By Sheldon Spackman

residents raise concerns

Town confident parking provided will meet needs of community at expanded Blackfalds Multi-Plex

May 29, 2020 | 2:15 PM

With shovels ready to hit the ground next month for the expansion of the Blackfalds Multi-Plex, some local residents are voicing concerns about potential parking configurations for the facility.

On May 19, the Town of Blackfalds issued a revised Notice of Proposed Development, indicating a Blackfalds Multi-Plex Arena Expansion, Public Library, Centre Plaza, RV Sanitary Dump Station Closure, and Temporary Off-Site Parking Lot.

The development proposal also includes relaxations required for side yard setbacks at Stanley Street and the north boundary of the property, as well as a building height relaxation from 12.0 m to 14.052 m, and a small landscaping relaxation from 15 to 14 per cent.

The number of parking stalls being proposed is reduced by 99 from 428 to 329.

A resident asked not to be named questions whether that will be sufficient for the expanded facility, and whether the proposed configuration will have a negative impact on nearby residents.

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“The Multi-Plex expansion is supposed to seat 1,200 people, the existing rink seats about 650 people – plus the library capacity,” says the resident. “I think even at the original four hundred and thirty-ish parking stalls that’s a bit of a stretch. I think reducing it 90 stalls is going to add extra stress to the areas around the Multi-Plex.”

The resident feels a shortage of parking stalls will present safety issues.

“You’re going to have kids in that area crossing those streets, and it was just a year ago that we did a speed reduction in town because they were worried about traffic safety. So I think putting a bunch of cars on both sides of the streets and kids crossing, increases the dangers to drivers and pedestrians.”

The resident feels the Town’s recent decision to forego further efforts in acquiring a nearby property originally earmarked for parking at the Multi-Plex is also cause for concern.

“They’re cutting corners because they didn’t follow the proper Expropriation Act. Instead, they tried to make an offer to purchase (the family’s home) and now they’re boxing them in with asphalt,” he says. “I think if they went about it the proper method, it would lead to a better result.”

“Total parking calculations are based on both arenas at (full) capacity at the same time, which as you know would be unlikely in most cases,” explains Town CAO Myron Thompson. “Also due to the fact that the complex is situated in the core of the community and very close to downtown, we expect people to take advantage of off-site parking, including Town-owned parking lots within a block of the facility.”

Thompson feels any need for additional parking space on the east side of Broadway Avenue would be only a short-term situation.

Parking lot expansion has been put off until next year to coincide with upgrades to Gregg Street, part of which will see the existing portion of Broadway Avenue from the north side of the Multi-Plex site to the rail crossing removed.

“Plans are in place for a new rail crossing on the Gregg St/Womacks realignment, as well as a new rail pedestrian crossing from the area of the civic centre to the Multi-Plex Centre Plaza,” adds Thompson.

Existing lands on the corner of Broadway Ave. and Waghorn St., where the former Parks & Facilities shop is located, will be utilized as a parking area, as will the existing Civic Centre Parking areas.

“In addition, the Town owns the parking lot on the corner of Wilson St and Broadway Avenue,” notes Thompson. “Other parking requirements for staff and tenants of the facility are provided at the back of the facility and not included in the public parking numbers.”

Thompson says the Town is confident that parking provided at the Centre Plaza and other areas in close proximity, will meet the needs of the community, both now and into the future.

Any residents wishing to provide written comments on the application are to have them into the Town of Blackfalds by noon on June 3.

Blackfalds Municipal Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled to review the application and its accompanying comments on June 9.