The Chair of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society says opening up reserved spots in downtown Kamloops could help ease parking concerns that are clouding the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) proposal.

Norm Daley says that includes spots at places like his building at 2nd and Seymour, two blocks away from the proposed PAC location.

“Around that building there are some 30 reserved spots that are reserved 24/7,” he said. “We probably need seven of those spots 20 nights a year. Is there not someway of allowing people to have access – probably for a charge – but have access to those spots that we are paying for so that there is more parking available.”

Daley says his building is just one of many downtown that could open up these spots when needed, adding that on some Blazers game nights, the two downtown parkades are less than one-third full each.

“What about all of the other buildings downtown?” he noted. “So I think that if we put our heads together, we can really find ways to deal with the parking issue.

“I think we need a parking app that will direct people to a spot – the closest spot available to the building. And with today’s technology, I’m sure that we can do that.”

Parking continues to be a concern surrounding the proposed Performing Arts Centre, which goes to referendum on April 4. Daley says the society is in regular contact with city of Kamloops, which is working on a parking management plan that is expected in July.