The Official Opposition at City Hall, in collaboration with several sports associations and clubs, as well as numerous athletes, users, referees, coaches, and employees* of the Claude-Robillard Center, held a press conference this Thursday morning to demand the restoration of free parking at the sports complex. All representatives deplore that the pricing and management, entrusted to the Agence de mobilité durable de Montréal, were imposed on them without prior consultation.
“Users of the Claude-Robillard Complex come from all corners of Montreal and even Quebec, and many depend on their cars for access. By imposing this new tax on motorists, the Plante administration is compromising access to sports activities. This demonstrates a blatant disconnect with the reality on the ground,” stated Dimitrios Jim Beis, Official Opposition spokesperson for sports.
A new tax that compromises access to sport
Although the Crémazie metro station is one kilometer from the facilities, the idea that public transit is a viable option is illusory for many athletes and their families, who often need to transport heavy or bulky equipment.
Another proof that the pricing, set at $2.50 per hour or $11 per day, is senseless: a user training at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex between 15 and 30 hours per week will pay the same amount for parking as their gym membership at the facility (between $37 and $42 per month). Referees and coaches, whose remuneration is about $25 per game, end up losing a third of their income in parking fees, as they usually have to stay on site for about three hours during matches.
This decision is all the more incomprehensible given that the Commission on Culture, Heritage and Sports recommended in May “to reduce economic barriers to access sports facilities.”
*The Montreal Sports Council, the Metropolitan Judo Club, the Montreal Regional Athletics Association, the Claude-Robillard 50+ Club, the Gymnix Artistic Gymnastics Club, the CAMO Diving Club, the Montreal Concordia Elite Karate Club, the Club Vainqueurs Plus, and the Montreal Archery Club.
Quotes
“Having had the honor of participating in the Olympic Games, I train six times a week. Like many athletes, I live outside the city and public transportation, which requires three hours round-trip with all my equipment, is not a viable option. The parking cost of $11 per day represents a financial burden of about $2,500 per year,” explained Virginie Chénier, Olympic athlete and representative of the Montreal Archery Club.
“I’ve always been proud to represent Montreal because the city chose to provide us with facilities, including free parking, so we could focus on our performance. With the change, I fear that the next generation of athletes won’t have the same opportunity as I did,” added Philippe Comtois, Olympic athlete and treasurer of the CAMO Diving Club board of directors.
“It’s deplorable that the City of Montreal didn’t consult the organizations offering sports activities at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex before handing over parking management to the Agence de mobilité durable. The City did not act as a good partner. This decision has a major impact, since it weakens the financial equilibrium of our organizations. It shows a lack of respect for us,” deplored Émilie Baillargeon, President of Club Gymnix and International Gymnix.
“The new pricing adds a financial burden to our sporting elite. With the temporary closure of the Institut national du sport at the Olympic Stadium and the renovations to Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, access to sports facilities is more complex. We’re concerned that athletes who find alternatives won’t return to Claude-Robillard Sports Complex,” says Frédérik Laberge, representing the Montreal Sports Council.
“In concrete terms, the City is asking sports organizations to keep fees as low as possible in the name of accessibility, but the addition of paid parking more than doubles the bill for our members each session. The Plante administration couldn’t have made a worse decision when it comes to accessibility to sports facilities,” said Carl Vaillancourt, General Manager of Club Vainqueurs Plus.
“City of Montreal officials will have to stop talking out of both sides of their mouths: on the one hand, they talk about promoting inclusive access to sports arenas; on the other, they introduce a policy of paid parking around these arenas,” denounced Chanh Chau-Tran, president and volunteer of the Montreal Concordia Elite Karate Club.
“We are calling for the reinstatement of free parking at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. This measure would allow our members, athletes, volunteers and families to continue training in the best possible conditions and without additional financial constraints at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. Let’s help everyone achieve their sporting goals, whatever their background or economic situation!” insisted José Arandi, General Manager and Head Coach of Metropolitan Judo Club.
