Mayor asks about handicap parking at Memorial Gardens

Mayor John Rowswell has asked City staff to review the 16 handicap parking spots at Memorial Gardens, after receiving complaints from Soo Greyhound fans about a shortage of parking during home games.

Art Gagnon, assistant manager for transit and parking at the City's department of public works and transportation, says that the four of the 16 spaces designated for handicap parking have been added during the past six months.

"Legally, we are required to sign one percent of parking spaces for the handicapped," Gagnon says.

"This equates to 2.6 spaces. Currently there are 16 spots designated for the disabled, which is 6.1 percent, well above the minimum requirement."

"Greyhound games only occur about 33 times per year, while the lots are used every day for people visiting the downtown establishments including, but not limited to the Memorial Gardens."

Gagnon checked with the Downtown Association, and reports that acting manager Mona Prisel feels adding additional parking for the disabled would be unfair to merchants because it would reduce the number of regular spaces.

Police crackdown expected

City police indicate they are willing to step up enforcement of handicap spaces during Greyhound games.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, the penalty for illegal use of handicap parking spaces will soon triple in Sault Ste. Marie.

The current fine is $100, but recent changes to the Municipal Act require that it be raised to $300.

(Editor's Note: The photograph at the top of this page was taken Friday morning by Hilary Connell, a co-op education student from Sir James Dunn Collegiate and Vocational Institute currently on placement at SooToday.com.)