By James Wood

Redcliff tourism report raises river crossing idea

Aug 28, 2017 | 1:10 PM

Some Redcliff residents want a campsite down by the river.

According to a report from Medicine Hat College, a number of residents surveyed during the summer found the idea of a campsite down by the South Saskatchewan to be an opportunity for the community, which is looking to increase it’s tourism sector.

The report was put together by Jordan Pomrenke, a Market Research Intern, and Miranda Davies, an instructor in the Division of Business & Arts at the college. Through the research process, a pair of surveys were filled out by both residents and visitors to Redcliff, with 275 residents providing their input and 145 visitors providing theirs.

The survey for visitors was aimed at gathering tourism-focused information.

One of the multiple items explored in the report was the possibility of a camping area in Redcliff, with multiple campsites along the river. 31 per cent of the residents surveyed, as well as 30 per cent of the tourism survey respondents, saw the idea as an opportunity for the town.

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Support for a Redcliff campsite also came from Jace Anderson, the Executive Director of Tourism Medicine Hat, who was cited in the report.

According to Anderson, demand for campsites is high in the area, and he had had to refer campsites in Saskatchewan to tourists after the local locations filled up quickly.

“There are 18 campsites in the (regional) area, but Jace Anderson says there is still demand for campsites,” read the report.

The report suggests there is enough space for 200 campsites in the Redcliff area, and recommends more research into a business plan.

As for offshoots from the possible campsite, the report raises the idea of a bridge to connect Echo Dale Regional Park and Redcliff’s waterfront.

“Having some connection to Echo Dale would be beneficial to Redcliff as it is a popular area and is already established,” reads the report.

“Campers would be able to go across the river and enjoy the area. A bridge would be expensive and require significant funding. An alternative idea would be a ferry to take people across the river, however the river level is unstable throughout the year and further investigation would be required to see if a ferry would be viable.”

The report states both ideas would need further research, with a cheaper option possibly being a similar construction to Echo Dale on the Redcliff side, rather than a river crossing. Boat tours, a zip line, an ice cream stand, a kayak and canoe rental shop, fishing tour, and boat launch are all listed as additional offshoots of the possible campsite.