Online booking and rentals could modernize Lower Beverley Lake Park operations
RIDEAU LAKES — There are many opportunities for Lower Beverley Lake Park to generate revenue.
That was part of a third-party service delivery review of the park in Delta, which identifies online booking, stronger promotion of on-site rentals, and improved data tracking as key opportunities to increase revenue and modernize park operations, according to a report received by Rideau Lakes council on Feb. 2.
The report, prepared by Camping in Ontario, examined park operations, customer service, staffing, facilities, event management, and revenue potential based on an on-site assessment conducted during the 2025 season.
Among its primary findings, the consultants note that the park does not currently offer an online reservation system. Instead, bookings are handled through email or manual follow-up, a process the report says can lead to delayed responses, missed inquiries, and lost revenue.
The report recommends implementing an online booking platform to allow campers to reserve sites directly, reduce administrative workload, and generate reliable data on occupancy and demand.
The consultants also identified underused revenue-generating amenities, including kayak and canoe rentals. While equipment is available on site, the report notes that signage and promotion are limited and that rental information is not consistently communicated to visitors. Clearer signage, visible pricing, and increased promotion through social media were cited as ways to improve awareness and rental uptake. The report suggested hiring a summer student to look after these details, and promote it through social media.
Event programming was identified as a strength, with the park offering a full calendar of seasonal activities that support community engagement and repeat visitation. However, the report notes that attendance tracking is informal and that many events rely on volunteer support, limiting the ability to evaluate performance or plan future programming using consistent data.
Staff interactions with guests were consistently described as professional and positive throughout the report, though the consultants observed that staffing levels can restrict the park’s ability to expand services during peak periods.
MECP report
Council also received a separate staff report at the same meeting outlining compliance matters related to Lower Beverley Lake Park, including a series of infractions identified by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. That report focused on regulatory and infrastructure requirements associated with sewage systems and building compliance at the park and was discussed independently of the service delivery review.
Council debates service review data
Following receipt of the service delivery report, council debated whether portions of the document should be discussed behind closed doors.
Coun. Paula Banks was the only member of council to oppose receiving the report for information, raising concerns about comments she said were inappropriate to include in a public document.
“Any report that talks about any employee volunteering their time and we do not remove that comment, I just think it’s inappropriate because it’s stated as fact in that report and we don’t know that that is fact,” Banks said. “I don’t think we should be accepting a report that talks about one of our employees volunteering their time. And I explained that to the board as well.”
Deputy Mayor Sue Dunfield did not support Banks’ remarks, saying removing or withholding content would conflict with council’s original direction to the consultants.
“That would go against what was requested by the board to be shown in the report,” Dunfield said.Mayor Arie Hoogenboom noted that the report had already been made public and is available online through the township’s website.
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