Expected completion date of solar panels for BCIT Energy OASIS project in staff parking Lot 7 is November 1 Photos courtesy of Peter Weckworth/BCIT
BCIT students who park in Lot D will have to temporarily find parking elsewhere to make room for staff as a result of a large construction project in Staff Parking Lot 7 at the Burnaby campus.
BCIT Media Relations Coordinator Dave Pinton said he is not sure why the project is delayed. However, as a result, student Lot D will not be available for student use until at least November 1, the new estimated completion date for a new green energy project.
“We kind of hope that students will think about what’s happening on that lot and the Energy OASIS project,” expressed Pinton.
The project in Lot 7 — which makes use of research on electric vehicles and alternative power according to Pinton — will consist of an integrated system of parking canopy structures, canopy-mounted solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, and energy storage, according to BCIT’s website.
“Lot F is just a few extra steps down the path by Guichon Creek there,” said Pinton, downplaying the increased commute time for students over BCIT staff.
Marketing and communications student Allison Stanbury drives to school from Maple Ridge and usually parks in Lot D. She says it will mean more than a longer walk.
[pullquote] “My immediate thought is that I’m going to have to get up a bit earlier now to find a decent parking spot.” [/pullquote]
“My immediate thought is that I’m going to have to get up a bit earlier now to find a decent parking spot,” said Stanbury.
Pinton told The Link he understands the concerns associated with parking on campus, but is confident that BCIT has enough stalls to cater to students’ needs and that the project is worth it.
There are 2,500 parking stalls available to students at the Burnaby campus, with about 500 stalls unused every day according to Pinton, who is confident that the project is worth the trouble.
[pullquote] “We understand that this is an inconvenience but we hope that people look at this as part of a project that will bring alternative energy research opportunities for students.” [/pullquote]
“We understand that this is an inconvenience but we hope that people look at this as part of a project that will bring alternative energy research opportunities for students,” he said. “It’s an exciting project to help with alternative energy and electric vehicles.”
However, Stanbury thinks that other nearby lots will fill up fast in the mornings and she is concerned about having to park much farther away.
“I leave school by dark and, as a girl, I don’t want to be walking [far] by myself,” explained Stanbury, citing a potential safety issue.
Pinton said Lot D will be available for visitors with temporary parking passes and after 4:30 p.m. for part-time studies students.
Signage will be put up and once all of the information is gathered, BCIT will send a message out to students to advise them of the changes in parking lot availability.
Neetu was born and raised in the Okanagan Valley (minus the few toddler years she spent living in Punjab, India where her line of heritage is from). She moved to the lower mainland to attend BCIT and is now in her graduating year of the Broadcast and Online Journalism Program. Her writing and editing for Link magazine often happens late at night because when she’s not at school she works as a reporter and anchor for CKNW Newstalk 980 and is also involved in the start up of a charity called the Beautiful World Foundation. She loves to travel and feels fortunate to be in a field where she can share the stories of interesting and inspiring people from around the world.
Neetu was born and raised in the Okanagan Valley (minus the few toddler years she spent living in Punjab, India where her line of heritage is from). She moved to the lower mainland to attend BCIT and is now in her graduating year of the Broadcast and Online Journalism Program. Her writing and editing for Link magazine often happens late at night because when she's not at school she works as a reporter and anchor for CKNW Newstalk 980 and is also involved in the start up of a charity called the Beautiful World Foundation. She loves to travel and feels fortunate to be in a field where she can share the stories of interesting and inspiring people from around the world.
