With the entire province enjoying a ‘staycation’ this summer due to COVID-19, the Town of the Blue Mountains (TBM) is taking steps to prepare for a surge of summer traffic and parking blunders.
“We're going to get a significant increase in volume of traffic coming to our area this summer,” said TBM councillor Rob Sampson.
“I know [Blue Mountain] Resort is actually quite worried about capacity, not that they won't get it but they will exceed it,” he added.
Sampson said he anticipates this summer will be similar to the winter: once the resort reaches capacity it will close its parking lots and visitors will be looking for nearby areas to park and explore.
“Our plan to handle the excess load that will likely come Thornbury’s way is to do what?” Sampson asked during a special meeting of council held on Monday night. “I'd like to have a backup plan set up now.”
TBM’s CAO Shawn Everitt suggested town staff could look at the possibility of using 171 King Street East, the former Foodland site and future home of the Blue Mountain Attainable Housing Corporation’s Gateway project, as a temporary option for excess parking.
“I do think we have some options to consider,” Everitt said. “We actually have quite a few parking spaces available two and five blocks away from downtown. And in the summer, quite frankly, I don't think that's too far away for people to walk.”
Everitt said 171 King Street East is a viable option as it is paved, and “it wouldn't take much to get into a more formalized parking.”
Council members agreed with Everitt on the possible use of the Gateway site for parking purposes, however further discussion around financial implications and pedestrian safety have yet to be discussed.
Town staff are expected to present a staff report to council on April 6 that will outline additional paid parking options throughout the entire municipality.
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