From a report based on a survey this year into the use of and attendant local revenue generated by Mississagi Provincial Park, Elliot Lake director of Public Works Daryl Halloch produced data for Elliot Lake City Council to consider at its next meeting next Monday night.
"Elliot Lake entered into a five-year extension of its management agreement (for Mississagi Park) with the Province of Ontario in 2018," he said. "Now the City is looking for interest from regional stakeholders in the future operations of Mississagi and direction from those parties to work together to develop a more sustainable plan for the Park.
"This may include, but is not limited to; opportunities for programs and educational resources within the park, development of new attractions within the park, and operational management and profit or loss sharing.
"The City has been operating Mississagi Provincial Park for seven full seasons. It operates from May long weekend until Oct. 1, annually. This year the park staff, despite the COVID-19 outbreak and late start to the camping season, experienced its best financial season with revenue accounts up significantly particularly camping permits and canteen sales.
"Also this year, the park staff created a survey to gather important information to highlight the benefits that an ‘operating’ Park has on tourism numbers within the City of Elliot Lake and its importance to our economy.
"Despite a late start to this year's season in June, the park had a total of 17,304 campers in 2020 as well as 944 day use visitors and 440 people who went to the back country. Fifty-two per cent of them traveled from southern Ontario, 13 per cent from northern Ontario, 17 per cent from Elliot Lake and seven per cent from out of province."
The majority of the campers stayed for three nights and consisted of four people or family members.
Fifty-six per cent booked online while 24 per cent showed up with no reservations.
One of the biggest reasons for the survey was for the collection of information on how many of the campers stopped in Elliot Lake and spent money. Sixty-six per cent of campers stopped for supplies or to see tourist attractions.
"Although difficult to come up with a total amount spent, staff is estimating a total in the range of $300,000 was spent by Park visitors in 2020," Mr. Halloch continued.
"Of a total of 19,671 visitors and campers, 72 per cent (14,163) were from out of town. Sixty-six per cent of campers said they stopped in Elliot Lake for supplies or go see tourist attractions.
"Most of the campers were in groups of 4; 14,163/ 4 = 3,540 families or groups spending in each of the four survey categories.
"Forty-one per cent of the 3,540 spent an average of $35 totalling an estimated amount of $50,820. Twenty seven per cent of the 3,540 spent an average of $75 totalling an estimated $71,685. Eighteen per cent of the 3,540 spent an average of $150 totalling an estimated amount of $95,580. Eleven per cent of the 3,540 spent an average of $200 totalling an estimated amount of $77,880."
The total spending from all four categories was $295,965, spent by campers in Elliot Lake, enroute to Mississagi Provincial Park in 2020.
In summation, Halloch wrote, "The survey created by Mississagi Provincial Park staff proves not only is the park an integral part of regional history and outdoor activity, but it also provides an economic boost to the City of Elliot Lake."