Editor:
I wish to voice a strong complaint against the way in which the parking situation is handled at Centennial Park. It’s entrapment!
The parking spaces centered in front of the buildings are not marked “paid parking” and look exactly like free parking spots that are commonly found at big shopping centres like Semiahmoo Mall.
That is a mistake newcomers to the area are going to make, and the bylaw officers are quick to pounce on unsuspecting victims like myself. It’s a cash cow for White Rock but a serious deterrent to attracting people to the facilities there.
I was delivering a huge painting to Semiahmoo Arts building for the Figuratively Speaking art show that is on until April 30. I needed to get as close as possible in order to carry my painting no further than necessary.
I parked in an unmarked parking spot, left the painting inside my old station wagon and went to the gallery to ask where I should take the painting. The curator advised me to get back to my car quickly or I would get a parking ticket.
I went back to the car and a $60 parking ticket was already tucked under my windshield wiper.
A girl at a car next to mine advised me to go to White Rock City Hall and contest the ticket.
I spent the next hour looking for a parking space near the city hall, looking for the right department and filling out a form, to which I also stapled an invitation to the art exhibit. I then headed back to Centennial Park with the painting, but this time I parked elsewhere and had to carry that canvas a few blocks. I am only 75 years old.
Those central parking spots need to be marked as “paid parking,” and there should be a place where people can stop to make deliveries or at least pay a meter for 15 minutes parking.
Joyce Charke, Surrey
