Letter To The Editor

Why isn't Field House area used for parking?

To the editor:

It's heartening to see that the University is planning a four-level parkade in Z Lot (Sept. 6, 2002 OCN). But meanwhile, I often wonder why the grassy area immediately east of the Field House isn't rendered into a parking lot for students and/or U of S staff.

Talk about win-win potential: many students would be able to park near to the campus; and the University, whose land it is, could make some good bucks.

Most days, three-quarters of the paved parking area at the Field House also remains unused. Why not designate, say, the north half of that large lot into revenue-producing stalls as well?

On days when a big function is on in the Field House, student parking could be limited as necessary. But meanwhile, almost every day sees these two huge areas sit largely vacant (although these days quite a few vehicles belonging to campus construction crews are parking over there).

As it is now, Field House staff conduct occasional 'blitzes' of students parking there, report them, and have them ticketed. Seems a tad barbaric, don't you think?

Wayne Eyre
Retired U of S
Communications staff member