Check out the current news stories and features about RVing, the RV Industry, and RV parks and campgrounds
Due to the continuing high volume of news stories, this weekend’s RV weekly round-up is being posted in three parts. To read Part 1, click here; Part 2, click here.
To read the mid-week edition Part 1, click here; Part 2, click here.
Bigfoot RV: First new production of campers
In an August 13 (2010) press release, Bigfoot announced that the first new production of Bigfoot RV, a 2500 Series 9.4 Shortbox Camper, was completed and shipped to their Factory Outlet, Mike Rosman RV Sales, Vernon, at a list price of $29,995.
For more info, click here. For info on the Longbox, click here.
An email to the Bigfoot regarding future plans in regard to production of a Class C motorhome went unanswered.
British Columbia: Residents stop planned campground
It took three attempts, but opponents of a proposed RV campground at Fanny Bay on Vancouver Island have persuaded regional district directors to reject the plan, the Comox Valley Echo reported.
The decision by Comox Valley Regional District commissioners effectively overruled staff advice, but it will still need approval of the full board at a meeting next week before local residents can be sure they have won their case against granting a development permit for the work.
Once endorsed by the board, there is no regional district appeal process the applicants could pursue, and they would not be allowed to resubmit a "substantially similar" development permit application for at least 12 months, the Echo noted.
The project would have created a 38-site RV park along with five tent sites, a multipurpose building and a caretaker's residence.
Texas: Water woes affect RGV state parks
Water woes partly blamed on this summer's Hurricane Alex has left two state parks in south Texas with different problems, reports Valley Morning Star.
For Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, there’s too much water. The problem at Resaca de la Palma State Park in Brownsville, about 30 miles away, is a lack of water.
To continue reading and view photos, click here.
Alabama: Resort launches corporate website
Representatives from Bella Terra Realty Holdings LLC (BTRH) announced Thursday (August 26) the launch of their new corporate website. The site was developed to serve as the consulting and resort acquisition platform for BTRH, the parent company of Bella Terra of Gulf Shores, the organization’s flagship property.
“Over the past two years we have been bombarded by two requests. The first, guests and owners asking where our next resort will be located and secondly, developers from coast to coast wanting to join the Bella Terra family,” Chuck Smith, president and CEO of BTRH, stated in a news release. “The BTRH team was put together to both actively seek out additional locations for Bella Terra resorts, as well as consult with existing and yet to be developed properties in the United States and internationally.”
The website features an extensive list of services provided by BTRH in addition to those provided by their strategic partners. These include: site acquisition and design, construction management, sales and marketing, HOA management, rental management, resort management, legal, and financing.
Colorado: Motor speedway to get 75-site RV park
This week Mesa County Commissioners gave the go-ahead for a series of new developments at the Grand Junction Motor Speedway, KJCT-TV, Grand Junction, reported.
“We were approved for a 3/8 mile dirt oval, which will be at the back of the property,” says speedway partner Stacey Cook, “and then a 2½-mile road course, a 75-space RV park at the entrance and a champion off-road truck course.”
Grand Junction Motor Speedway is one of the premier Kart racing facilities in the USA. Located in Grand Junction Colorado, they provide a full Kart rental program, corporate and team-building programs, professional race management, arrive and drive, racing schools, private and race team test sessions, and regularly scheduled race events,
News of the speedway’s expansion plan comes just ten days after a tragic accident at the track took the life of 9-year-old Taybor Duncan. It’s the first fatality in the track’s history, but it will play a role in the plans moving forward.
The speedway says the next step in the expansion process is looking for funding. The stock car track alone could cost about $1 million.
Research and Markets: RV parks report now available
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Recreational Vehicle Parks" report to their offering.
The U.S. recreational vehicle parks industry includes more than 4,000 RV parks and campgrounds with combined annual revenue of about $2 billion. Top RV park operators include Kampgrounds of America (KOA) and Thousand Trails.
Most RV parks and campgrounds are single locations and privately held. The RV parks and campgrounds industry is highly fragmented: the 50 largest companies account for about 25 percent of industry revenue. A typical campground has less than $500,000 in annual revenue and about five employees.
Demand is driven by personal income and tourist travel. The profitability of individual campgrounds depends on site occupancy rate and effective marketing. Large campgrounds have advantages in diversity of site offerings and amenities. Small campgrounds can compete effectively by marketing to their target demographic and through favorable site location.
For more information, click here.
California: Premier RV Resorts opens 21 new sites at Redding
Premier RV Resorts has opened 21 new deluxe sites at its Redding resort.
Paul Williams, president of Premier RV Resorts, said the firm made a difficult decision about 18 months ago to add the sites in spite of a deteriorating economy. The decision was driven by the fact that the necessary government approvals had been granted and a concern that those approvals would be difficult to obtain at a later date.
The new sites are generating good reviews from the guests, Williams explained. And, the resort recently received 10-10-10 ratings from Trailer Life.
The new sites are all paved pull-through sites with extensive landscaping, large patios with picnic tables, and full hook-ups including 50-amp power. Premier RV Resorts provides a free newspaper at each guest's door and provides a free continental breakfast and free wi-fi.
Premier RV Resorts is celebrating its 10th anniversary year and the Redding resort was the first property acquired in what has become a five property chain. Premier RV Resorts also has properties in Eugene, Salem, and Lincoln City, Oregon, as well as Clarkston, Washington.
Newmar Corp.: 2011 fifth-wheel line launched
During the recent Newmar Kountry Klub Rally in Goshen, Indiana, Newmar Corp. unveiled its 2011 fifth-wheel line?up.
Due to dealer and customer input, Nappanee, Indiana-based Newmar has resurrected its legacy towable brands of Kountry Star and Kountry Aire, replacing the Cypress and Torrey Pine brands, respectively.
See you on down the road and happy RVing!
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