North Frontenac Considers Municipal Campground In 2025 Budget

Craig Bakay | May 22, 2024

North Frontenac Council directed Manager of Community Development Brooke Ross to bring back estimated pricing for Council to consider regarding hiring a consultant to complete a business plan for a municipal campground during 2025 budget deliberations at its regular meeting May 16 in Plevna.

In her report, Ross said that it was reported in a previous Council meeting that 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 future demand for camping spaces outweighs our supply,” she said. “Many of North Frontenac’s accommodation providers report that they are at or near capacity throughout the summer months with most requiring a three or more night minimum bookings.

“A notable need exists for short-stay (transient) tent an trailer campsites that offer visitors flexibility and value.

“Short-stay sites support visitors who may be visiting for the first time, cannot stay for a longer duration, cannot afford a long stay, are attending a local event and/or are passing through as part of a larger journey.”

She said that while initial findings supports several advantages and benefits for a municipal campground, with the early departure of the Township’s economic development officer there is not sufficient staff time to complete business case for this proposal in 2024 (and) “should Council wish to proceed with a business case for a municipal campground, it is recommended that the manager of community development bring back estimated pricing regarding hiring a consultant during 2025 budget deliberations.”

She said that there has, as yet, been no consideration of location and any land acquisition would come later.

“We’d just be getting some ballpark figures to bring back to Council,” said CAO Corey Klatt.

The motion passed with Coun. Vernon Hermer and Wayne Good voting no,

“It’s going to cost over a million dollars to get it going and then there’ll be staff costs,” said Good. “And that’s not just an eight-hour day.”

Community Grants

Council approved nine community grant applications for 2024.

CAO Corey Klatt said there was $9,000 approved for this in the budget and “nobody was turned away.”

The grants include:

• $1,000 for the Back Roads Studio Tour to advertise and promote their 2024 tour
• $1,000 for the Just Move Butterfly Garden projects at the Clar-Mill Community Hall and Clarendon Central Public School
• $1,000 for the Clar-Mill Community Volunteers to purchase arm chairs for the Hall, which will become Township assets and available for public use at all times
• $1,000 for the Lions Club of Land O’Lakes to assist with the cost of the 2024 Santa Claus Parade
• $1,000 for the North Frontenac Amateur Astronomy Club to help fund electrical installation and Guy Nason dedication plaque for the second observatory
• $988.89 for the North Frontenac Fitness Group for the purchase of exercise equipment
• $1,000 for North Frontenac Food Bank support
• $1,000 for the North Frontenac Historical Society and Archives to assist with preservation projects
• $1,000 for the Ompah Community Centre Association to assist with the purchase of new double sided sign.

Hill’s Lake Culvert

In a public meeting preceding the regular meeting, Council received Jewell Engineering’s report on repairing the Hill’s Lake Culvert.

Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule said the actual work would probably take three days but because of “warm water fishery issues,” the work probably wouldn’t start until July, depending on what Mississippi Valley Conservation decides.

“There’s a long history of trying to mitigate the situation there,” he said.

Tourism and the Trail

Council received a power point presentation from Frontenac County Manager of Economic Development Richard Allen and Community Development Officer Debbi Miller on business support, investment attraction, tourism, Open Farms and the K & P Trail.

They said that contingent on a successful RED Grant application, the focus on the K & P Trail this year will be rehabilitation from Clarendon Station to the Mississippi River.

They said they’re expected the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority to transfer 38 kilometers to the trail system.

“Cyclists love Frontenac County’s gravel roads so don’t put too much hardtop down,” Allen said.

They said they are currently recruiting farms and other locations for the ninth annual Open Farm Days scheduled for Aug. 16 to Sept. 30.