Do away with paid parking and finding a spot at University Hospital of Northern B.C. could become even more difficult - it was put in place as a way to free up space, Northern Health spokesperson Steve Raper says.
"Prior to paid parking, we had people parking for a long period of time even if they weren't going to the hospital," Raper said. "So paid parking was introduced to ensure there was consistent turnover so families have parking available when they do come to visit their families."
Visitors are charged $1 per hour to park at the hospital. Pay parking has been in place for about 10 years.
Raper said Northern Health hears the occasional complaint about pay parking but even with pay parking, he said finding a spot can be a challenge at times.
In all, there are 151 spots around the hospital - 31 on the Edmonton Street side, 56 right-angle along Edmonton Street, 41 at the public health unit and 23 at the emergency side.
How much Northern Health generates in revenue from paid parking was not immediately available, but Raper said the bulk goes back into maintaining the parking areas. Impark patrols the lots on behalf of Northern Health.
A lobby group, hospitalpayparking.ca, has been launched to push for free parking at hospitals.
