Council approves D Lagoon campground rates; staff reports park nearing completion

City staff reported that the D Lagoon campground is substantially complete and that a soft opening this fall is possible; full public opening is likely next season after grass establishment. The larger $5.2M lighting and campground project is nearly finished and, per consultant projections cited by staff, is expected to generate returns over the long term.

Staff proposed daily rates of $25 for tent sites, $45 for partial-hookup sites and $50 for full-hookup sites; council discussion favored a higher full-hookup fee and the council amended the proposal in the meeting. After debate about regional comparables and whether to offer seasonal sites, council approved the amended rates: tent sites $25/day, partial-hookup $50/day, full-hookup $60/day. Council also approved a $10 cancellation fee with a seven-day notice and an offseason electric-only rate of $25/day in April and October. Staff recommended no seasonal sites initially and discussed revisiting that option next year based on demand.

Councilmembers discussed balancing community access and tourism revenue; some members warned against over-allocating seasonal sites because that can reduce transient visitor capacity. Staff will include the adopted fees on the consent agenda for final confirmation. The city also noted ancillary items including planned reforestation, a new restroom/storage building for the soccer complex, and an entrance-road reconstruction expected in 2026 with partial grant funding.