Dockyard parking opens up
Stephanie Burr
Staff writer
January 28, 2008
New parking regulations in dockyard may actually free up spots.
Many billeted parking spots are being switched to a first come, first serve basis.
“While there will still be spots reserved for military chiefs, commanders and civilians of equivalent ranks, everyone else will be assigned to a specific parking area instead of single spots,” says Lt(N)
Paul Chmielewski, Base Plans Officer with Base Operations.
The idea is to fill spots left empty by deployments, holidays and temporary duty for courses.
“When the lots are full in dockyard, those without a spot will be asked to park immediately outside the gates in an allocated overflow lot,” he says.
The growing footprint of Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton is eating up parking real estate. Lt(N) Chmielewski says having assigned spots sitting empty was especially inefficient considering the space constraints inside the gates.
“We’ve designed the new regulations to provide more efficient parking services to everyone on base. While we realize that with time it may be necessary to make some adjustments to the new regulations, we hope base personnel will be patient and understand that, in the long run, the changes are ultimately designed to benefit them.” The introduction of new parking areas will start in April when base unit parking coordinators assume responsibility for the distribution of parking decals and permits.
Currently, the Vehicle Control Office is in charge of this area.
“The unit parking coordinators will also limit the number of parking decals personnel can apply for,” says Lt(N) Chmielewski. “Previously, personnel could apply for an unlimited number of permits, which we believe was a contributing factor to an unnecessary surplus of vehicles on base. Personnel will now be allowed decals for two vehicles and one motorcycle, as some people have more than one vehicle they drive to work.”
These changes are in addition to other parking regulations that took effect Jan. 2 when the visitor decals and silent permits were eliminated. Instead, personnel on shift work will be assigned to a specific lot.
“This regulation means shift workers whose working hours do not match up with their permit hours will no longer have to move their cars mid-shift,” says Lt(N) Chmielewski.
To make up for the cancellation of the visitor decals, there will be an increased number of permitted circumstances for the Unit Duty Passes.
“The commissionaires at the front gate will still be issuing gear and outside visitor passes, but otherwise personnel wishing to enter dockyard will have to sign out their Unit Duty Pass,” says Lt(N) Chmielewski.
