A busy camping season lies ahead in Saskatchewan and northeastNOW is putting the spotlight on nearby regional parks ahead of the May long weekend.
Residents that are looking at camping options while still staying close to home due to restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, don’t need to look too far.
Struthers Lake Regional Park west of Melfort has already filled about 80 per cent of their camping spots according to manager Cheryl Crooks.
Crooks said her team at the park is expecting a busier season than last year, which had also picked up from previous years.
“Last year was about double and this year looks like we are headed up above that so it will be a good year,” Crooks said.
The park has campsites and rental cabins as well as a gazebo that can be rented for events which will need to abide by the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place.
“We have a wedding and a reunion booked but on the understanding that if there are changes in restrictions that they may need to be cancelled,” Crooks said. “Everyone has been understanding so we are pretty lucky so far but it does have it’s own challenges.”
(Facebook/Struthers Lake Regional Park)The playground has been improved over recent years including a water park with a slide that goes down into the lake.
“The young kids love the spray park and the slide and it is definitely the busy area when it is hot out,” Crooks said.
(Facebook/Struthers Lake Regional Park)
(Facebook/Struthers Lake Regional Park)There is also beach volleyball, baseball diamonds, and mini-golf at Struthers to make for a family friendly visit.
Crooks said the park is also pretty famous for their concession items.
“We had to reinvent a bit last year and now we have a take-out window and it has worked out well and we have been able to still serve our fan favourites,” Crooks said.
The variety of poutine flavours offered at the concession are quite popular according to Crooks.
“This year we are offering funnel cakes and we have a deep-fried Oreo cookie and deep-fried cookie dough,” Crooks said. “We have even more ideas on the way too.”
Friday night steak nights and wing nights have had to be put on hold due to the pandemic as well but Crooks is hoping they will return by the middle of summer.
Struthers Lake is often overlooked as a camping destination because it is located ‘quite a ways off the driven path’ as Crooks referred to it.
“We are a nice beautiful little park with a small lake so it is very family friendly and we have people coming back year after year,” Crooks said. “We are close to everyone including Melfort, Birch Hills, and Kinistino.”
The long weekends in July, August, and September are about 90 per cent booked. Crooks did mention that, if possible, they would open some overflow sites but those details have not yet been finalized.
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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser
