North Frontenac Proposes Municipal Campground

Craig Bakay | Jan 17, 2024

North Frontenac Council gave the Township’s Community Development department its blessing to begin work on a draft business plan for a potential municipal campground at its regular meeting Jan. 12 in Plevna.

Economic Development Officer Matt Walker gave Council a presentation pointing out that there are about 51 municipally owned campgrounds in Ontario that account for 18 per cent of the total campground visits in Canada.

He said “5.5 million Canadians went camping in 2022.”

Of those, he said, about 73 per cent travelled less than 300 kilometres to get to a campground.

“Bon Echo is the fifth most popular campground in Ontario,” he said. “(But) the Ontario market appears under supplied.”

He said that given its proximity to Toronto, Ottawa and the U.S. border, North Frontenac has certain strategic advantages for a municipal campground in terms of potential market. And, there is plenty of open land. He said a municipal campground doesn’t necessarily have to be on waterfront, although it could well be an option.

In a written report, Manager of Community Development Brooke Ross said “North Frontenac currently has a large number of accommodation providers but continues to attract more visitors each year.

“It is becoming increasingly evident that the current and projected demand for camping spaces is outweighing our supply.

“Although offering a backcountry camping experience which differs from that of a road-accessible campground, the North Frontenac Parklands maintained a notable 68 per cent occupancy rate this past July and August and drive-in sites occupancy was 85 per cent.”

She said that many of North Frontenac’s accommodation providers report that they are at or near 100 per cent occupancy during the summer months with most requiring a three or more night minimum booking.

“A notable need exists for short-stay (transient) tent and trailer campsites that offer visitor flexibility and value,” she said.

“This is not a new idea,” said Dep. Mayor John Inglis, who is also chair of the Economic Development Task Force. “We’ve been talking about it around 10 years.

“This is the closest we’ve come to it becoming a reality (and) I think this puts us close to a possibility we should be considering very seriously.”

However, not all of Council was enamoured with the idea.

“There is the question of us getting into the private sector,” said Mayor Gerry Lichty.

“We would be collecting tax dollars from campground owners and then using those dollars to compete with them,” said Coun. Vern Hermer.

“I’m against it (the idea),” said Coun. Wayne Good. “It’s too early for staff to do.”

But, some thought it could be good for development, like Coun. Roy Huetl.

“I went camping in Bon Echo and ended up buying a piece of property in the area,” he said.

The resolution passed 5-2 with Hermer and Good voting against.

Clarendon Central Recieves Grant

Council revamped its community grants policy slightly to provide Clarendon Central School $1,000 each year automatically.

“All we’re doing is moving money from Pot A to Pot B making it so they don’t have to come and ask for it every year,” said Mayor Gerry Lichty.

Speed Reduction on Local Roads

A bylaw to lower speed limits on North Shore, Head and Smith Roads was deferred to the next Council meeting to give the Public Works Manager time to review the roads.

Septic Inspections

Council approved signing an agreement with the Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office for voluntary septic inspections for the 2024 season.

In 2023, 35 inspections were conducted on four lakes, 25 of those were conducted on weekends.

There were 23 inspections on Kashwakamak Lake, nine on Palmerston Lake, two on Canonto Lake and one on Redhorse Lake. Twelve systems were identified as having no concerns 22 requiring remedial work (such as pump outs, vegetation issues or baffles maintenance) and one system required replacement.

Youth Funding Deferred

Council deferred a funding request of $6,000 from Rural Frontenac Community Services — programs for rural youth until 2024 budget deliberations.

A program has been running at Clarendon Central since 2010.

Equipment Maintenance

Council approved spending $28,500 from the Infrastructure Sustainability Reserve Fund to rebuild a hammer on the Excavator. A new hammer would cost $102,000.

The estimated balance of the Infrastructure Sustainability Reserve Fund is $1,641,091 as per the 2023 budget.