Council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover has approved a campground near Grunthal.

Daniel Fehr appeared before Council requesting permission to establish the campground on approximately 94 acres on a site zoned Agriculture Limited. The site is south of Grunthal and adjacent to the Grunthal Park. It currently contains a depleted gravel pit, a bed and breakfast unit and a residential dwelling.

The Fehrs proposed constructing the small campground as a way of using the remediated land. The proposal included an area for a limited number of RV spaces as well as the potential to construct some cabins for rental purposes.

(Daniel Fehr is considering cabins similar to this one for his campground.)Jeremy Neufeld is the Planning Manager for the RM of Hanover. In his recommendations to Council, he noted the site's proximity to the Grunthal Park and GMX track would provide lodging opportunities during larger events. Furthermore, he says the secluded rural area may prove to be attractive to others looking for a quiet getaway.

"There is nothing like that currently in the RM of Hanover," Fehr told Council at the public hearing.

According to Fehr, he would start small by offering spots for maybe one dozen RVs.

"Just a nice place for people to enjoy," he says.

Hanover heard no opposition from the public. In fact, it received only one letter, which came from a neighbour to the west, expressing no concern as long as they can continue removing gravel from their pit nearby.

Local Councillor Jim Funk made the motion to approve the application.

"It is a very nice spot for what he is entertaining," says Funk.

The request was approved by Council.

"They thought it was a great thing because we don't have any campgrounds in Hanover as such," says Hanover Reeve Stan Toews. "With the activity at the park there, the motocross and all that, there might be some need for some of that."

(The campground which Daniel Fehr is establishing, will provide many services, including RV sites, water activities and a picnic area.)