On the shores of Stuart Lake, the District of Fort St. James received a $58,628 grant to install electrical service to all 10 campsites in Cottonwood Municipal Campground. Completed within one year, the project resulted in sites receiving 50- or 30-amp power hook ups. These upgrades will encourage campers to extend their stays in the community, contributing to the local economy and through visitor spending and supporting the four employment positions connected to the campground.
Cottonwood Municipal Campground is located just 650-metres away from the municipal marina and is the ideal staging area for those looking to explore the area by boat. For those travelling without watercraft, or who are looking for something different, the marina rents stand-up paddleboards. The convenience of unique amenities located within easy walking distance, plus new electrical hookups, combined with rich local history and friendly residents, makes Fort St. James a rejuvenating destination for campers.
The District of Fort St. James was forward-thinking while conducting the work for the electrical upgrade project. The trenches that were created to install electrical wiring also contain piping to support future water services to each of the 10 campsites. Increased services to the sites also provided an avenue for a moderate increase in pad rentals, resulting in additional revenue for the District and reduced reliance on gas-powered generators by campers.
Funding for this project was through Northern Development’s Recreation Infrastructure program. The District of Fort St. James exclusively contracted small business owners in the community to work on the project, including locally sourced and milled timber. By using local businesses, the economic impacts of this project were felt immediately since the beginning of the project and continue to carry on as campers continue to utilize the electrical services throughout the campground and spend time in the community.
