The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury will ask Metrolinx to hit the gas on its plans to expand parking at the local GO Transit station — and that plan could involve offering free parking at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre.
Initiated by Coun. Raj Sandhu, BWG council passed a motion Tuesday to ask Metrolinx to start construction earlier than its April 2020 plan, and it pledged town support to assist with a new timeframe.
“We’re happy with our residents using GO … but they’re having troubles when they show up at the parking lot,” Sandhu said, noting the parking lot is typically full. “We’re happy with the service. There has to be other options we can utilize in the meantime.”
When the parking lot is full, people will often park in nearby lots, such as at Home Hardware or near the Town of BWG administration offices at 100 Dissette St., further jamming local parking lots for hours, said Deputy Mayor James Leduc.
He proposed the town ask Metrolinx to run a shuttle to the GO Transit station from the community centre, where people could park for free on weekdays during rush hours.
This idea concerned Coun. Gary Lamb, who wondered what would happen if parking was needed at the community centre for big events or Bradford Curling Club activities.
“I’m not sure moving one problem to another creates a bigger problem potentially,” he said, noting there may be other municipal parking lots to consider.
Council approved the motion, with a caveat that town staff would speak with Metrolinx about options for a shuttle. The community centre was not approved as a shuttle location.
BWG council does not meet again until Dec. 18, which is after the new council is sworn in following the municipal election.
