Following the realization that the city’s downtown parkade is experiencing significant challenges in remaining self-supported, Red Deer city council has approved a change of direction to address the situation. On Tuesday, council approved treating parking operations at Sorensen Station as a tax-supported function for purposes of the 2021 Operating Budget and future operating budgets. Council heard that the parking function currently has two outstanding debentures related to the construction of Sorensen Station. The first was borrowed in June 2009 with a repayment term of 15 years. The annual payment is $853,112.30, with the outstanding amount as of Dec. 31, 2020 being $2,732,117.53. The maturity date is June 2024.