Long awaited Happy Camp remodel begins

The Happy Camp Construction Project began at the campground this week. Despite being one of the community’s most popular destinations, Happy Camp has received very little attention over the years. Renovation plans for Happy Camp were first discussed and drawn in 1999. Since then, there have been multiple designs, as well as projected start dates that were ultimately delayed. At this point, the roads and utility services are aged, badly deteriorating and undersized for modern RVs.

The Happy Camp Construction Project will be an extensive modernization of the campground area to include rehabilitation and/or replacement of the asphalt roads, new concrete walkways, new sewer system, new water laterals and new electrical system. There will be campsite and road layout changes to accommodate larger RVs with slide-outs, plus the addition of up to 21 more campsites with RV hookups. There are currently 34 campsites with RV hookups.

There also will be a total electrical system upgrade including a new Edison transformer, new conduit and wiring and new electrical pedestals to accommodate modern RV’s and increased overall electrical loads. Street lighting and power poles also are going to be replaced.

In a second phase of the project, the campground office will be relocated and the restrooms will be remodeled.

The POA Board of Directors approved the total project cost of $774,300 with $649,300 to come from the Repair and Replacement Fund 02-670 and $125,000 to come from the Road Reserve Fund 03-0670.

The project was awarded to DMC Enterprises during the Regular Session Board Meeting on Jan. 2. DMC Enterprises is a general contracting firm based in Vista, CA and they recently completed a very similar campground project for the City of Lake Elsinore. The POA received 10 bids; DMC Enterprises submitted the lowest bid. For more information about the company, visit dmc-ent.com.

The campground will be closed during construction but the gas dock will remain open.

The goal is to have the project completed before Memorial Day, one of the busiest weekends of the year at the campground. This year, the POA will hold a lottery for campground reservation on Memorial Day weekend. The lottery system will be similar to the one used for July 4.

Happy Camp is one of Canyon Lake’s most unique amenities. It offers both water views and beach-front camping to members and their guests. Its docks make it a great spot for water sports and fishing.

The campground is the POA’s least subsidized amenity and generates a substantial amount of income.

Project updates will be posted on the POA’s website at canyonlakepoa.com/happy-camp-renovation and on the POA’s Facebook page.