SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
There were fewer people seeking an extended-stay campsite at this year's ballot draw but not few enough to ensure that everyone got one of the coveted spots.
Tracy St. Denis, North Slave regional office superintendent for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, said 133 people entered ballots Sunday for the 90 available spots this summer, 70 fewer than the number who participated last year.
Forty two-month blocks were available at a cost of $500 for campsites at Prelude Lake Territorial Park, with another 40 available at Reid Lake.
Ten additional $1,000 full-season permits at Reid Lake were also up for grabs.
"We changed the process a little bit on how you get a ballot," she said. "Last year, you would be able to fill in your name and other people that were going to be guests to your site.
This year in order to get a ballot, you needed to show a trailer registration and photo identification so that we could improve the ballot system.
"So I am going to equate (the number change) to the change in documentation that was required."
The department endured a stream of criticism five years ago after it cut the extended-stay campsite from a full four-month season to two months but with the same $500 price tag.
Complaints about the cost of a campsite seemed to have faded away when Yellowknifer attended last weekend's ballot draw at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre.
"For $500 for two months, I don't think you are going to find anything better really," said Yolande Chapman, who with her husband Blair secured a spot at Prelude Lake.
"It is like having a cottage for two months. We are happy with the price. Sure it was a great deal back then, but in today's economy it is fine now."
Jeff and Bethan Williams-Simpson, who own a 21-foot Outback camper-trailer, secured the B3 spot at Reid Lake.
"I think they could have done better advertising for getting information online," said Bethan, who added she couldn't find adequate information online and found out late that she couldn't pay with cash. "They have taken notes on how to improve it every year and that was very recognizable in there today. It went smoothly other than a little bit of information at the beginning to us new people who haven't done it before."
Park season in the NWT opens May 15 and closes Sept. 15.
