Seasonal opening of Sunnyside Campground in Chilliwack delayed until the end of April

There won’t be any camping or roasting marshmallows until at least the end of April at Sunnyside Campground this year.

The Cultus Lake Park Board has delayed the opening date and the seasonal move-in date at Sunnyside Campground to April 30 in response to the evolving situation regarding COVID-19.

The park board will be reviewing the decision on a weekly basis.

“We understand that this decision will be disappointing to some. It was made to decrease the risk of spreading COVID-19, a highly contagious and deadly virus. Each of us must do our part to flatten the curve and to help stop the spread of this serious illness,” said Cultus Lake Park Board chair Joe Lamb in the statement emailed out on Monday.

It aligns with the current timeline identified by BC Parks for camping.

READ MORE: COVID-19: BC Parks to suspend camping, access to some facilities

Payment for overnight camping reservations prior to the new opening date of April 30 will be refunded, and seasonal campers will have their annual rates adjusted on a prorated basis and refunded once the campground opens.

The decision to move the seasonal opening date to the end of April came less than 24 hours after the Cultus Lake Park Board announced it was closing Cultus Lake Park to visitors.

READ MORE: Cultus Lake Park closed to visitors to help stop the spread of COVID-19

People are being asked to practice social distancing by keeping a minimum of six feet between themselves and others when out in public, and regularly wash their hands for 20 seconds or more to help stop the spread of the virus.