The Eiling Kramer Campground is closed for the season, but there is still activity going on.
A new service centre shower house is being built to replace the one that visitors describe as clean but dated.
Lesmeister Construction has begun work on the building after being awarded the contract for $332,000 at the Sept. 21 meeting of town council. An additional $61,000 is being spent on design and engineering by Associated Engineering. This includes, however, $25,000 that was allocated to a project at the Battleford Arena.
Monday, upon receiving the year end report from campground manager Joe Mills, council members asked administration to look into the cost of increasing the number of full service sites, as the public is looking for those kinds of sites and some campers went elsewhere because there weren't any available. Only five of the sites are full service at present, offering water, sewer and electrical.
There are also 74 electrified sites, separate tenting and picnic areas with an enclosed shelter that is available to rent.
"Considering we have only five full service sites, the feasibility to open another area and tripling these sites could be considered in the future," wrote Mills in his report. "An expansion in full service sites would greatly increase revenue."
This year's revenue at the Kramer campground was $106,000.97. A total of 1,121 campers were registered.
"Campers' comments were positive," said Mills. "They cited cleanliness of the washrooms (although dated), campsite care, lawn care, large trees and open areas. They cited the staff as friendly, helpful and positive. Many registered campers were appreciative of the free showers and could not believe a free bundle of firewood each night, as compared to other campgrounds. This year we had a number of campers from Europe and the southern USA."
A common not-so-positive comment, however, was poor signage while travelling on Highways 16, 4 and 40 and within the town limits. This is an ongoing comment heard by the Town, says Mayor Derek Mahon.
Mills wrote, "A request to Battlefords Tourism to promote via Internet and brochures throughout the RV communities may help increase our attendance numbers."
Mills also reported on the use of the picnic shelter, which was used throughout the season.
"We had many reunions, weddings, school gatherings, parties and birthday parties," he wrote. "Our camping permits increase from the shelter rental."
He added there were times when a great deal of clean-up time is required, so he asked council to consider an increase in the shelter fees.
Later in the meeting councillors did approve a change in the fees.
