The club has received a grant of $230,000 from Shenhua Watermark Coal to assist the project with the club contributing $10,000 and countless hours of voluntary labour.

The club is only waiting on quotes from local contractors before starting the long-awaited project, which will include an amenities block, internal sealing of roads and carparks and a rotunda similar to the one constructed by members at Lions Hospital Park.

The project on the edge of the  Wandobah Reserve, will further enhance Gunnedah’s reputation as an RV Friendly Town, with the RV stop developed by Rotary at Redbank on the Tamworth Road enormously popular with travellers.

The development of the riverine area near Cohen’s Bridge and the internal sealing of roads is also attracting visitors, while the re-opening of the council “primitive camping area” at the Showground has been welcomed by  travellers, especially those with big rigs. 

Council’s Director of Panning and Environmental Services, Mike Silver, said that numbers at the park are good and new  arrangements to benefit the Kennel Club, caretaker and council, as the Showground Trust, have been negotiated.

While “primitive” camping areas suit many self-contained travellers, a large proportion of caravanners still prefer the security and amenities of established caravan parks.

Gunnedah was approved for RV Friendly Town status from the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) in June 2011.

The RV Friendly Town scheme is an initiative of the CMCA that promotes RV (recreational vehicle) tourism related services across Australia. 

It has been designed to assist local councils in attracting RV tourists to their communities, thus generating a substantial financial contribution to the town’s economy.

According to the CMCA, RV tourists spend an average of $500 per week when on the road and 97 per cent make purchases when stopping in a town on such items as fuel, vehicle maintenance, groceries, medical expenses, visiting attractions, eating out and accommodation.

Meanwhile tourism across Australia is booming, with international visitors looking for authentic experiences by staying at  caravan parks in cabins or hiring RVs to reduce expenses as they tour the country.

Meanwhile Lions Club members are looking forward to starting work on their latest community project, which will add to the long list of projects completed over the years since the club’s formation in 1958, including  Lions Park, 

Lions Hall at the Village Homes, funding support for projects at the hospital, tree planting and fireplaces for the traveling public, and the GS Kidd Memorial School building.

As a conservative estimate, the Lions Club has raised in excess of $700,000 for the community – this does not include voluntary man hours.