RV dealer to build on Bass Pro site in Rossford’s Crossroads

NBR campingworld23 Camping World logo, provided by the company. Not Blade photo.

A developer intends to locate a large recreational vehicle dealership in Rossford’s Crossroads.

The Camping World outlet will be on Simmons Road south of and adjacent to Bass Pro Shop, off northbound I-75 between State Rt. 795 and U.S. 20. Camping World is the country’s largest seller of RV and outdoor camping accessories and services, with more than 100 locations. It began in Bowling Green, Ky., in 1966.

Its dealership is to be built on an 11-acre site the developer, Siren Partners, will buy from Bass Pro, and will be a full-service sales and service facility for RVs.

Rossford's planning commission last week gave its unanimous approval to the project’s preliminary site plan. The developer said the facility will be a $6 million investment.

Kimberly Penfold, Siren’s president, said her group plans to begin construction as soon as possible and deliver the building to Camping World in May. Siren will own the facility and lease it to Camping World under a 20-year agreement.

Ms. Penfold said the dealership will employ 50 to 60 full-time workers. The contractor and trades people will be local.

The site’s 130-foot flagpole will fly an outsized Stars and Stripes and require a variance, but no planning commission member thought it presented a problem. Mayor Neil MacKinnon considers the flagpole a plus.

The Camping World site will include a 30,000-square-foot building, with 13,450 square feet of retail space. The service area will be about 17,000 square feet. Outside will be an inventory display area with space for 210 RVs. There also will be space for 80 RVs in the service parking area.