Editor:
During a recent conversation about pay parking in Banff, it was brought to my attention that the town of Sauble Beach, Ont., which is totally dependent on summer tourism and a very popular beach resort, imposed pay parking a couple of years ago.
They did it unilaterally and without the consultation or blessing of the local residents or the visitors (sound familiar?). In fact, pay parking there was done despite much opposition.
The totally predictable result was a sharp decline in tourist numbers, hotel bookings, merchandise purchases and eatery patronage. Tourists simply took their weekends, vacations and money elsewhere in protest. Many businesses were forced to close and have not been replaced.
Why is Banff insisting on repeating their mistake?
It would serve Banff good and right if Canmore took out ads in every major newspaper in Western Canada proclaiming: “Why pay to park in Banff when you can park in Canmore for free? Put your money into our shops, restaurants and motels, not into parking meters.” I sincerely hope they do just that.
Pay parking is nothing but a cash cow and will only serve to make matters worse, but Banff council won’t admit it. With all the preliminary work done so far by the Town for pay parking, does anyone really doubt they will ram it down our throats? Not on your life.
They are simply too hell-bent on this ludicrous idea. It is obvious that the null hypothesis of not imposing pay parking isn’t an option anymore. Pay parking in Banff is a fait accompli and to our detriment.
Quite simply, the imposition of pay parking in Banff will be the single worst action ever undertaken. Pay parking will cause manyfold more problems than it is being billed as “solving.” It is most clearly not the panacea it is being billed as.
Don’t be fooled. Traffic congestion will not improve, because the number of cars circling looking for places to park will be replaced by those looking to avoid paying to park. Council just doesn’t get it.
Mark Bows,
Banff
