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By rdnewsNOW Staff

HotSpot Parking Inc.

Lacombe County to launch paid parking program at beach and boat launches

Mar 6, 2022 | 2:25 PM

Visitors to Sandy Point Beach, Sandy Point Boat Launch, and Sunbreaker Cove Boat Launch in Lacombe County will soon be required to pay for parking.

Effective May 1, 2022, Lacombe County is launching what officials describe as a quick and easy payment system for parking through HotSpot Parking Inc.

“With an increasing amount of people accessing the lake via the beach and boat launches, Lacombe County felt it was the time to implement a payment system for users of these amenities. This will assist with the maintenance and upkeep of these facilities, as well as help provide for future needs,” said Tim Timmons, County Manager for Lacombe County. “HotSpot Parking will be convenient for users and will ensure safe, maintained lake access for all users to enjoy.”

Paid parking will be required for anyone to park at the following rates:

• Sandy Point Beach parking lot ($3/hour or $15 for the day)
• Sandy Point and Sunbreaker Cove Boat Launches
• $20/day to launch and park
• $10 to launch only
• $10 for additional vehicle parking only with no trailer

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For 2022, Lacombe County Community Peace Officers and contracted Commissionaires will use a combination of education and parking violation tags to enforce these new requirements. Lacombe County will be setting up signage in all parking lots to direct users to use their mobile devices to pay for parking with HotSpot Parking Inc.

• Signage will be installed to let drivers know about Lacombe County’s new parking program.
• Drivers will be prompted to download and use a parking app on their smartphone or scan/tap a QR code to pay without the need to download an app via the Fast Tap online payment option.

“We know this will be an adjustment, but we felt it was important to adopt a user-pay system for these facilities to help off-set the County’s cost of operating them,” said Lacombe County Reeve Barb Shepherd. “We are pleased to offer access to Gull Lake and Sylvan Lake through these facilities, and believe that this new paid parking system will ensure these amenities can be maintained and used to their full potential for residents and visitors alike.”

There are two ways that you can pay for parking:

1. Park with the app: Download the HotSpot Parking App on your smartphone to set up an account.

• Create an account
• Tap the “Parking” icon
• Enter the 4-digit code on the sign
• Choose your length of stay
• Pay

Or:

2. Park with the Fast Tap signs: Use your smartphone to scan the QR code on the signs in the parking lots and pay

• Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera
• Enter your license plate number
• Choose your length of stay
• Pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay

Paid parking will be required for anyone parking at Sandy Point Beach or the boat launches at Sandy Point and Sunbreaker Cove. However, you will not have to pay extra if you park at your designated camping spot, driveway, or residence.