Happy Tuesday, Waterloo Region!
What a week that was. Wildfire smoke rolled in from up north and parked itself over the Region for the better part of five days. It wasn't business as usual: plenty of adjustments, cancellations, and closures when it came to outdoor plans.
Good news: we finally get a break from both the heat and the bad air. After breathing that in all week, you'll want to check this week's Home Tip.
We've got some catching up to do. Let's get into it.
In This Issue
Kitchener Market's indoor building is still closed after a fire. Here's the latest on what's next.
Waterloo Region is about to host 4,200 of Ontario's best young athletes.
A six-storey building might be coming to the heart of St. Jacobs. Here's what we know so far.
The Rangers' Memorial Cup-winning coach is leaving. Here's where he's headed.
UWaterloo researchers can now 3D print a contact lens custom-fit to your eye in 20 minutes.
Your full guide to what's happening this week and beyond, including Wayback Festival.
Local News & City Updates
Region of Waterloo
🏅 Waterloo Region is about to host 4,200 of Ontario's best young athletes
In just over a week, the Region becomes host to the province's biggest multi-sport event for youth.
The Waterloo Region 2026 Ontario Summer Games run Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August 2, over the Civic Holiday long weekend.
About 4,200 athletes aged 12 to 18 from across Ontario will compete in 23 sports across more than 19 venues throughout the Region, including Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge.
Wilfrid Laurier University is hosting wushu, field lacrosse, and flag football, with student residences serving as the Athletes' Village.
The Opening Ceremony, presented by Desjardins, runs Thursday, July 30, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at University Stadium at Laurier, with live entertainment from DJ Z-Spinz. Tickets are $12, free for children under 2, seating first come first served.
Admission to the sporting events themselves is free. The full schedule is expected to be released closer to the Games.
Organizers expect the Games to generate more than $6 million in economic impact for the Region, and volunteers are still being recruited.
If you've got a young athlete in your life, or just want to catch some high-level youth competition close to home, this is the weekend to do it.
🧠 The Region of Waterloo Library has a new resource for families dealing with dementia
Region of Waterloo Library has launched a collection of Cognitive Care Kits for people living with dementia, memory loss, or declining cognitive skills, along with their families and caregivers. Available to borrow like any other library item.
🏠 A Better Tent City's transition took effect yesterday
As of yesterday, Monday, July 20, A Better Tent City formally wound down as its own non-profit, with operations and resident supports shifting to The Working Centre. We'll have a fuller look at how the transition is going in a future issue.
Kitchener
🔥 Kitchener Market's indoor building stays closed after a fire, but the Breezeway is back
A fire that started in a single vendor stall has kept the heart of the Kitchener Market closed for over a week, with no clear reopening date yet. However the market will be open outdoors on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Kitchener Fire crews responded to a fire at a Kitchener Market vendor stall shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday, July 12. The fire was extinguished quickly, no one was hurt, and officials say it isn't considered suspicious.
Damage is estimated at roughly $50,000.
The indoor market and food court remain closed "until further notice" while the city cleans and restores the space.
The city set up an outdoor market in the Breezeway on Saturday, July 18, and residents turned out to shop local and support the vendors while the indoor building stays closed.
The city says it's working on reopening the indoor portion soon, but hasn't given a target date. For updates on what's next for the market, check kitchenermarket.ca or the City of Kitchener's site directly.
Missing your regular market trip? St. Jacobs and Cambridge both still have their markets running this week. Or take it as a nudge to do something different, pick a road you've never turned down, and see what roadside stand you stumble on. Half the fun of summer around here is finding the ones nobody told you about.
St. Jacobs
🏗️ A six-storey building might be coming to the heart of St. Jacobs. Nobody's sure yet what that means.
For a village that draws people precisely because it doesn't feel like anywhere else, a proposal like this raises the question before a single brick is laid: does it fit, or does it change the place people come here for?
The former Village Biergarten (1381 King St. N.) and the neighbouring former Ice Cream Salon property (1377 King St. N.) both sold last year to the same buyer, an Ontario company called Village Oasis Inc.
PMI Group's website lists the site under its projects, with a concept drawing for what looks like a six-storey residential/commercial building.
Fencing is up and maintenance crews have been clearing trees at the site, but Woolwich Township says no demolition or building permits have been issued, and no formal planning application has been received.
Local business owners and St. Jacobs BIA members say the details aren't clear yet, though there's a general hope that whatever gets built respects the character of the village.
Nothing is set in stone here, literally, permits haven't even been filed. But for a village this size, a project like this doesn't stay quiet for long.
🏗️ Road Report
🏗️ NEW: Weber Street East closes for site servicing (Kitchener).
Weber Street East, between Franklin Street North and Arlington Boulevard, closes starting Monday, July 20, running through August 7.
Detour: eastbound via Ottawa Street to River Road to Fairway Road back to Weber Street; westbound via Fairway Road to River Road to Ottawa Street back to Weber Street.
🏗️ NEW: Albert Street closes for road work (Waterloo).
Albert Street, between Longwood Drive and Weber Street North, closes starting Monday, July 20, running through July 31.
Detour: eastbound via Bearinger to Parkside; westbound via Parkside to Bearinger.
🏗️ NEW: Fountain Street North closing at the Kossuth Road/Fairway Road North roundabout (Woolwich).
Starting on or about July 27, Fountain Street North closes at the Fountain Street/Kossuth Road/Fairway Road North roundabout for approximately 10 weeks, part of a Township of Woolwich culvert replacement project.
Access to the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) is maintained through a detour, but delays should be expected. Details
Housing & Real Estate
City-by-city (June 2026):
Average Sold Price by Property Type (June 2026)
Property Type | Region-Wide | Kitchener | Waterloo | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Single Family Detached | $834,730 (▼7.4%) | $778,988 (▼12.4%) | $920,455 (▼3.7%) | $773,257 (▼7.0%) |
Townhouse | $567,854 (▼9.2%) | $558,421 (▼6.9%) | $588,294 (▼12.6%) | $566,762 (▼7.9%) |
Condo | $396,327 (▼8.8%) | $340,788 (▼11.6%) | $425,449 (▼10.8%) | $503,890 (▼0.6%) |
Semi-Detached | $591,692 (▼8.8%) | $599,105 (▼4.7%) | $584,800 (▼13.6%) | $553,731 (▼15.0%) |
All Property Types (avg) | $729,650 | $670,127 | $764,945 | $710,519 |
All comparisons are year-over-year, vs. June 2025.
Mortgage & Rate Watch
Rate | |
|---|---|
BoC overnight rate | 2.25% (held July 15, sixth consecutive hold) |
Prime rate | 4.45% |
The Bank of Canada held steady again last Wednesday. The next rate announcement is Wednesday, September 2, alongside the Bank's next full Monetary Policy Report on October 28.
Behind the hold: inflation rose to 3.2% in May, mainly due to higher gas prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Excluding gas, inflation was 2.2%, with core measures close to 2%. The Bank's outlook has inflation easing to around 2.5% in the second half of 2026 and returning to the 2% target by early 2027. The economy grew 0.7% in 2026 so far, with growth projected to reach 1.8% in both 2027 and 2028.
🛠️ Home Tip of the Week
Those air quality alerts from last week weren't just about what you were breathing outside. Wildfire smoke, even drifting in from hundreds of kilometres away, can quietly clog your home's air system too, and your furnace filter likely spent the week trapping fine smoke particles before you had to. Now that the skies have cleared, here's your quick weekend checklist:
Swap the filter: Replace your furnace/AC filter today to keep your indoor air fresh and your system running efficiently.
Wipe the intake: Give your outdoor AC condenser unit a quick rinse with a garden hose to clear away any settled ash.
Grants & Incentives
💰 Kitchener homeowners can cut their stormwater bill by up to 45%
The City of Kitchener offers a credit on your monthly stormwater utility fee if you reduce how much runoff leaves your property.
Rain barrels, cisterns, infiltration galleries, rain gardens, and permeable pavers all count.
Capturing 200 to 800 litres earns a 20% credit, 801 to 3,200 litres earns 30%, and more than 3,200 litres earns the maximum 45% credit.
Non-residential property owners (industrial, commercial, retail, institutional, or multi-residential buildings with more than five units) can combine quality, quantity, and education credits toward the same 45% maximum.
Apply online, by email, or by mail. The online application needs a copy of your utility bill and the measurements of whatever stormwater practices you're using.
Sports
⚽ Spain wins the World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time
Sunday's final delivered a defensive battle that stayed scoreless through 90 minutes before Spain substitute Ferran Torres broke through in the 106th minute at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It's Spain's second World Cup title, and makes them the first nation to hold both the men's and women's titles at the same time. Argentina's bid for back-to-back championships falls one short. England beat France 6-4 on Saturday to take third place.
⚾ Kitchener Panthers: CBL Update
Date | Day | Time | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jul 23 | Thursday | 7:05 p.m. | vs. Toronto Maple Leafs | Jack Couch Park (home) |
Jul 24 | Friday | 7:35 p.m. | at Hamilton Cardinals | Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium |
Jul 25 | Saturday | 4:08 p.m. | at Barrie Baycats | Athletic Kulture Stadium |
Jul 26 | Sunday | 5:05 p.m. | vs. Welland Jackfish | Jack Couch Park (home) |
Two home games worth planning around this week: Thursday, July 23 is a Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest partnership night, with a surprise giveaway at the game. Sunday, July 26 is Panthers Freezie Day, free freezies for fans 18 and under.
🏒 Rangers head coach Jussi Ahokas is leaving for the AHL
The coach who brought Kitchener its third Memorial Cup is moving on to the AHL.
Jussi Ahokas is leaving the Rangers to become head coach of the Colorado Eagles, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.
Ahokas joined Kitchener three years ago and never finished a season below fourth place in the OHL's Western Conference, including three straight 40-win seasons.
He won OHL Coach of the Year for 2024-25, and led the Rangers to the 2025-26 OHL Championship before going undefeated at the Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C. in May.
The Rangers are now searching for their next head coach.
A tough loss for the franchise right after its biggest win in decades, but a well-earned move for Ahokas.
This Week in Tech
👁️ UWaterloo researchers can now 3D print a custom contact lens in 20 minutes
Getting rigid contact lenses to fit right can mean weeks or months of appointments. A team at the University of Waterloo thinks they've found a way to cut that down to one visit.
Researchers in Waterloo's Department of Chemistry, led by Dr. Shirley Tang, developed a 3D printing platform that can produce a patient-specific contact lens in as little as 20 minutes.
The technology targets patients with irregularly shaped corneas, who often need rigid lenses and currently face a long back-and-forth process to get a proper fit.
The team created a new silicone material designed to work with 3D printing, since standard contact lens silicone generally isn't compatible with the technology.
A custom coating process smooths out the microscopic imperfections 3D printing can leave on curved surfaces, without changing the lens's custom shape.
The lenses have passed lab biocompatibility testing, and the team is preparing for in-vivo studies while pursuing a patent.
The project won a Gold Medal at the Shanghai International Exhibition of Inventions in June, and the team is working with the Centre for Vision and Eye Research toward eventually bringing the technology to market.
If this makes it to your optometrist's office, it could mean walking out with lenses that actually fit the same day.
What's Happening
⚠️ Reminder: Ticket scams are active. Buy tickets only from official sources. Never e-transfer a stranger for tickets.
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.
This Week (July 21–27)
Standing weekly happenings
🕺 Dance It Off Tuesdays – Waterloo Public Square, 75 King St. S. Today, July 21, 7:00–10:00 p.m. Free.
💦 Family Splash Jam – Carl Zehr Square, Downtown Kitchener. Today, July 21, 4:00–7:00 p.m. Free.
🎵 Live at Lunch – Carl Zehr Square, Downtown Kitchener. Tuesday and Thursday, noon–1:00 p.m. Free.
🎵 Music in the Atrium (Cambridge) – Cambridge City Hall atrium, 50 Dickson St. Wednesday, July 22, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Free. This week's performer is still to be announced. Next week, Wednesday, July 29, Jack Wyndham and Mary Catherine Pazzano perform.
🎵 Music in the Park Ayr – Centennial Park, 31 Northumberland St., Ayr. Wednesday, July 22, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Free. This week's performer is The Burnin' Love Band, featuring guest singer Johnny B on lead vocals. Next week, Wednesday, July 29, the Ayr Pipe Band performs.
🎬 Movies in the Park – Waterloo Park, Hilltop Picnic Area. Thursday, July 23, movie begins after sunset, arrive by 9:00 p.m. Free, all ages. This week: Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG).
Events
🎉 Summer Party – Bridgeport Community Association, 20 Tyson Dr., Kitchener. Saturday, July 25, 6:00–11:00 p.m. Free. Live music by The Kickbacks, a magic show by Amazing Mike, balloon artists, face painting, and a bouncy castle. A concession stand serves slushies, hot dogs, and more. An outdoor movie, Hoppers, plays on the big screen at dusk, bring a blanket or lawn chair.
🎸 Wayback Festival – Carl Zehr Square, Kitchener. Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25. Free. Friday's tribute lineup features Born in the Eighties, Only Journey, and Early Elton. Saturday now features Trooper and The Wayback Collective (Steve Strongman, Rob Szabo, and Danny Michel), stepping in after Loverboy's earlier cancellation. Details
💃 Flamfest (Little KW Flamenco Fest) – Waterloo Public Square. Sunday, July 26, 7:00 p.m. Free. Live flamenco music and dance with food trucks, artisan vendors, and glitter tattoos. Guest performers include Fernando Gallego "El Bancalero," David Sinclair, Joaquin Nuñez Hidalgo, and Makeda Benítez, alongside resident performers. Bring a lawn chair, they've run out of seats in past years. Details
🎪 King Street Unplugged – King Street from Young to College, downtown Kitchener. Sunday, July 26 to Friday, July 31. Free. A week of pedestrian-only programming with markets, music, games and entertainment. Details
Coming Up This Month
🏅 2026 Ontario Summer Games: Opening Ceremony – University Stadium, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo. Thursday, July 30, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Tickets $12, free for children under 2, seating first come first served. Presented by Desjardins with live entertainment from DJ Z-Spinz. Games run through Sunday, August 2, with free admission to all sporting events across the Region. See Local News for the full story. Details
🎤 Hespeler's Got Talent Winner Showcase – Ernie's Cookhouse, 7 Queen St. W., Cambridge. Saturday, August 8.
🎵 Kitchener Blues Festival – Various venues, Kitchener. Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 9. Free & Ticketed. One of the largest blues festivals in Canada, with over 35 acts.
🍴 Cambridge Ribfest & Craft Beer Show – Riverside Park, Cambridge. Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9.
🏊 Free Sponsored Family Swim – Waterloo Swimplex, 101 Father David Bauer Dr., Waterloo. Sunday, August 16, 1:45–3:45 p.m. Free. The second of three swims sponsored by Kuppers + Greene Orthodontists this summer.
🎭 Next to Normal – Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages Building, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W. Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 7:00–10:00 p.m.; Sunday, August 2, 1:00–4:00 p.m. Tickets: $20.89 regular, $17.16 student. Presented by the UW Theatre Student Club, this Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical follows a mother navigating bipolar disorder and its ripple effects on her family. Details and Tickets
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!