Renfrew, Ont. campers hit with last minute price hike for summer
There are some unhappy campers at Reid’s Lake Campground in Renfrew, Ont., after they say they have to pay a massive last minute price hike only days before the opening.
Now, the campers are concerned the season could be lost if they do not settle the bill.
Céline Filion and partner Nicole Crevier savour their summer-time camping. As they head into the third season of weekend-getaway bliss, their resort of choice is Reid’s Lake Campground.
“It’s beautiful campground, the people are fantastic. It had everything I want, the main thing fishing and relaxing,” says Crevier.
Filion feels the same, or at least did before this week.
“It’s getting away on the weekends out of the city, spending some time in the country,” says Filion. “It was a great experience until what happened.”
In December, the private campground was sold to Harmony Resorts, which owns ten other campgrounds across Ontario.
“In January we received a contract stating the payments, everything we needed to pay on certain dates and we paid accordingly,” says Crevier, who says the bill for the May to October term to park their camper. The camper is connected to hydro, water and waste, along with additional upgrade fees is $3,248.75.
“And then all of a sudden [on Wednesday] we received an email stating we owe an extra $3,000. We’ve been given five days notice because the campground opens May 1.”
The couple is not alone. Brad Landon, who booked his campsite, says he also received a notice, stating he owed about $3,200 more than he already paid.
“It’s shocking there is no other way to put it,” says Landon. “I’m retired. I don’t have that kind of money laying around and definitely wasn’t looking forward to doing this. At this time I’m looking for alternative spaces to take my camper.”
Deanna Maillet is faced with the same problem as well.
“We received payment schedule, we paid our deposit, we paid our payments and we had a balance of zero and then all of a sudden the very next day we didn’t and had a supplemental invoice which we have not received any information about,” says Maillet. “It’s not fair to spring this on us four days before camp opening. I just don’t think an increase of 80-something per cent is reasonable.”
The group say they have spoke to other renters at Reid Lake, who have also received similar correspondence. Filion says unless they pay, access to the grounds will be denied and the initial payment of thousands of dollars will not be returned. They plan to hire a lawyer to dispute the price hike.
Harmony Resorts did not respond to a request for an interview from CTV News Ottawa.
However, in the email received by Filion from Harmony Resorts, the company points to inflation as part of the increase, noted its new rates, and explained that improvements will be made including the addition of a pool, a laundry system, new showers and guest accommodations.
In the case of campgrounds, provincial and municipal tenant-landlord laws don’t apply.
“They are not rental agreements, campers are in a campground under what we call a license of occupation,” says Alexandra Anderson, executive director of the Ontario Private Campground Association. “These are private businesses with private contracts and we fall under the trespass to property act.”
Anderson says in many circumstances, campground owners will inform their clients in the fall as to what the set price will be the following year. In this case, that would not have been possible, as the Harmony Resorts did not purchase the property until later in the year.
For Maillet, her hope is that the resort will decide to back-track on the rate-rise, and let the campers have this season at the price they thought they were paying.
“We just want to stick out this season as detailed in our contract,” says Maillet. “We like it there the kids love it there.”
Landon is looking for a refund.
“At this time I’m looking for alternative spaces to take my camper,” says Landon. “I would have no problem with a six eight or 10 per cent increase I mean world wide everyone is looking at that.”
With the sharp rise in popularity in camping during the pandemic, finding a new site could be difficult.
“There’s is some availability for shorter stays but for someone looking for a full-term stay it is a little rarer,” says Anderson. “We do have some vacancies listed on our website, we do have some seasonal sites available.”
But Crevier questions if their money will be refunded and says it’s leaving the couple with a tough financial decision.
“We would have liked a little bit of notice. We realize that next year, new owners, we fully anticipated there’s going to be a big bump but there is going to be time to look at a different place to go find this,” says Crevier. “And guess what we have no time so we may have to pull our trailer find a storage unit and we miss the summer season.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.