Fencing goes up in University District ahead of St. Patrick's Day
Preparations are underway as Waterloo braces for St. Patrick’s Day.
March 17 – which falls on a Sunday this year – sees thousands of students descend on the University District for a massive unsanctioned street party.
On Wednesday morning, crews were putting up fencing along Ezra Avenue, which has traditionally been the epicentre of St. Patrick’s Day festivities. The city has blocked off Ezra for the past several years, prompting students to move the party to nearby Marshall Street.
Speaking last year, Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe said Ezra’s layout – a short street with few access points – created challenges for emergency responders.
"First of all, we would absolutely prefer it not happen,” McCabe said. “If it is happening, one of our priorities is to ensure the people who are attending are safe, or as safe as possible. So that’s really the reason for moving off Ezra, because it's a very contained area and difficult to get into if there is an emergency to respond to."
Waterloo regional police laid 232 charges during St. Patrick’s Day weekend last year. Eighty per cent of those were for liquor act or traffic violations.
Parking restrictions
Parking restrictions will also be in effect Saturday and Sunday. The area impacted is bordered by Albert Street, Columbia Street, Weber Street and Bridgeport Road.
In a release Tuesday, the city said any vehicle parked on the street in the prohibited area will be ticketed, even if the driver has a registered overnight parking exemption.
Street parking is not allowed in the area shown in red on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. (City of Waterloo)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.