The Peach Orchard Campground finished its 2011 season at the end of the Labour Day weekend, but officials with the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism believe a longer season would be in order.
“We would like to see it going to the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, said Lisa Jaager, manager of the chamber.
She said the longer season would allow shoulder season tourists to spend more time in the community, especially since the weather remains mild through most of September.
In addition, Jaager said a longer campground season would help the community benefit from fall events.
“There are 180,000 people who come to the Fall Wine Festival,” she said. “Many of them come with trailers.”
Mayor Janice Perrino said it may not be feasible to extend the campground’s season. She said there were no reservations for the time after Labour Day this year.
For the future, she said council has asked recreation director Dale MacDonald if it is worth keeping the campground open longer for next year.
“There’s something missing when they close right after Labour Day,” Perrino said, “but it costs them money to keep it going.”
An extended season would accommodate those who are in the community for the wine festival and for golf packages.
Perrino said the municipality would need to advertise a longer season in order to attract visitors.