The Grand River Conservation Authority will complete the first phase of the upgrade to sanitary servicing at Elora Gorge Park by May 1.
The GRCA has hired A. Van Egmond Construction Ltd. for $617,000 plus HST to undertake the work that involves extending and connecting the existing underground force main on the north side of the park to the Pines Campground and removing the existing septic system.
Wastewater from the campground will be brought to the municipal water pollution control plant in Elora.
The 35 trailers in the upper portion of the campground will be connected to the system. The GRCA board approved this upgrade at the June 2017 meeting as the first phase of this project. These sites will be open for the 2018 season.
GRCA director of operations Dave Bennett advised that to date a small number of seasonal campers from the Lower Pines section of the campground have expressed an interest in moving to the new sites in the upper campground. The Lower Pines campground is now closed.
Last year, the GRCA made the decision to close the riverside Lower Pines with campers having the option to relocate to the new camping area atop the hill – if circumstances allowed.
The GRCA decision was based upon eliminating current and future groundwater infiltration, allowing the campground to operate with sanitary sewers and open up the river access for day use.
A second phase for the upper campground is slated to be completed for the 2019 camping season. GRCA communications manager Lisa Stocco explained this phase will add 50 new fully-serviced campsites in the upper section of the campground.
The Pines Campground is the last major section of Elora Gorge Conservation Area to be connected to municipal services.
