The front parking lot at Lethbridge College. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge College looking to increase fines for parking violations

Jul 30, 2019 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Those who park illegally at Lethbridge College could have to pay more soon.

The College has applied for an amendment to the City of Lethbridge’s Traffic Bylaw that would see the penalties go up from $30 to $50.

If you pay your ticket in the first seven days, the current fine goes down to $15. If the measure passes, the early payment amount would be $35.

Communications Specialist Paul Kingsmith says the current fine structure is not much of a deterrent, adding that some students have risked getting a ticket because they did not want to pay for a permit.

“We just want to make sure that spots on campus are available for those who are paying for spots, that there is ample parking available for those who are playing by the rules and parking on the campus, whether it be a student or an employee or a guest, and just provide a little bit more of a deterrent for those who are parking illegally.”

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If the measure passes, Kingsmith says it will bring the College’s fines in line with those at the University of Lethbridge.

Unlike the University, however, he claims that the availability of parking spaces has never been an issue at the College, especially as the ENMAX Centre lets students park for free during the day.

“We do receive funding from people paying for parking, which allows us to maintain the parking on campus. It can’t come from our operating budget to maintain those parking lots, so people paying for parking allows us to continue to have those parking facilities and the large amounts of parking we do have on our campus.”

Lethbridge City Council gave the bylaw amendment a first reading last week.

The College is hoping it can pass in time for the change to be in effect September 1st as students prepare for a new semester.