The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) announced that Katherine Lake Park and Campground will be closed until at least after the May long weekend due to significant road damage caused by heavy rainfall earlier this year.
In February, critical structural failures, including a dangerous sinkhole, compromised the park’s access road, leading to immediate safety concerns.
“We understand that this is frustrating for those who use the park and campground, but it’s just not safe to use the road right now. The remediation and upgrade of the road will be completed with climate resiliency in mind so that we are building for the future, and other potential heavy rain events that are completely out of our control,” Shelley Gagnon, SCRD general manager of community services, said in a press release.
An inspection uncovered that the road’s culvert system was both undersized and corroded, necessitating its closure. To address these issues, the upcoming repair project will replace the entire culvert system and reinforce the road base.
SCRD is expediting the repair process by engaging professionals to ensure the work is done, and the Katherine Lake Park and Campground will directly contact guests who had reserved spots for upcoming weeks to arrange refunds, the press release noted.
According to its website, Katherine Lake Park offers a range of camping options, including 19 RV sites with electrical hookups—sites 1-6 featuring 15 amps and sites 7-19 equipped with 30 amps—but no sewage connections.
Additionally, there are 10 tent campsites available. The park provides two washroom facilities with showers exclusively for campers, a sandy swimming beach without lifeguard services, a small playground, fishing and boating opportunities, an onsite caretaker, and a day-use picnic area. Katherine Lake’s camping season extends from the May long weekend through Labor Day in September.
The closure due to significant road damage highlights an important learning opportunity for private campground owners and operators.
Proactive maintenance is essential and by regularly inspecting and maintaining infrastructure, including roads, culvert systems, and utility hookups, owners can prevent sudden problems that could lead to costly repairs and operational disruptions. Implementing a routine check-up schedule during the off-season can also help identify potential issues before they escalate.