Katherine Lake Campground in British Columbia reopened on June 7 after being closed since February due to a sinkhole on the access road caused by heavy rain, according to a Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) press release on June 6.
The reopening is due to the efforts of SCRD staff and the contracted park campground operator, who worked to repair the road. In May, SCRD staff collaborated with a local contractor to complete a temporary repair, allowing the road to reopen until a permanent fix is scheduled for the fall.
A May 16 press release detailed that obtaining permits for a permanent fix might take up to two months, potentially delaying the park’s reopening. To expedite the road repair, the SCRD enlisted contractors to conduct surveys, hydrological assessments, and engineering design for the road repair.
Shelley Gagnon, general manager of community services, mentioned that they had anticipated the park would remain closed until July. “We understand that everyone is keen to get back into the park, particularly with the long weekend ahead, but our staff and park operator need a few more days to get everything in place for reopening,” Gagnon said.
Located in Garden Bay near Pender Harbour on the Sunshine Coast, Katherine Lake Campground is a destination for both day visitors and overnight campers. The campground provides various facilities, including 19 recreational vehicle sites with RV hookups and 10 tent campsites. The park features two washroom facilities with showers, a sandy swimming beach, a small playground, fishing and boating areas, and a day-use picnic area.
In addition to its camping facilities, Katherine Lake offers picnic areas and a small playground. The lake also allows non-motorized boating. The camping season at Katherine Lake runs from the May long weekend until the day after the Labour Day long weekend.
The Katherine Lake Campground case highlights the importance of maintaining and quickly repairing essential amenities to ensure continuous operation. Campground owners can learn from the approach taken by SCRD. It demonstrates the significance of having contingency plans and collaboration with local contractors and experts for emergency repairs.
