To the editor:
It is important to evaluate parking needs as Kelowna General Hospital expands.
However, I do not agree with adding more parking and taking away residential in the Heritage Conservation area.
The solution is having a valet service at the emergency entrance with posted rates.
It would not matter if parking is a number of blocks away.
Interior Health owns land across from Cottonwoods which could be designed for excess parking. Staff parking is also so limited that using a valet would provide convenience and added safety for those who are on late shifts. Adding these proposed parking lots is an “interim fix” and there will never be enough parking as KGH expands.
The last thing that someone worries about when they go to emergency is: Where can I park? Since transit runs right outside the door of the hospital, an employee transit agreement should also be a requirement just as the UBC Okanagan student pass is.
Parking lots in place of homes are not the answer. History in Kelowna is being eroded one lot at a time and that is very disappointing!
Sharon Shepherd,
Kelowna
