Guindon Park campground to be studied by committee

A diagram from a Tuesday, May 25, 2021 council agenda shows the proposed 31 acres (12.5 hectares) that would be developed into a municipal campground. The idea will be studied by a committee. (City of Cornwall via Newswatch Group)

CORNWALL – A proposal to build a campground in Guindon Park will be studied by an upcoming committee that will be put together.

Council agreed Tuesday night to send it to the waterfront working group.

Coun. Todd Bennett, who originally proposed the idea, liked everything in the report but the $5 million cost.

A city report estimates the campground would be an additional cost to the city with a draft operating budget posting a yearly deficit of $291,000 – mostly due to servicing the long term debt to build it. Without the debt included, the campground would make about $22,000 a year.

Bennett says the waterfront working group will be able to better tackle every aspect of the plan.

“We can go really over the information that you were able to provide us and really do I think what’s right for that park. It’s a beautiful park and I certainly don’t want to anything to take away from that. I think this is something that’s going to enhance it and really put some eyes on the City of Cornwall in another way,” Bennett said.

Others agreed with the concerns about the cost.

The draft plan would call for 190 campsites, including serviced RV sites, on 31 acres (12.5 hectares) in the western section of the park, with three or four yurts and upgrades to both park washrooms. A beach is also part of the plan, which is also included in the city’s waterfront plan.