By ROY WOOD

The owners of the Apple Beach RV Park are free to pursue their dream of building tourist accommodation on Tuc-el-Nuit Lake after council on Monday approved a rezoning of the property.

James and Catherine Hodge have been seeking the change that would allow them to build a hotel or motel at Apple Beach, which has been zoned as only a campsite.

The Hodges were delighted after Monday’s meeting, although they said they have been so busy with the campground business this spring and summer that they haven’t had time to consider in detail what they might build.

James Hodge said the great weather all season has resulted in a “phenomenal year” at the campground. “The usual rain in June didn’t come,” he said.

They said they have no immediate plans to start building anything, but the top three options they are considering are a motel, a youth hostel and cabins.

They said once they decide on a direction, they’ll have to raise the financing. James Hodge said the costs on installing sewers at the property will be a big issue.

In May of this year, the Hodges asked council for a broader rezoning that would have allowed a 10-lot residential subdivision on the lakeshore property. Council shot down that idea.

In June, they received encouragement from council when they proposed the more modest switch from one commercial-tourism designation to another.

It turned out that Apple Beach was the only property in town that carried the campground-only zoning. Following Monday’s vote by council, that zoning will disappear from the town bylaws.