Cochrane Pond Campground Closed due to Safety Concerns

On Thursday, June 7, City of St. John’s Inspection Services and the St. John’s Regional Fire Department issued a notice to close Cochrane Pond Family Campground until such time as a number of life safety and public health issues can be addressed.

“This is an unfortunate but unavoidable situation that requires immediate attention,” explained Councillor Sandy Hickman, co-chair of the Regional Fire Service Committee. “As soon as the identified safety matters are addressed, City staff and Fire Inspection Services will give permission for the park to reopen.”

Issues of fire and life safety, originally brought to the attention of the department at the end of last summer, have not been addressed in the off-season, nor have issues related to waste management, electrical deficiencies and septic systems. Furthermore, City inspectors have concerns about the potential that campers appear to be converted to dwellings and changes have been made to recreational vehicles that make them unmovable.

The City of St. John’s will continue to work with Provincial Government departments related to environmental and public health.

“Our primary concern at this point is the condition of the road and the lack of a secondary access which could result in a fire that cannot be managed safely,” explained Fire Chief Sherry Colford. “We cannot permit this campground to continue to operate until it is safe to do so from a fire prevention and protection perspective, both for campers and for first responders.”

Notices of closure have been posted in the facility today and campers will be allowed temporary access only to retrieve personal property; overnight visits will not be permitted until the life safety issues identified in the order are addressed to the satisfaction of the City of St. John’s.

Media Contact:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca