From Fishing Camp to Riverside RV Resort
This Park Has Got What It Takes by Dean Unger
Many North American RV Parks, especially those that cater to Snowbirds, are reporting record attendance over the last two years. Again, though it is early in the season, Park owners are talking about an excellent turn-out. All things considered, the trend makes good sense. In Canada the solid Canadian dollar provides a strong incentive; though an overall improving economy has people feeling a little more flush, consumers are still cautious and looking for affordable ways to spend leisure time; moderate fuel prices that have at least stabilized since the surge six years ago make road trips a little more enticing; and a slowly improving stock market has people loosening their belts just a little.
At Riverside RV in Keremeos, Joyce Geering says they've seen the numbers of both full time and part-time recreational RVers on the rise every year as well. In Riverside's case though, it may have as much to do with the recent improvements and solid-state customer service.
“The property spans about 22 acres,” says Geering, “it's a three-tier arrangement with lots of green-space, walking paths, and big lots – some big enough to fit two RVs – that are suitable for full RV or Park Models. The hosts have spared no comfort, including state- of-the-art waste-water treatment plant and underground wiring to all lots. The terraced landscape ensures excellent views as well as optimum privacy. There's also a new aquatic centre with pool, jacuzzi, sauna, exercise room, and laundromat, satellite TV and internet hook up.”
Geering says the developers of the resort wanted to keep as much of the original charm
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of the place intact when they took it on. They were able to use the original home and convert it into what is now the clubhouse. The land surrounding the estate is beautifully landscaped with mature flower gardens and fruit trees, touched off by the Similkameen River defining the limits of the property.
In addition to its dedicated part, and full-time recreational living patrons, Riverside has become a destination for sport fishermen. The Similkameen is prime habitat for several salmon and trout varieties, and the architecture of the river itself presents lots of inviting eddies, overburden and cut-banks, and long, lazy draws to fish. The property itself originally housed a fishing camp and fishing lodge, the estate then became a family farm but retained the original fishing lodge.
Today the lodge gives a tenable, tactile down- home feel with its huge dining room and living room area, old-country decor, and an excellent downstairs games room.
Some of our customers are actually tenants that live here year-round; some people use it as vacation stop to catch a break from the city-life.
“More and more of our customers are Snowbirds – tried and true - up here in summer, then go south for winter. Another bonus for those that decide to buy here though is that lot ownership at Riverside qualifies them for BC med residency requirements. Another tremendous benefit,” Geering says, “is that lot ownership provides a place to share for family and friends, for life.”
Photos by Joyce Geering
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