The intent of this RFP is to solicit and receive Proposals to operate the Concession providing food service in Aspen Beach Provincial Park.
Aspen Beach Provincial Park is located about 18 kilometres west of Lacombe on Highway 12. Centrally located near Red Deer, a city with a population of approximately 100,000 residents, and a short trip from Edmonton, Aspen Beach Provincial Park offers year-round recreation on the south shores of Gull Lake. The park is a short distance from several nearby communities, including the towns of Gull Lake (3 km), Bentley (7 km), Lacombe (18 km), and Sylvan Lake (26 km). It is about 35 km northwest of Red Deer.
Summer visitors enjoy one of Alberta’s busiest and best lakes at Ebeling Beach Day Use, with its large sandy beach, and boat launch and playground. The concession is located within close proximity (less than 150 metres) of the boat launches, beach and campground.
During the summer months, average daily peak visitation at Ebeling Beach Day Use is an estimated 3,000 visitors on weekends and 1,500 visitors on weekdays. Walk-up traffic from Brewers Campground is estimated at 1,800 campers on the weekend and 1,500 campers on weekdays.
Aspen Beach Provincial Park has two large campgrounds. Brewers, which is located near Ebeling Day Use, has 483 campsites. Trails connect Lakeview Campground, which has 255 campsites, with Brewers Campground and Ebeling Beach Day Use. The average annual number of camper nights for both campgrounds from 2017 through 2021 was about 39,000, with an average camping group size of four people.
In addition, Aspen Beach Provincial Parks has three group camping areas, with Group Use A accommodating 50 units maximum, and Group Use B and C accommodating up to 40 units each. The average annual number of group camping nights from 2017 through 2021 was almost 125.
The majority of camping and day-use takes place between the Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends. From July 1st to mid-August, utilization of the campground facilities ranges from 70% to 100% of capacity, with weekends over 90%. Long weekend demand usually exceeds the number of designated campsites available. The majority of use during the fall, winter and spring seasons takes place on weekends.
Detailed information on Aspen Beach Provincial Park can be found at: https://albertaparks.ca/parks/central/aspen-beach-pp/
