As Yukon’s camping season kicks off, RV owners in Whitehorse may find it harder — and slower — to get their rigs road-ready.
According to an article by CBC, two of the city’s established RV service centres are preparing to close their doors for good, creating a significant service gap just as demand ramps up.
Philmar RV Centre, a fixture in the community since 1983, is one of the shops winding down. Owner Mary-Anne Phillips, who launched the business after a coin toss between Fort McMurray and Whitehorse, says the decision to retire comes after more than 40 years of dedicated service.
“It’s been a good long run, but I’m ready to retire,” said Phillips, who plans to trade her wrench for the open road and explore the East Coast.
Just a few kilometres away on the Alaska Highway, Fireweed RV Services is also closing up shop.
The family-owned business has been repairing and storing motorhomes since 1994. Owner John Robertson said the family decided a few years ago it was time to think about the future. When a good offer came through last fall, they took it.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Robertson. “Everybody asks me what I’m going to do and I say, ‘yes.’”
With both businesses shutting down, Whitehorse RV owners are left with only two remaining service options: Fraserway RV and GoNorth Yukon. And both are already feeling the strain.
Alex Kohler, the sole technician at GoNorth Yukon — who also handles office duties — says business has doubled compared to last year.
“It’s been a tsunami,” said Kohler. “I underestimated how many people there are that have RVs.”
Kohler is now booking service appointments six weeks out and plans to hire an additional technician and stock up on more parts to meet demand.
Fraserway RV is reportedly booking into next month.
As Phillips preps to join the ranks of her many customers and hit the road for new adventures, the RV service landscape in Whitehorse enters a period of transition — and opportunity.
As Robertson put it, “There will be a void for sure. But it’s also an opportunity for someone to fill those shoes.”
The closure of two legacy RV service shops in Whitehorse highlights a growing service bottleneck in northern communities — and presents a potential opening for new businesses to step in and meet rising demand.