Despite being tweaked to a more gradual approach, a proposed increase to parking fees at two popular regional parks is driving the Capital Regional District board in opposite directions.
While the parks committee altered its recommendations to reflect a gradual increase before coming before the CRD board, those changes weren’t enough to deter some directors opposed to pay parking in general. Of primary concern is that the Sooke Potholes and Thetis Lake parks are the only two under the CRD purview where users pay to park.
Board director Maja Tait, who is also Sooke mayor, noted her appreciation at the effort to seek a more palatable increase, but couldn’t ignore that no other regional parks have users pay. The potholes in particular are not easily accessible by bus or bike either, she noted.
“This is a gem in our community and I know that it is seasonal in nature … but it is just this park,” Tait said. “I would support if I saw the implementation in other parks around the region, not just these two.”
While sympathetic to the issue, director Zac de Vries, also a Saanich councillor, said that there’s an impact on access when parking lots are full.
“There’s something to be said for turnover in very popular parks, so that more residents can have access to parks that are so fundamental to their wellbeing,” he said, adding the board should also advocate for public transit and cycling infrastructure.
Director Al Wickheim, who represents the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area argued the two parks are unfairly targeted and charging fees reduces accessibility.
“I firmly believe the parks are a sanctuary for all,” he said. “I would like to see removal of any charges for parking in our regional parks and certainly don’t approve of an increase in those fees.”
Over the last decade, existing fees in CRD Regional Parks have not been adjusted to keep up with impacts on facilities or market changes, a staff report noted. With visitation to regional parks and trails increasing by over 40 per cent, from 6.3 million in 2014 to 8.9 million in 2023, the proposed fee changes would ensure that fees better reflect impacts on facilities.
The bylaw before the board on Nov. 13 would see prices to park at both sites increase each year now through 2027. Those changes would include the addition of short-term, two-hour parking for $2 in 2025 and remain unchanged for the next two years. The daily and seasonal rates however would go up; from $2:25 daily this year to $4 in 2025, $5.50 in 2026 and $7 in 2027. Season rates would go up from $20 this year to $30 next year, $45 in 2026 and $60 in 2027.
The changes would ultimately generate $400,000 in additional annual revenue.
“Sorry, but no,” Tait said later in the meeting. “I just ask that you defeat this and then we look at implementation across the region as a whole and I feel that would be a more fair way to get the revenue to maintain these assets for everyone.”
When it came time to vote, the required bylaw squeaked past the third reading but didn’t achieve adoption – which requires a two-thirds approval if voted on the same day as the first three readings.
Director Colin Plant, also a Saanich councillor, made the motion to bring the item back to the December meeting.
“We seem to be stuck. I propose this would be a way forward.”
The CRD board meets Dec. 11 with the agenda and live stream available online at crd.bc.ca.
