Plans to expand the Kilby Historic Site Campground have temporarily been put on hold due to a lack of funding.
Started in 2015, the original plan of the project was to include six new sites to the campground, which were projected to bring in approximately $36,000 in revenue for the Kilby Historic Site.
Along with adding more campsites, plans for the Campsite Enhancement Project also included improving the washroom and shower facilities in the site.
Earlier, residents in the surrounding area voiced their concerns for the project, and that once the land was turned into a campground, it could never be used for agricultural purposes again.
On June 1 the District released an invitation to tender and various contractors from the area submitted bids to the district. However, due to the lack of funding, a staff report at Monday’s council meeting in Kent recommended that the contract not be awarded to any of the contractors.
The report also suggested that Mayor John Van Laerhoven request additional funding from minister of forests, lands, and natural resources Steve Thomson. The District already received $200,000 in funding from the Provincial government in April for the project.
Council was presented with six different plans for the campsite project, pending the approval of additional funding. By unanimous vote, the selected plan will see the campsite built parallel to the dike along the Harrison River, with one entrance off Kilby Road.
Although the choice is above the current budgeted amount for the project, Councillor Duane Post explained why he thought that it was the best option.
“I think it has the least impact on farmland and on the residents in that area,” he said.
“I think there are a few things that will need to be changed,” Van Laerhoven added, referring to the turnaround at the end of the campsite road, “but otherwise, it looks pretty straightforward.”
