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 was carried out. The Study looked at best practices and trends in the camping industry, sought input from the public, and investigated 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 (Council approved the draft Lakefield Campground Operating Agreement with ORCA to manage the campground on behalf of the Township);
  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 July 2, 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), Peterborough & Kawarthas Chamber & 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.
Special Council Meeting: Public Engagement #1 - June 15, 2021

A Special Council Meeting was held on Tuesday, June 15th to gather feedback from the public on the refined options of the Lakefield Campground Utilization Study.

A recording of this meeting is available on the Selwyn Township YouTube Channel or view the Special Council Meeting Agenda.
Special Council Meeting: Public Engagement #2 - July 19, 2021

A Special Council Meeting was held virtually on Monday, July 19th to gather feedback from the public on the refined options of the Lakefield Campground Utilization Study. 

Based on the contents of the Study and the public feedback, Council decided to approve the option of investigating the interest of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) to manage the campground on behalf of the Township

A recording of this meeting is available on the Selwyn Township YouTube Channel or view the Special Council Meeting Agenda.

Regular Council Meeting - April 26, 2022

A Regular Council Meeting was held virtually on Tuesday, April 26th to present Council with the draft Lakefield Campground Operating Agreement with Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA). 

Council approved the draft Lakefield Campground Operating Agreement with ORCA to manage the campground on behalf of the Township

A recording of this meeting is available on the Selwyn Township YouTube Channel or view the Regular Council Meeting Agenda.

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