B.C. Gets Off The Dime on RV Park Declines--But Is It In Time?

Last December we reported that there were serious concerns about the decline in the number of RV parks throughout the province. Over a three year period nearly 10% of available RV park "spaces" had vanished, largely due to increasing land values and the resultant sellout by park owners.

Now a group of government and industry folk concerned about the future of BC's tourism have sent the provincial Tourism, Sport, and Arts Minister a wish list of recommendations to try and turn-around what could be a one-way downhill trip to declining tourist revenues.

Among the recommendations was making more provincial land available for RV use and allowing local governments to decide whether or not to allow boondocking. The group also recommended upgrading RV sites in popular campgrounds to better accommodate the needs of newer RVs. Perhaps stating the obvious, the reported noted,"The baby boomer generation's move towards retirement and desire to travel is the major force affecting the RV market and as a result, demands for quality, comfort and services at RV parks will increase."

The work group report recommends their suggestions be implemented within three years. But with the Summer Olympic Games slated for Vancouver in 2010, and all 217 spaces at the only RV park in nearby Burnaby reserved out, three years might be a bit late.

Photo: wildernesscommittee.org

BC RV Parks Decline in Number

Rising land values in British Columbia are proving too tasty to pass up. According to a story in the Vancouver Sun, RV park owners are selling out at a fast clip, reducing the number of RV parks and RV sites at an equally fast pace.

Chris Bower, general manager of Nk'Mip Campground and RV Park, Osoyoos and president of the B.C. Lodging and Campgrounds Association [BCLCA], who said in an interview with the Sun in November, that 74 parks representing 4,687 campsites have closed or changed use in the past three years. "We've lost 10 per cent," said Bower.

"As an example, in Osoyoos we used to have 1,200 campsites. Now we've got 640. And this is all over B.C., especially in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan."

The campground association official said he's a bit frightened by the whole thing. He says he already sees that RVers are finding 'room at the inn,' a problem. "Our RV park numbers are way up," Bower said of his campground in Osoyoos. "But that's not good for the long term. You need enough competition within the industry to make it viable.

"A lot of this is because of the value of the land. They [campsite owners] have an opportunity to make $1 million to $2 million up front, rather than work for 10 to 15 years for it."

Provincial officials are stirred up about the problem, too. Already the minister of tourism has formed a joint investigative committee from both the government and business sector. For those who love traveling BC, let's hope the committee works faster than some in the lower 48. For the full story, visit the Vancouver Sun article.