Noise provision in place for Homecoming weekend in Waterloo

The City of Waterloo plans to crack down on unsanctioned public gatherings during Homecoming for universitieswith a noise provision usually reserved for St. Patrick's Day parties in March.

The city's "designated time" provision falls under its public nuisance bylaw which was implemented to address concerns related to large and noisy gatherings.

"The standard nuisance bylaw covers incidents such as evening party noise; this special temporary bylaw allows municipal enforcement to take action on any party on Homecoming weekendregardless of the time of day," stated a City of Waterloo news release.

Homecoming 2021 weekend at both the University of Waterloo (UW) and Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) is on the weekend of September 24, 25and 26.

Both virtual and in-person events are planned for the weekend including the annual football game with the Waterloo Warriers and the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks at 1:00 p.m Saturday on Sept. 25.

The city is anticipating large crowds at the football game and other events in the neighbourhood.

Police, bylaw and special constables at Wilfrid University were called to break up a crowd of 1,000 people on Ezra Avenue this month, where a large chair was set on fire. WLU said the students who took part in the illegal gatherings, which led to vandalism on University and city property could face suspension or be expelled.