Payment terminals added at Sports Complex Claude Robillard
Sabrina expressed frustration with the frequent increases in costs, stating, “We were a little bit upset with the fact that we have to pay more so often with the price, right?
Parking at the Centre Sportif Claude-Robillard in Montreal, which was once free, now costs users $2.50 per hour or $11 for the day.
This change has left many athletes frustrated, including Celia Boumaza, who expressed disappointment, noting that it contradicts efforts to promote sports for both children and adults.
The facility is essential for about 20 sports clubs and associations, serving as a key hub for athletes and enthusiasts.
Critics argue that the new parking fees go against the Montreal Commission on Culture, Heritage, and Sports' recommendations to make sports facilities more accessible, especially for low-income families.
They are urging the city to reconsider its decision. Sabrina Moshanes, who has been bringing her son to the center for hockey practice for four years, is particularly upset about the added cost, which she fears could amount to over a thousand dollars annually for some families.
Sabrina expressed frustration with the frequent increases in costs, stating, “We were a little bit upset with the fact that we have to pay more so often with the price, right? I mean, we’re paying $2.50 an hour. We’re here for three to four hours. It’s a lot of money. You know, you can calculate that on a weekly basis and then you look at it over months and then over the year. It can actually be, you know, about $800 to $1,000 for a season.”
She added, “It’s unacceptable not only for our hockey players but all the athletes that come, the baseball players, the dojo. I mean, it’s all over the news. We’ve heard about it. We’re really not happy with the fact that we have to spend all those extra costs and some families can afford it.”
The City of Montreal introduced this policy to reduce parking lot usage by individuals not using the CSCR facilities.
In a statement to CityNews, the City mentioned its ongoing efforts to improve accessibility through cycling infrastructure, efficient public transportation, and drop-off zones.
However, some CSCR users, such as Celia, feel that these measures do not meet their actual needs. Celia remarked, “So it’s quite challenging for us. It’s quite challenging for a kid playing hockey to take public transportation, but we are living far from here.”
By Sunday noon, an online petition on Change.org seeking to reverse the City of Montreal’s decision had gathered over 3,700 signatures.
Kenny D’amours noted, “Because sports is expensive and it’s not everybody that can afford to put their kids in sports.”
