Judy Jardine - August 2022

Let’s go back 40 years as to how we became known as Pigeon Lake Campers Resort. The year of the big takeover was July 1st 1982. This was the year, we as Park renters decided to save our Park from closure. We had some very dedicated people in our Park who by working long hours on the financial and political aspects of a takeover of the Park, helped us save the Park. It was decided that if each site put up $700.00, we could purchase the property from the owner of the Jellystone Park, with the promise to repay each site their investment back up the sale of the final 37 sites left to sell. We then formed a Board of Directors and hired a Park Manager and staff to help run the Park more efficiently. This was the beginning of the improvements to the Park. We only at that time had tent trailers, pop ups, mid-sized trailers and fifth wheels in the Park. Our recreation hall was half the size it is today and the upper sunroom was a wide open balcony where the live band played on the July 1st celebrations. Cindy’s Pantry (our former store) was a restaurant with some store items and the Pigeon Coop (the sales office) was beside the store. Our original sales office was a small trailer located in our parking lot located across from the Recreation Hall entrance. We also had this oversized bear (Yogi Bear) with a picnic basket located on the roadway into the Park to greet everyone entering the Park. It was a very big hit with the families for photos of the kids in the basket. This was the mascot for the Jellystone Park.

The south side of the Park was where most of the trailers were located as the north side of the Park was a very open field and not as appealing due to the lack of shade. All our facilities such as the marina, pool, beach, ball diamond, tennis courts, wading pool, the playground (only smaller), recreation centre, restaurant/store, and washrooms were already here. Over the years we have made many improvements with the help of our volunteers. We as owners are very proud of our Park. It is a community of wonderful families and a great place to come and relax.

Thank you to all the Members who helped to save this Park and make it the amazing family place it is today. Because if not for their dedication and the love of this Park, we would not be here today celebrating 40 years of existence!

Founding Board members: Ed Cole, Don Moore, Ken Neely, Don Payne