Goderich Looking at Expanding Parking Fees

by Bob Montgomery

Goderich Mayor Trevor Bazinet says the town took in just under $105,000 this year from parking revenue on the beaches.

Bazinet says that's a little more than last year and over the three years they've been charging for parking down at the beach it's been a good revenue generator the town. Bazinet says that money has really helped in maintaining the waterfront, which he says is a significant expense to the town. He believes charging for parking at the waterfront has been one of the better decisions council has made in the ten years he has been on council.

That success lead to some discussion at this week's council meeting about the merits of charging for parking in other areas. The two areas specifically mentioned were the medical clinic and the hospital. Bazinet pointed out that with budget discussions coming up and the stress on the town's resources and inflation, council has to look at the potential for creating revenue wherever they can. Bazinet says no decisions were reached at the meeting and that wasn't the point of the discussion. He expects a report will have to come back to council from staff before they're even close to making any decisions.