Aerial view of Lakefield Beach & Campground

Hague Point and the Lakefield Campground have provided residents and visitors of Selwyn with an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for generations. The Township owns the lands and has contracted a private operator to manage the campground over the past 25 years. In 2020, a Service Delivery Review examined ways for the Parks & Recreation Department to modernize and operate more efficiently; the Review recommended that the Township re-evaluate its role in the campground business and the operating agreement since a considerable financial investment will be needed to replace aging campground infrastructure.

As a result, the Lakefield Campground Utilization Study is being carried out. The Study will look at best practices and trends in the camping industry, seek input from the public, and investigate the following options for the Township to consider for the Lakefield Campground:

  1. Continuing to outsource day-to-day management of the campground to a private sector operator;
  2. Investigating the interest of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) to manage the campground on behalf of the Township (ORCA has an agreement with the City of Peterborough to manage the municipal campground there);
  3. Having the Township’s Parks & Recreation Department manage the day-to-day operation of the campground (this option was removed from consideration); and
  4. Getting out of the campground business and converting the land to public open space.

Check out the Lakefield Campground FAQ (Updated June 10, 2021) for answers to many questions surrounding the Utilization Study and current conditions. 

Lakefield Campground Utilization Study
 General Timeline

Background (February 1 to March 31, 2021)

  • review background materials (current agreement), data collection, financial information, trends and best practices, current infrastructure needs and improvements. Initial findings report prepared by end of March.

Public Engagement (mid-April to mid-May 2021)

  • On-line survey available to all (public, campers, businesses etc.) to obtain input on the initial findings report with five (5) possible options.
  • Key Stakeholder/Community Partner engagement with 10 key informants, including current Campground Operator, Otonabee Conservation (ORCA), other Campground Operators (including municipally-managed), Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, Imagine the Marsh, Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Economic Development & Business Committee.
  • Visioning Session with Council: special Council meeting to review the background information, community feedback relative to the five (5) options and consider refining the options to 2 or 3 for more in-depth review.

Preparation of Draft Report (June to mid-July 2021)

  • Prepare draft report and recommendations and present to Council for feedback
  • Public Information Session to obtain feedback on the refined options
  • Present Final Draft Report to Council at Regular Council Meeting
Special Council Meeting: Interim Update - May 5, 2021

A Special Council Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 5th to provide Council with an interim update from consultants of Monteith Brown Consulting on the Lakefield Campground Utilization Study. This update included a look at the initial findings, the consultation process and the trends and research collected thus far.

Based on the interim update, Council decided to remove the option of Selwyn Township assuming operations of the Campground from future discussions.
To view the presentation and interim research report, visit the Special Council Meeting Agenda page.
Special Council Meeting: Public Engagement #1 - June 15, 2021

A Special Council Meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 15th at 3:00 PM on the Lakefield Campground Utilization Study. This meeting will be livestreamed on the Selwyn Township YouTube Channel. There will be no public question period. 

Part 1Draft Report Presentation and Councillor Q&A
3:00 to 4:25 PM
  • Review draft report – findings and recommendations
  • Draft report to include appendices – survey results, public feedback
  • Analysis of cost implications of infrastructure needs (water, sewer, hydro etc.)
  • Councillor question and answer
5 minute break
Part 2Public Engagement - Stakeholder Groups

4:30 to 5:55 PM

 

6 time slots (format for each) 

  • 10 minute presentation
  • 5 minutes for Councillor questions

First come, first serve (must pre-register)

Request submitted to achittick@selwyntownship.ca by June 9, 2021 at 4:30 PM

10 minute time slots for any of the Stakeholder Groups that want to make a deputation - 6 time slots. Stakeholders include: 

  • Friends of Hague Point
  • Real Friends of Lakefield Campground (Campers)
  • Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee
  • Imagine the Marsh
  • Curve Lake First Nation
  • Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and Trails Advisory Committee (combined)
  • Economic Development and Business Committee
5 minute break
Part 3Public Engagement - Individuals

6:00 to 7:00 PM

 

12 time slots (format for each) 

  • 5 minute presentation
  • no Councillor questions

Request submitted to achittick@selwyntownship.ca by June 9, 2021 at 4:30 PM

5 minute time slots for individuals to make a deputation.

If there are more than 12 requests, there will be a random draw to select 12.
 Special Council Meeting: Public Engagement #2 - July 19, 2021

A Special Council Meeting will be held virtually on Monday, July 19th at 3:30 PM on the Lakefield Campground Utilization Study. This meeting will be livestreamed on the Selwyn Township YouTube Channel. There will be no public question period and no individual deputations (stakeholder groups only).

 

Part 1Draft Report Presentation and Councillor Q&A
3:30 to 5:00 PM

Presentation of Final Draft to Council and Public

  • Recommendation
  • Final consolidated public feedback
  • Cost implications of infrastructure needs (water, sewer, hydro, etc.)
  • Councillor question and answer
15 minute break
Part 2Public Engagement - Stakeholder Groups

5:15 to 6:45 PM

 

6 time slots (format for each) 

  • 10 minute presentation
  • 5 minutes for Councillor questions

Request submitted to achittick@selwyntownship.ca by July 14, 2021 at 4:30 PM

10 minute time slots for Stakeholder Groups that want to make a deputation - 6 time slots. 

  • First opportunity given to any stakeholders that did not present at the first Special Council Meeting on June 15, 2021;
  • Remaining interested stakeholders assigned a time slot based on a random draw.
5 minute break
Part 3Council Discussion

6:50 PM
  • Council discussion and decision
Other Forms of Public Engagement

Draft Report

  • Expected to be available to Council and the Public either June 10, 2021 or June 11, 2021

 
  • Posted on Selwyn Township website and shared through social media platforms
  • Available by contacting the Selwyn Township Municipal Office at 705-292-9507 ext. 243.

  • Sent by email blast (list based on emails received to date)

Online Public Information Centre (PIC)

  • From June 14 to 25, 2021
Provide Your Input!

Your input on the Draft Report can help us understand the priorities that the public places on services such as municipal campgrounds, parkland and natural areas. Here is how you can have your say:

  1. Complete the Feedback Form. Hard copies are available by contacting Tiffany Jacobs (see contact information below).
  2. Ideas and comments can be emailed to tjacobs@selwyntownship.ca or directed to the Township Offices (see below for address).

The Lakefield Campground Utilization Study is scheduled to be completed by Summer 2021. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Study, please contact:

Tiffany Jacobs, Administrative Assistant - Parks & Recreation
Email: tjacobs@selwyntownship.ca
Tel: (705) 292-9507 ext. 243
Physical Address: 1310 Centre Line, Selwyn, Ontario, K9J 6X5
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 270, Bridgenorth, Ontario, K0L 1H0 

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