UNBC Prof Calls for Council to Reverse Decision

By 250 News

RVs in parking lot, Opinion 250 file photo

As Prince George City Council prepares to revisit the matter of RV boondocking,   UNBC Recreation and Tourism Professor Anne Hardy has some information she would like Council to consider.

Last fall, Hardy conducted some research into the practice of boondocking and says not only are boondockers well linked, they do spend money in the communities where they stay, even if it isn’t on accommodation.  She developed the following information from  interviews with  more than a dozen boondockers;

There are two basic groups:

-those who boondock all or most of the time,

-those who boondock on a convenience basis. 

According to Hardy, those who boondock most or all of the time will:

-stay in a provincial park before they will stay in an RV park because the provincial parks are cheaper.

-their decision to boondock is largely driven by economic factors and they are used to staying in places with few or no facilities, therefore when they do choose to pay for accommodation, they choose their place to stay based upon cost

-they are well connected- there are many web pages available and these people are well connected with each other, relying on word of mouth information – they swap information on places to stay and visit.

-they may not pay for accommodation but they do spend money in townships- on gas, facilities, food and at tourism venues.

The second group, those who boondock on a convenience basis, are only in town for a short time so figure it isn’t worth it to spend money on accommodation.  If not boondocking, these people were more likely to stay in RV parks to use their facilities.

Hardy also noted WalMart is a key component.  The Biog Box retailer sponsors large trade shows where up to 100,000 RVers will attend and RVers who boondock are well aware of where WalMarts are. Some of the boondockers she spoke to will only stay at a WalMart, so Hardy believes a ban will simply mean they will not stop in Prince George.

According to the Professor,  it isn’t too late to reverse the damage.  "Council needs to reverse the decision, and send out a strong message that RVers are an important part of the economy.  Tourism always has and always will be a really strong base for this community" 

Hardy is aware not all RVers will respond favourably to the flip flop.  "Some may not hear of the change of heart, and others may be too angry to change their mind about Prince George.  We have to realize these are people who are, well connected on the internet and have satellite phones. Decisions made in Prince George will reverberate throughout the United States."

Prince George City Council  had  approved  having Administration proceed with the development of bylaw amendments so retailers and property owners could be ticketed for zoning violations if RVers and travel trailers were allowed to stay overnight in the businesses parking lots.   

Council will revisit the matter on Monday May 8^th at its regular Council meeting.

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