Established in 2006, the Saskatchewan Municipal Awards (SMA) celebrates the excellent and innovative practices of Saskatchewan’s municipal governments. The program also aims to share knowledge amongst municipalities by sharing best practices, promote cooperation and synergies between urban and rural municipalities, and award municipal driven projects.
Speaking about the nomination, Churchbridge Mayor Bill Johnston said, “Council submitted the nomination because we are very proud of the way the town’s volunteers have supported and made great use of the campgrounds since they were acquired by the town some 34 years ago. It has proven to be a means by which our campground volunteers through those years have shared their pride in their home town with visitors from all parts of the world. And more recently a new generation of residents has found ways to use the campgrounds to encourage physical activity among residents and visitors.”
Mayor Johnston added, “We were very surprised to hear that we have been named one of the successful projects nominated for the Saskatchewan Municipal Awards and are looking forward to see how we fare in the final selection process.”
The campground in Churchbridge benefits its residents through increased recreational opportunities while offering tourists a taste of true small town friendliness.
According to the nomination application, “The story begins in 1987 when the Provincial Department of Tourism and Renewable Resources put up for sale its 40-acre roadside campground in Churchbridge, along with other similar smaller facilities scattered around the province. When no one stepped forward to take it on as a private enterprise the park was offered to the town for a token $1 price tag.
While that was certainly an appealing offer the town had to seriously consider that running a campground was something it had no experience in doing, much less financing its operations. Given the alternative which was to simply see it permanently closed, the town stepped forward and took on what was unquestionably a bit of a gamble.”
The campground has had it’s gates open for 34 years now which proves that decision was a wise and profitable one. There are 37 tent and RV sites that are well used by both seasonal and overnight guests. The campground’s projected income for this year is $32,500 which helps to balance the town’s continuing upgrades to the park. Recently, upgrades included replacing some of the campsite fire pits.
The nomination form raved about how appreciated the help is from the Churchbridge Campground Committee. It stated that the group of around 20 volunteers visit the campground to collect camping fees and ensure all of the facilities, including the park’s modern washrooms with showers, are in good order.
“Two years ago the 12-hole Churchbridge Credit Union Disc Golf Course became a reality, utilizing the trees, bushes and other natural features throughout the park to create one of the area’s most challenging disc golf courses. It’s a popular sport for all ages which can even be played in the winter, offering a uniquely new, fun, and inexpensive form of outdoor physical activity.”
The nomination also mentioned the walking path network in and around the camp- ground which will be approximately 1.3 kilometres in length. “Although it has only been available for a year it has already proven to be a popular venue for young and old to enjoy a leisurely walk in nature, or a good, exhilarating jog.” Also, the Hallowed Walk was highlighted , saying the “spookie sights and live characters to add an entirely new and unexpected dimension to the trail.”
Another useful benefit of the path is that it is “groomed through the winter for cross-country skiers to enjoy, along with snowshoers and anyone else wanting to get out and enjoy nature and have a good, brisk walk through the snow.”
A major tree planting project is underway, with 210 trees planted this year donated by SaskPower; more are planned to be planted next year.
In an effort to make the campground more eco-appealing to future visitors, the town
The older trees are also taken care of, and members of the Churchbridge Lions Club spent several afternoons this past spring and summer cutting down and trimming older, dead trees along the campground’s fenceline.
To summarize the importance of the campground to the area, the nomination form stated, “The Churchbridge Campground, by itself, continues to be a source of pride for the community, offering the town an opportunity to warmly welcome and create a positive lasting impression on visitors from around the world, as well as contractors who call it their home during the summer construction season.”
“From the perspective of providing new physical fitness initiatives the park is a major success. Walkers enjoy the path for early morning wake-up jogs, relaxed afternoon walks, to evening runs. The disc golf course has proven to be a popular new activity and the course hosts an annual tournament which draws disc golfers from throughout the province. Our pre-K to Grade 12 school makes use of the park for a variety of phys.ed. purposes throughout the year. Often the activity building is used for birthday parties and other private social events. As mentioned the park was the site of a first time Halloween-themed day of family activities [hosted by the Churchbridge Players Drama Group] which drew an estimated 500 people.”
Congratulations to everyone involved with the Churchbridge Community Campground, including the volunteers, group members and town staff who help maintain the area.
By: Gary Horseman