The Editor,
Richmond is planning to spend more than $6 million on an unproven Olympic Experience concept to help oval attendance, when it could increase local tourism with a proven desirable short-term RV Park for only a tiny fraction of the cost.
In September 2009, for the BC Senior Games in Richmond, I coordinated an RV Park on the land east of the Richmond Olympic Oval, and another RV Park at the South Arm Pool and Tennis parking lots. Both lots were successful with 100 RVs staying during the Games. It was profitable.
A much more modest service was provided the following February for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Despite it being winter here and no marketing being done except for an Internet ad a month in advance, the temporary RV Park attracted people from as far as Whitehorse, Colorado and Los Angeles. It was profitable.
Once something is on the Internet, it is there forever, so I still get emails and calls about RV sites in Richmond! People wishing to stay while their child undergoes surgery or park while going on guided fishing or hunting trips, or in most cases wishing to stop here for a few nights while heading south or north, or for a tournament.
MacDonald Beach is an attractive park with plenty of space, a water supply, showers and a caretaker. It is only a three-kilometre walk to the Canada Line to Richmond shops and attractions and events. Add a 15 amp electrical hookup and wifi and over $50/space daily is possible. Though a sani-dump is also desirable, if stays are limited to three to four days, it isn't essential. Subsequently, if RV visits become as popular as in the past, a pump out service or sani-dump could be added later.
While Richmond is considering spending millions on an Olympic Museum to boost oval attendance a bit, it seems so obvious that Richmond should spend thousands to provide for RV tourists to visit.
Peter Mitchell
Richmond
