Hello Campers,
We hope this message finds you all safe, healthy, and managing well during this pandemic.
As you may or may not be aware, the province of Ontario has extended the state of emergency until May 12, 2020, and means that all non-essential business are to remain closed. Since Pine Echo Camp falls under provincial laws, we must wait to hear about the provincial guidelines as to when and how we can reopen our campground. We are all waiting to hear what these guidelines will be.
Current status of Pine Echo Camp/Length of the 2020 Season: As is stands, the park is CLOSED. If for any reason you need something, please call us, and we will work with you to accommodate your request as best we can. Our grounds are currently closed, and by no means should anyone just show up and walk into the campground. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. We are looking to extend our 2020 camping season until October 15. This extension would allow us to enjoy a longer season and to make up for some of the lost time this Spring.
Important Note:
We need to make it perfectly clear that Pine Echo Camp does not qualify for any federal money/relief due to Covid-19. Nor does Pine Echo Camp get any discounts on insurance, taxes etc.
Invoices/Prorating of Seasonal Fees:
Since our camping season normally begins May 1st, we would have already sent out invoices for seasonal site payments for 2020. However, due to the unknown, we held off on mailing out invoices thus far. With the curve seemingly starting to improve, we feel now is a better time to mail out invoices. Some campers have already paid for the 2020 season and it is only fair that business carries on. Therefore, we will mail out invoices now and payment for the 2020 season will be required. The remainder of the 2020 season will be prorated accordingly, due to the shortening of the season. Any loss of seasonal use due to provincial rules will be applied as an account credit to each camper.
New this year:
Winter storage deposit fee of $300. The deposit fee is payable every fall and will be deducted from the following year’s seasonal rent. In the event you decide to leave our park in the fall, the deposit fee will be waived. If you decide to leave in the spring, the deposit fee will be non-refundable. And if you continue camping, your $300 deposit will be applied as a credit toward your seasonal dues. The purpose of the winter storage deposit fee is to prevent the turning away of potential new campers due to a lack of site availability, after a current camper would wait until the spring to leave, storing their trailer in our park all winter. In that situation, we struggle to contact people we had previously turned away. To be clear, the seasonal rent is NOT increasing by $300. Because of the current situation, this year is the perfect time to implement this new policy, as there will no doubt be a shortening of the season, and therefore any prorated rent credit would be applied toward the $300 winter storage deposit fee in the fall. This fee is something we have planned for a few years now and hopefully this makes sense to everyone!
New contract to be signed:
Prior to the 2020 season commencing, and before entering the park, there will be a new seasonal contract required to be filled out which asks for more detailed information from each seasonal camper and will include a Covid-19 disclaimer. Although nobody loves extra paperwork, these forms are required and a necessary part of our business. Stay tuned for more information soon.
If you need any clarification or have questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 519-392-6315 or email pineechocamp@wightman.ca. If you haven’t already, please subscribe through the bottom of our website to receive updates.
Best Regards,
Ron and Lori Grant