Late-night and early morning scenes such as this one last year at Ridgeway Plaza in Mississauga have been common the past few years.
Police say they’re investigating a three-vehicle crash that occurred early Saturday morning in the parking lot of a large plaza in Mississauga’s west end that’s become widely known for “dangerous nuisance gatherings,” stunt driving incidents and other issues since it opened in 2022.
A Peel Regional Police spokesperson told INsauga.com officers were called to Ridgeway Plaza, at Eglinton Avenue West and Ridgeway Drive in west Erin Mills, shortly after 3 a.m. for reports of a three-vehicle collision.
No injuries were reported and “no charges have been laid at this time,” the spokesperson said, adding the investigation is ongoing.
Police didn’t say if there was a large gathering of people and vehicles at the plaza at the time of the crash, nor did they indicate that stunt driving or any other dangerous driving behaviour was involved.
The plaza, which has regularly attracted headlines the past few years related to excessive noise, street racing, parking concerns and other issues, signed a new agreement two weeks ago with the City of Mississauga in an effort to settle a years-long dispute between the two entities and make the large commercial area a safer, more welcoming environment.
Beefed-up security to be in place at the plaza
Beefed-up security is at the core of the pact, which includes new measures that seek to “improve safety, support businesses and maintain a welcoming environment” at Ridgeway Plaza.
The new measures are to be implemented immediately, the city said in an April 15 news release, noting “several actions (are) expected to be in place by May.”
The plaza has become known since opening in 2022 for “dangerous nuisance gatherings,” excessive noise, street racing, parking concerns and other issues, city officials said earlier.
Ridgeway Plaza (it’s actually two plazas — Erin Mills Centre and Platinum Centre) has been the subject of 112 public complaints since 2022, and the city had been looking at options to solve various issues at the location.
Known as a foodie destination, the plaza currently numbers 115 restaurants, according to a report presented earlier this year to the city’s planning and development committee.
Image shows location of Ridgeway Plaza (centre) and surrounding area.
City officials said earlier the new deal with Ridgeway Plaza Condominium Corporations, which manages the plaza, comes after a recent mediation process and establishes a “formal compliance and security framework to reduce nuisance gatherings at Ridgeway Plaza and help maintain a safe, welcoming space for residents, visitors and local businesses.”
To ensure compliance with city safety standards, Mississauga officials say the Ridgeway condominium corporations will “independently fund and implement the following site improvements”:
Installation of security cameras, speed bumps and permanent access gates.
Additional “No Parking,” “No Trespassing” and “Video Surveillance” signs.
Increased security staffing on evenings when large celebrations are expected.
The City of Mississauga, meanwhile, will provide enhanced enforcement of parking regulations moving forward, officials said.
City and plaza will meet four times a year
In addition, the city and Ridgeway Plaza Condominium Corporations will meet four times a year to “monitor progress and make adjustments as needed,” the city added.
“Ridgeway Plaza is an important and valued part of our community and we appreciate the collaborative approach taken by the condominium boards to reach this agreement,” Mississauga Deputy Mayor and Ward 8 Coun. Matt Mahoney said shortly after the deal was struck. “Safety has always been our top priority and we’re confident these steps will help address the concerns raised by the community and keep plaza patrons safe while supporting the plaza’s diverse businesses.”
Peel Regional Police have staged multiple enforcement blitzes, such as this one in 2024, the past few years at Ridgeway Plaza. (Photo: Peel Regional Police)
The condominium corporations that manage the plaza said in the wake of the agreement with the city that they’re committed to ensuring “a safe, viable environment for our commercial tenants and their patrons. By making these necessary, privately-funded investments in security infrastructure, we are ensuring continued compliance with city bylaws and protecting the long-term value of Ridgeway Plaza.”
In recent years, various events staged at Ridgeway Plaza have brought with them numerous problems that include loud music and other noise well into the late-night and early-morning hours, parking lot and street racing, fights, parking, the use of illegal fireworks and many other disturbances.
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