NCC to look at Lac Phillippe campground upgrades

After a year of delay, the National Capital Commission board of directors approved to spend $200,000 on a "feasibility study" on upgrading the campground at Lac Phillippe in Gatineau Park.

That study is expected to take another year.

The NCC has been looking at improvements to the 244 camping spots at Lac Phillippe since 2014. In early 2016, NCC staff presented the board with an option to update the campground.

The board deferred a decision at the time, asking staff to come back with more details on the recommended approach, which included adding ready-to-camp units, a kitchen shelter, a central building with a store and water and electricity to 50 per cent of the sites.

If the plan was rolled out as described, it would cost about $6 million. On Thursday morning, the board decided only to spend money to develop a detailed plan, options on which amenities to add to the campground, and to look for private partnerships "where appropriate."

Some board opposition 

A number of board members voted against the feasibility study as they don't believe the NCC's mandate should be to provide camping, especially as the plan calls for the eventual investment of millions of dollars.

"There's a general question that government institutions have easy money," said director Aditya Jha.

He suggested that the NCC leverage more private partnerships, suggesting a communications company could build a kiosk to provide wireless service.

"I think we should seriously think about how we can leverage what we have ... to run a more profitable business," said Jha. "This is a new approach we have at NCC. We don't want to give our cash away. We should conserve our cash."

NCC chief executive Mark Kristmanson pointed out that the campground would still be run by a private company, but it wouldn't be financially feasible for a third party to undertake the improvements being considered. 

Questions on campground vision

Even the directors who supported the feasibility study had questions about the vision of the campground.

Bob Plamondon said he "loves the park" and spoke in favour of an NCC investment in Lac Phillippe as a public good. He likes the idea of increasing the number of yurts at the park — they book up immediately every season and survey respondents overwhelmingly say they'd like more — but isn't sure about increased amenities.

"RV camping does not strike me as compatible with the park," said Plamondon. "I don't want my kids plugging in."

Board member Kay Stanley agreed.

"I'm convinced that yes, we should be in the camping business, and that we should modernize Lac Phillippe," she said. "I'm not convinced we should supply new technology. When you go camping you should listen to the birds."