Rideau Lakes cottagers fighting potential campground expansion
Along the sought after shores of Big Rideau Lake sits the Waterways Resort Campground.
The owners of the site are looking to grow, but nearby waterfront and cottage owners are fighting against it.
Hansen Downer is retired and lives on Big Rideau Lake, in the Township of Rideau Lakes, and says earlier this year the campground’s ownership group, Summerhill Resorts, outlined plans to double in size.
"It’s a small resort of 150 campsites," says Downer of Waterways Resort, near Portland, Ont. "They told us on February the 9th in a Zoom meeting with 60 people that they were going to expand it to 300 sites."
Downer, along with his group of 60 lake residents, says an expansion of that size could not be supported within their community and would also disrupt their way of life.
"That’s why a lot of people have bought out here, because of the peace and tranquility," says Downer. "Three-hundred campsites, which would be 900 people, on 80-acres of land will basically destroy that."
Summerhill Resorts bought the Waterways Resort campground back in 2019, which is one of eleven campgrounds owned by the company across Ontario. In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Summerhill Resorts COO Paul Johnson says they believe the motives behind locals fighting the expansion are not as genuine as they may seem.
"We are in essence asking wealthier members of the community to share the natural beauty of Big Rideau Lake with everyday people," writes Johnson. "Not surprisingly, that doesn’t sit well with some of the people that are fortunate enough to own waterfront property."
When asked about the main issue with a possible expansion of the campground, Downer provided two main points.
"We’re very concerned about the impact of that density on the ecology in the area; the underground water supply, the possible pollution in the lake," the long-time lake resident said. "Is that what you think about when you think about relaxing in a country atmosphere, 900 people in 80-square acres? In our view it just isn’t acceptable. It isn’t in keeping with the rural environment that we have in Rideau Lakes Township."
When asked about a potential expansion of Waterways Resort, Johnson said no formal application or proposal has been submitted to the township, with environmental reports and assessments still needing to be completed.
"Realistically, we are several months if not years away from beginning an expansion at waterways even if we are granted the approvals required to increase the number of sites," writes Johnson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.