Craters of 'Narnia': Fredericton parking lot sparks protest

First World problem or price gouging?

Studentsin Fredericton are protesting the price of parking passes, saying an unpaved, potholed lot behind the AitkenCentre at the University of New Brunswick is frequently the only place to deposit their vehicles.

Students have nicknamed the lot "Narnia,"after the magical land created by C.S. Lewis, because ofits far-flung location.For years, students have complained about fender-benders and bottlenecks in the lot during peak hours.

More than 300 students at St. Thomas University, UNBandNew Brunswick Community College the three schools share parking have signed a petition started in early November by student Destiny Davidson of STU.

"There's an issue with people getting boxed in, cars getting hit, parking too close, diagonally, any which way," said Davidson. "There are so many craters and potholes."

"People's cars are being damaged because the area isn't paved and the rocks are flying up and hitting people's windshields."

While one could, theoretically, snag a good spot by arriving earlier on campus, Davidson said, students shouldn't have to show up hours before their classes to find parking.

"As students, we pay $113 for one semester to park in a gravel pit and encounter all of these issues," she said.

More passes than spaces

According to UNB spokesperson David Stonehouse, there are about 3,900 parking spaces on campus. In 2016-17 the school sold about 4,270 passes.

"While last year more passes were sold at UNB than the total number of spaces on campus less than 10 per cent it is not uncommon to have more passes than spaces," Stonehouse said. "Keep in mind not all parking pass-holders are not on campus every day, and not every pass is for the full academic or calendar year but for shorter periods."

He said the school is conducting a review of on-campus parking.

"Preliminary work on the parking review suggests that spaces are available on campus, even at peak times."

UNBsays on its website that a one-term permit for a student costs $76, a two-term permit $113, a 10-month permit $135, and a three-term permit$163.

"A parking permit is no guarantee you will have a spot close to your classroom or place of work," says a notice on the website.

UNBsaid it is policy that the university has no legal or contractual obligation to provide parking and assumes no responsibility for any damages to vehicles.

The notice suggested that vacancies are often available at the BMO Centrelotbelow Tibbits East, the AitkenCentrelot, or the parking lot off University Avenue next to the Lady Beaverbrook Rink or the Currie Center.

'Totally unacceptable'

Considering some students can't afford a car, Davidson said, she's aware some might see complaints about a 15-minute walk to class as a First World problem.

"I guess in a way it is," she said, but added that a $113 fee is a "big deal" on a student budget. Improvements to the lot "would make it more justifiable to pay the high price."

The petition asks that the school either pave theAitken Centre lot, or lower the fee for student parking passes, by the next academic year. A week and a half after the petition went live, more than 300 students had signed.

"Cutting the fee in half would make sense to me," Davidson said. "We're paying for a service that we're not getting."

"It's totally unacceptable."