City expands special event parking ahead of long weekend celebrations

With tens of thousands of visitors headed to the downtown core over the next four days for special events, the City of St. Catharines has expanded its special event parking to support parking demand.

From June 30 to July 3, special event parking rates will be in place at additional City-managed surface lots and garages to support increased parking management. The move comes after City Council approved expanding its special event parking policy to more lots, as well as instituting new dynamic pricing that will see the fee range from $5 up to as much as $10 for larger-scale events. The $10 fee will be in place this weekend, with major events planned for Montebello Park and Meridian Centre.

The City has been charging special-event parking fees of $5 since 2014 during special events at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Meridian Centre. The funds raised support the long-term financial sustainability of the City’s parking system. While the $5 fee will remain in place for those events, the new dynamic fee will be used for large-scale events to respond to supply and demand, while also encourage the use of transit and carpooling.

From June 30 to July 3, the following lots will have special-event parking in place for $10, cash only: Ontario Street parking garage (Cirque du Soleil ticket holders only), Garden Park / Carlisle Street parking garage, Garden Park lot, Race Street lot, Head Street lot, David S. Howes Way lot, Market Square lot at City Hall, St. Paul Street / Westchester lot, William Street lot, Raymond Street lot, St. Catharines Public Library Central Branch lot. To help accommodate parking demand, the City has also secured use of the lot at 68 Church St. – the former Niagara Regional Police District 1 site – from June 30 to July 3, and will charge special event parking for $10 at that site.

The Riordon Street lot and the Garden City Arena Complex lot will also have special event parking, but the fee will be $5 (cash only) given the proximity of these lots to the events. A downtown parking map charting the City’s lots can be found at www.stcatharines.ca/parking

The start of special event parking will differ depending on the lot. See the schedule below for a complete rundown.

On-street parking is also available throughout the core. Metered parking is in place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, for $1.75 per hour. Metered parking is free outside of those hours, and on holidays – including July 1.

The City reminds residents and visitors that there are a number of private lots situated throughout the downtown core. These are not City-run lots and the City does not have any control over the fees that will be charged.

City Partners With Transit For Free Shuttle Bus

The City has also coordinated offsite parking that will include complimentary shuttle services in partnership with St. Catharines Transit. From June 30 to July 3, the service will run from special parking that has been established in a portion of parking on the east side of the SmartCentres complex at 399 Louth St., dropping off riders at the corner of Ontario and Lake streets, at Montebello Park. Signage will be erected at the lots for pickup and drop off. Shuttles will run Thursday, June 30, 3 p.m. to midnight, and from noon to midnight the following three days.

Parking Enforcement

Parking enforcement will be in place throughout the weekend, and the City is encouraging drivers to be mindful and respectful of the parking by-laws, as well as private property. Parking by-law infractions can be reported to the City by calling 905.688.5600 on Thursday and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Temporary Disruptions Around Montebello Park For Safety

A reminder that roads and amenities around Montebello Park may experience temporary disruptions throughout the weekend. A portion of Lake Street, from Ontario Street to Queen Street, will be closed from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday through Sunday. Temporary road closures may also be instituted to support pedestrian safety, including a portion of Duke Street that will be used for ride-sharing pickup and drop off.

The entirety of the park is fenced off and will remain temporarily closed for the event itself, but also in the days following for teardown of the concert equipment. The temporary closure, which includes the new playground, was made with public safety in mind. The park is anticipated to reopen for public use by Wednesday, July 6. The City will provide updates on its social media channels.