University, police prepare for homecoming crowds

The crowd that gathers on Ezra Avenue is rivalling what is seen on St. Patrick’s Day

WATERLOO — University officials and Waterloo Regional Police are gearing up for homecoming celebrations that could see thousands of students gathering on Ezra Avenue on Saturday.

Wilfrid Laurier University’s homecoming attracted 9,000 partygoers last year, and crowds could soar this weekend with a sunny forecast expected.

David McMurray, Laurier’s vice-president of student affairs, said the homecoming street gathering is growing and is starting to rival the annual St. Patrick’s Day party.

“It’s the social event of the year where they go and try to meet others,” he said. “The street is the social venue where students want to gather.”

Students live near Ezra in highrises, and with social media they can congregate quickly, McMurray said. “It seems to have become a bit of a fad, a significant practice here and at other universities.”

McMurray said the university has “a cast of thousands” that works on messaging for students for St. Patrick’s Day. It was inevitable that the same plan of action would be introduced for homecoming when large crowds started to gather.

“The communication plan is extensive for students,” said McMurray, referring to public safety and ‘be respectful’ messages as well as door-knocking campaigns with university officials, student unions, city bylaw and police.

The university has also banned guests visiting students’ residences over the weekend and emphasized the fact that students who break the student code will face consequences.

McMurray said the university is spending about $140,000 in homecoming safety measures. “We would rather be spending that money in the classroom,” he added.

McMurray said homecoming is a three-day event with special events Friday to Sunday, but Saturday is the big day with the Laurier Golden Hawks football team hosting Guelph.

During homecoming last year, police 198 charges, with 167 of them alcohol-related. Almost all of those charges involved open liquor, police said.

Worrisome for police and emergency personnel were the 41 medical calls and the 26 people who were taken to hospital.

As a warning, Grand River Hospital posted photos and videos on Twitter this week cautioning students not to overindulge this weekend and wind up in the emergency ward.

Since Aug. 26, police have laid 621 charges during Project Safe Semester, substantially higher compared to last year when police laid 286 charges during the month of September.

It’s the social event of the year where they go and try to meet others. The street is the social venue where students want to gather. David McMurray Wilfrid Laurier University