Slasher councillors attack Pointe des Chenes trailer park

Bent on slashing a proposed 4.6 percent increase to the tax levy, Sault Ste.

Bent on slashing a proposed 4.6 percent increase to the tax levy, Sault Ste. Marie City Council last night approved a renegotiated deal expected to cut city subsidies to the Lions Club Pointe Des Chenes Family RV Park and Campground by at least $27,000 a year.

At the request of both the Lions Club and the city, the new five-year contract also contains a cancellation clause allowing either party to terminate the operating arrangement at any time, with the Lions to be reimbursed for major improvements made to the trailer park.

The exit clause is significant because it's been just three years since the city reviewed the possibility of closing the municipally subsidized campground and selling the property as a cost-cutting measure.

"This campground is a jewel. It's a jewel for the community and it's a definite jewel for Ward 6," said Ward 6 Councillor Joe Krmpotich.

For 28 years, the Lions Club has maintained and operated the popular park, which has attracted visitors from Australia, Germany, Holland and at least four U.S. states.

Profits collected at Pointe Des Chenes by the Lions have allowed the club to make $310,000 in donations to more than 40 groups including Sault Area Hospital, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the No Limits Adaptive Ski Club, local soup kitchens and the Sault Star Santa Fund.

Revenues come from selling park permits, firewood, groceries, ice and sundries.

Over the past four years, the city has provided an average of $35,000 a year toward the cost of running the 105-campsite, 10-acre trailer park.

The revised agreement approved by City Council last night is expected to reduce the city's contribution to just $4,000 to $8,000 a year.

The city will provide property insurance under its own policies.

The Lions will pay for general liability insurance.

The new agreement calls for the city to scale back its share of water-treatment expenses at the park: from 44 percent in 2014 to 10 percent in 2019.

The Lions must conduct monthly performance audits and report to the city on occupancies, camping revenues, firewood and concession sales and capital expenditures.

The local Lions Club has 50 members, nine of whom serve on the committee that operates Pointe des Chenes.