By Chris Lewis/September 9, 2021
Street markings and parking lot line paintings were all up for discussion at a recent meeting of council in Mount Pearl.
On Tuesday, Sept. 7 councillors in the City of Mount Pearl got together for their regular meeting of council, during which Deputy Mayor Jim Locke took some time to speak on the City’s street marking plans. He said the City’s 2021 street marking contract was inclusive of the costs for summer line markings, which were to complete the various construction projects that were underway throughout the summer season.
However, due to what Locke called coordination concerns, it was decided that the street markings would instead be included in each of the individual tenders that fell under street construction contracts.
Therefore, he said the City’s line painting budget can be re-allocated elsewhere as required.
The total budget available from this is $64,325.25.
“Engineering services has received multiple inquiries regarding parking lot line painting throughout the summer, and I know it was brought up here in the chamber about areas of concern. In particular, the Team Gushue Sport Complex coming into the Reid Centre,” Locke said. “The engineering services department also completed a review of parking lots throughout the city.”
Locke said the Team Gushue Sport Complex would run approximately $26,000 if they were to complete line painting work up there. The Summit Centre and Glacier library would come in at $31,000, and the Gloria Pearson Centre would cost about $2,000.
As well the Ruth Avenue Sportsplex would cost about $2,300 for the work.
Admiralty House would cost about $3,500.
The total amount of all those comes in at $64,800 - in line with the aforementioned budget.
“The engineering service department is recommending that we re-allocate the summer line markings budget to complete our parking lots that are in much need of clear line painting.”
Most of those will be completed in their entirety, according to Locke, with the exception of the Ruth Avenue Sportsplex and Gloria Pearson Centre which will both have directional arrows painted at the very least.
Councillor Bill Antle said this was a good use of the money. As he drove around the city, he said most of the parking lots can be confusing when trying to figure out where one can park.
Mayor Dave Aker said parking lots are not completed every year. The City’s streets, crosswalks and some of the more heavily trafficked areas see yearly care, but parking lots are often left for when it becomes more of a necessity or, like this instance, when there are monies available for the work.
Director Gerry Antle, in charge of infrastructure and public works, echoed this and said parking lots can vary depending on usage.
“Mostly, you’ll see parking lots will last maybe 4-5 years depending on their use,” he said.
