Laval parking wars only likely to get worse with new arena, residents worry

The already fierce battle for parking spots in central Laval is only likely to grow more intense when a new10,000-seat amphitheatre opens later this month, say local residents.

One residenttold CBC Newsthat parking is already in such short supply aroundPlace Bell that she often has to stop people from blocking, or sometimes even parking in, her driveway.

"I won't let them block my entrance," said Shirley AnnDumoulin. "No. I have fought pancreatic cancer.I have had an ambulance not show up because itcouldn't get to me.No, it's not going tohappen."

When it opens, Place Bell will be the home of the Laval Rocket AHL hockey team, as well as hosting concerts and other events.

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10,000 seats, 800 parking spots

Thearena only has 800 dedicated parking spaces. With parking already congested in downtown Laval, residents are concerned the arena will compound the existing struggle for space on evenings and weekends.

"After seveno'clock in the morning you cannot park a car here," said resident LucJacob.

When he moved to his current place from de la Concorde Boulevard 28 years ago, the area was all trees. But a development boom in recent yearsmeans heavier traffic and more people competing for spaces at peak times.

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"During the day, it's already full. You cannot park a car if your don't have a vignette [resident parking pass],"Jacob said.

He wants to see the city extend theresident-only parking zones, which are currentlyenforced until3 p.mMondaytoFriday.

"Even if they have the Rocket playing, or a show from [concert promoter] Evenko, when I come back from work I want to have my place to park my car."

Mayor looking for options

Laval Mayor Marc Demersindicatedthe city is open to extending the hours of the resident-only zones. He also saidhis administration is working with nearby box stores to free up more spaces.

"There's 12,400 parking places in the area of Place Bell, so our goal is to learn how to manage them," Demers said.

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Opposition municipal councillor for Laval-Des-RapidesPierreAnthiantold CBC News that it seemed "improvised" to build an arena of that size in such a busy location.

"It's not nice for the people living around here," he said. "They will be invaded by cars."

He suggested the construction of a multi-storey parking complexnearby to help add additional spaces.