Happy Tuesday, Waterloo Region!
We lost a familiar face at Victoria Park last week. Otis, the swan who called that lake home since 2009, passed away peacefully. If you've spent any time around the water over the years, there's a good chance you remember him and his mate, Ophelia, out there together. He'll be missed. It's a reminder of how much character the familiar places and faces around Waterloo Region add to our everyday lives.
There's plenty more to catch up on. Grab your coffee, and let's get into it.
🌤️ This week's weather outlook:
Tue Sept 22 | Wed Sept 23 | Thu Sept 24 | Fri Sept 25 | Sat Sept 26 | Sun Sept 27 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High | 16°C | 17°C | 17°C | 19°C | 20°C | 20°C |
Low | 6°C | 8°C | 6°C | 7°C | 8°C | 9°C |
Chance of rain | 30% | 30% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 20% |
In This Issue
Region workers could be heading toward a legal strike
What the Region's encampment court fight has cost
$2.25M to preserve affordable housing in Waterloo
Kitchener's new Cowan Recreation Centre
Free trees and Cambridge's new gateway signs
What's happening in Waterloo Region this week: Fest2Fall Music Festival, the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival, KW Gluten Free Fest, the start of Oktoberfest season and more.
Local News & City Updates
⚖️ Region Workers Could Be in a Legal Strike Position This Saturday
Around 850 CUPE 1883 members work across Waterloo Region, supporting services that include public health, transit, water, housing and children's services. Bargaining resumes Tuesday, September 22, with the Region saying the union will be in a legal strike position as of Saturday, September 26.
That's a legal status, not a confirmation that a strike will happen.
The union says its members "want to stay at work and continue serving our communities," and are seeking employment security and stronger layoff protections.
The Region says both sides are committed to a deal that's "competitive for members and affordable for residents."
If a strike does happen, the Region says services will continue at reduced capacity. Paramedic services, including 9-1-1 emergency response and community paramedicine, will continue. GRT buses, MobilityPLUS, ION trains, Ontario Works and child-care subsidies will continue, while non-urgent dental appointments could be rescheduled, routine health inspections could pause, the Welcome Space at 20 Weber St. in Kitchener would close (Cambridge and Waterloo stay open), and some library and museum programming could be cancelled.
Worth keeping an eye on this week if you rely on any Region service day-to-day. Check the link for a full list of what could be impacted. Region of Waterloo | CUPE
⚖️ What the Region's Encampment Court Fight Has Cost So Far
Legal bills don't usually make the newsletter, but this one's climbed past $1.7 million, and it's not finished yet.
The figures came out through a Freedom of Information request filed by Kitchener resident Simon Guthrie. Documents show the Region was billed $1,695,006.13 by an outside law firm over a 14-month stretch to defend its bylaw aimed at clearing the encampment at 100 Victoria St N, land needed for the Kitchener Central Transit Hub. A second document puts another $27,000 toward the encampment residents' own legal representation, Waterloo Region Community Legal Services, covering an injunction motion filed during the fight.
Regional council passed the bylaw in April 2025. An Ontario Superior Court judge sided against the Region in May 2026, ruling the bylaw unconstitutional because it left encampment residents with nowhere else on Region land to legally go once cleared.
The Region and the province are appealing that ruling.
The $1.7 million figure covers only the period through the court decision, not the appeal or regional staff time. A similar 2023 court effort to clear the same site cost the Region $168,842. Costs for policing, outreach and cleanup haven't been tallied.
The Region says the legal work supports the transit hub project and that the case "has implications not only for the Region, but also potentially for other municipalities across Ontario." Waterloo Region Community Legal Services says that money "would be better spent on solutions that actually house people."
The legal fight is continuing, but the FOI documents now put a dollar figure on what the Region has spent so far. CTV News Kitchener
🏢 Waterloo Puts $2.25 Million Behind Keeping Existing Apartments Affordable
New buildings get the ribbon-cuttings, but for 17 households on Herbert Street, this week's news is about the homes they're already in.
The City of Waterloo is putting $2.25 million toward Thresholds Home and Supports Inc.'s purchase of three apartment buildings on Herbert Street.
The buildings hold 17 rental units in total, 14 of them already affordable, and the city is requiring they stay that way for 25 years.
The project also leaves the door open to grow the affordable count further or retrofit units for residents with accessibility needs.
The money comes through the city's Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition Grant, funded by its share of the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, a program created to help non-profit housing providers, co-ops and land trusts buy existing rental units and retain them as long-term affordable housing.
Thresholds CEO Eric Philip said the pace of loss is the real problem: new construction alone can't keep up with how many affordable units disappear each year.
Seventeen households with more certainty about what comes next. City of Waterloo
🏟️ Kitchener's Biggest-Ever Capital Project Gets an Opening Date
Eight years of waitlists, split gym times and "sorry, we're full" might be about to ease up.
Cowan Recreation Centre, at RBJ Schlegel Park (1664 Huron Rd), opens Saturday, November 14. The city calls it the largest capital project in Kitchener's history.
Inside: a quad gymnasium, a FIFA-sized indoor turf field that splits into four smaller areas, two cricket practice nets, a competition pool and a leisure pool, and an indoor walking track.
It's built to handle basketball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, cricket, futsal, pickleball, badminton and swimming, with room for more than 500,000 visits annually once it's running.
The city says the extra space means shorter waitlists for local sports groups and more chances for residents to try something new or stick with a sport they already love.
Opening day itself is a free community celebration starting at 9 a.m.: ribbon-cutting, tours, free public swims, sports activities, bouncy castles, face painting and giveaways.
The kind of building a growing city needs more of. City of Kitchener
🚒 Waterloo Gets Its First Female Fire Chief
After more than a dozen years with one chief at the helm, Waterloo Fire Rescue has a new one, and it's a first for the city.
At its Monday, September 14 meeting, Waterloo council appointed Sandy van Solm as fire chief. She has been a deputy chief with Waterloo Fire Rescue since 2020.
Van Solm holds a PhD from the University of Waterloo's School of Public Health and Health Systems, and has worked in emergency management with the Region of Waterloo and in Emergency Management and Fire Services with Amsterdam-Amstelland Fire Services.
Council also marked the retirement of Chief Richard Hepditch, who spent more than 31 years with the city and more than 12 of them as chief.
A new chief with a homegrown research background, and a deputy chief who already knows the department. City of Waterloo
🚧 Road Report
NEW – Victoria St S, Kitchener. Closed, no access, from Fischer-Hallman Rd to Hazelglen Dr. Starts Monday, September 28, expected to reopen Sunday, November 15. Region of Waterloo road closures
Good to Know
🌳 Free Trees, Two Ways, This Saturday. Cambridge and Woolwich are both giving away free trees Saturday, September 26, first-come, first-served, proof of address required. Cambridge details | Woolwich details
🪧 Cambridge Is Redoing Its Gateway Signs. Eleven weathered entrance signs are getting replaced, and residents can vote on which photos of the city appear on them. Voting runs through Sunday, October 4. Vote and details
Sports
Kitchener Rangers: Banner night didn't go as scripted. Owen Sound spoiled the Friday home opener 1-0, but Kitchener answered right back, shutting the door on Owen Sound 4-1 on the road Saturday to even the season at 1-1. Home dates in What's Happening. Full schedule below.
🎟️ Free Rangers Tickets for Community Groups. Rangers Reach launched a new program offering 500+ free game tickets this season to local charities, non-profits and community organizations. Details and application
Date | Opponent | Where | Puck drop |
|---|---|---|---|
Fri, Sept 25 | Erie Otters | The Aud, Kitchener | 7:00 p.m. |
Sat, Sept 26 | at Erie Otters | Erie Insurance Arena, Erie, PA | 6:00 p.m. |
Sun, Sept 27 | Kingston Frontenacs | The Aud, Kitchener | 6:00 p.m. |
Fri, Oct 2 | Saginaw Spirit | The Aud, Kitchener | 7:00 p.m. |
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. Fresh produce, meats, baked goods, crafts, and a flea market from around 300 vendors. Recurring Thursdays, 8am–3pm and Saturdays, 7am–3:30pm, year-round. Free to browse. Details
🧺 Kitchener Market Breezeway outdoor market – 300 King St E, Kitchener. Local farmers, makers, and vendors outdoors while the main building and Food Hall stay closed following the July 12 fire. Recurring Saturdays, 7am–2pm. Free to browse. Details
🧺 Cambridge Farmers' Market – 40 Dickson St, Cambridge. Meats, baked goods, produce, and crafts from local vendors. Recurring Saturdays, 7am–1pm, year-round. Free to browse. Details
This Week (Sept 22 – Sept 28)
🛠️ Research Talks: Water Crisis in Waterloo Region – The Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick St, Kitchener. Tuesday, September 22, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Free. A public panel on how the Region balances growth, governance and sustainability in shaping our water future. Speakers include Dustin Garrick, Ellie Joseph of Two Row on the Grand, Pam Law of the Region of Waterloo, and David L. Rudolph. Details/Register
🎪 "How to Train Your Dragon" Free Outdoor Screening – The Gaslight District, 64 Grand Ave S, Cambridge. Tuesday, September 22, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Free. A free outdoor movie night on the Big Screen. Details
🎨 Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius, Opening Night – THEMUSEUM, 10 King St W, Kitchener. Wednesday, September 23, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (doors 6:00 p.m., program at 6:45 p.m.). $50 plus fees and taxes, includes a welcome drink and grazing stations. THEMUSEUM's major new immersive exhibition, created with Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome, officially opens with the Italian Ambassador to Canada, Alessandro Cattaneo, on hand. Details/Tickets
💰 LoveMyHood Grant Writing Workshop – Virtual. Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Free, registration required. Details
🌸 Kitchener in Bloom End-of-Season Celebration – Victoria Park Pavilion, 80 Schneider Ave, Kitchener. Thursday, September 24, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Free, registration required. The wrap-up for the city's season-long gardener recognition program, with interactive workshops, a chance to chat with Master Gardeners, prizes, light refreshments and family-friendly activities. Register
🎪 185th Stratford Fall Fair – Stratford. Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, September 27. Free Admission. Opening ceremonies Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Midway hours: Thursday 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Friday 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Agricultural exhibits, the ambassador competition, a pie auction and more. Check the full schedule for day-specific events. Details
🍺 K-W Oktoberfest – Venues across the region. September 25 – October 17. Events aren't held every day, so check the event calendar for specific dates and times. Cambridge gets its first Festhalle: the Gaslight District's outdoor Prostgarten runs Friday, September 25 to Sunday, October 4 at 64 Grand Ave S, kicking off Friday with opening ceremonies on the outdoor stage, including a keg tapping, live polka music and Bavarian food. Oktoberfest | Prostgarten
🎨 Fest2Fall Music Festival – Dickson Park, Galt (Cambridge). Friday, September 25 to Saturday, September 26. Check the link for set times and ticket prices. Friday goes country with The Reklaws and Dean Brody, and Saturday rocks out with The Trews and The Glorious Sons. Local vendors and food trucks throughout. Details/Tickets
🎪 Bingemans Screampark – Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener. Opens Friday, September 25, and runs through October 31, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Operates on select nights. All ages (not recommended for children under 12 or anyone easily frightened). Check the link for ticket prices. Details
🎵 The Jazz Room – Waterloo. Michael Shand's Thursday Soul Series on Thursday, September 24, Derek Hines on Friday, September 25 and Bob Brough on Saturday, September 26, all 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Check the link for ticket prices. Details/Tickets
🏒 Rangers home games – The Aud, Kitchener. Friday, September 25 vs. Erie, 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 27 vs. Kingston, 6:00 p.m. Full schedule in Sports. Tickets
🌲 Forestry Fall Fair – Huron Natural Area, 801 Trillium Dr, Kitchener. Saturday, September 26, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Free. Kitchener's first Forestry Fall Fair, with information booths from Forestry and Natural Areas, Reep Green Solutions, the Grand River Conservation Authority and the Kitchener Nature Stewards, plus crafts, face painting and self-guided nature walks. Details
🍎 Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival – Wellesley. Saturday, September 26, from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., opening with a Pancake and Sausage Breakfast on Queens Bush Road Street Mall. Free general admission (some individual activities, like the breakfast, have their own cost). Running since 1975, and always the last Saturday in September, with food, crafts, music, and more throughout the day. Details
🎸 Bales & Boots Bluegrass Bash – King Street, St. Jacobs (business porches throughout the village). Saturday, September 26, starting at 12:00 p.m. Free, non-ticketed. Live bluegrass on the main stage from 12:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., a closing song at 6:00 p.m. and a bluegrass jam at 6:45 p.m., plus smaller stages around the village. Block Three Brewing and Stone Crock Market are serving up food and drinks. Details
👨👩👧 Oktoberfest Family Treasure Hunt – Fairview Park Mall, 2960 Kingsway Dr, Kitchener (outside Urban Planet). Saturday, September 26, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Free. Live entertainment including a Baby Dinosaur Show and a Chicken Dance with Onkel Hans, crafts, a root beer keg tapping for kids, and a treasure hunt with prize giveaways. Bring a donation for the Onkel Hans Food Drive. Details
🌳 Meadowlane Park Reopening Celebration – 138 Glen Park Cres, Kitchener. Saturday, September 26, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Celebrate the park's grand reopening and see how community ideas shaped the changes. Enjoy live music, face painting, games, a bingo scavenger hunt and more. Details
🎨 Culture Days Kitchener Kick-Off Weekend – Downtown Kitchener, spread across City Hall, Carl Zehr Square, the Yeti and 44 Gaukel St. Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27. Free. Kitchener's kick-off to Ontario's province-wide Culture Days festival, with too many concerts, art talks, workshops and pop-up performances to list here. Friday opens with Music Under the Stars at Carl Zehr Square, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., country duo Amanda & James, and Chris Clark. Check the link for the full three-day schedule; Culture Days itself runs region-wide through Sunday, October 4. Details
🎶 Aeroforce, The Ultimate Tribute to Aerosmith – Maxwell's, 35 University Ave E, Waterloo. Saturday, September 26, 8:00 p.m. Ticketed. Details/Tickets
🍴 King StrEATery Food Truck Festival – King St E from Eby St to Cedar St, and the Kitchener Market piazza, Kitchener. Sunday, September 27, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Free. More than 15 food trucks and local food vendors, the Love Local Market with more than 15 artisans, and live entertainment, including a free K-pop dance class at 1:00 p.m., salsa and bachata lessons at 3:15 p.m. and a free kids show at 5:00 p.m. Sunday parking is free at the Kitchener Market garage. Details
🍴 KW Gluten Free Fest – Bingemans, Marshall Hall, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener. Sunday, September 27, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. $8 online, $10 at the door (cash only). A one-room gluten-free market with food to taste and products to shop. Details/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!