Dogwood Express Newsletter |
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February 3, 2023: Issue 39 |
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In This Issue:
- Final Reminder 2023/24 Super Camping/Select Lodging Guide Listing Deadline February 6, 2023
- Expression of Interest re Installing a Public EV Charging Station
- Group Purchasing Program for Heart Start Defibrillator and Accessories
- New MRDT Major Event Tax Applied to Hotels in Vancouver to Assist in Covering the Cost of the 2026 World Cup
- Camping and Length of Stay Bylaws
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Dear BCLCA Member:
Last week we held our first Parking Lot meeting to engage with members and discussed the processes involved in setting rates. 26 people participated in the roundtable discussions.
The session was led and moderated by Jamie Cox, President who shared his spreadsheet approach to setting rates. Others provided thoughts on rate setting and I listed off some of the factors to consider with setting rates.
To view the rate setting session recording:
Passcode: yA3gG6.q
Our next get together is a zoom webinar on February 15th and will cover campground maintenance plus a reservation panel. The second Parking Lot round table with members will discuss Cancellation Policies on February 23rd.
Why not register.
FREE Parking Lot Series Registration:
FREE Webinar Registration:
Closing on February 3rd is the annual 2022 Occupancy and Rate survey and a big thank you to the 100 plus properties that have participated. The results will be available in March.
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FINAL REMINDER 2023/24 SUPER CAMPING/SELECT LODGING GUIDE LISTING DEADLINE FEBRUARY 6, 2023
If you are interested in being listed in the 2023/24 guide, please email [email protected] or call 778-383-1037. Purchase deadline February 6, 2023.
The 2023/24 guide has a choice of two different listings, basic and enhanced, and both formats include a photo. All properties who purchase a listing are also located by number on the pull-out map, which is cross-referenced with their listing in the guide and promoted on the Super Camping App.
80,000 copies will be printed by Mitchell Press in May 2023 along with the publication of an online SCBC flipbook version accessible (13,766 visitors over the past year) from the travel website.
The print guides will be distributed at Visitor Info Centres in BC /Alberta, BCLCA Members, RV Rental Agencies, BC Parks, BC Ferries, Consumer Shows and Government Agencies.
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EXPRESSION OF INTEREST RE INSTALLING A PUBLIC EV CHARGING STATION
The BCLCA has been talking with BC Hydro and FortisBC about opportunities to partner with them to install public charging stations offering pull-through service (capable of handling trailers and eRVs) to the public at a select few campgrounds.
Both are seeking potential partners with suitable land, under a licence to occupy arrangement, to install highway location fast charge stations for the public accessible 24/7 – 365.
They are seeking potential partners in key locations willing to:
- Offer land use at no fee - 10 year no cost licence to occupy,
- Have an onsite host,
- Can provide a maintenance and cleaning contract – snow clearing, garbage etc.
The benefits to the operator are:
- Accessing power upgrades and developing a relationship beyond just paying the bills with your provider.
- Hosting a fast-charging site can also help attract additional clientele/customers for either the campground, or any amenities (restaurant, shop, etc.) that may be co-located with the site.
If you have a location and wish to be considered, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. |
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GROUP PURCHASING PROGRAM FOR HEART START DEFRIBRILLATOR AND ACCESSORIES
Member Titus and Tammi Midgley, Sheridan Lake Resort have organized a group purchase opportunity for Heart Start Defibrillators. Many remote resorts are not currently equipped to handle a heart attack emergency and the defibrillator onsite could be the difference between life and death before emergency services can attend.
Click here for information on the PHILIPS Cardiac resuscitation HeartStart FRx.
Tammi informed us “We have a few resorts in our area interested in purchasing an AED and if we could get some others, the price is cheaper for 5 or 10 or more. Possibly even cheaper if more were interested.” For instance, the price per unit for 10 and accessories is 20% less than a single purchase. See quote.
If you would like to participate and purchase an AED for your property, please contact Tammi directly at [email protected] or call (250) 593-4611 by January 31st.
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NEW MRDT MAJOR EVENT TAX APPLIED TO HOTELS IN VANCOUVER TO ASSIST IN COVERING THE COST OF THE 2026 WORLD CUP
All visitors to the City of Vancouver will notice an extra fee on their hotel and short-term rental bills from February 1, 2023. The new 2.5% tax will be applied to all short-term accommodation sales within the City of Vancouver to cover the costs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in which Vancouver will be among the host cities.
The 2.5% tax is set to be in place for three years leading up to the FIFA World Cup, and will remain for four years following the massive event, until 2030. The event is expected to cost between $240 million and $260 million for BC.
The major event tax DOES NOT apply to other hotels in Metro Vancouver i.e., those located in Richmond or Burnaby for instance.
This additional tax is on top of the 3% MRDT and 8% provincial tax that remains in place.
The province says there will be safeguards in place to ensure the amount received goes into event costs and not somewhere else.
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CAMPING AND LENGTH OF STAY BYLAWS
Several municipal and regional districts have very specific clauses about length of stay in their bylaws for camping or RVing, and some can be quite restrictive. It’s a good idea to know if a length of stay bylaw provision is in place for your business.
The Association recently became aware of a positive change to a campground bylaw allowing longer stays enacted in Port Edwards.
The council of Port Edward passed a motion to change the bylaw of the only campground in the community, the Kinnikinnick Campground and RV Park (British Columbia).
The new bylaw allows guests to stay for up to 30 cumulative days during peak season, between May 1 and October 31. Furthermore, in the off-season, between November 1 and April 30, visitors may stay for as long as they like. There is no time restriction.
Previously, guests could camp for a maximum of 14 days.
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BC LODGING & CAMPGROUNDS ASSOCIATION
209, 3003 St. Johns Street, Port Moody BC V3H 2C4
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