Holiday Trails Resort News - Holiday Trails RV Resorts

Holiday Trails
living the dream...
RV Resorts
Well folks - it’s that time of year already. It’s time to get your
RV ready for another great year of membership camping. The winter does seem to fly by and now you can make plans
for the summer ahead. We, at HTR, are another year closer
to our 30th Anniversary which will happen in 2013. Be sure
to watch for a lot of exciting things that will happen during
our special anniversary year. Looking back over the past year, some highlights come
to mind. The New Year’s Eve party at Sunshine Valley was
a blast and the fireworks display done by Mike Barker was
awesome! They lit up the sky and reverberated through the
Valley. We had close to 100 people at the party and room
for lots more this year. On New Year’s Day, we had our first
Sunshine Valley polar bear swim - four hearty souls braved
the frigid temperature of the outdoor pool (not once, but
twice!) Not for me - but kudos to those who did. This summer will see all the facilities at Sunshine Valley up and running and ready for your camping experiences. Numerous
members did come up during the winter with their toy haulers and hit the trails near the park with their snowmobiles. There are over 200 kms of trails to explore and we expect to
see even more members doing just that next winter. One
thing that we have noticed over the last few years is more of
our members extending the camping season. We have seen
a steady increase in the number of members enjoying the
system in April and May as well as September and October that’s great to see!
Holida
29
This year we are introducing
a brand new product. I’ll
leave it to George to explain the details, but this will be a
membership for those who are non- RV’ers - which accounts
for about 85% of the population. Until now we have never
had anything to offer them. It’s a special package for which
I think a good percentage of our members will also find
attractive. We’ll offer it at a special price to members.
We are allocating resources again this year to enhance
the facilities at a number of our parks. Each year all of the
comment cards are read and changes are made as our budget
permits. The new “Vista” area at Camperland has worked out
well and many of you prefer that area when you visit. Wait
until you see the improvements at the Camperland pool Ziggy and his helpers did a fantastic job and the additional
deck space was much needed.
I am told that we are finally going to see the first wave of the
baby boomers retiring this year. Over the next five to ten
years they will impact the RV industry significantly as many
of the sixty million in North America will be hitting the road
with their new RVs - we’ll be ready for them!
We’ll be having our usual member appreciation weekends
at our parks this year. It’s my annual opportunity to see and
speak with many of you on a one – to - one basis. Donna says
I’m happy anytime I have a mic in my hand. Aside from that,
I enjoy listening to your comments - the staff and myself all
come away a bit wiser after each meeting.
I look forward to seeing many of you during the upcoming
season......
s
sort
y
Trails RV Re
Resort
News
Spring 2012
KEVIN DEMERS, President/Owner
Sunshine Valley RV Resort & Camping Cabins
- Dec. 31, 2011
w w w. ht r. ca
Members’ Corner
Member
Referral
Program
We have three members who acquired the ‘No Dues for Life’ status during the 2011 season through the
Member Referral program. Also, we welcomed 34 new members to the HTR system who were referred
to us by HTR members who, in turn, earned referral credits. We have many members who now have
1 referral credit and continue to refer their family and friends’ who share an interest in the RV lifestyle.
Congratulations and thank you for your continued support to HTR. Our Member referral credit
information can be found under the member section of our website.
No Dues for Life in 2011
Dalzell & Kelly McLaughlin
Tony & Joan Hicks
Mike & Fay Huff
Members with 2 points:
(1 pt for HTR ~ 21)
Mike & Diane Coward
Mark & Sandra Oake
Kelly & Shannon St. Laurent
Ann Allum & Wilf McDonald
Joe & Cindy Cameron
Wayne & Stephanie Lambert
Miles & Brenda Allum
Raymond & Debora Bonter
Adrian & Darlene Bowman
Walter & Debby Cachej
Chuck & Nancy Clara
Membership Specials
Winter Sale at HTR
Sunshine Valley Resort
International
Regular
$1795.00
$1795.00
25% off
$1346.25
$1346.25
Coast to Coast
Classic
Deluxe Upgrade (existing Classic members)
$1100.00
$1695.00
$1295.00
$ 825.00
$1271.25
$ 971.25
Resort Parks International
RPI Plus
RPI Preferred
RPI Upgrade (existing RPI members)
$1100.00
$1495.00
$1095.00
$ 825.00
$1121.25
$ 876.00
Adventure Outdoor Resorts
AOR
Sunbelt
$1995.00
$1295.00
$1496.25
$ 971.25
NOTE: Offer valid April 2nd to April 30th. Admin fee of $175 + hst applies.
Holiday Trails Travel • would like to give a big
Thank You to the “Cruisers” for another successful Holiday
Trails Members & Friends
Cruise
aboard
the
Caribbean Princess in
January. We are happy
to hear that everyone
had a great time and we
look forward to hosting
another group in the near
future. Any destination
suggestions can be emailed to kristina@htr.ca
Leonard & Linda Crotty
Joleen Duncan & Kevin
Blatchford
Paul & Marty Dupuis
Dick & Gloria Dyble
Bob & Wendy Galbraith
Malcolm & Michelle Gudgeon
Wallace & Lillian Hutchings
Doug & Ruth Jarvie
Norm & Sherry Morgan
Tom & Trish Prette
Earl & Doreen Seifred
Chris & Stephanie Solonynka
Ronnie & Rosalie Spicer
Kelly & Shannon St. Laurent
Nickon & Mary Trabysh
Ashley & Shannon Walker
Marvin & Jacqueline Witiuk
4th Annual Show & Shine
Sunday May 20, 2012 ~ Camperland RV Resort
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Everyone Welcome: Bring your Stock Cars, Modified Cars,
Muscle Cars, Hotrods, Trucks and British Antiques
Application is on the web site - www.htr.ca
Starting March 15, 2012
Cost: $10.00 per entry – payable at sign-up
2011 Choice Award Winners...
Winner
Clair Henderson
1966 Chevy II SS
4-door Modified
Collector
w w w. ht r. ca
Runner Up
Rudy Peters
1939 Chevy
Master Deluxe Sport
Park Updates & Whats Happening!!
Sunshine Valley and Camping Cabins
After a few bumps along the way, Sunshine Valley RV
Resort and Camping Cabins grand opening in the
summer of 2011 was well attended by a number of
politicians including Minister Barry Penner, MLA John
Les, Hope Mayor Laurie French as well as the various
trades and contractors that worked to bring the project
together. Valley Helicopters was on hand taking people
up for a bird’s eye view of the new resort.
up for a change and a new challenge. The resort and
cabins are now operational and have had great use
during the winter. While visiting the Resort, be sure
to enjoy the pools, hot tubs, exercise room and other
amenities. The members’ washrooms are all now open
and the members’ lounge will be open this Spring. Be
sure to admire the rock work that is from the Hope Slide
as well as the carved mantle.
It has been an interesting year for the new manager
Joanne Taylor at Sunshine Valley RV Resort and Camping
Cabins. Joanne had been the outside manager at the
Bridal Falls Waterpark for the last 3 seasons and was
New Years was rung in with a rocking dance and a
spectacular fireworks display that is sure to become a
major annual event. Be sure to book your site or cabin
for next year’s event.
Bridgeview RV Resort
It has been a relatively mild winter, much to the delight
of the new management team of Randy and Stephanie
Franson. Lately from the Pincher Creek area, with their son
Tim, they have settled into the Resort and Lethbridge.
A recent broken water pipe in the upstairs of the clubhouse
caused a fair bit of water damage with the result being
a new floor being installed upstairs. Painting and carpet
cleaning downstairs will be undertaken as well.
Randy has been busy pruning many of the trees and with
his background in property maintenance and horticulture
we are looking forward to seeing lots of flowers!!
The road entrance to the Resort that was damaged as a
result of the heavy vehicles used for the installation of the
new hydro line was finally redone and paved late in the
fall. While the ruts did slow traffic down, it was certainly
not the first impression to the resort we were looking for!
Randy and Stephanie are looking forward to meeting the
members and guests this summer and will do their best to
meet your needs.
RVwest announced Bridgeview RV Resort as one of the
winners of their 2012 Reader’s
Choice Awards. Bridgeview was
chosen as one of the favorite
privately owned & operated
RV Parks in Alberta and
received
the
Platinum
Award!!
Congratulations
Bridgeview!
living the dream...
Park Updates & Whats Happening!!
...continued
Country Maples RV Resort
Dinosaur Trail RV Resort
Last year was a very difficult one for Corinne La Jeunesse, our
manager of Country Maples RV Resort. Our deepest condolences
to her for her loss of her father who passed away suddenly, and
then shortly after, her husband, Bill, also passed away. It has been
comforting to have such a wonderful crew of staff, members and
friends who have helped and supported Corinne.
The management team of David and Dianne Lee are eagerly
waiting to begin getting Dinosaur Trail RV Resort ready for
the 2012 season. They both had their hands full last year
getting to know and understand the many integral parts of
the resort operation and are really looking forward to the
upcoming season. Shortly after they arrived last year they got
to experience a major flash flood that had a large portion of
the campground under water. That Alberta weather is always
interesting! Finally being on the municipal water system
and not having to rely on well water has been a tremendous
addition.
Plans are underway to improve the electrical to approximately
28 sites at the Resort entrance, finally switching out the 15
amp services to 30 and in some cases to 50 amp. This will
enable large units to better utilize the large sites and should
reduce people that may be put on a wait list due to the lack of
availability of serviced sites.
The mini golf’s new
turf is on site and
ready to be installed
once the weather
co-operates.
Be
sure to try it out as
it is a great course
to play with the
children and grand
children…..and of
course the young at
heart!
The pool shower building is more inviting with the floors being
ground down and the walls freshly painted.
Cedars RV Resort
Kathy and Rich Host will be entering their fourth year as the
management team fully invigorated and rejuvenated!! After
spending the winter down south catching up with family,
friends and general R & R they are both chomping at the bit to
get back to work and taking care of the Cedar’s guests.
June and David Pink have done a marvelous job this winter of
keeping the resort going in Rich and Kathy’s absence. They
have been enjoying it so much they will be staying on for
the summer!! Bert, Sarah and the crew are getting ready and
gearing up to ensure the gardens and flowers look spectacular
once again.
If you haven’t
been to the
Cedars before
or recently, you
should definitely
take the time
and pop down to
enjoy wonderful
hospitality. And
good shopping
too!
They are both pretty creative and have a few thoughts and
ideas to enhance customers’ stays and will see which ones
will actually work. I do know that the hall has a new large flat
screen TV for those popular pop corn and movie nights. A
variety of activities and events are also being planned.
A number of school groups have already booked their annual
overnight stay that incorporates a visit to the world renowned
Royal Tyrrell Museum, a must on any visitors list of places to
see and experience.
Head Office
2011 Independance Day parade
HTR would like to welcome two new employees to the
Head Office. Stacy Latham is our new Membership Services
Receptionist and joined us in June 2011. In the past she
worked in the Camperland registration office so many of you
may already know her. Danielle Hansen has joined our team at
the beginning of March as our new Communications manager.
She will be working with George on advertising and marketing
as well as overseeing the call center. Welcome Stacy and
Danielle!
w w w. ht r. ca
Park Updates & Whats Happening!!
...continued
rustic and there were restricting limitations as to what could be
done on a short term basis for even a marginal improvement.
Christina Pines Campground
Marg and Jake Pauls
spent the winter
in Grand Forks
enjoying a white,
snowy season for
a change.
They
both enjoyed the
experience and are
looking forward to
getting the resort
ready for the season.
The new office /
laundry facility that was the cause of some more gray hair! was
finally completed and is fully operational. With the lovely railing,
wheel chair ramp and Marg’s beautiful flowers, it was certainly
well worth the hassles and effort. Many thanks to Marg, Jake and
their crew for a project well done!
We would encourage members to get out and experience
Christina Pines, perhaps on their way to Bridgeview RV Resort in
Lethbridge or Sunshine Valley RV Resort.
Cumberland’s Lake Campground
At this time last year, it was unknown if we would be continuing to
operate the Cumberland Lake Campground on Comox Lake. We
did issue the following release on the web site in January 2012.
“In 2007 Holiday Trails Resorts was invited to submit
a proposal to operate the Village of Cumberland’s
Lake Campground under a 3 year agreement. The
intent was that the Village would be able to secure
a Development Permit from the Regional District
within that time frame and HTR would enter into
a long term agreement as they developed the
campground.
Due to a variety of reasons, a Development
Agreement was not obtained and Holiday Trails
Resorts continued to operate the campground on
a year to year basis. This past fall the Village of
Cumberland put together a Campground Committee
to make recommendations as to the future of the
Campground. A Request for Proposal was put forth
and Holiday Trails Resorts entered a comprehensive
and realistic submission.
The membership usage of the campground continued to
decline each year as members discovered that there were not
sufficient services.
We will continue to look for a suitable location and remind
members that Country Maples will have improved electrical
services for 29 sites and Seal Bay has continued to develop their
campground and sites.
Camperland RV Resort
Ziggy and his crew
have had another
busy winter with
a major project
at the swimming
pool.
The deck
area surrounding
the pool has been
greatly increased
and a classy new
fence
complete
with lights was
installed. Way more room for those comfortable lounge chairs
Kevin keeps buying!!!
And with spring
approaching,
the next task
is pruning and
sculpting
the
thousands
of
cedars trees in
the resort.
More and more
visitors
have
discovered
Christmas in July at Camperland and WaterPark
the delights of
staying in the Vista section of Camperland. With so many large
pull thru sites it has turned out to be a much needed and
welcomed addition.
Country Kitchen
Unfortunately, the Holiday Trails Resorts proposal
was not selected at this time. We have enjoyed our
relationship with the Village of Cumberland and
community and wish them and the new operators
all success with the campground.”
We would like to thank Devika and her family for the years of
Friday’s Fish & Chips and Tuesday’s Chinese nights and the other
meals as she has decided to move on to operate a restaurant in
Chilliwack. We wish them great success in their new endeavor.
With that in mind, there is now a business opportunity for a
new operator of the Country Kitchen.
While the campground is in an ideal location on a lake, it is very
**Please contact us if you are interested in a new adventure of
cooking!
living the dream...
Park Updates & Whats Happening!!
Coquihalla Campground
...continued
Host Parks
While not part of the Holiday Trails Resort system, members can
get a 10% discount when showing their valid membership card
upon check in. Located on the Coquihalla River in Hope, BC we
are operating the campground under a management agreement
with the District of Hope.
We are pleased to continue our relationship with Alberta Beach
and Seal Bay as host parks for the 2012 season. Seal Bay is open
year round although, open to usage as HTR members from April
15th to September 30th. Alberta Beach Golf Resort is open May
1st to September 30th.
Internet
Holiday Park
Our resorts continue to have wireless internet available through
Tango. We would like to thank our previous Communications and
IT Manager, Ted Nash, who has moved on to commence a career
with Shaw Cable. Ted was instrumental in bringing Holiday
Trails Resorts smoothly into the digital / computer/ multi faceted
communication era. Why, Kevin even has more smart phones,
pads and gadgets than most kids!!
Holiday Park Resort and Camperland RV Resort have entered into a
reciprocal agreement that allows the members from Holiday Trails
Resorts to stay at Holiday Park at 25% discount off the rack rates
year round, subject to availability. Reservations must be booked
30 days or less in advance with a current HTR membership card.
There are no blocked out dates and no limited stays. HTR members
must show their valid HTR membership card upon check-in.
Ted also managed the call center and worked closely with George
on marketing and advertising initiatives.
Message from Shaun
Another summer season fast approaches...
More News
Bridal Falls Water Park
Improvements are continuing at the Bridal Falls Water Park
as we get ready for
another exciting and
fun season of sliding
and water fun!! We are
pleased to announce
that the free viewing
deck has been replaced
and will be open once
again. It is a great place to view all of the action.
Holiday Trails Resorts members will once again have a special
discount that will be available at the Camperland Resort
Registration office.
We are already in the planning stages for the annual END OF
THE SUMMER BAR-B-Q and SLIDING BASH in conjunction with
the radio gang at Country 107.1 and their STAR CRUISER! Keep
listening for updates throughout the summer.
Have you ever considered having the kids birthday party, a
family get together or even a corporate family fun day at the
Bridal Falls Water Park? Book ahead to reserve your groups tent
shelter.
And did you know that not only is the massive hot tub heated
but so is all the water for the slides!!!
Contact us at info@bridalfallswaterpark.com or check out the
website at www.bridalfallswaterpark.com
...and the HTR staff are beginning to get excited about the
return of our friends. Those of us that had the good fortune
to work the recent RV show booths in Calgary, Abbotsford
and Edmonton were able to visit with some of you before the
RVing season kicks off. It is always a pleasure to speak to a
Holiday Trails Member and hear about how they are looking
forward to the upcoming season. The sense of community
that our membership boasts is truly unique. It seems that as
much as people are looking forward to getting out to one of
our resorts to enjoy their RV, they are also looking forward
to seeing fellow HTR Members and Staff. That is one of the
reasons Holiday Trails RV Resorts created our Facebook page.
It is a place for you to share your experiences and or pictures
with other HTR Guests. It is also a place where you can be
informed about improvements to our system of resorts and
upcoming events. Those that have been following HTR have
been able to stay informed in the ‘off season’ and maintain a
small level of that amazing sense of community. If you are not
yet following Holiday Trails RV Resorts on Facebook I would
suggest you either check the Holiday Trails RV Resorts website
regularly or sign up for email updates from us. Remember
that next year is our 30th anniversary and there are bound to
be some celebrations and announcements not to be missed.
In closing I would like to extend thanks to all Holiday Trails
Members for continuing to make me feel welcome within the
Holiday Trails family. I share with you in your enjoyment of our
network of resorts and also in your excitement for what the
future holds with Holiday Trails.
Find us on
w w w. ht r. ca
George’s Letter
The nice thing about Spring is that it comes EVERY YEAR AT THIS
TIME. As stated last year, we now approach another season, but a
new season with energy, plans and looking forward to the familiar faces of our members. The thing that changes is the fact they
usually come in with new stories from all their wonderful travels
over the dreaded winter months. Some have also stayed put and
what a wonderful year for that. I think Abbotsford has had more
snow than Edmonton which was totally snowed under this time
last year, and the weather has helped bring a big jump in RV sales,
especially at the Edmonton RV show.
The attendance was up substantially at the Calgary and Edmonton
Shows held during January and February. Our Red Deer shows
that we attend have been adjusted, thanks in fact to the Ladies
Tournament of Hearts. I enjoy watching it on TV, constantly telling my wife where we are located in the building during show
time. I finally stopped pointing that out to her when she said I
should get back to my booth. She just wanted me quiet!
It was exciting to be in the booth and having RVer’s come to find
out more information about HTR membership camping. More
and more RV’s are being sold with folks desiring to make good use
out of these units. However, there is a growing understanding out
there of the difficulty of being able to book a place to take that
new RV. You do learn some horror stories of what that enthusiastic summer of RVing or camping has turned out to be. There was
great interest in our product, so that enjoyment for RVer’s would
not be as difficult to find. We had several people
want to make reservations to learn more
about membership camping for this
coming season.
One of the experiences I had
this past week was enjoying a Christmas gift from
my daughter Tannis. It
was an evening of French
cooking in her home. A
French Chef came to my
daughter’s home to teach
us how to cook Crusted
Rack of Lamb, Dungeness
crab cakes, Potato Gratin
Provencal, Tomato and Zucchini
Tian, Pastis crème Brule and Pistou
Soup Provencal. Chef Eric had the stations
all set up, as he does arrive with all the ingredients
for this special event. He asked for volunteers for each station, so
I chose to do the soup. Then the fun began. What a great team
building exercise this turned out to be. At times it was like Hell’s
kitchen. I made a mistake on how I cubed the veggies, and I went
from Soup Chef George to Soup Boy. The lessons included the
basics, going straight into how to hold your hand while operating
and handling a very sharp knife to plating. Chef Eric took nothing
for granted on what our skill level might be.
Our experience with Chef Eric got me to thinking about how we
get set for Spring at HTR – the ways we train and renew our skills
at our managers meeting. It also got me thinking about how we
must continue honing these skills throughout the RV season. In
the situation of the knife handling, one mistake and whoops - a
badly cut finger! It is important for all us to remember how we
greet one another when checking in and while in the park. Camping and being a part of HTR is supposed to be wonderful and fun,
and as you leave you cannot wait until you are back, and for us
to wish you were not leaving. It is all about Spring Training and
BEHAVIORAL change and adjustment. Yes, on any given day we
can all have a bad one, but hopefully with the right approach
to life and fellowship, we can make each other’s day more complete. Friendship is so important in life and it is something that
we should continue to work on.
Most of you know I have always been a Toronto Maple Leaf fan.
Well, when the Leaf’s “did not show up” in Vancouver for a game
in the middle of February, I received several phone text messages
advising me of the score. Fortunately for me, I was taking the
French cooking session. Had the game been on, I may have had
that bad cut from the wrong kind of excitement. I would like to
thank the Leafs for starting to drop out of contention so I will not
have to have my hopes up too high when I should be working
with my roses and greeting guests.
We do look forward to seeing you at the Membership Appreciation meetings this year.
I am pleased to advise you that we will be announcing a new
product. In appreciation of our members you
will have the first opportunity for family
members. This would be our non-RV
owners’ vacation package. This
opportunity will be handled
through the membership
consultants. Please see
the enclosed vacation
package brochure.
As my friend Ted has left
to pursue other adventures, I know we will wish
him well and thank him for
his contribution to HTR, as
well as his friendship.
For you car buffs out there, we will be
having our Fourth Annual Show and Shine
over the May Long Weekend. We are back to our normal date, so if you are doing any kind of a sun dance make sure
you include the May Long Weekend. The September date was
successful this past year, but the scheduler of RV shows encourages us to stay with the May Long Weekend. They do try to balance out how the Show and Shine shows are laid out on the grid,
to stimulate attendance.
We look forward to your arrivals back into the parks, and the opportunity to be able to stop by for a coffee once we know you are here.
Safe travels home, everybody.
living the dream...
Membership Appreciation Dates
Phone number for each park is listed in your directory or on our website.
Activity information for each weekend will be available upon check in at the registration office.
CAMPERLAND
BRIDGEVIEW
May 18 / 19 / 20
non-retired members
June 1 / 2 / 3
Call now
Call in starting April 14th
CEDARS
COUNTRY MAPLES
Call now
Call now
May 25 / 26 / 27
June 8 / 9 / 10
CAMPERLAND
May 25 / 26 / 27
Retired Members and those
who didn’t make the previous
Camperland weekend.
Sunshine Valley
TBA
See website for updates
Call in starting April 15th
DINOSAUR TRAIL CHRISTINA PINES
Call now
Call in April 11th
June 1 / 2 / 3
July 11 (Wednesday)
Join the Team!! - Job Opportunities
As we gear up for another fun and exciting summer season we are
once again on the hunt for staff to fill our many part time and full
time seasonal positions.
Sales Professionals
Bridal Falls Water Park
Holiday Trails Resorts has immediate openings
for membership consultants. If you rank
among the top in the vacation industry, then
this could be for you. Company offers in-house
financing. This is a great opportunity for some
seasonal work.
Right next door to Camperland, the water park is looking for pool
attendants, life guards, cashiers, food and beverage as well as
maintenance and janitorial. A super way to spend your summer!!!
Sunblock is provided as and you get to work in a cool uniform!!
Training is provided. Please forward resumes to office@bridalfallswaterpark.com and check us out at www.bridalfallswaterpark.com
Holiday Trails RV Resorts
Seasonal full time and part time positions are available at all of
our RV Resorts including office administration, grounds, janitorial,
maintenance and in some cases activities director. Positions start
as early as May and often go until the September long weekend.
Please forward your resume to info@htr.ca or directly to the resort
that you are most interested in.
t
sume
u r re
o
y
mit
Sub
w w w. ht r. ca
o: george@htr.ca or call 1-8
00-6
63-2
265
Holiday Trails
living the dream...
RV Resorts