Family parking spaces in the works

Peter Mallett 
Staff Writer

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The task of finding a parking spot at the base will get a little easier for expecting mothers and those with infants in tow.

The Family Parking Initiative will see the creation of 25 family parking spots in high traffic locations at the base in the coming weeks. The initiative is intended to ease the burden on military parents, says Acting Sub-Lieutenant Brennen McNamara, who is overseeing the project.

“We are trying to help out expecting mothers and parents with newborns to make sure their needs are better accommodated,” he says. “After conducting several studies of locations and traffic flow, and considering input from the chain of command, we have identified 25 locations, which are a good starting point.”

Parking spots will be marked with signage and painted asphalt near the main entrances at each of the messes, Base Orderly Room, dockyard gym, and post office. Other locations will also be evaluated, says A/SLt McNamara.

CFB Esquimalt Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Jeff Hutchinson, says he and senior leadership at the base have been listening to the concerns of members.

“We have heard from our members about the challenges they face when coming to the base with young children or while pregnant. They’ve shared that these types of parking spaces are lacking, while noting that they’re prevalent elsewhere in the community,” Capt(N) Hutchinson said. “Making convenient parking available to families is an example of us working to address the needs and concerns of our Defence Team.”

Special parking passes will be required for all family parking spaces in dockyard and can be obtained through registration with the Parking Control Office. All other locations will be on the honour system, says A/SLt McNamara.

As per parking enforcement regulations BSO 1004-2, any person parked in a location without the proper registration is subject to warnings, towing, and loss of parking on DND property for a period of up to 12 months.

Family parking spaces are designed for three-hour visits or less. Personnel who require day-to-day accommodations will need to seek an Alternate Parking Pass through their Parking Coordinator.

In the coming weeks, Real Property Operations Section (RPOps) Esquimalt will install the signs and line striping the tarmac.