Paid parking is being introduced at the ENMAX Centre starting September 1 for both facility events and overflow Lethbridge College parking. Moving to a user pay system means funds will be collected by those using the parking lot - both local residents and out of town visitors. This is a more equitable way to generate the revenue needed for operating the venue vs the current tax supported model.
Event parking will include activities like concerts, cultural and entertainment events, graduations, tradeshows and sporting events with a flat rate of $5/vehicle. College parking is in effect Monday to Friday from midnight to 4 p.m. with affordable daily, weekly, monthly and semester rates available.
"We have done a lot of research into how other venues operate their parking systems," says Kim Gallucci, General Manager of the ENMAX Centre. "We know it will be an adjustment for the community but we are confident we have a good system in place to make it quick and easy to use."
In working with the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club, it was decided that Hurricanes' season ticket holders would be exempt from paying to park at ENMAX Centre. This decision was made to help lessen the impact on the Hurricanes' organization.
Lethbridge City Council made the decision to implement paid parking following an external operation review of the ENMAX Centre. The review identified the need for user generated funds at the ENMAX to lessen the reliance on Lethbridge tax payers to operate the venue.
Those accessing the ENMAX Centre parking lot are encouraged to pay online using the Flowbird app. This is the same app used in Downtown Lethbridge. There are also four bright yellow parking kiosks that will accept payments, two located outside the north side of the building and two inside (on either side of the main doors). Methods of payment at the parking kiosks include: coin, Mastercard, Visa, Interac Flash, Apple Pay, Android Pay and the City's prepaid parking cards.
"When visitors are coming to the ENMAX Centre for a ticketed event, they will also receive information via email about the new parking system," says Gallucci. "There will be a few instances where paid parking won't be required but we will also be communicating that out when bookings are made."
Parking will be free for banquets and meetings at the Canadian Western Bank Lounge. Parking is also free for recreational patrons like rec hockey, birthday parties and small user groups.
For a full list of details regarding paid parking at the ENMAX Centre and frequently asked questions visit: http://enmaxcentre.ca/visitors/paid-parking.
For Public Inquiries:
Call 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
