Medicine Hat residents enjoying staycations at Gas City Campground

The playground is open but common areas are closed.

Of the 98 sites, it includes having the campground at 80 percent capacity and no visitors for the time being.

“Anywhere that we couldn’t have essentially 20 feet between pads we’ve taken away as well. So roughly around 18 sites, we’ve taken away.”

Richter says the campground is all booked for this weekend which is really good for June.

He anticipates July and August to be full as normal and says it’s booking up for the long weekends

When it comes to booking a site, Richter says there’s been no provincial direction on campers staying from out of province at municipal campgrounds.

“They haven’t said you could or couldn’t so we’ve followed suit so far and we have allowed it. So we’re seeing a few but there’s not that many. B.C and Saskatchewan are probably the two that we’re seeing but it’s not significant.”

He says most are from Alberta and so far about 30-40 percent of campers are from Medicine Hat.

“I think it’s encouraging for people to have that staycation they can come to a campground that’s inside/outside the city that’s a beautiful location and still enjoy the outdoors,” Richter said.

“We are from 10 minutes of here and most people we met over the last two days are also from Medicine Hat,” a resident told Chat News.

Another added, “It’s a staycation, it’s nice and close, it’s perfect. Especially with all this social distancing and everything, it’s perfect timing to do this.”

Chat News also heard from a family saying, “It’s our first time camping for the season so we thought we would stay close just in case something happens to our camper.”

And a couple from Victoria, BC stopped in southeast Alberta this week on their way home while moving their mother from Manitoba. “Wonderful it feels great and the people are wonderful, everyone is keeping their distance and the place is great, it’s nice to be out in the fresh air.”

Meantime, visitors have the chance to view the tree carvings by local artist Marina Cole with Chainsaw spirit.

The carvings capture the popular animals in the region like deer and even raccoons seen in recent weeks.

Cole beautified the space with some trees that were dying and would otherwise need to be removed.

“It’s so nice to reuse the material. If this was not a deer it would just be a stump in the ground so it’s kind of nice to be able to reuse it and keep these trees around a little bit longer,” Cole said.

As for the chance of easing restrictions this camping season, Richter says it depends on phase 2 of the government’s plan if camping guidelines can be lifted a little bit more.

by Chantal Wagner

Medicine Hat residents enjoying staycations at Gas City Campground

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