THUNDER BAY — As new paid parking is set to start at Marina Park on June 1, some councillors were second-guessing the rates.
During Monday's council meeting, At-large Coun. Rajni Agarwal was concerned that the rate for parking passes was too low.
A four-hour pass will be available for $80 for the remainder of the year, or a full-day pass for $140.
Agarwal questioned this multiple times during the meeting, citing concern that the rate was too low compared to the parkade downtown.
She even suggested the rate be "doubled or tripled," proposing that the all-day rate be bumped up to $210, which would make it more expensive than the parkade, as the marina is considered a premium location.
Agarwal expressed her concern that users would buy the marina pass because it's less expensive than the parkade.
Red River Coun. Michael Zussino also suggested that a limited number of passes be available for purchase.
A report provided to council stated that "municipal parking services will monitor the implementation of alternative parking fees and the experience at the marina in 2024 to determine if other options need to be explored and proposed to the council."
While there was interest from council, Agarwal's amendment was lost in a tie.
More details on the parking changes at Marina Park can be read here.
Katie Nicholls is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with Newswatch
