Happy Tuesday, Waterloo Region!
The clocks went back on Sunday. Hopefully you made good use of the extra hour. Halloween is behind us, and the week ahead has more going on than you might expect for the first week of November.
This week's weather outlook:
Day | High | Low | Rain chance | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tue Nov 3 | 21° | 13° | 40% | Morning showers, then mainly sunny |
Wed Nov 4 | 21° | 14° | 90% | A few showers in the afternoon, rain in the evening |
Thu Nov 5 | 15° | 9° | 40% | Chance of a shower, partly cloudy in the evening |
Fri Nov 6 | 13° | 7° | 60% | Cloudy with showers |
Sat Nov 7 | 11° | 2° | 40% | Cloudy with morning showers, then partly cloudy |
Sun Nov 8 | 11° | 4° | 40% | Mainly sunny, then a mix of sun and cloud |
IN THIS ISSUE
Four doors that stay open all night, and where they are
Why interest rates just went up, and what high energy prices have to do with it
A gym floor with no painted lines, coming to Kitchener
A turf field that stays in play all winter
Diwali in the Region: what you can light up, and where to celebrate
LOCAL NEWS & CITY UPDATES
💰 The Bank of Canada Raised Rates, and High Energy Prices Are a Big Reason Why
Gas and grocery bills have been a sore subject for a few years now, and last Wednesday the Bank of Canada pointed to high energy prices as the reason it raised interest rates.
On Wednesday, October 28, the Bank raised its overnight rate by a quarter point to 2.50%, its first increase since July 2023. The Bank Rate is now 2.75% and the deposit rate 2.45%.
Inflation has been around 3 per cent since April, and the Bank expects it to reach about 3.5 per cent by the end of the year. Excluding gasoline, inflation in September was 2.2 per cent.
The Bank expects inflation to average 3 per cent in 2027 and come back down to 2 per cent in the middle of 2028.
The big six banks moved their prime rate from 4.45% to 4.70% the next day, Thursday, October 29. Variable-rate mortgages and lines of credit tied to prime move with it, and TD also raised its separate mortgage prime rate to 4.85%.
A quarter point works out to about $250 a year in extra interest for every $100,000 you owe at a prime-linked rate, so roughly $1,000 a year on $400,000, by our arithmetic. Some variable mortgages raise the monthly payment right away. Others keep the payment the same, so more of it goes to interest and the payoff stretches out.
Rate | Level |
|---|---|
Bank of Canada overnight rate | 2.50% (up from 2.25%) |
Prime rate at the big six banks | 4.70% (up from 4.45%) |
The Bank said more increases could be needed, but it will move carefully. The next announcement is Wednesday, December 9, a bit more than five weeks away.
🔥 Four Overnight Warming Centres Opened Sunday
Four overnight warming centres opened across Kitchener and Cambridge on Sunday, and they'll stay open through the winter.
The centres are open from Sunday, November 1 to Wednesday, March 31, 2027.
Grand Avenue Overnight Warming Centre, Cambridge: run by the YWCA Cambridge, with space for up to 20 women and gender-diverse individuals a night. It's the new one this year, funded by Regional Council in 2025.
Lawrence Avenue Overnight Warming Centre, Kitchener: run by Thresholds Homes and Supports, with space for up to 30 men and women a night, and room to add more if needed.
Cambridge Street Overnight Warming Centre, Cambridge: run by Porchlight, with space for up to 30 men a night, and room to add more if needed.
Victoria Street Overnight Warming Centre, Kitchener: run by The Working Centre at St. John's Kitchen, with space for more than 100 men and women a night.
The Region's buildings at 99 Regina, 150 Frederick and 150 Main Street are serving as warming spaces again this winter, with extended hours starting November 1.
If you'd like to help, these are the folks doing the work. The Working Centre, Thrive HIV, YWCA Cambridge, Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre, Woolwich Community Services, Langs Community Health Centre and Porchlight are handing out sleeping bags, tents, winter boots, hats, mitts and gift cards to people living outside. Reaching out to any of them is a good first step.
🏀 Kitchener's New Rec Centre Is Getting Canada's First Multi-Sport Glass Floor
Anyone who has hunted for the pickleball lines in a maze of basketball, volleyball and badminton tape knows the problem this floor is built to solve.
When we told you in September about the quad gym, turf field and pools at the Cowan Recreation Centre at RBJ Schlegel Park, the City hadn't yet announced the floor. The quad gym will have Canada's first multi-sport glass floor, which the City says will be one of the largest installations of its kind in the world.
LED lights under the glass panels project the court lines straight onto the surface. The lines change at the touch of a button, and only the ones for the sport being played show up.
The floor will handle pickleball, basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, futsal, badminton, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair pickleball.
It is certified by FIBA, FIVB and the International Handball Federation, and the City says it beats international standards for shock absorption and slip resistance.
It never needs refinishing or resurfacing and works without protective floor coverings, which the City says means fewer closures and more time for programs.
The system comes from ASB GlassFloor and is already in use in the United States and in Germany, Greece, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The Cowan Recreation Centre opens its doors on Saturday, November 14, and opening week runs through Sunday, November 22. The glass floor itself is expected to be ready for use in early 2027, but from opening day visitors can get a look at the technology that will sit under the panels. Registration is open now. To help more residents participate, please register for no more than two scheduled programs.
🏫 A Seasonal Sports Dome Is Coming to Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School opened in Kitchener this year as the Waterloo Catholic District School Board's first Grade 7 to 12 school, and its turf field is about to get a seasonal dome that keeps it in play all year.
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board announced Monday, November 2 that an air-supported dome will cover the school's full artificial turf field, with an opening planned for November.
The dome will be heated to a comfortable temperature for sports and activities, so the field stays usable whatever the weather outside.
The dome is for school use on all school days, with access after the last bell for school team practices when requested. It will also be available for community use, with booking details expected to be shared as the opening gets closer.
The board says it will give students a more dependable space for physical education, athletics, team practices and other approved school activities.
The dome is seasonal. It goes up each fall, generally between mid-October and early November, and comes down each spring, generally from late April into May, so the track and field go back to open air for the warmer months.
Anyone who has tried to find indoor turf in Waterloo Region over the winter knows how hard it can be, so this is a welcome addition. The board says more information will be shared as the opening gets closer.
Link: Announcement
Sports
🏒 Kitchener Rangers
The Rangers shut out the Flint Firebirds on Friday night, a first career shutout for Hriczov, and moved to 8-5-2-1. The Guelph Storm are back at The Aud tonight for the next round of the rivalry.
Friday, October 30: won 3-0 vs Flint.
Date | Opponent | Where | Puck drop |
|---|---|---|---|
Tue, Nov 3 | vs Guelph Storm | Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (The Aud) | 7:00 p.m. |
Fri, Nov 6 | vs North Bay Battalion | Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (The Aud) | 7:00 p.m. |
Sat, Nov 7 | at Owen Sound Attack | Owen Sound | 7:00 p.m. |
Good to Know
🎆 Diwali Fireworks: Three Cities, Three Sets of Rules
Diwali celebrations run for five days this year, from Friday, November 6 to Tuesday, November 10, but when fireworks are allowed depends on which city you're in.
Kitchener: Sunday, November 8 only, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Waterloo: Sunday, November 8 and Monday, November 9, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Cambridge: Sunday, November 8 from dusk to 11:00 p.m.
Everywhere, fireworks stay on private property, and none are allowed in public parks or on roads. Kitchener and Waterloo also ban them in schoolyards and set the minimum age at 18.
Fines: Kitchener's minimum is $1,500. Waterloo's are $1,000 for a first offence and $2,000 for a second.
Be a good neighbour. The noise can rattle pets, young children, shift workers and anyone sensitive to loud sounds, so Waterloo suggests giving the neighbours a heads-up ahead of time, and Kitchener asks for the same consideration. Keep fireworks away from water and wildlife areas, since the chemicals can harm animals, and clean up the debris afterward.
Links: City of Kitchener | City of Waterloo | City of Cambridge
What's Happening
Looking for events not on the big calendars? Your local Optimist Club runs community programs, fundraisers, and events year-round. Find your nearest chapter at optimist.org.
Please Note: Events are subject to change, postponement, or cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Check the event's own page before heading out.
Standing Farmers' Markets
🧺 St. Jacobs Farmers' Market - 878 Weber St. N., St. Jacobs. Thursdays 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Link
🧺 Kitchener Market - 300 King St. E., Kitchener. Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The indoor market is closed for fire repairs, so the outdoor Saturday market is where vendors are trading. Link
🧺 Cambridge Farmers' Market - 40 Dickson St., Cambridge. Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Link
This Week (Nov 3 - Nov 9)
🎭 Mrs. Doubtfire - Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Tuesday, November 3 and Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $86.08. Tickets
🎤 Third Age Learning KW: Eras of Turmoil - RIM Park, 2001 University Ave. E., Waterloo. Tuesday, November 3, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Today's lecture, Red Power and Resurgence, looks at Indigenous activism in the 1960s, from the American Indian Movement to the rejection of the 1969 White Paper in Canada, and how that resurgence shapes the protection of Indigenous homelands and reconciliation today. $10 a lecture. Details
🍴 Chef's Choice, Best of Waterloo Region - Tapestry Hall, 74 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge. Thursday, November 5, VIP 5:30 p.m., doors 6:00 p.m., opening toast 7:00 p.m. A Kidney Foundation fundraiser where local chefs serve signature dishes. Black tie or cocktail attire. Tickets
🎪 Senior Health Fair 2026 - Community Pavilion, 101 Father David Bauer Dr., Waterloo. Thursday, November 5, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Free. For adults 55+ and anyone curious about senior services, with presentations, service providers, a City fitness class, hearing screening, blood pressure checks and door prizes. Pre-register for a swag bag on Eventbrite or call 519-579-1020.
🎵 Michael Kaeshammer - Centre In The Square Studio Theatre, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Thursday, November 5, 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $64.50 all-in. A seven-time JUNO nominee, the German-born, B.C.-based pianist and singer blends jazz, boogie-woogie, blues and pop, and his latest album is Turn It Up. Tickets
🎵 DREAMER: The Supertramp Experience - Raffi Armenian Theatre, Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Thursday, November 5, 8:00 p.m. An eight-piece tribute band plays Supertramp favourites like "The Logical Song" and "Take the Long Way Home," with proceeds supporting Diabetes Canada. Tickets
🏃 2026 National Bank Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Championship - Warrior Field, University of Waterloo, Waterloo. Thursday, November 5 to Sunday, November 8. Four university teams play for the national title, with Waterloo hosting. Game times and tickets on the tournament page.
🌳 Community Tree Planting - Northview Heights Lookout Park mini forest, 821 Elgin St. N., Cambridge. Saturday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Reep Green
🎵 Grand Philharmonic Choir: Haydn's The Creation - Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Saturday, November 7, 7:30 p.m. With the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. Tickets
🎵 AC/DC and Guns N' Roses Double Tribute Night - Maxwell's, 35 University Ave. E., Waterloo. Saturday, November 7, doors 7:30 p.m., show 8:00 p.m. 19+, general admission with standing room and limited side seating. Who Made Who covers AC/DC and Rocket Queen, from London, Ontario, covers Guns N' Roses. General admission $22.60 + fees. Tickets
🎭 Yuk Yuk's Comedy Show - Kingpin Bowlounge, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener. Saturday, November 7, doors 7:00 p.m., show 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. Stand-up from Ian Sirota, Laura Leibow and Ben Bayfield. Details
🎭 Yuk Yuk's Comedy at Puddicombe House - Puddicombe House, 145 Peel St., New Hamburg. Saturday, November 7, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., doors 6:40 p.m. Lineup: Jean Paul, Andrew Barr and Jay Rainville, with an appetizer buffet and a bar. Tickets
🛍️ Merry & Bright Craft Market - Conestoga Banquet Hall, 617 King St. N., Waterloo. Saturday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free. The second annual holiday market has local vendors, handmade gifts, a raffle table and Santa's Mailbox. There's also a toy drive: bring a new, unwrapped toy, with a cruiser on site from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and donations accepted all day. Details
🛍️ A Very Merry Market - RIM Park Forbes Hall, 2001 University Ave. E., Waterloo. Saturday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00. A Christmas craft show and market with festive music, for anyone getting a head start on gifts. Details
🛍️ CPS Handmade Market - Conestogo Public School, 1948 Sawmill Rd., Conestogo. Saturday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $2 cash, and children 12 and under are free. Details
🍴 Kitchener Fall Drink Fest - Marshall Hall, Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener. Saturday, November 7, 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. General admission is $19.75 ($15 plus fees and taxes). Tickets
🎵 KPL Presents Chris Murphy - Central Library Reading Lounge, 85 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Saturday, November 7, doors 6:30 p.m., show 7:00 p.m. All ages and licensed. A solo acoustic evening from Sloan's Chris Murphy, with local singer-songwriter Amanda Braam opening and craft beer from TWB Brewing. All proceeds benefit the library. Tickets
🎵 Feel Soul Good: Kings of R&B and Soul Edition - The Underwing, 58 Grand Ave. S., Gaslight District, Cambridge. Saturday, November 7, general admission doors 8:00 p.m., music from 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 (VIP is sold out). Momma's Kitchen featuring Rufus John plays the R&B and soul catalogues of Usher, Michael Jackson, Ne-Yo, Bruno Mars and more, with DJ 2Nice of Toronto's 90's Party TO and 2000's Party TO keeping the music going between sets. Planned with a 30+ crowd in mind. Tickets
🎵 Candlelight: Vivaldi's Four Seasons - The St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton St., Kitchener. Saturday, November 7 and Saturday, January 16, 2027. A string quartet plays Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and La Folia by candlelight in a 60-minute show with assigned seating, for ages 8 and up. Showtimes are on the ticket page. Tickets
🌳 Tree of the Year Celebration - King Edward Public School, 709 King St. W., Kitchener. Sunday, November 8, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Reep Green Solutions and Tree Trust crown the Kitchener Persistent Planetree, the 2026 winner, which stands across the street from the school. Remarks, activities and cake, plus a guided tree walk at 10:45 a.m. Drop-ins are welcome, but register for the walk to guarantee a spot. Register
👨👩👧 Cheecho's 18th Birthday - Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, 2500 Kossuth Rd., Cambridge. Sunday, November 8, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ticketed, and the party is included with general admission. The conservatory's green-cheeked conure turns 18, with cake and punch, parrot-themed crafts for kids, a birthday card to sign, and a singalong of Happy Birthday every hour on the hour. Details
🎪 The da Vinci Dialogues: Vasari's View, with Chris Nighman - THEMUSEUM, 10 King St. W., Kitchener. Sunday, November 8, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Ticketed, and admission includes entry to THEMUSEUM. Laurier historian Dr. Chris Nighman looks at how the 16th-century artist and writer Giorgio Vasari described Leonardo da Vinci's life and work, and how he saw other Renaissance masters. It goes with THEMUSEUM's Leonardo da Vinci exhibition. Tickets
🎵 Laurier Guest Artist Series: Jully Black - Theatre Auditorium, Savvas Chamberlain Music Building, 75 University Ave. W., Waterloo. Sunday, November 8, 7:00 p.m., doors 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 general and $5 for students, including anyone under 18. The JUNO Award-winning R&B artist returns to Laurier with the Penderecki String Quartet and Faculty of Music students, performing fresh arrangements of her hits on her birthday. All ages. Tickets
👨👩👧 K-Pop Dreamworld: The Ultimate K-Pop Tribute Experience - Raffi Armenian Theatre, Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. Ticketed. A family-friendly live show that follows Teddy, a young dreamer who wants to be a pop star. Tickets
Diwali celebrations
Diwali is Sunday, November 8, and celebrations in Canada run from Friday, November 6 to Tuesday, November 10. Fireworks rules are in Good to Know.
🎊 Bespoke Diwali Marketplace - Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener. Saturday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free, and admission includes the museum galleries. Vendors selling jewellery, fashion, home decor, food, teas and wellness products, plus Bollywood dance performances with singer Nitin Sharma and the Vidhyalaya Dance Space, a kids' corner with treats and crafts, and food from Curry Culture. Details
🎊 Celebrate Deepavali - Waterloo Public Library at RIM Park, Room 207/208, 2001 University Ave. E., Waterloo. Saturday, November 7, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Everyone welcome. Light the diyas, hear a story about where Diwali comes from, and watch cultural dance and music, with a mehndi (henna) station and treats. The Tamil Cultural Association Waterloo hosts a rangoli competition for adults and a themed drawing challenge for kids. Details
Thanks for reading Community Loop – Waterloo Region. Have something happening in your neighbourhood that should be in next week's issue? We'd love to hear about it. See you next Tuesday!