornwall’s many restaurants, shops and services, and increase tourist dollars spent in our city; and
Whereas Guindon Park already has 2 washroom and shower facilities, a boat launch, playground equipment, BMX Park, access to world class fishing and bike trails; and
Whereas there is currently electricity, water and sewer service infrastructure already in place to make Guindon Park a successful location for a campground; and
Whereas, as the waterfront Plan calls for many attractions and improvements to be made, a successful campground would be able to partially fund the other projects listed in the plan, without the need to have the taxpayer pay the full amount of the costs associated with implementing the rest of the plan, therefore saving the tax base millions of dollars over the life of the plan.
Now therefore be it resolved that Council direct Administration to prepare a report on the costs associated with opening a campground with a mix of tent and serviced RV lots, and number of Yurts that can be used for on and off season use, complete with a check in/general store facility, and landscaping the area close to the boat launch into a swimming area, complete with a sand covered beach; and
Now therefore be it further resolved that Council direct Administration to reach out for information and operating models from provincial and municipally run campgrounds that are located close to or inside urban boundaries.