The Winspear Centre’s robotic parking garage has been scratched from its expansion plans, the victim of a low Canadian dollar.
Instead, the concert centre’s expansion plans will include a parkade — 142 spots where you drive in and park yourself.
Automation would have allowed room for 380 cars and brought in $1 million a year, Winspear officials said.
But they bet on a Canadian dollar being no more expensive than $1.25 US. When its value kept sinking, they pulled the plug.
Winspear officials are coming Monday to City Hall to change their loan request. Council had promised them a $25-million loan for the automated system, to be paid back over 30 years. Instead, they’re asking for a loan of $12.9 million.
The new Winspear parking facility will include underground, surface and above ground parking using the existing ramp of the Century Plaza parkade next door. It will also have space for a daycare.
The Winspear is fundraising for a second $53-million expansion project, including a new 540-seat acoustic theatre, six multipurpose rooms and commercial space.
