Campground expansion returns
Campground expansion returns
Another proposal to expand the campground at Turner Park is being considered by City Council.
The local Lions Club, which has operated the campground since 2010, has asked again for permission to expand from the current 24 camp sites to up to 90 camp sites, along with adding full water, sewer and power hookups.
Council agreed Tuesday to have a report prepared by administration, along with a bylaw drawn up for consideration to rezone the site.
Both items will be brought back before September 30.
A campsite expansion was approved by City Council in 2013, but development was blocked on appeal on the grounds that the Lions Club would be allowing “long term” tenants. The Development Appeal Board ruled that long term accommodation is not allowed in park zones.
A campground has been in Turner Park since 1973. Local resident Bob Weir insists it was considered only a temporary facility at the time. There is no record of this.
Expansion plans have been considered several times. The Economic Development Board and Chamber of Commerce made a proposal in 1999, and City administration made a similar proposal in 2008. Both were turned down in the face of overwhelming opposition from residents backing onto the park.
Despite these failures, Lions' spokesman Don Westman told Council the campground deserves another chance. "There's always been quite a lot of public support for the expansion of that campground except for a few people on top of the hill."
Sturgeon Creek Post
Wednesday, May 9, 2018