Report # 2020-108 - Smiths Falls

Dba Board Appointment

                                                                Report # 2020-108

To:    Mayor and Council                                                        For Direction
From: Jennifer Miller, Manager, Economic Development & Tourism                  For Information
Date: September 9, 2020                                                         For Adoption
Committee of the Whole Date: September 14, 2020                                 Attachments – 2 pgs.
Title: Victoria Park Campground Relocation Update

Recommendation: To prepare a public consultation survey using Speak Up Smiths Falls to be
implemented should the Chamber of Commerce find a suitable location for their campground for
the 2021 season.

Purpose:       To update Council on the response from Parks Canada to our correspondence from
               May 2020, and to request further direction on next steps.

Background: On Monday, May 25, 2020, staff presented a report to Council to highlight the top
three locations chosen by a working group made up of the Chamber of Commerce, Parks Canada
and Town of Smiths Falls staff. Those three locations included properties on William Street,
Riverdale Avenue, and on Highway 43. Council had a fulsome conversation about the various
properties, along with the role of the Town in the operation of a campground. It was determined
that the locations on William Street and Riverdale Avenue were to be removed from the shortlist.
Council expressed interest in seeking public input on the Highway 43 location.

Further to that direction, Council also asked that staff approach Parks Canada about whether their
vision for Victoria Park could also include a hybrid model of not just public access and open parkland,
but could host other tourism related assets such as a continued Visitor Centre and some form of
short-term accommodations. The letter was sent on May 26th, and highlighted Smiths Falls
investments in and interest in developing tourism draws. It stated that further investment in
tourism by Parks Canada would be welcome, and that the Town sees Parks Canada as a key partner
in this development. It was requested that Parks Canada share their vision for Victoria Park, consider
the hybrid model proposed, and respond so that public consultation could occur.

A response was received from Parks Canada on August 13th, 2020. Parks outlined their process to
develop their plans, and spoke to the steps that would be taken to determine the land use for their
presence in Smiths Falls. Further to the letter, David Martin, the Business Development Manager
for Parks Canada, spoke via telephone to staff and indicated that it would be more than a year
before their holistic plan was ready for public consultation and wide spread sharing.

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As the September 1st deadline has expired for a relocation plan, Parks Canada will be terminating
the lease of Victoria Park with the Town of Smiths Falls, which will mean that the campground will
not be able to operate at that location in 2021. Parks Canada has indicated that a letter will be
forthcoming to confirm that fact.

The Chamber Manager, Board President and Past President were informed of the letter on August
27th. The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met on September 9th, and have indicated that
they will provide written notice that the Highway 43 relocation option is not one that they wish to
pursue at this time. Formal correspondence has not been received at the time of posting his report.

Analysis and Options: With the three proposed locations no longer being considered, public
consultation would now just involve determining the role of the Town in the Chamber’s
campground business, and the value of a campground to the community. These were important
questions when there were location options to consider, but are now of little consequence if the
Chamber will not be operating a campground after the end of the 2020 season.

   1. Recommended – To prepare a public consultation survey using Speak Up Smiths Falls to be
      implemented should the Chamber of Commerce find a suitable location for their
      campground for 2021 in order to determine if there is a role for the Town to play and what
      value the community sees in a campground within Town limits.
   2. Direct staff to focus tourism team efforts on projects other than campground services.

Budget/Financial Implications: There is currently a Parks Canada surcharge which is 5% of total
revenues for using the land. As per the agreement with the Chamber of Commerce, they are
currently responsible for paying this cost. The Chamber pays a flat rate of $10,000 annually to the
Town, and retains all revenues and incurs most costs to operate the campground with the exception
of park insurance and repairs. Expenses related to decommissioning and/or moving the
campground have yet to be determined.

Link to Strategic Plan:
Strategic Priority # 5.2 – Tourism - Examine relocation options for Victoria Park campground to
encourage overnight stays.

Existing Policy: License Agreement #85-1924-606-131 between Her Majesty the Queen in Right
of Canada and the Town of Smiths Falls. Operational MOU between Town of Smiths Falls and
Chamber of Commerce. Official Plan 2034

Consultations:
   • Malcolm Morris, CAO
   • Art Manhire, Director Community Services
   • Janet Koziel, Treasurer
   • Leslie Richardson, General Manager, Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce

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Notes/Action (space for Council Member’s notes):

 Respectfully Submitted:                       Approved for agenda by CAO:

 __________JMiller__________________           _______________________________
 Jennifer Miller,                              Malcolm Morris, CMO
 Manager, Economic Development & Tourism

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