Festival sees complaints in its wake
A number of Riversdale residents want WakeRide moved from Victoria Park in future years, citing problems with parking, noise and public drunkenness.
But event organizers say increased security and po- lice presence in the area, a focus on family events, and advance consultation with residents made it a success for the community.
The three-day festival over the weekend featured demonstrations from top athletes in the world of extreme sports and evening concerts on the main stage. This year’s event set attendance records with up to 5,000 people at the site at its peak with proceeds going to charities that support inner city youth.
WakeRide also sparked noise complaints from both sides of the river with some Nutana residents saying their windows shook.
The concert could at times be heard as far south as Stonebridge.
“What I saw were individuals who were breaking the law on an ongoing and regular basis and a lot of disrespect for property,” said Heather Anweder, who lives near the Victoria Park festival site and says her windows shook from the bass.
“There was vomit on the streets, (public urination), broken glass, and beer bottles left behind. If I was inclined to pick up beer cans I would have made a few dollars this weekend,” Anweder said.
Shad Ali, producer and director of WakeRide, said the complaints are a surprise given the amount of positive feedback he’s received. The organizers worked ahead of time to hand-deliver notices to residents about the schedule and road closures. An event encouraged kids activities with the family zone, which featured 22 different sports youth could try out.
The concert speakers were pointed toward the river — not homes in Riversdale — to try to dull the noise. The event had permission from city council for a noise extension that was adhered to, Ali said. Even so, organizers are considering reviewing the decibel levels of the sound for next year, Ali said.
“Was the music loud? It certainly (was) loud,” he said. “I would also say we were certainly within any bylaws that exist around noise control.”
Some residents were given special permits to ensure they had access to homes and shuttle buses were available.
Extra police officers were hired. Three security staff were dedicated to patrolling nearby streets. Ali personally drove the streets with his wife after the event closed to make sure there weren’t any problems and said there was little activity after midnight.
“I think we really went to some pretty extensive measures to try to safeguard the community and work with the community to the extent possible to make sure it’s enjoyable for everyone,” Ali said.
“I think that any festival is going to have similar drawbacks. But they also derive several benefits for the community. Are those benefits worth the drawbacks that come with them? My suggestion would be absolutely.”
The extra measures haven’t stopped an uproar from Riversdale, where a petition is reportedly circulating.
Coun. Pat Lorje said she received complaints about noise, litter, public urination, public intoxication, parking and blocked traffic. She would like to see the festival’s Victoria Park location reviewed.
“I have mixed feelings about WakeRide,” Lorje said. “It was wonderful to see all the younger people enjoying the festival. There is a certain demographic that WakeRide appeals to and it was great to see everybody out celebrating. The problem is that noise and some of the behaviour extends beyond the festival site. Residents of the area do not think this sets a good example in an area that is working very hard to regenerate.”
“I THINK WE … WENT TO SOME PRETTY EXTENSIVE MEASURES TO TRY TO SAFEGUARD THE COMMUNITY. ”SHAD ALI
Saskatoon police Insp. Shelley Ballard said there was increased presence around the festival on top of the two extra officers paid for by WakeRide. Police received reports of six vehicle break-ins and handed out 10 open alcohol tickets, a higher number than the Fringe or Jazz festivals, Ballard said.
There were also calls and emails to police from a number of residents complaining about the streets being jammed up with parked vehicles. Many Riversdale residents rely on street parking because they don’t have garages or driveways, she said.
“Let’s face it — you’re in a neighbourhood that is already very vulnerable,” Ballard said. “We play the hand that we’re dealt. If the city chooses to authorize that area for the event, then we do what we can to minimize the issues that happen.
“It’s a vulnerable neighbourhood. There are lots of parking issues. But I don’t know where else you have an event like that.”
Doug Ramage, a Riversdale resident and past president of the community association, said there were a number of intoxicated people in the streets after the festival, which sends a mixed message to the youth in the area.
“We definitely support sports and what WakeRide is trying to do. But I would question what the message is being sent to the at risk youth when there’s public urination, public intoxication and littering,” he said.
Ramage and Lorje both suggested moving the event to the Credit Union Centre, a non-starter for Ali and the WakeRide organizers.
The festival requires access to the river for wakeboarding and water sport demonstrations, and Victoria is one of the few parks with the space required, Ali said. The festival moved from Rotary Park two years ago because it its rapid growth. Victoria Park sits dormant for most of the year, he said.
“What we do with events like WakeRide is utilize public spaces in a reasonable and responsible way and that does help build community,” Ali said.
“When we approach this in a collaborative manner and work together, my experience is that the location is an excellent one.”