Council decision ensures more parking for Events Centre users

New parking measures at Queenstown Events Centre (QEC) in Frankton will prohibit overnight parking and provide better access to the facilities – particularly at peak times – for swimmers, gym-goers and people using indoor courts and outdoor sports fields.

Queenstown Lakes District Councillors adopted the measures unanimously at today’s Full Council meeting.

QLDC Sport and Recreation Manager Simon Battrick said QEC had seen a dramatic increase in overnight parking over the last few months which had put a strain on existing capacity and had attracted a number of complaints.

“First and foremost, parking at QEC is for our members and customers. Those using our facilities quite rightly expect to be able to park conveniently,” he said.

“There are normally plenty of spaces available outside of rare peak days, for example when busy kids’ sporting weekends might coincide with other events. But the notable increase in people parking overnight, and occasionally using the car park for their own purposes unrelated to the on-site facilities, has led to several complaints from users, safety issues and other situations our staff have had to address for the first time.”

Mr Battrick said the new regulations focus on the needs of users: improving turnover as people come and go through the day, and increasing parking availability for short-term visitors who make up the majority of centre users.

“Most people park up for an hour or two for a swim, climb, gym workout or fitness class, or a game on the sports fields or courts. They might grab a shower and a snack and then head off with a nice boost of endorphins. But the recent increase in vehicles parking overnight has been causing issues especially when we’ve had events and early morning activities. It’s a source of frustration for our regular members. We totally respect that and have responded with these new measures that QLDC parking officers will soon begin enforcing.”

Mr Battrick said Council will consider future parking requirements as part of an overall QEC Development Plan.

New signage clearly outlining the revised parking restrictions at QEC will be installed in the next few days.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri

• The Council report adopted by Councillors today can be found as Item 5 of the Full Council meeting agenda here: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/council-meetings/13-february-2025-full-council-meeting/