Changes ahead for Century Park’s Park and Ride

EDMONTON – There are plans to move the Park and Ride lot at Century Park further away from the LRT station. An open house, scheduled for Tuesday, will share the proposed changes with the public.

However, for many commuters, the prospect of the Park and Ride disappearing from the site would be an inconvenience.

“That would be a big pain,” says one regular commuter.

When the LRT was planned, a 1,200 stall parkade was included for Century Park. But costs soared from $35 million to $60 million. The city decided to go with a lot instead.

“The only reason we can get here right now is because the universities are out, so there’s no university crowd. But during winter time, if you’re not here by seven, there’s no parking at all,” says the commuter.

“To find a space, I think you have to get here around 6:30, seven,” says another. “It’s always this busy, all the time.”

Currently, the city is leasing the lot from the developer.

In the open house notice explaining the proposed changes, the city points out “in the future, parking at this location will cease and the site will redevelop.”

With the change, the lot may be moved two blocks further away from the station, towards 109 Street.

But the proposal is raising some questions.

“They need a Park and Ride somewhere that’s accessible,” said one male commuter. “They want to move it over there. It would be quite a walk for everyone to get from there to here.”

Those who rely on the public transit system – and use the Park and Ride option – regularly are hoping for a more convenient, long-term solution.

“You can see for yourself how full the lot is,” says another man who uses the LRT daily. “They need something.”

In the long-term, the city has a Park and Ride lot planned in the area of Ellerslie Road and 127 Street.

But many commuters would rather see a parking lot closer to the LRT.

“I think that would just take a lot more time. People would have to adjust their schedules a lot more. Right now, I have to get to work 45 minutes earlier, the drive here takes about 15 minutes so having to take a shuttle would just take a lot more time,” shares one woman.

Meanwhile, the north end has three Park and Ride facilities: Clareview, Belvedere, and Stadium stations. (For more on the city’s Park and Ride programs, click here.)

“A lot of people work in downtown where parking costs are so high, so, I think this is great,” says the woman. “I think we would need something permanently for sure.”

The open house will run Tuesday from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the Ermineskin Community League Hall at 107 Street and 32 A Ave.

 With files from Vinesh Pratap

View image in full screen