Malls prepare for influx of weekend holiday shoppers and vehicles

Parking spots in the east lot at Chinook Centre were at a premium on Thursday afternoon, and stalls are expected to be an even hotter commodity on the weekend

Staff members at shopping malls in the Calgary area are bracing themselves for the throng of shoppers during the final weekend for Christmas, but for many consumers, the frustration will set in before they make it to the entrance.

The busiest shopping weekend of the year, to no one’s surprise, coincides with the busiest weekend for mall parking.

At Chinook Centre, officials predict 100,000 shoppers will flock to the southwest mall this weekend and it’s expected there will be high demand for the mall’s 5,500 parking stalls.

“We are looking at 20,000 vehicles that will come on and off the property each day,” said Chinook Centre spokesperson Stacie Woolford.

Mall security, including officers on bike, and 40 Parking ambassadors, volunteer parking staff, will be on hand to direct traffic and attempt to alleviate less than festive situations which may arise.

Security staff at Chinook Centre will escort shoppers to their vehicles, the Chinook LRT station or local bus stops, during late hours.

Chinook Centre and the majority of Calgary area malls have extended their shopping hours during the holiday season.

With files from CTV’s Bill Marks