Happy Tuesday, Waterloo Region!
Canada is in the Round of 16 for the first time in World Cup history vs Morocco. Stephen Eustáquio's volley in the 90th minute in Los Angeles last night might be the most Canadian thing that has ever happened at a World Cup. The whole country felt it.
Tonight is Kitchener's first-ever East Coast Kitchen Party: three stages, live folk music, PEI oysters, lobster rolls, and a learn-to-jig lesson if you're feeling brave. And tomorrow is Canada Day!
One thing to know before you head out: a heat advisory is in effect this week. Temperatures are expected to climb significantly, so stay hydrated, check on your neighbours and elderly family members, and take the heat seriously if you're spending time outside. We have AC tips in the Home Tip section below.
🌟 SEEN, The Results Are In
In partnership with Midtown Yoga and Pilates
Nominations are closed. And we need to tell you what we found.
The response was overwhelming in the best way. This community is full of people quietly doing remarkable things, and now we have proof.
We read every nomination. We sat with every story. We talked about people we will never forget, people whose names we now know and whose quiet generosity doesn’t go unnoticed.
Three nominees have been selected to receive a free month at Midtown Yoga + Pilates. They are Laura, Lindsay, and Chloe.
Each of them gives quietly. Each of them was nominated by someone who couldn't stay quiet about it any longer. And each of them deserves more than a name in a list.
We want to give each story its own moment. So we are going to do this one week at a time.
This week: Laura.
Laura was nominated by her friend Audrey.
Laura is going on her third year of breast cancer treatment. And during those three years, while managing something most of us will never face, she has somehow found ways to give more, not less.
She created an inclusive women's cold plunging group. She runs sound therapy sessions. She volunteers at the cancer centre as a social worker. She advocates for the women's breast cancer dragon boat team. Not as a bystander. As a member. She works in child protective services. She shows up for strangers. She gives care packages to the people around her and asks for nothing back.
When we called Laura to tell her she had been selected, she didn't know she had even been nominated. When we asked how she manages to give so much while going through what she's going through, without hesitation she said.
"There is healing in giving."
We didn't have a response for that. We still don't.
Laura. You are seen.
Lindsay's story is coming next week. Chloe's the week after.
We want to say something to every single person who was nominated, whether you know it yet or not.
Someone cared enough about what you do that they took the time to tell us. They sat down and wrote out what you mean to them and to the people around you. That is not nothing. That is everything.
You are all seen.
Thank you to everyone who nominated someone. And a sincere thank you to Midtown Yoga + Pilates for making this possible. Without their belief in this community and their willingness to partner with us, SEEN simply would not exist. They didn't just offer a prize. They offered a chance for three people who pour themselves out for others to have something poured back into them. That means everything.
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In This Issue
SEEN winners announced: Laura, Lindsay, and Chloe. Laura's story is inside. Lindsay's comes next week. Chloe's the week after.
The East Coast Kitchen Party is tonight. Kitchener's first ever. Three stages, six bands, seafood, and a free learn-to-jig.
Canada Day is tomorrow. The full Region-wide lineup is inside.
Heat advisory in effect this week. AC tips in the Home Tip section.
Regional Council approved the ABTC transition 12-2. The Working Centre takes over July 20.
Canada's largest affordable housing project just broke ground in Waterloo.
WRPS surveillance cameras and license plate scanners are now live in Waterloo.
Local News & City Updates
Region of Waterloo
🏠 A Better Tent City: Council approved the transition plan 12-2. A Better Tent City will continue operating. The Region of Waterloo is formally taking it into its Housing Stability System, with The Working Centre stepping in to run the site starting July 20.
Council voted 12-2 at a special meeting on June 24 to approve the transition
Annual operating cost: $5.76 million ($2.9 million as an operating agreement with The Working Centre for the ABTC site, and $2.8 million for ancillary costs including expanded 24/7 drop-in spaces and three new staff positions)
One-time capital funding of $2.5 million will address immediate cabin repairs and replacements, and bring the site up to code as part of the formal shelter system
An amendment passed 11-3 requiring that all future annual funding go through the regular budget process rather than being automatically renewed, a concession to councilors concerned about long-term cost commitments
A key tension: transitioning to the formal shelter system means new rules around visitors, who were redirecting from ABTC to 24/7 drop-in spaces. Residents and some delegations pushed back strongly, noting ABTC was specifically designed for people who couldn't thrive in traditional institutional settings
📷 First WRPS surveillance cameras and license plate scanners are now live. What this means for residents: Two locations in Waterloo are now monitored by police-operated cameras and license plate recognition technology. More locations across the Region are coming.
Cameras went live on June 24 at two Waterloo locations: King Street North at University Avenue West (university district), and King Street North at Conestogo Road (north entrance to Conestoga Mall)
52 cameras will eventually be active at 10 total locations across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and North Dumfries, installations at the remaining locations are still to come
The cameras do not actively monitor locations in real time; footage is only accessed for evidence gathering in the event of a crime or major incident
Any video not required for an investigation is automatically deleted after 30 days
The Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) scanners do actively scan plates, alerting officers to vehicles tied to active investigations or reported as stolen
✈️ Region of Waterloo International Airport approves 20-year Growth Plan. What this means for residents: YKF has a clear direction for the next two decades. The plan positions the airport to grow alongside the Region while strengthening its role as an economic driver and integrated transportation hub.
Regional Council approved the YKF Growth Plan on June 25, setting the long-term vision and strategy for the airport over the next 20 years
The plan is built around five themes: positioning YKF as a mobility hub connecting air service with GO Transit, ION, GRT, and inter-city bus; a just-in-time infrastructure strategy that builds capacity ahead of demand; reducing carbon emissions and advancing environmental stewardship; growing the aviation and aerospace sector through AeroWR; and advancing Airport Zoning Regulations to support density and protect air service
The plan was shaped through input from residents, passengers, tenants, airline partners, businesses, and area municipalities
Regional Chair Karen Redman: "This plan positions YKF to better serve residents, visitors and the aerospace and aviation sectors, while helping to support the Region's long-term economic growth."
Full plan at waterlooairport.ca/growthplan
City of Waterloo
🏗️ Canada's largest affordable housing project breaks ground in Waterloo. A project that will reshape how affordable housing is built in this country just began construction right here in Waterloo.
Shovels went into the ground at 2025 University Avenue East, near RIM Park, on June 24
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region is leading the development in partnership with multiple levels of government and non-profit organizations
The project is described as Canada's largest affordable housing initiative and will create more than 1,000 affordable homes on City of Waterloo-owned land transferred to Habitat
Housing types will range across income levels and will serve individuals, families, seniors, and newcomers
Phased occupancy is expected to begin as early as mid-2027
Road Report
🏗️ Fischer-Hallman / Bearinger Road construction, full closure coming July 9-11 (Waterloo). The final phase of a multi-year road upgrade between Columbia St. W. and Westmount Rd. N. is wrapping up, but the last stretch includes a three-day full closure next week.
Preliminary work has been underway since June 22 with two-way traffic maintained
July 9-11 (Thursday-Saturday): Fischer-Hallman Rd. and Bearinger Rd. between Columbia St. W. and Westmount Rd. N. closed to through traffic. No access from Laurelwood Dr. or Gatestone Blvd. during this period.
On or around July 10 or 11: Bearinger Rd. at Westmount Rd. N. intersection also closed for one additional day
Detour: Westbound traffic on Bearinger Rd. directed to Westmount Rd. N. and Columbia St. W. Northbound traffic on Fischer-Hallman directed to Columbia St. W. and Westmount Rd. N.
Remaining work includes concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter, grass restoration, final asphalt coat, and line painting
The broader Fischer-Hallman widening project (Rosenberg Way to Plains Rd., Kitchener) continues separately through December 2027
Housing & Real Estate
Real Estate Snapshot: May 2026
Source: Cornerstone Association of REALTORS / WRAR MLS. Data as of June 2, 2026. June 2026 data expected mid-July.
Region-Wide Overview
Table 1: City-by-City Snapshot (May 2026)
Kitchener | Waterloo | Cambridge | |
|---|---|---|---|
Avg. Sold Price | $712,587 | $807,318 | $678,916 |
*June update should be in next weeks newsletter.
Home Tip of the Week
If you haven't heard, we're in for a heat warning this week, so this one is worth doing today, not next weekend.
Start outside at your AC condenser, (the big unit sitting in your yard or beside your house). Give the metal cooling fins a light rinse with a garden hose to knock off any built-up dirt and debris from the season. It takes five minutes and makes a real difference in how efficiently the unit runs. Just don't reach for the pressure washer, it'll bend the fins and cause more harm than good. While you're out there, clear at least three feet of space around the unit. Shrubs, weeds, and grass clippings restricting that airflow are one of the most common reasons AC systems overheat and break down on the hottest day of the year.
Back inside, close your curtains and blinds on any sun-facing windows during the hottest part of the afternoon. It sounds simple because it is, but it genuinely reduces how hard your system has to work. And if you have ceiling fans, make sure they're spinning counterclockwise. That's the setting that pushes air straight down and creates the cooling effect you actually feel. Most fans have a small switch on the motor housing to change direction.
Small stuff, but with this week's forecast, your AC will thank you for it.
Good to Know
🚍 GRT Older Adult Day Pass: Starts tomorrow, July 1. If you are 65 or older, or know someone who is, the new GRT Older Adult Day Pass gives free transit one day a week on buses, ION, and MobilityPLUS. Download the GRT Pay app, verify your age, and activate the pass before boarding. Pilot runs through January 5, 2027. Details
Sports
⚽ Canada Makes History at the World Cup
This is the one. Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in the Round of 32 on Sunday, June 28 in Los Angeles, their first-ever knockout match victory in World Cup history.
Next: Round of 16, Saturday, July 4, 1:00 p.m. ET, in Houston. Canada will face Morocco. Watch parties at the Kitchener Market Outdoor Piazza and Gaslight District Cambridge.
⚾ Kitchener Panthers: CBL Update
Upcoming home games at Jack Couch Park:
Date | Day | Time | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
Jul 1 | Wednesday | 2:05 p.m. | Guelph Royals, Canada Day 🎉 |
The Canada Day game (July 1, 2:05 p.m.) features a Hawaiian shirt giveaway for the first 400 fans through the gates. Tickets at tickets.kitchenerpanthers.com.
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 (June 30 – July 6)
🎶 Tonight, East Coast Kitchen Party (Kitchener's first ever) - Carl Zehr Square and King Street between Water and Frederick, Downtown Kitchener. Tonight, Tuesday June 30, 5:00-10:00 p.m. Free. Kitchener's first-ever East Coast Kitchen Party takes over downtown tonight with three stages, six bands, fresh seafood straight from Caudle's Catch, a beer garden, family-friendly games, and a learn-to-jig session for anyone willing to try. Full Schedule
🧁 Great Canadian ButterTart Tour, Fergus. Saturday July 4, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m at Centre Wellington Sportsplex, 550 Belsyde Ave. $5 general admission (cash only at the gate), free for ages 10 and under.
⚽ Round of 16, Canada vs. Morocco. Saturday July 4, 1:00 p.m. ET, Houston Stadium, Houston. Watch locally for free at the Kitchener Market Outdoor Piazza (DTK Welcomes the World) or the Gaslight District in Cambridge.
🎵 Music & Dance
🕺 Dance It Off Tuesdays – Waterloo Public Square, 75 King St. S. Tonight, June 30, 7:00-10:00 p.m. Free. Every Tuesday through summer. Details
🎵 Live at Lunch – Carl Zehr Square, Downtown Kitchener. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Free outdoor live music all summer
🐾 Family & Kids
🐾 Farmyard Follies at St. Jacobs – St. Jacobs Market Farmyard. Every Tuesday and Thursday through September 3, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Free. No registration required. Details
🧺 Markets
🧺 St. Jacobs Farmers' Market – 878 Weber St. N., Waterloo. Thursday July 2, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday July 4, 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
🧺 Kitchener Farmers' Market – 300 King St. E., Kitchener. Saturday July 4, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
🧺 Cambridge Farmers' Market – 40 Dickson St., Cambridge. Saturday July 4, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Canada Day, Wednesday, July 1
Something for everyone across the Region. Here is the full picture.
🎆 Kitchener, DTK Canada Day Carl Zehr Square and King Street between Water and Frederick, Downtown Kitchener. Noon – 11:00 p.m. Free.
Canada Play Kids' Zone (noon – 7:00 p.m.): Rides, games, food, and family entertainment at St. Louis - Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young St. (across from City Hall)
Entertainment schedule: Sydney Jones (2 p.m.), Christian Miles (3 p.m.), Cheap Shirt (4 p.m.), DJ Twenty Five Roses (4:40 p.m.), These Eyes: Music of the Guess Who (6 p.m.), Steve Strongman (7:30 p.m.), Glass Tiger (9 p.m.)
Pyrotechnic light show: 10:40 p.m.
Programming subject to change. Details
🎆 Cambridge, Canada Day at Riverside Park 49 King St. W., Cambridge. Free, all day.
Annual Fishing Derby: 7:45 a.m. registration, 8:00-10:00 a.m. Open to kids 16 and under.
Parade: 11:00 a.m. from King St. and Bishop St., along King St. to Eagle St.
Riverside Park activities: Noon – 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:45 p.m. or dusk. Bring a lawn chair.
🍁 Waterloo, July 1 Community Picnic Waterloo Park, Hilltop Picnic Area. 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Free. Weather dependent.
Live music on the main stage throughout the afternoon
Food trucks: BeaverTails, Berlin 95, Café du Monde Crêperie, Fo Cheezy, Hissing Goose Coffee, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, Kono Pizza, Pablas Street Food of India, Philly and Wings, The Lord of the Tacos
Giant lawn games, free caricature drawings (4-9 p.m.), art market (4-9 p.m.), community fair with local non-profits
LED Drone Show: 10:00 p.m. by North Star Drone Shows
⚠️ No parking at the event. Westmount Road entrance closed to vehicles. Take GRT, bike, walk, or use nearby lots.
🎆 Wilmot, Canada Day at Norm Hill Park 251 Jacob St., New Hamburg. Free admission and parking.
Indigenous sunrise ceremony: 7:00 a.m.
Opening ceremonies: 1:00 p.m
Vendors market (1-6 p.m.), Kid Zone and Youth Zone (1-8 p.m.), live local music (1:15-8 p.m.), food vendors (1:30-10 p.m.)
Pre-fireworks activities: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Fireworks at dusk. The Township notes that Canada Day is an opportunity to thoughtfully learn about Indigenous culture and Canada's history.
🎆 North Dumfries, Canada Day at Cowan Park Cowan Park, Ayr. Activities 6:00-9:30 p.m., food trucks 6:00-10:00 p.m. Free.
Inflatables, backyard games, henna artist, face painting
Rumble & Friends children's entertainer: 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Dana K & the Remedy headlining: 7:30-9:45 p.m. (two sets)
Food trucks: BerryBir & Beans, Hitched Coffee, Fo' Cheezy, Berlin 95 Diner
Fireworks at approximately 9:45 p.m.
🍁 Woolwich, Canada Day at Woolwich Memorial Centre 24 Snyder Ave S., Elmira. Free.
Free sponsored swim: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Entertainment and activities: Noon – 3:00 p.m. Woolwich encourages residents to use Canada Day as an opportunity to thoughtfully learn about Indigenous culture and Canada's history.
🍁 Doon Heritage Village, Canada Day Grand Reopening Homer Watson Blvd., Kitchener. 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Free (donations welcome). Costumed interpreters, farm animals, heritage games, music, and food, now with improved accessibility and expanded stories and experiences.
⚾ Kitchener Panthers Canada Day Game Jack Couch Park, Kitchener. Wednesday July 1, 2:05 p.m. vs. Guelph Royals. First 400 fans receive a free festive Panthers Hawaiian shirt.
📅 Coming Up (July 7-14)
🏒 Memorial Cup at Moose Winooski's – 20 Heldmann Road, Kitchener. Wednesday July 8, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Free, all ages. Get your photo taken with the Memorial Cup and celebrate the Kitchener Rangers' championship. Come down to the Moose. Kitchener note.
🌍 Kultrun World Music Festival – Waterloo Park. July 10-12. Free. Three days of international music from Colombia, South Korea, Ecuador, India, Peru, Sweden, Chile, and beyond, plus Canadian and local artists. Interactive workshops, a Kids Zone, a Cultural Market, international food trucks, and arts and crafts vendors.
Friday July 10: 6:00-10:15 p.m.
Saturday July 11: 2:00-10:30 p.m.
Sunday July 12: 2:00-9:00 p.m.
A completely free festival because, in their words, they believe the arts should be accessible to everyone. One of the best free weekends of the summer in Waterloo.
🎡 Midway at The Aud – Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, 400 East Ave., Kitchener. July 9-12. Free admission, ride tickets available for purchase on site. A four-day midway with thrill rides and family favourites, plus classic midway food: fresh-cut fries, corn dogs, funnel cakes, candy floss, candy apples, lemonade, and more.
Thursday July 9: 4:00-11:00 p.m.
Friday July 10: 2:00-11:00 p.m.
Saturday July 11: noon-11:00 p.m.
Sunday July 12: noon-10:00 p.m.
🚗 West Montrose Car Show – West Montrose Family Camp, 6344 Line 86, West Montrose (Woolwich). Saturday July 11, 11:00 a.m. All makes and models welcome. BBQ, family-friendly atmosphere. All proceeds go to the Woolwich Friends of Hockey program. A great community event in one of the Region's most scenic spots. Woolwich note.
🎨 Sea Glass Class – Tuesday July 14, Abe Erb, Waterloo. $40, all materials supplied. A hands-on sea glass art class, great for a creative summer outing. To register: [email protected]. A second session runs July 21 at The Falls Road Irish Pub.
🎬 Movies in the Park: Zootopia 2 (PG) – Hilltop Picnic Area, Waterloo Park. Thursday July 9, sundown (arrival 8:30-9:00 p.m.). Free. The detective duo returns for their biggest case yet. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks. Donations for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region accepted.
⚾ CBL All-Star Weekend – Fergie Jenkins Field, Chatham-Kent. Saturday July 11 (skills competition and Home Run Derby) and Sunday July 12 (All-Star Game). A road trip worth making for baseball fans.
🧺 Open Air Antique Fair – Market Road Antiques, St. Jacobs Market. Sunday July 12, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Free to browse. Curated collections from Market Road vendors and guest vendors, with chill lunch-hour music. Remaining dates: August 9, September 13.
🔭 Long Range Lookout
🚒 Conestoga College Fire Fighter Car Wash Fundraiser – 403 The Boardwalk, Waterloo (Parking Lot 1, in front of Medic 1 building). Sunday July 19,10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Conestoga College pre-service fire fighting students are hosting a car wash fundraiser in support of Food4Kids Waterloo Region. A great way to get your car cleaned and support kids in the community at the same time.
🎤 Hespeler's Got Talent: Grand Finale – Hespeler Legion, 26 Schofield St., Cambridge. Saturday July 18, 7:00 p.m. $15. The champion gets crowned. Hosted by Angie Hill of Bounce FM. Audience vote decides the winner. Tickets.
🍵 Summertime Cream Tea – McDougall Cottage, Cambridge. Friday July 17, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. A relaxed afternoon tea in a historic stone cottage.
🎺 Cambridge Scottish Festival (50th Anniversary) – Churchill Park, Cambridge. Saturday July 18, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Tickets $22.63. A full day of Scottish tradition marking the festival's 50th year. Pipe bands, highland dancing, heavy weight competitions, highland cattle, and headlining Celtic band The Mudmen. A genuinely special anniversary edition of one of Cambridge's most established summer events. Tickets
🎷 Sun Life Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival – Waterloo City Centre, across from Willis Way, Waterloo. July 17-19. Free. 34th annual. Headliners: Four80East (Friday), Alexis Baro and his Latin jazz ensemble (Saturday), Adrean Farrugia (Sunday). waterloojazzfest.com.
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!