As of November 15, 2021, the City of Martensville began work towards preparing a site where a future campground will be located within the community. The addition of a campground was included within the Kinsmen Park Master Plan update in 2019 based off information collected from the public in 2017. It was during this time that the City of Martensville collected information by creating a community-wide survey and speaking to focus groups comprised of various user groups within the city.
Feedback from the community showed that a campground would be a favorable addition as it would provide an additional amenity for families and visitors to the community. In addition, the campground would tie together other amenities such as Kinsmen Park, the Aquatic Centre, the MAP, Mocon Fields and the Martensville Slo-Pitch Diamonds.
This past May, the City of Martensville released a nine-question survey requesting feedback from residents regarding the plan for the campground. At that time, Director of Recreation and Community Services, Ted Schaeffer noted that they were in the very early stages of planning and basically looking at what could be done with the provided space. Once results from the survey were received, the City reviewed them and provided that information to the consultant company hired to design the campground.
Funding for the campground came from the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP), which was received in 2020 and saw a total of $390,000 allocated towards the initial phase of the project. Future phases will be started as additional grant and program funding is made available and budgeted for in upcoming years. The initial phase of the project will include rough grading of the site and clean-up to enable enhanced landscaping while also preserving and utilizing existing vegetation. As of November 15th, heavy machinery is operating during daylight hours seven days a week, which is expected to take approximately two weeks. No road restrictions are expected to occur.
The campground will be accessed off 10th Avenue North, adjacent to Mocon Fields. In the initial planning stages for the campground, plans were to have it located immediately north of the Aquatic Centre; however, the City of Martensville took community feedback into consideration and changed the location after considering issues regarding noise, proximity to residential areas and preservation of green space.
The land being used for the campground is public-owned municipal reserve which means there will be no land acquisition costs and with other amenities nearby, it can be serviced much easier. Access to the park can be used from traffic coming from both Highway 11 and 12, via Main Street or Lutheran Road, which will help limit traffic coming through main roadways in the community such as Centennial Drive, 3rd Street North or 4th Street South. With North Ridge Community Centre, multiple ball diamonds, the MAP and other amenities close-by, the location can also provide a potential destination for weddings, gatherings, sporting events and special events.
Once completed, a total of 25 RV/Trailer sites and 5 tenting sites will be included. Sites will have access to electricity, water, washrooms and a dumping station.
The City of Martensville anticipates the campground to be a positive addition to the community, bringing people to the city that will contribute to the local economy.
