Council approved continuing the Hoodoo paid parking program next year after this summer’s program collected more than $27,000 from visitors.
The program, which began in late June this year, saw town employees collect $2 from each car visiting the Hoodoos, amounting to a total of more than $40,000 just over three months. After expenses including wages, the program has earned the town $27,559. In total, 20,670 cars paid to park while visiting the Hoodoo recreation area since the program started.
“It has proven a great return on investment, with the revenue generated destined to improve this very popular area in our valley, without having to take funds from tax payers,” said Deputy Mayor Kristyne DeMott in a release.
Paid parking was launched at the attraction to offset maintenance and infrastructure costs related to the area. While the Hoodoos are a provincially designated recreation site, the town is responsible for maintaining the parking area, which it expects will need resurfacing in the foreseeable future.
At their October 28 meeting, council approved a request to bring back the program for the tourist season next year, but also approved a rate of $10 for busses or coach tours. Recommendations to improve the program include improving signage and staff uniforms, providing customer service training, and installing a portable structure for staff.
There was initial concern over how visitors would react to the parking fee, and while protective services Greg Peters reported to council on Monday that there were several calls received by a small number of visitors who refused to pay, but said the program was generally well received.
Council had previously discussed implementing paid parking at other tourist sites if the Hoodoo pilot was successful, particularly at the Rosedale suspension bridge which has a town owned rest area, but no motion was heard at Monday’s meeting.
