Lethbridge needs a city-owned RV park to accommodate visitors

By Lethbridge Herald on July 23, 2022.

Editor:

Lethbridge spends tonnes of money accommodating folks characterized as  “most vulnerable,” “most disadvantaged” etc! I have no idea what the ideal money to settle the argument might be, but I do know one thing – in the eyes of some the expenditure is/was never enough. 

What those who pay the bills get in return, beside theft of a bike they forgot to lock up, is to be bashed around – shamed – with demeaning voices shouting “we’re not doing enough.” I will not debate this further. 

What I would like to begin a debate on is the dearth of recreational vehicle accommodation for folks coming through this city. At the end of the day hundreds of RV’ers, each travel season look for a safe location to settle, take in the sites, spend a good deal of money during their stay – likely contributing something worthy. 

RV travellers are not well accommodated here. Lethbridge for its size, is unique in that it has one RV park, a corporate/privately owned operation.

 We can do better!  

Collective populations of all towns and villages south of Calgary, to the American border do not equal the population of this city, and yet almost all those towns from tiny Champion to Milk River have RV accommodation.

 Lethbridge has none; none they control that bolster city coffers! The potential is surreal, and we’re missing the boat. 

Hello, Mr. mayor!! As I write this on July 20, I’m in our RV in a beautiful community park one hour from Lethbridge – wide spacious lots, full hook-ups, horseshoe pits, spray park for the kids, two ball diamonds, walking paths, all on acres of beautifully manicured lawn.

 The town has a population of less than 4,000 and the park has been here since the 1960’s. 

Taxpayers of Lethbridge, whether they subscribe or not, are investing a fortune expanding Exhibition Park. Sadly, no bright light downtown thought to include an RV park in that mammoth project.

 Equally as sad is knowing, recreational vehicle owners drifting through here will keep drifting through leaving Lethbridge in the rear-view mirror along with drifters of another ilk.    

Alvin W. Shier

Lethbridge