Snowsports club welcomes parking revenue

Low cost all-day parking is boosting the funds at Kendal Snowsports Club.

Every penny raised by the introduction of £1 a day parking is now helping the club to plan for the future.

Earlier this year South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) reached an agreement to use part of the club’s land at Canal Head as a council-operated car park.

The deal allows the club to keep all of the revenue in exchange for the council being able to offer low cost parking close to the town centre.

The club has already received £2,100 for the first six months of parking and says the ticket money is being put to good use.

Treasurer, Richard Waple, said: “We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the success of this arrangement with the council and really pleased that it is bringing in some extra funding.

“The club is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and the fees we charge cover day-to-day outgoings and the cost of buying equipment, so any extra money like this is very welcome.”

The club was set up in 1984 and now has more than a thousand members of all ages.

Ski instructor Dave Rogerson says the money from car parking will help to fund the club’s ambitions.

“We have longer term plans which include making improvements to the slope and possibly expanding the facilities. That will cost a lot of money and so we really welcome this additional financial help. We are also delighted to be sharing the car park with commuters and visitors and contributing to the economy of the town,” said Dave.

SLDC agreed to install a payment machine, signage and mark out parking bays for 46 vehicles including two blue badge spaces.

The Snowsports Club car park is available seven days a week during spring and summer months but only on weekdays over the autumn and winter period to accommodate additional weekend use by club members.

For security reasons the ticket machine on the car park is card-only, with chip and pin and contactless payment options.

Following a review of parking tariffs in the district, SLDC now offers a number of low cost and ‘early-bird’ tariffs at council-operated car parks in Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside, Grange-over-Sands and Ulverston.

For full details and locations see the council’s website: www.southlakeland.gov.uk