Free parking coming to an end at the new hospital

North Bay Regional Health Centre
News Release

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There are two more weeks of free parking at the new North Bay Regional Health Centre as paid parking officially comes into effect on March 14, 2011.

“Due to delivery issues with software updates we are unable to ‘GO LIVE’ with our parking system today as expected,” said Dave Smits, Director, Facilities Management.

On March 14, the parking gates will be working and drivers will need to access appropriate lots. Public lots are located in front of the Emergency Department and to the right of the Main West Entrance at the center of the complex near the Regional Mental Health Centre. Some overflow lots further away from entrances, are shared with staff and are designated Public/Staff lots while other lots are designated as Staff or Physician only. All lots are gated and require drivers to obtain a card and validate that card at parking machines located in the hospital. Staff and physicians have a different system and most will pay for parking through payroll deduction and use their ID cards to access the lots.

“Volunteer Ambassadors are on hand to show people how to use the Parking Machines located near both the Main East and West entrances and in the Town Square of the Regional Mental Health Centre,” explained Smits.

Generally, hospitals throughout the province require payment for handicapped parking and NBRHC will be adopting the same policy. Handicapped parking spots are located in all lots, as close to entrances as possible.

The parking system allows for a twenty (20) minute grace period from the time you pay for parking at one of the Pay Stations in the building to the time you get back to your vehicle and exit the parking lot.

Parking costs are $2 per hour or a maximum of $5 per day.
Monthly parking passes (approximately $34) are also available for families/visitors of long-term patients. Passes can be purchased from the Financial Services Cashier located behind switchboard off the Main East Lobby entrance.

NOTE: Tokens will no longer be used. If you have left over tokens from the old sites you can go to the Finance Services Cashier and get a refund.

The system also allows for a thirty (30) minute grace period for the public who may simply be here to pick up or drop someone off. HOWEVER, you cannot leave a vehicle unattended outside of a parking lot on any of the roadways. All roads on the property are considered Fire Routes and cars left unattended at curbside will be tagged and/or towed. If you are here for less than 30 minutes, you will still require ticket validation at a parking machine before leaving the building.

For further information on the North Bay Regional Health Centre, visit our website at www.nbrhc.on.ca

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