City of Powell River councillors have unanimously endorsed increases in rates for Willingdon Beach Campsite.
At the May 18 city council meeting, councillor Trina Isakson, chair of the finance committee, said a bylaw to update some of the fees related to the campsite was in front of councillors.
“There was a hold on fees through most of COVID-19 and so there are some proposed increases, starting this fall, for off-season rates, and next summer for summer rates,” said Isakson. “This bylaw lays out a series of increases over the next few years to be in line with markets and other campgrounds.
“Staff put a lot of research into what would be appropriate increases.”
Councillor Jim Palm said councillors had received an email from one of the permanent residents at Willingdon Beach concerned about an eight per cent increase for the three individuals who reside with their trailers year-round at the campsite.
“They thought that was maybe a little bit onerous,” said Palm. “However, when you consider we are not directly charging for the use of electric heat that they use during the winter, and we were not covering those costs sufficiently, that’s an attempt to recoup some of the costs that we incur in that regard. We think it’s fair.”
Councillor Cindy Elliott said she is in favour of the bylaw but also in favour of lowering the rate increase for the three year-round residents.
“At the time an amendment was put forward and it failed, so I am in favour of the bylaw even though I had been in favour of lowering the eight per cent increase.”
Council voted in favour of the Willingdon Beach Campsite bylaw.
According to the bylaw, daily off-season rates for a full hookup site with electricity, sewer and water, starting October 1, will be $40, climbing to the peak season rate on May 1, 2024, of $50.
A beachfront site with no electricity will climb to the off-season rate of $42 on October 1 and peak season rate of $49 on May 1, 2024. A beachfront site with electricity will be $48 during the off-season and $56 in peak season.
Tenting sites will be $25 and $33 on October 1 and May 1, 2024, respectively. Seniors will receive a 10 per cent discount.
To discourage campers from staying longer than their checkout time, there will be a $50 per hour late checkout fee added to the bill.
The bylaw stipulates increases going to May 1, 2026.
