ELORA ― Centre Wellington’s paid parking program resulted in just over $144,000 in revenue the first month this year.
That’s according to an emailed statement from the township’s communications and engagement coordinator, Hannah Barclay, who said the program generated $100,095 in paid parking revenue from its launch on May 8 to June 8.
During that same period, the township’s enforcement staff issued 632 penalty notices, which resulted in an additional $44,060 collected to date.
“The revenue amount is solely from people paying for parking within the paid parking areas of downtown Elora,” said Barclay.
A staff report presented to council last November originally anticipated the program would bring in annual revenues of $350,000 starting in 2026, with an estimated operating cost of $184,000.
This doesn’t include the cost to establish the program in 2025, approximately $325,000.
But these numbers are subject to change as they’re based on the assumption the program would launch in January 2026; it actually launched four months later on May 8, after weather-related challenges delayed signage installation and kiosk commissioning.
The program was active for just over a month before the township temporarily suspended it on June 10, after a “technical issue” redirected anyone who tried to pay on the township’s penalty notice payment website to various websites, including AliExpress, porn, and other adult content.
There is no anticipated date for when the paid parking program will come back online.
“Township staff is still reviewing the matter, and once we are satisfied that a thorough review has been completed, paid parking operations will resume,” said Barclay.
While staff confirmed this pause will impact anticipated full-year results, Barclay said any in-year budget deficits will be absorbed by the township’s parking matters reserve and offset with future revenues.
Staff originally anticipated a program shortfall of $16,150 in 2026. A program surplus of $163,700 was forecast in 2027.
“Staff envisages a shortfall in revenues in light of the delayed start and current pause of the program; however, this shortfall cannot be quantified at this time,” said Barclay.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
By Isabel Buckmaster, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Jul 14, 2026 at 12:38
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