After two months of being completely cooped up at home during the COVID-19 outbreak, it seems many people are looking at buying RVs to try a camping vacation in Saskatchewan.
“I would describe (business) as really, really busy. The phones are ringing (and) online inquiries are busy,” said Susan Minard at Minard’s Leisure World in Weyburn.
Minard noted pre-owned RVs are particularly popular for families looking for a more inexpensive option to get out and explore the outdoors. She also pointed out the silver lining of families finding more time to try camping.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for families. Their kids are not in school in June and there are no sports that they have to run around to. So this is the chance,” Minard said.
“If you’re going to go camping, this actually extends your season by 30 days which we never get in Saskatchewan. So this is huge, I think, for families to go camping and we are really seeing an increase in families.”
When public health orders first restricted business and recreational activities in the middle of March, Minard had no idea what to expect and admits it was pretty scary.
“Then as things started to loosen up a little bit and then once the parks opened, people thought, ‘Yes, I can do that,’ ” Minard said.
Minard noted that nobody really wants to stay in a hotel right now and crossing the border for a trip to the U.S. isn’t an option, so more people are starting to look at some of the beautiful parks and campgrounds available within Saskatchewan.
Provincial parks opened up May 4 for day trips and campgrounds are to open for overnight camping as of June 1, with several restrictions in place due to COVID-19.
People are encouraged to use bathrooms in their own campers, although public washrooms will be available for one family at a time.