If you’d like to park in either of Saskatoon’s Warehouse District or Central Industrial areas, it’s now going to cost you.

Last December, City Council approved the expansion of the pay parking zone to include the area, which covers six city blocks.

Wayne Sum, Saskatoon’s Parking Services Manager, says when the city did a study for the proposed expansion, this area was determined to be of high demand.

“Occupancy was sitting around 90 per cent when we were doing our parking counts at that time, so that does suggest to us that paid parking would be an optimal factor to entice parking turnover in this area.”

Sum says a soft enforcement period will begin today, and last for two weeks, in order to get everyone acquainted with the new expansion. Those found parking there without payment won’t be ticketed but will receive a warning notice.

Sum says the expansion is forecast to generate roughly $180,000 in revenue, which will be put towards parking operations expenses, as well as the mill rate.

‘We’re looking forward to educating people about the change and we’ll be happy to take any questions or concerns from the public on this.”

The new change will come into effect July 29th.