Montreal opposition wants free parking returned at sports complex [Video]

The City of Montreal’s official opposition, Ensemble Montreal, is joining forces with some local sports clubs and associations to demand that free parking be reinstated at the Claude Robillard Sports Complex in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough.

The city announced in September that new parking restrictions would be in place at the complex, which includes soccer fields, hockey rinks, pools and many other sports facilities.

“Users of the Claude-Robillard Complex come from all corners of Montreal and even Quebec, and many depend on their cars for access,” said Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough mayor Dimitrios Jim Beis. “By imposing this new tax on motorists, the Plante administration is compromising access to sports activities. This demonstrates a blatant disconnect with the reality on the ground.”

Currently, paid parking is in effect 24/7, and it costs $2.50 an hour or up to $11 per day for the 450-spot parking lot.

The City of Montreal said the lot was …