Karlovarskydenik.cz published an article about parking at the Varyáda shopping centre:
The barriers at Varyáda in Karlovy Vary are in place, but parking remains free. The shopping centre originally wanted to regulate the flow of ice hockey fans arriving from the Mattoni Arena, but is ultimately just testing the system and assessing how it works.
Last year, the Varyáda shopping centre in Karlovy Vary was the driving force behind significant changes to parking in this part of the spa town. Following the centre’s redevelopment, the number of parking spaces – which until then had been used free of charge by drivers from all over, primarily visitors to the neighbouring Mattoni Arena and, consequently, large numbers of ice hockey fans – was reduced. This was not the only reason why Varyáda decided to change the parking system and install barriers at the entrance and exit to the complex. The intention at the time was that only those staying for a short time or spending a certain amount of money at Varyáda would be able to park there for free. The system was tested throughout the autumn but was ultimately not launched. And as Martin Malý, Director of Marketing and Communications at EPG Group – which owns Varyáda – explains, no changes in this regard are planned until the end of this year.
So what is the situation? The barriers are in place, but they are not operational. Are you still testing the system?
The parking system is currently used primarily to monitor car park occupancy and overall traffic within the complex. This gives us a better overview of how individual sections of the car park are being used, and allows us to continuously assess whether they meet our customers’ needs. The insights gained help us plan further steps relating to traffic management, safety and visitor comfort.
Does this mean, then, that parking will remain unrestricted?
For regular customers, nothing is changing at the moment, and we expect operations to continue under this arrangement until the end of this year. Our aim is to ensure that customers have the most comfortable and seamless access to Varyáda possible. At the same time, however, we will be assessing the situation, for example, during major sporting or cultural events at the Mattoni Arena. In the event of large numbers of cars spilling over from the arena, the barrier system will be used on a one-day basis.
It was you who set the ball rolling on changes to parking in this area…
We are pleased to have opened a debate on the long-term use of parking spaces in this part of the city. In the past, the car park at Varyáda was often used for long-term parking, even though it was built primarily for shopping centre customers.
There’s a lot of talk going round in Karlovy Vary. Could you deny that you had any obligations regarding the use of the car park at Varyáda?
I would like to set the record straight on one piece of information that keeps cropping up on social media. We are not aware of any contractual obligations or agreements under which the shopping centre’s car park is intended to serve as a long-term car park for visitors to sporting or cultural events at the arena. Furthermore, Varyáda is not the original owner of the building. However, this does not mean that we overlook the importance of the arena and its visitors. On the contrary. We have a long-standing partnership with local sports clubs (ice hockey and volleyball teams), we support a range of joint activities, and we regularly organise autograph sessions, meet-and-greets with players and other events for fans. We recognise that sport and culture are an important part of life in Karlovy Vary, and we want to be an active partner in this.
You are one of the few shopping centres in the country that still does not regulate parking…
Yes, it is important to realise that the car park at Varyáda was built primarily for the shopping centre’s customers. A private investor cannot, in the long term, take on the role of the city’s public parking infrastructure. We are convinced that the discussion we initiated has helped to draw attention to the issue of parking in this part of Karlovy Vary, and we believe it has opened the way for the city to find a solution. Our aim has never been to complicate matters for visitors to events at the arena, but to establish fair conditions so that the car park primarily serves those for whom it was built.
Read the full article at Karlovarskydenik.cz