Almonte Hospital prepares to implement paid parking to support hospital funding

Residents in Almonte will soon have to pay for parking at their local hospital. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson shares reaction from residents.

The metres are in place as the Almonte General Hospital prepares to implement paid parking for its visitors later this month.

This move is intended to bring the Almonte General Hospital into alignment with the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital, which has charged for parking for several years.

The Mississippi River Health Alliance says parking will cost $5 a day for 24 hours. Frequent visitors will have the chance to buy weekly, monthly and annual passes.

Almonte resident Ron Ayling says it’s a move he supports.

“It’s one way to raise money for the hospital,” he says. “It’s needed”

Ayling says he hopes costs will remain low for frequent visitors.

“My only concern is there are people who have to come more frequently, so perhaps $5 a day is too much,” he said.

In a news release, Brad Harrington, the Alliance’s president and CEO, says that the move is based on careful consideration and that revenues will stay within the hospital to deliver high-quality services and care.

“We understand that parking changes can be inconvenient, but this decision is rooted in our responsibility to maintain safe, high-quality care across all our sites,” said Harrington.

“This change helps protect the future of local health care and ensures that patient care remains our top priority. We’re committed to making this transition as smooth and transparent as possible.”

There will be exceptions for those living in the nearby Fairview Manor. Glen McDougall says he will get one to visit his family member living inside, but says the change makes sense.

“Just part of life I guess,” he said.

The fees are set to be implemented later this month, but no official start date has been announced.

Lise Gibeau, an Almonte resident, says she understands the change because the money will go back into the hospital.

“I think we’ve been lucky so far,” she said. “It’s not too bad, the five dollars, every time you go in.”

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