Camping cancellations draw council talks

Lloydminster is getting camping ready as they review their campground policy. 

The bylaw currently pertains to the Weaver Park Campground which has 57 serviced camping lots. 

The bylaw defines the campground season, outlines accepted and prohibited behaviours in the campground, and rules around pets and campsite use.

Coun. Michael Diachuk asked if people are meeting at a campground here in Lloyd and they each drove, where the extra vehicle would be parking.

“It’s one vehicle per registered campsite, at the campsite we would only allow the one vehicle that’s really all there’s space for. We would ask the guest to park in the guest parking and then walk to the campsite,” said Jordan Newton, manager of parks and green spaces. 

Diachuk also requested clarification on what happens if the people camping have more than the five allowed people. Newton clarified there is a fee for additional campers. 

The bylaw states any additional penalties for cleaning or damages will be processed to the credit card and Diachuk requested specifics on how recovering the damage deposit works.

“We did make a change two camping seasons ago where all of our bookings registering and payment service is all online and it’s done through a credit card system that is held within the system for a short amount of time,” said Newton. 

The conversation around the council table moved to the specifics of 8.4 in the bylaw which states, “No refunds will be issued for long-weekend cancellations.”

“Long weekend cancellations, if you book a long weekend, two three months in advance, or it opens Feb 1 for reservations, if you book a long weekend but something comes up change of plans two to three months in advance, that is a non-refundable booking then?” asked Coun. Jason Whiting

“That is correct, councillor, what had happened previous to me coming into this position is we would have individuals book long weekends for maybe there’s a sporting event, they’d book it right in February as soon as possible and they would cancel the week of and we weren’t able to rebook it and the campground is always full on long weekends,” said Newton.

Whiting said it might be a good idea to have some leeway for cancelling. Newton was open to the idea saying they could add a 30 to 45 day notice. He wants the proper amount of time to rebook the campground if there is a cancellation.

Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson pointed out if anyones unsure about booking a penalty could deter them. 

“I do agree with Councillor Whiting about the long weekend bookings, I know Parks Alberta and certain other camping websites will give you a 45-day window or a 60-day window before you’re penalized I think that could be a revisit,” she said. “If you say no refunds, the person who is even 80 per cent sure they’re coming they’re not booking. We don’t want to turn away that potential business.”

Coun. Jim Taylor chimed in on the conversation making the point that these policy’s and rules should be clear to the person booking.

“We don’t get to book online, I don’t think a lot of us are booking in camping. My only comment is as long as this stuff is easy, clear and easy for the booking customer to find it I think it’s in front of them and there are no surprises. As long as you feel the website or the booking agent works well and it’s clearly communicated and there are no surprises,” he said. 

Newton clarified the information would be on the landing page for customers to view when booking. 

The Weaver Park Master Plan was adopted in September and it proposed some changes while setting up an operational frame work for the future of the park. Deputy Mayor David Lopez says if changes are made to the park that may be something to review within the campground policy.

“If they’re making changes to the campground area, they would have to come back and review this. If they got rid of the picnic area, or added to a different area  that would have to be possibly added to the policy,” he said.

Administration will be reviewing 8.4 and bringing the bylaw back to council for decision. 

Read more: Weaver Park Master Plan adopted