Street parking in downtown Edmonton EPark zones will no longer be free after 6 p.m. on nights when there are hockey games or concerts at Rogers Place, the city announced Wednesday.
Effective Sept. 1, EPark hours of operation will be extended until 10 p.m. on Rogers Place event nights, at a rate of $3.50 per hour. Currently, EPark rates no longer apply after 6 p.m.
“The hourly extension is intended to help balance the limited amount of on-street parking spaces with the high demand for parking by businesses, residents and visitors, as well as to encourage event-goers to use alternate means of transportation, such as transit,” the city said in a news release.
“With the ongoing downtown development, the city is experiencing major changes in how and when people move in and out of the downtown core and surrounding neighbourhoods.
“In order to accommodate these changes and to minimize negative impacts on local residents and business owners, the city has made adjustments to the current parking rate structure.”
The affected zones are from 97th Street to 109th Street and from Jasper Avenue to 107th Avenue.
The City of Edmonton is stretching the hours that street parking rates are in effect during Rogers Place event nights. (Supplied/City of Edmonton)
The extended hours will be in effect during Oilers and Oil Kings games, concerts and other major events at the new downtown arena.
Existing daytime rates and free parking after 6 p.m. on non-event nights, Sundays and holidays remain unchanged, the city said.
Library and city hall parkade rates are also changing as of Sept. 1.
The library parkade evening maximum will increase to $10 every night from the current $5 maximum.
At the city hall parkade, an evening maximum rate of $16 will be in place on event nights, with a $1-per-hour increase after 5 p.m. on non-event nights. Daytime rates aren’t changing.