Windsor

Windsor council approves $10 parking fee at WFCU Centre for Memorial Cup

WFCU manger Ray Mensour proposed the city charge a $10 fee for parking during the Memorial Cup, generating an estimated revenue of $128,160.

Parking at the WFCU Centre has been a long-standing problem during junior hockey games

Thursday marks the 5th anniversary of the WFCU Centre in Windsor's east end. (CBC News)

Parking at the WFCU Centre during the Memorial Cup will cost hockey fans $10 a game.

Windsor city council approved the parking fee to cover the $75,000 the city is paying to temporarily lease a neighbouring property during the upcoming junior hockey tournament.   

Parking problems at the arena have plagued Windsor Spitfires junior hockey fans since the beginning of the season, eventually leading to 100 tickets being handed out during a recent playoff game against the London Knights.

City council agreed to a deal with London Developer Shmuel Farhi, renting his property and using it for 800 extra spaces. The WFCU Centre currently has 1,300 spaces.

Windsor City Council will consider a proposal to charge $10 to park at the WFCU Centre during the Memorial Cup.
Windsor City Council approved a $10 parking fee at the WFCU Centre during the Memorial Cup. (Google Earth)

WFCU manager Ray Mensour suggested the fee in order to meet the costs of parking without requesting more public funds. The new fee is expected to generate an estimated revenue of $128,160.

The money would be used to cover the costs of contracted parking, barricades and signage and licensing fees, according to Mensour.

"Administration has identified direct operating costs associated with the provision of parking for which there is no identified funding," the letter reads.