Cranbrook City Council has chosen to stop operating the Mt. Baker RV Campground in 2021 after the current operator said they wouldn’t renew the contract.
The existing contract for the campground expires on March 31, 2021. Typically, the campground would open April 1st for the camping season.
If the City wanted to continue operating the campground in 2021, they would need a new RFP (Request for Proposal) from prospective operators.
City of Cranbrook staff indicates the campground is in need of “major repairs” in order to be operational including new washrooms, as well as replacing electrical, water, and sanitary sewer infrastructure.
As per the contract, the City of Cranbrook is paid 20% of the campground operator’s gross revenue. In 2019, the campground pulled in $141,229, leaving the City with $28,246. The City estimates the redevelopment of the campground would be $1.3-million and require at least $80,000 of immediate funding to make the campground operational in 2021.
City staff recommended City Council stop operation of the campground in 2021 and investigate plans for the campground site in the future. The decision only affects the Mt. Baker RV Campground and not Baker Parks, which is the site of an outdoor skating rink every year.
MORE: Mt. Baker RV Campground Future Use Options (City of Cranbrook)
The campground site is 1.23 ha and could be the location of future development opportunities depending on stakeholder and community interest.
“Not undertaking the repairs nor operating the RV campground for the 2021 season also allows Council to work towards their strategic goals of “priority-based budgeting” and to consider the RV campground in the context of overall service delivery in Cranbrook,” reads Cranbrook’s Council Report. “It is noted that the significant RV campground improvements have not been currently identified as a priority capital item project in the City’s current draft budget.”
The City will look to reach out to the public to gauge any expressions of interest for the current Mt. Baker RV Campground location.
“Going out to the public for an expression of interest for development will identify what possibilities there may be to provide a greater return to the citizens of Cranbrook which could include further housing capacity or other developments they may come up with,” said the City. “Once the results of the Expressions of Interest are received, Administration will discuss with Council and pursue further engagement with the general public.”