The Greenwood Campground could potentially receive a massive facelift to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary if a grant application approved by council gets the green light from the federal government.
“The basic project is to convert the Greenwood Campground into a downtown riverside central park and activity area,” said Ian James, community services manager, during council's June 20 meeting.
Administrative staff put together the application for grant funding from the Canada 150th Community Infrastructure Program, and was seeking council's support and approval in order to submit the paperwork, he said.
“In regards to the grant itself, the government of Canada is wanting to celebrate its 150th anniversary by providing communities with an opportunity to upgrade their infrastructure.”
A requirement that council needed to be aware of is that the grant funding cannot exceed 50 per cent of the project's total cost. Additionally, the project has to be eligible for renovation, such as the expansion of existing community infrastructure that is available to the public, he said.
“What we're proposing is a gazebo and bandstand, a horseshoe pit and bocce ball court.”
It's important to note that as it currently exists, the campground pretty much only has a playground for public use. Other similar camping facilities located within about 10 kilometres of Greenwood offer far more amenities, he said.
“The Greenwood Campground is sparsely used for RV camping during the spring and summer months by visitors and guests, although the campground can fill to capacity during long weekends.”
Based on the number of available RV campgrounds around Sundre, the market seems to be saturated, he said.
“Therefore converting the campground into a downtown riverside central park and activity area would provide the community with better use of the grounds.”
The total cost of the proposed project is about $80,000, half of which would be covered by the grant, leaving the town with a tab of $40,000 that would be allocated from a $42,000 reserve. The gazebo and bandstand would cost about $30,000, plus another $40,000 for bocce ball and $10,000 for a horseshoe pitch, he said.
“I'm not suggesting that we remove the campsites — what I am suggesting is adding to it (the campground).”
The upgrades to the site would provide the community with a great place to gather for private events like weddings or public events like outdoor concerts. The idea is to “enhance what we already have,” he said.
Coun. Paul Isaac said he liked the idea but expressed doubt about whether there is enough room at the campground for the renovations and upgrades. He also expressed concerns at the proposed cost of the horseshoe pit.
“I'd like to volunteer my company,” said Isaac, eliciting laughter from council.
“I'm not sure where you're getting your prices from.”
James said the proposal included all the upgrades and that the location has sufficient room.
“We have a cookhouse that we do not use — it's in desperate need of repair. The gazebo would be ideal in that location,” he said.
Additionally, there's a large space for playgrounds at the campground's entrance. So the horseshoe pitch and bocce ball should fit there “without touching any of the campsites or requiring the removal of any trees.”
Council went on to approve a motion to support the grant application to assist in the renovation and revitalization of the Greenwood Campground to become a downtown riverside central park and activity area.
As of last week, James told the Round Up that administration was still waiting for word as to whether the grant application had been approved at the federal level, but added he expects a confirmation by early fall. If the grant is approved, work would most likely be underway as early in the spring as possible to have everything ready for Canada's 150th, he said.
