The City of St. John’s has ordered everyone at a popular campground in the metro region to vacate the park because of what it calls serious life safety concerns.

Cochrane Pond Park is provincially owned but has been licensed to a private operator for the past couple of years following a long-term lease that had been in place since 1996. The park has over 180 campsites, a main office building and a cabin.

The city says it has found numerous deficiencies and the site owner was given time to correct them, but to no avail.

Councillor Sandy Hickman has called a news conference early this afternoon to talk about the issue.

The city says the risk of fire remains critical, with two fires having already occurred—one in December, the other in January.

All occupants were given 48 hours to vacate.

That could be difficult on some as there are occupants who live onsite, but the city says the park is not meant to be occupied as a housing alternative.