In a move that will surely be popular with drivers, Campbell River’s city council moved to ban pay parking at a new hospital that is scheduled to open later this year.
Council voted unanimously Monday night to introduce a new zoning amendment that would prohibit a new $274.5-million, 95-bed hospital from charging for parking.
“Whether you’re in the hospital as a patient, or whether you’re visiting or whether you’re there for day treatments, the last thing you have on your mind is ‘Have I paid my fee?’” said Coun. Larry Samson.
The amendment even goes as far to prohibit parking fees on any properties zoned Public Area 1, including schools, churches, museums, parks and the city’s own recreation complexes.
“We’re very hopeful that Island Health will respect our wishes,” said Samson.
Island Health will operate the new hospital and issued a statement to CTV News Wednesday about the city’s decision.
“We don’t know how this will impact us at this time. Island Health has always been clear that pay parking would be in place at the new Campbell River and Comox Valley hospitals when they open in late 2017,” the authority said.
Campbell River is still waiting for Island Health’s official response, but the city says it is already hearing positive response from citizens on its decision to abolish pay parking.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Gord Kurbis
