JULIE BERTRAND/Independent reporter
The Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) recognized one of the tourism industry’s brightest stars during its annual convention in April at Lake Louise, and it is none other than Jean MacDonald, founder and co-owner of Ol’ MacDonald’s Resort on Buffalo Lake.
The AHLA accords the award of distinction to members who exemplify the very best qualities of the people working in the hospitality industry.
The winners are selected from among those who earned the respect of their colleagues and advanced the reputation of the business and community in the course of their services through the year.
The Erskine resident has been operating Ol’ MacDonald’s Resort for the past 27 years. Until three years ago, she also was a driving force in the Alberta Resort and Campground Association, until its amalgamation with AHLA.
“Just as we were getting going ourselves, we knew there was a need to talk to other people to find out how to go about building and running a campground,” said MacDonald.
“I went in search of other campgrounds that were willing to share information. There were three of us that got together and decided we needed each other.”
MacDonald is the first campground owner to ever win the AHLA award of distinction.
“I was overwhelmed, I did not know what to say and I was very humbled at the same time, to be recognized by all those people that are bigger than me,” said MacDonald.
“I had three of our other campground owners that I’ve worked with throughout the years nominate me.”
MacDonald and the resort have both come a long way since the early 1980s. Back then, the family still farmed the land on Buffalo Lake, while MacDonald was just finishing the process of subdividing the property’s northeastern corner into Scenic Sands.
“My mother wanted to build a dude ranch/campground in 1957 up here on this land. She passed away very young,” said MacDonald.
“I just put that dream in the back of my mind until my children grew out of high school.”
When she finally had free time in 1982, MacDonald convinced her family to help her build the resort, as the Stettler banks declined to lend her money.
“People came down with chainsaws and went into the trees,” remembered MacDonald.
“I flagged where we wanted to build the roads and they cut the roads behind me and the stalls. We just did it.”
When the campground opened in 1984, it had only 25 sites. However, MacDonald had had an inkling that the campground would grow into a resort, and she had her helpers clear as much space as possible.
“Now we have 425 sites, eight group areas, 10 cabins and a little motel. We’ve just expanded every year,” said MacDonald.
Her favourite part about being a campground owner is the lifestyle.
“People come here to enjoy themselves and to make family memories. It’s a very good feeling to have,” said MacDonald.
She is very proud of the fact that the campground has remained a family affair throughout the years.
“I have one son, one daughter and four grandchildren working with me,” said MacDonald.
However, her goal for the upcoming camping season is to start slowing down a little bit.
“I’ll be here but I won’t be working quite as much,” said MacDonald.
She will pass on some of her responsibilities to her granddaughter Jenelle Robinson.
“This summer, I will probably use my free time to visit campers and spend time with my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren,” said MacDonald.
“My three great-grandchildren made me realize that I needed to back off a little bit and let somebody else to take the responsibility.”