Selwyn Township will be looking into operating the Lakefield Campground themselves for next season. Currently, the township owns the campground but Otonabee Regional Conservation Authority (ORCA) is the operator of the site.
However, in March, ORCA provided the township with notice that it will no longer operate the campground in 2026.
Based on this notice, township staff prepared five options for council to consider for the future of the Lakefield Campground.
According to the report provided by CAO Janice Lavalley these options were:
1: Township could advise ORCA that it expects proper notice to be given in accordance with the agreement. Effectively this would mean that the termination date would extend to October 31st, 2026.
Lavalley explained to council that the notice to terminate the agreement between ORCA and Selwyn Township was received on March 3, 2025. According to the agreement signed by the two parties, “either party may terminate the agreement at the end of any season (October 31st)…by providing the other party with one year written notice.”
The notice the township received from ORCA did not meet the requirements in the agreement. This means the township could request proper termination notice, effectively extending ORCA’s operation of the site to the end of 2026.
However, Lavalley stressed the importance of having an engaged operator to ensure the level of service provided at the campground remains satisfactory. Because ORCA has indicated it is not interested in managing the site any longer, it is a concern that the engagement during the extended season for this option would not be satisfactory for residents and visitors.
2. The township could request that ORCA re-consider their decision to terminate and suggest that the agreement be renegotiated.
The report stated that the agreement was negotiated in accordance with the direction received by the Council of the day to ensure that the annual compensation received would, at a minimum:
• cover the Township’s direct costs related to the Campground operation;
• provide for the ongoing contribution to other Departmental operations; and
• fund the cost of the required infrastructure upgrades and other capital investments.
Renegotiating the cost sharing provisions at this point would move the Township away from these principles. Lavalley also told council that the township had met with ORCA many times to discuss campground operations and ensure things remained mutually beneficial for both parties. She went on to say despite this, ORCA still provided notice to terminate the agreement so she feels it is in the township’s best interest to ensure that the campground operator is fully engaged in and committed.
3. Township could consider issuing a Request for Proposal for the campground operation to a private operator.
Lavalley stated “Given the discussion we’ve had around our need for compensation levels to meet all those principles that were established, I think it may be difficult to attract a private contractor who would be satisfied with the profitability of what they can get out of the campground with the amount of Revenue that we require.”
She went on to say that with the short notice they were given, it would also be difficult to get through the proposal process and into a transition that would be ready to start the operation November 1.
4. The Township could choose to cease the campground operation.
Lavalley’s report stated that the campground has been part of the Lakefield community for many decades and has provided significant economic benefit to the local businesses, recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, significant annual revenues to support the Township’s Parks and Recreation Department operations and the ability to generate a reserve to help offset future capital needs.
She also noted during council that the previous council did go through a significant consultation process which recognized the benefits of the campground and made significant upgrades and changes to the site. There were a lot of investments into the Lakefield campground and a lot of revenue generated through the site each season which would have to be made up if it ceased operation through increased taxation or service level reductions.
5. The Township can choose to operate the campground in-house.
Lavalley said that the former Village of Lakefield operated the campground successfully with its own staff for many years. The operation was eventually contracted out in 1996 as a result of a decision by the Village Council of the day to eliminate its parks and recreation staff and services.
She said that it is common for municipalities who own campgrounds to operate them in-house as opposed to through a third party. This is similar to the approach that the Township has chosen for the operation of the Lakefield Marina.
This is the recommended option from staff. Lavalley said that while it would require additional resources and supervisory/management oversight, the municipality would have control of the operation and would benefit from all revenues generated.
Should council proceed with option five, prepare a plan for next steps and budget estimates to prepare for in-house operation of the campground effective November 1, 2025.
Deputy Mayor Black stated that option five makes the most financial sense. He did say however, that he felt ORCA was a good operator and asked in relation to option number two if there was any wiggle room in the amortization period of the loans for the infrastructure investments to help make the agreement more appealing for ORCA.
R. Lane Vance, manager of Financial Services and treasurer for the township said that the amortization of the loan was already maxed out at 30 years and he did not suggest extending that.
Black said that made sense, and he felt option five was a reasonable approach.
Coun. Mary Coulas asked staff when they expected a report to come back. Lavalley said that they expected to come back with a detailed report in June that includes:
• control over operations to maximize the success of the operation through:
o active and timely promotion and marketing
o working with all campers to provide for a welcoming and positive experience
o more focused and timely efforts to maximize existing revenue generation (rate review, marketing Area 3 sites converted to transient usage to travel trailer users; broader promotion of canoe and kayak rentals to visitors; expanded concession sales, etc..)
o ongoing efforts to manage operational costs.
• Potential synergies with Marina operations (marketing, suppliers, investigate booking software).
• Provides for consistency and continuity to future operations.
• Eliminates revenue sharing and retains/maximizes financial benefit to Township.
• Packaging with other local attractions (events, attractions, retail and restaurants)
Coun. John Boyko asked if the report to come back to council would include hiring strategies for new staff and if this option would essentially mean taking over a business.
Lavalley stated that yes it would be like taking over a business however, they have not done a breakdown of staff or expenses yet so could not speak to how that would appear in the report just yet.
Black also asked if the township would need to invest in new software to facilitate bookings/rentals for the campground. Janice said the township currently does not have a software for that service but it would be looked at through the report to come back to council and would include possible synergies with the marina facility bookings as well.
Coulas stated that she felt that could benefit the township on a broader spectrum including at arenas and helping with volunteer’s booking spaces at township facilities. She asked staff to ensure they are not limiting the potential synergies with the campground operations to just the marina.
The recommendation to move the operation of the campground in house for the township of Selwyn was moved by Coun, Brian Henry and seconded by Coun. Coulas. The recommendation was unanimously carried.
