The Whistler Chamber of Commerce is launching a members-only survey to collect feedback on pay parking.
As part of the survey they are looking for feedback on changes, which include:
· Pay parking on all lots 1 through 5.
· Hourly rate stays at $2.
· On lots 1-3 the evening rates would start at 6 p.m. and go until 3 a.m. with summer rates set at $6 and winter rates set at $5. Lots 4 and 5 would be free.
· The 24-hour rate in summer would be $24. This is not an option in the winter.
· Village employees and volunteers can get a pass for $30 month for Lot 3 East and Lots 4 and 5.
· A monthly parking pass would be available for $65 a month.
· Currently there are no passes available, evening parking rates start at 5 p.m. with no differential in summer and winter rates and lots 4 and 5 are free.
Last week the Parking Management Committee decided to delay an expected announcement on the newest version of pay parking.
Working with various community stakeholders, the Whistler Chamber of Commerce (WCC) states in a members' newsletter that it has developed the User-Pay Parking Survey with the objective of collecting members' feedback and suggested solutions regarding user-pay parking. The data will be taken into account as a revised user-pay parking strategy is developed and finalized.
Chamber members are asked to complete the survey by 9:00am on Thursday, March 24, 2011, after which the survey results will be compiled and shared with the Board of Directors of the WCC, the Parking Management Committee and other community stakeholders.
More information on the issue can be found at www.thewhistlerway.ca and on the RMOW's website at www.whistler.ca
The background information below, included in the Chamber newsletter, is provided by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW):
· In January 2008, ownership of Day Lots 1-5 was transferred from the Province of British Columbia to the RMOW. The transfer was part of a larger 2010 Land Legacy Agreement and was conditional upon the RMOW: Entering a management agreement in respect to Lots 1-5 with Whistler Blackcomb (WB), Committing that Day Lots 1-5 are primarily for the use of WB visitors; and Constructing a debris barrier on Fitzsimmons Creek to protect Whistler Village from a potential flood.
· Agreement to the above conditions mitigated the risk that the Day Lots 1-5 would be managed by a non-local commercial operator and that revenues generated from Day Lots 1-5 would be used outside of the Municipality with no local benefits.
· Agreement to the above conditions also ensured that upgrades to Day Lots 1-5, essential to improving the visitor experience, would be undertaken.
· The guiding documents used to develop the overall User-Pay Parking strategy in Whistler are the Whistler Comprehensive Transportation Strategy, the RMOW Long Term Financial Plan and Whistler2020.
How revenues from User-Pay Parking are used:
· The RMOW's Management Agreement with WB requires that revenues generated from user-pay parking are used to: Cover the capital and operating costs associated with the Day Lots 1-5, Repay the cost of improvements to the Day Lots and the debris barrier infrastructure, and Support community transportation initiatives, and primarily transit initiatives to a minimum of $500,000 per year.
Actual revenues from User-Pay Parking:
· The User-Pay Parking strategy implemented in 2010, is tracking to generate revenue of approximately $1 million in its first year against an original budget of $2 million. In its second year, user-pay parking is budgeted to generate revenue of at least $1.375 million, for the purposes set out above.
· In order to generate at least $1.375 million, and on the basis of comments and feedback from the Transportation Advisory Group and other stakeholders, the Parking Management Committee is considering implementing the above changes to user-pay parking rates effective June 1, 2011
