Residents near Rogers Stadium say they are being subjected to excessive noise, traffic congestion, road closures, parking problems, transit delays and “disruption to daily life,” and say they want change.
In a news release this week, residents said the stadium was approved with no community consultation and an “unfair burden” has been placed on surrounding areas without measures in place to protect residents, accountability or community benefits.
The residents are calling on Live Nation Canada, real estate developer Northcrest Developments, York Centre Coun. James Pasternak and the city to respond to their demands. The residents are from the Balmoral, Banting Park, Ancaster and Downsview Lands neighbourhoods as well as the De Boers Condominiums building.
Rosemary Bell, spokesperson for the Downsview Lands Community Voice Association, said there has been a lack of accountability in particular from Live Nation Canada. She added that the residents group is not opposed to music or events, but wants to see “meaningful” action on the issues raised.
“This 50,000-person stadium here in North York wasn’t put into the planning for this part of the city,” Bell said, adding shows were loud last year and some went well beyond 11 p.m.
Rosemary Bell, spokesperson for the Downsview Lands Community Voice Association, says: ‘Really, the issues that we bring forward are not resolved in a way that is meaningful or impactful for our lived experience in our community.’ (Grant Linton/CBC)
Bell said residents deserve reasonable protections, proper consultation and enforceable standards.
She said it was chaos before and after all concerts last year and this weekend could be worse.
Singer-songwriter Bruno Mars is scheduled to perform at Rogers Stadium on May 23, 24, 27, 28 and 30. She said residents are preparing for the closure of neighbourhood streets and an influx of people and cars to their community.
Metrolinx has also announced that there will be no GO train service on the Barrie line on May 23 and 24 and May 30 and 31 because of “major track upgrades.” That means GO buses will replace train service at all stations except for Downsview Park GO and Union Station on those dates.
“There’s going to be more people in cars trying to find a place to park in our neighbourhood,” Bell said. “Pretty much the whole area around, so Allen to the east, Wilson to the south, Keele to the west, Shepherd to the north, will be gridlock.”
In the release, the residents present a list of demands, including operational limits, noise control measures, traffic and parking protections, a community benefit fund, an independent review of impacts to property values, communication and accountability, and legal confirmation that the stadium is temporary and has a fixed end date.
Improvements made, Live Nation Canada VP says
CBC News reached out to Pasternak and is awaiting a response. Northcrest Developments directed questions to Live Nation Canada.
Nathalie Burri, senior VP operations for Live Nation Canada, said in a statement Friday that the entertainment company has made changes in response to local concerns.
“In keeping with being good neighbours, we have made technical, transportation and logistical improvements at Rogers Stadium leading up to this year’s concert season,” Burri said.
To help reduce noise levels, independent municipal licensing officers will be at the stadium for every show to monitor sound levels on site and in the community. As well, vinyl on the back of the grandstands has been replaced with vinyl cladding to limit the sound travelling beyond the venue, she said.
All shows will end by 11 p.m., she added.
To ease traffic congestion, Live Nation Canada is encouraging concert-goers to use transit and it is paying for free rides home on the TTC for concert ticket holders, she said.
The TTC will ensure there will be no planned service disruptions on Lines 5 and 6 on concert nights, will add subway service and extra buses and extra staff to help concert-goers, and will provide free shuttle service between Wilson Station and Rogers Stadium.
Fans are shown here in the stands at Rogers Stadium. (Jérémie Bergeron/Radio-Canada)
Live Nation has also created rideshare pick-up and drop-off locations at the site, she added.
“We will continue to engage with our community partners throughout this year’s concert season and are committed to working together to bring a positive impact and experience to the surrounding neighbourhoods,” Burri said.
‘We take resident concerns seriously,’ city official says
Russell Baker, communications director for the city, said in a statement Friday that city staff have worked closely with Live Nation Canada to strengthen permit conditions, improve real-time noise monitoring and put in stronger mitigation measures after last year’s concert season.
“We take resident concerns seriously,” Baker said.
“We’ve developed a detailed traffic and congestion plan, with signal timing changes, new pick-up and drop-off locations, as well as a fully staffed traffic operations centre during events to respond in real time,” Baker said.
“We’ll continue to monitor, enforce and adjust as needed,” Baker said.