By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Tensions Building For U of L Students Over Parking

Sep 14, 2016 | 11:06 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Complaints about inadequate parking space and parking passes have made the rounds on social media this past week.

University of Lethbridge students have taken to articulating their opinions online regarding the decrease in parking space available for the fall semester.

Lots K and L have been closed as the university continues to work on the construction of the new science and academic building for the school’s Destination Project.

Nancy Walker, Vice-president of Finance and Administration, said the university has responded to losing approximately 256 parking stalls, by opening up lot G and offering free parking between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Community Stadium until Sept. 19, with the possibility of extending the offer

Angie Nikoleychuk, frustrated UofL commuter and author of many posts on a parking complaint on the “University of Lethbridge Parking Protest” Facebook page, Roast and Toast page said that she would like to see the university take action to alleviate transportation concerns as they occur.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Week-in-review: Street sweeping, policing in Coaldale and #SlowYourRoll

Apr 13, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 12, 2024

Apr 12, 2024

“The school increased enrollment and decreased in parking lots so we have a massive issue. Offering stadium parking is an issue because of the distance. The time and length is a lot and for those who are at the university late at night – it raises security issues.”

Nikoleychuk suggests that a system be put in place for students to share parking passes and for the school to sell morning, afternoon and evening parking style passes.

According to students commenting on the “University of Lethbridge Parking Protest” Facebook page, all available parking passes sold out in hours.

“The school sold and then oversold,” Nikoleychuk said. “Those who were fortunate enough to get the opportunity to pay for those expensive passes are not even guaranteed a parking spot. This translates into hundreds of students risking parking violations.”

While Walker admitted that the school did oversell permits slightly, she would not define slightly in definite numbers.

“Even though we do oversell slightly there is still permits. People can buy hourly permits. We also have a new system where students can purchase meter parking through an App.”

The App Walker spoke of is Honk, which provides students with a 15-minute reminder before parking expires. App users can also pay for parking and top-up their parking from their mobile device.

Walker noted that the cost of parking is exceedingly expensive averaging around $24,000 per stall to build a parking lot because of the engineering involved. “

“The university wants to be more sustainable and parking lots are not sustainable. We have a lot of single drivers on campus who could be taking the bus. We will continue to encourage alternative transportation to the university.”

As for Nikoleychuk, she will be front and center at a student-organized parking meeting to be held in the cafeteria at 5 p.m. Wed. Sept. 14.