Sylvan Lake, Alta., has one of the province’s most visited beaches. But it’s no longer the choice destination for some out-of-towners, after the town increased seasonal parking fees.
Caroline Tobias, for one, is leaning toward free or cheaper alternatives like Gull Lake.
“[Sylvan Lake] used to be a great place to come during the summer,” Tobias told CBC News. “But now with all these crazy parking fees — and it’s crazy enough trying to find [a spot] — I don’t think I’ll be coming.”
As of May 1, the daily flat rate for the town’s seasonal waterfront parking areas rose from $30 to $50. Some hourly parking spots remain $5, but those spaces have a two-hour cap and are primarily found around businesses. Other hourly parking fees have doubled from $5 to $10.
Parking is still free near the library and Nexsource Centre, the local recreation centre, which are located about a five-minute walking distance from the water. A lot beside the library, which was previously free, has now been converted to paid parking.
The annual pass and disability placard also increased from $150 to $250.
Rates will drop in some areas in the wintertime. From Nov. 1 to April 30, zones charging $5 and $10 per hour will charge $2 an hour, while waterfront parking will drop to $10 a day.
Mayor Megan Hanson said the fee changes were a response to concerns raised by residents of Sylvan Lake, a town about 140 kilometres south of Edmonton, about cleanliness and amenities.
Some locals and lakeside business owners have mixed feelings about how they could affect tourism. It was a divisive issue at town hall, too, with council nearly splitting the vote.
But Hanson said residents pay their fair share, and the cost of visitors would be recouped through fees.
The Town of Sylvan Lake has increased its summer parking fees this year. It will re-evaluate the program’s effectiveness in the fall. (Lina Elsaadi/CBC)
She noted that, during the campaign trail last election, residents often voiced a desire to change the town’s waterfront.
“They want a higher service level downtown, they would love to see more frequent garbage [collection], bathroom maintenance, micro-litter dealt with — and all of those things come at a cost,” Hanson said.
She added that the program was designed to also cover the increase of bylaw and park staff, and the town is looking into additional washrooms and the cleaning of cigarette bums.
People will have to pay more, she said, but “you should also see a difference this year in cleanliness and your overall experience.”
For people who visit often, Hanson suggests staying in the community for a week at a time would be more economical.
Pay to play
Resident Crystal Walker believes the parking fee hike is justified if the area gets cleaned. Carter Lake, meanwhile, was “not a fan” of the increase and is disappointed the cost has deterred some of his friends from joining him at the beach.
Business owners are also mixed. Gigi Soliman, of Lakeshore Cafe, believes the money could help the town, but she has heard concerns from customers worried about higher parking prices.
“As a business owner, we take advantage of summertime. That’s the only time we get more [people],” Soliman said.
“[Sylvan Lake is] a tourist place, so it’s kind of hard for the tourists to spend with that.”
But Tim Lynch, owner of the Rusty Kage Smokehouse and Grill, expects it will be business as usual, especially as it’s $5 in front of his building to park.
All business owners CBC News interviewed for this story have their own private lots, which they say are regularly improperly used in the summertime. (Lina Elsaadi/CBC)
“If people just plan accordingly before they come here and expect [the fees], then I don’t see it being a big issue,” Lynch said.
“If they want to park a little further away, they can probably get much cheaper fare, or no cost at all, and just be willing to walk,” he said.
But some frequent visitors, like Leanne Sonnenberg from Red Deer, Alta., are disgruntled. Sonnenberg feels the beach’s bathrooms will always be “sandy and gross,” and the increased costs aren’t justifiable.
She recently brought her children to Sylvan Lake to play at the park. When she saw full-day parking would cost $50, without an hourly option, she drove further away to find a cheaper, more flexible option.
“I have to think about bringing a wagon, because walking a couple blocks with toddlers isn’t going to be fun,” Sonnenberg said.
In the future, she said she will choose to go elsewhere on days she knows will be busier and parking will be tougher to come by.