NEIGHBOURHOOD FLARE-UP

Vaughan residents say fireworks from nearby golf club are disrupting their peace,

Neighbours near Eagles Nest Golf Club are fired up over the fireworks displays they say are consistently disturbing the peace and enjoyment of their weekend evenings.

And they’re taking their concerns, along with a growing petition of over 250 names, to Vaughan council later this month in a bid to have the plug pulled on the fireworks.

“It’s so loud. We hear them as if they’re in our own backyard,” said Mandy Wagner, who has a 6-year-old daughter she said is awakened by the booming noises.

The fireworks — usually part of a wedding package couples can purchase — are “obnoxious loud,” said Daniel Granat, who is leading the fight to have them snuffed out. “If you didn’t know it was Eagles Nest fireworks, you would think it was someone shooting something.”

He said they have been going off for years now and area residents are fed up. “One woman told me her newborn can’t sleep when they go off,” he said.

Sean Morris, owner of Firemaster Productions, one of the main suppliers for fireworks displays at Eagles Nest, said despite the complaints, his company has tried to be a good neighbour.

He said about three years ago, citizens approached the city to have the bylaw changed and that the former curfew of 11 p.m. was moved back to 10 p.m. Morris said Firemaster has never violated the 10 p.m. curfew.

Morris also said Firemaster voluntarily made changes to the fireworks displays, eliminating the “salute” — a display that featured a loud bang. Removal of the salute brought down the size of the show and also helped to eliminate light and sound pollution, he added.

The displays “only last for five min- utes,” he said. “I am sure there are thunderstorms that can go on for hours.”

Even though there was a Dec. 23 event, Morris claimed there are just eight to 10 displays at Eagles Nest a year. Granat, in turn, claimed there are many more.

“We very much understand people’s concerns . . . we will work with any group . . . as a small-business owner, this is what we do to put food on the table,” Morris said.

He said his company has to get a permit through the fire department for every fireworks display it produces in Vaughan. “The major com- plaints are coming from Eagles Nest because of the proximity to the homes,” Morris conceded.

Ward 4 Coun. Sandra Yeung Racco said there is little council can do until it hears from Granat.

“Council will listen to his deputation and will ask staff to investigate, consider different options and come back with some possible solutions for council to consider,” Yeung Racco said.

Granat, who wants the city to stop issuing permits for fireworks displays at Eagles Nest, will be taking his deputation to Vaughan’s committee of the whole Jan. 23.