Happy Tuesday, Waterloo Region!
Can you believe there are only two weekends left before the kids are back in class? If your back to school shopping list is still sitting untouched, consider this your nudge. We're crossing our fingers for better weather this weekend, after a number of last weekend’s plans were cancelled due to Mother Nature. Good news for hockey fans though, the Rangers are back on the ice starting today with training camp at the Aud. And across the ocean, the Dragonflyers are paddling their hearts out in France, keep them in your thoughts. Downtown, Paddle Palooza gets the week started this morning, so grab your coffee and let's get into it.
🌤️ This week's weather outlook:
Tue Aug 25 | Wed Aug 26 | Thu Aug 27 | Fri Aug 28 | Sat Aug 29 | Sun Aug 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High | 23°C | 25°C | 24°C | 24°C | 22°C | 25°C |
Low | 13°C | 15°C | 15°C | 12°C | 13°C | 17°C |
Chance of rain | 20% | 20% (day), 70% (overnight, 2-4mm) | 70% (AM, risk of thunderstorm) | 30% | 40% (AM/PM showers, <1mm) | 30% (day), 60% (overnight, ~1mm) |
In This Issue
West Nile virus has been confirmed in Waterloo Region mosquitoes for the first time this year.
Rangers training camp opens at the Aud, free and open to everyone.
The Aud turns 75, and it's throwing an open house to celebrate.
Candidate nominations are in for the October municipal election.
What's happening in Waterloo Region this week: Paddle Palooza, the Busker Carnival, the Waterloo Railway Exposition, and the Rangers' first pre-season game.
Local News & City Updates
🦟 West Nile Virus Turns Up in Waterloo Region Mosquitoes for the First Time This Year
Hard to enjoy those last warm evenings on the porch without thinking twice, but here's what actually matters.
Region of Waterloo Public Health caught it through routine surveillance: a trap in Kitchener came back positive, the region's first confirmed case in a mosquito this year.
No human cases have been reported in Waterloo Region so far this year.
Most people infected don't experience any symptoms. Those who do usually notice it three to 15 days after exposure, with things like a low fever, headache, sore muscles, neck stiffness, swollen glands or a rash. If that's you, it's worth getting checked out.
The basics still work best: cover up with long sleeves and light colours, keep repellent containing DEET or Icaridin on hand, and try to stay indoors around sunrise and sunset when mosquitoes bite most. Emptying anything on your property that holds still water helps too, since that's where they breed.
If you come across a dead bird, don't handle it directly.
A good week to actually use that bug spray sitting in the closet. Details | More on West Nile Virus
🏓 Paddle Palooza Puts Everyone on Court for Kids Who Need Camp Support
Somewhere in Kitchener today, a kid who might not otherwise get to go to summer camp is one step closer to going next year, and pickleball paddles are getting the credit.
Downtown Paddle Palooza takes over Carl Zehr Square and King Street (College to Young) today, Tuesday, August 25, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It's an annual fundraising tournament, and proceeds go directly to the city's Every Kid Counts program, which pairs kids and youth with disabilities with a one-on-one support worker so they can take part in Kitchener summer camps alongside everyone else.
Tournament registration is now full, six divisions of six teams each, including a new Adult/Youth doubles category, but free drop-in play, learn-to-play courts and open courts run all day for anyone who wants to try the sport.
Expect live music, a DJ, food trucks including Joey Doggs and Kettle Corn, and a Four Fathers Brewing beer garden from noon to 9 p.m.
In 2025, Every Kid Counts provided 139 local kids and youth with inclusion support and 243 weeks of camp access; without it, a week of camp with support can otherwise cost a family $815 to $930.
A day on the pickleball courts that adds up to real camp weeks for kids who'd otherwise miss out. Details | About Every Kid Counts
🏟️ 75 Years of the Aud, Marked with an Open House
Some buildings are just buildings. The Aud was never one of those. It's where a lot of us watched our first hockey game with a parent, caught a concert that still shows up in old photos, or spent a summer weekend wandering the Midway with friends. For 75 years, families have been making memories under that roof, and this year, that's exactly what's being celebrated.
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium turns 75 this year, and the city is marking it with a free community open house Wednesday, September 9, 5 to 8 p.m.
Visitors get a self-guided tour with five stops around the facility, collecting a passport stamp at each one.
Finish the whole route and there's a photo opportunity waiting with the Memorial Cup.
The event also includes a free community skate and complimentary popcorn.
No registration required.
The building dates back to May 24, 1951, when it opened honouring local men and women who served in the Second World War, and it's been the Rangers' home rink from the start.
A rare chance to see behind the scenes of a building most of us only know from the stands. Details
🏛️ Our Mayors and Regional Chair Take Waterloo Region's Priorities to Ottawa
Every August, municipal leaders across Ontario head to the same conference with the same goal: get the province's attention before another year goes by. This year, a few delegations made that trip on our behalf, from Cambridge, Waterloo, and the Region itself.
Cambridge, Waterloo, and the Region of Waterloo all sent delegations to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in Ottawa, August 16-19.
Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett carried three asks into 15 separate sit-downs with provincial ministers: sustained funding for addictions and mental health treatment, help paying for flood protection at the Riverside Dam, and a pitch to make Cambridge a test case for new privacy rules under Bill 97. She went in wearing three hats at once, speaking for Cambridge, the Region, and the Ontario Big City Mayors caucus.
Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe led a delegation focused on the region's new acute care hospital, housing infrastructure, and economic growth, meeting directly with Ontario's Minister of Health about the hospital project.
Regional Chair Karen Redman met with the Ministers of Transportation, Environment, and Municipal Affairs and Housing, and co-chaired the annual joint meeting of the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario and Ontario's Big City Mayors, on transit investment, housing-enabling infrastructure, and mental health and addictions supports.
During the conference, Premier Doug Ford also announced a new application round for Ontario's Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, increased to $500 million in this year's provincial budget, open for municipalities to apply to build and upgrade arenas, community centres, pools and playing fields.
A reminder that a lot of what shapes daily life here, health care, housing, transit, flood protection, gets decided well outside city hall, and our local leaders spent last week making the case for it. Details
🗳️ Candidate Nominations Are In for the Municipal Election
Nominations for the October 26 municipal election closed Friday, August 21, so the candidate lists for mayor, council, regional council and school board trustee are now final across the region.
Every seat, from mayor down to school board trustee, now has a set list of candidates.
You can look up exactly who's running in your specific ward or municipality at wrvotes.com.
Election day is Monday, October 26, 2026.
One change from past elections: the Regional Chair is no longer on the ballot this year. Under the province's Better Regional Governance Act, the position is now provincially appointed rather than elected.
💦 A New Spray Pad Opens in Cambridge, Designed by the Kids Who'll Use It
Ask a kid what they want in a splash pad and you'll get better answers than any consultant could, which is basically what Cambridge did.
The new spray pad at Lions Can-Amera Park in the Fiddlesticks neighbourhood is open, with construction now complete.
The forest design won out after Fiddlesticks residents and Clemens Mill Public School students weighed in on a handful of concepts via EngageWR.
The space also includes new pathways, shaded areas, and a hillside viewing area for picnics or just watching the action.
More seating is coming in the weeks ahead.
Hours run 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., every day.
A nice one for the back pocket on a hot afternoon. Details
🏗️ Road Report
NEW: Albert St at Columbia St W, north side (Waterloo). Closed Monday, August 31 to Friday, September 4 for watermain installation. No access to Columbia St W from Albert St north of Columbia St.
NEW: Regina St N, Hickory St E to University Ave E (Waterloo). Closed Thursday, August 27 to Monday, August 31 for mobile crane work at 20 University Ave E. No through traffic; pedestrians directed around the work area.
NEW: Huron Rd, Holland Mills Rd to Haysville Rd (Wilmot). Closing the week of Monday, August 24 for a culvert replacement, expected to take approximately two months.
NEW: Park St, Wood St to Gildner St (Kitchener). Closed Monday, August 24 to Friday, September 4 for gas work on behalf of Kitchener Utilities. No through traffic, local access maintained. Contact: Steven Ryder, 519-783-8968.
NEW: Saginaw Parkway, Franklin Blvd to Townline Rd (Cambridge). Speed cushions being installed at six locations, Monday, August 24 to Friday, September 4, in phases. Part of the city's Speed Management Action Plan, in an area near four elementary schools and one secondary school. Temporary parking restrictions in active work zones; residents asked to use driveways or the lower boulevard where permitted.
Bloomingdale Rd N at Sawmill Rd (Woolwich). Fully closed, no access, Monday, August 24 to Wednesday, September 30, for road reconstruction.
🛠️ Home Tip of the Week
We've had a good amount of rain lately, and that's actually great news for your lawn. Late August is one of the best windows in our area to get your yard in shape, since all that moisture helps grass build deep, strong roots before the frost sets in.
Your weekend game plan:
Mow high. Keep your mower blade around 3 inches. It shades the soil and keeps late-summer weeds from muscling in.
Aerate. All that rain compacts wet soil, so punching holes lets roots breathe and actually take in nutrients.
Overseed the patchy spots. Fill in bare areas with a good-quality grass seed.
Feed it. An early fall fertilizer application goes a long way right now.
Keep new seed moist. Germinating grass seed needs consistent moisture to take hold. If the rain keeps up, you're covered, but if things dry out, water lightly and often until you see growth.
Tip courtesy of Bob at Curb Side Appeal, serving Kitchener and Waterloo since 2007. It's also a good time to get your fall cleanup booked, those slots fill up fast.
Sports
🏒 Kitchener Rangers Training Camp Opens Today
The banners are still fresh from the spring, and now it's time to see who's chasing a spot on next year's roster.
Training camp runs Tuesday, August 25 to Thursday, August 27 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, including off-ice performance testing that stays closed to the public.
The roster splits into Team Blue and Team White for a three-game intrasquad series, all games free and open to the public at the Aud.
2026-27 individual game tickets, including for the Aug 30 exhibition game, went on sale Monday, August 24.
The Preseason Summer Showcase and Fan Fest follow Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, also at the Aud.
Blue vs. White schedule (dates and times subject to change):
Date | Time | Game |
|---|---|---|
Wednesday, Aug 26 | 10:00 a.m. | Game 1: Team Blue vs. Team White |
Wednesday, Aug 26 | 6:00 p.m. | Game 2: Team Blue vs. Team White |
Thursday, Aug 27 | 10:00 a.m. | Game 3: Team Blue vs. Team White |
Sunday, Aug 30 | 2:00 p.m. | Exhibition Game: Kitchener Rangers vs. Sarnia Sting |
⚾ Kitchener Panthers
With the playoffs out of reach this year, Saturday's game at Brantford is the last one on the schedule. If you want to catch the Panthers before the season wraps, this is your window. Thursday's home game doubles as Fan and Volunteer Appreciation Night. Details
Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
Thursday, Aug 27, 7:05pm | vs. London Majors (Fan and Volunteer Appreciation Night) | Jack Couch Park, Kitchener |
Friday, Aug 28, 7:30pm | at Toronto Maple Leafs | Dominico Field at Christie Pits, Toronto |
Saturday, Aug 29, 2:00pm | at Brantford Red Sox | Arnold Anderson Stadium, Brantford |
🏒 Cambridge RedHawks
The defending Sutherland Cup champions wrapped training camp on August 23 and open their preseason schedule this week: home against the Waterloo Siskins Wednesday, August 26, at 5:00 p.m, then away at Waterloo Friday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. Head coach Todd Bertuzzi returns behind the bench. Details
Registrations and Tryouts
Fall registration windows remain open across the region. Cambridge's non-resident registration window opens Wednesday, August 26 (residents were already able to register as of last week). Kitchener and Waterloo registration windows, opened last issue, remain open. Check with your local municipality's recreation department for specific program availability.
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.
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.
🍂 Last call for summer: A handful of our regular summer series wrap up this week. Sunset Session, DTK Latin Heat, and Cambridge Summer Live's Forbes Park concerts all run their final dates of the season below, catch them while you can.
Standing Farmers' Markets
🧺 St. Jacobs Farmers' Market – 878 Weber St., St. Jacobs. Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., year-round, plus Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., through September 1. Free to browse. Details
👨👩👧 Farmyard Follies – St. Jacobs Farmers' Market, 878 Weber St., St. Jacobs. Free kids' programming, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 10 to 11 a.m. This week's storytime: Princess featuring sleeping beauty. Thursday, August 27. Free. Details
🧺 Kitchener Market Breezeway outdoor market – 300 King St. E, Kitchener. Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the main building remains closed for fire recovery. Free to browse. Details
🧺 Cambridge Farmers' Market – 40 Dickson St., Cambridge. Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round. Free to browse. Details
This Week (Aug 25–31)
🎬 Hoppers (Free Outdoor Screening) – The District Square, Gaslight District, 64 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge. Tuesday, August 25, 7:00 p.m. Free, rain or shine. Screens on The Big Screen, billed as the largest of its kind in Canada. Food and treats available on site from Build-A-Bucket, Foundry Tavern, The Underwing and Pizzeria Motola. Details
🏓 Downtown Paddle Palooza – Carl Zehr Square and King St. (College to Young), Kitchener. Tuesday, August 25, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free for drop-in play and spectating; tournament registration is full. See Local News for the full story, including how it supports the Every Kid Counts program. Details
🏒 Kitchener Rangers Training Camp – Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (400 East Ave, Kitchener). Camp runs Tuesday, August 25 to Thursday, August 27; public Blue vs. White games are Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27. Free. See Sports for the full schedule. Details
🎪 Oktoberfest Night Market – Waterloo Public Library, 35 Albert St., Waterloo (Dupont St. lower lot). Thursday, August 27, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Free. Uptown Waterloo BIA's Night Market with K-W Oktoberfest's WunderWagen, local vendors and entertainment. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region will be on site accepting donations. Details
🎵 Concerts at the Castle Featuring Cabin Fever – Castle Kilbride, 60 Snyder's Road West, Baden. Thursday, August 27, 7:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m. Admission by donation. Bring a lawn chair. Details
🎪 Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival – Uptown Waterloo, behind Waterloo City Hall. Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30. Free; tips to performers appreciated. Details
🎵 Sunset Session (season finale) – Vogelsang Green (Queen/Duke St), Downtown Kitchener. Friday, August 28, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Free. Details
🎉 DTK Latin Heat and Outdoor Bar (season finale) – Carl Zehr Square, Downtown Kitchener. Friday, August 28, 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Free. Latin dance night with salsa, bachata, and merengue; free dance lesson at 7 p.m. followed by social dancing, plus an outdoor bar by The Civil Kitchener. Presented by TenC Dance Co. Details
🎵 Cambridge Summer Live: Tea for Two (Brad McEwan and Gwen Potter) – City Hall Atrium, Cambridge. Wednesday, August 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Details
🎬 Cambridge Summer Live: Movie Night – Zootopia – Central Park, Preston. Wednesday, August 26, 7:00 p.m. Free. Details
🎷 Galt Jazz: ES:MO (Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti) – Main Street Promenade, Downtown Cambridge. Sunday, August 30, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Free. Monthly last-Sunday summer jazz series; bring a chair. Details
🎵 Cambridge Summer Live: Rod Gimpel – Innuendo (season finale) (R&B, Classic Rock and Pop, Soul/Funk) – Forbes Park, Cambridge. Sunday, August 30, 7:00 p.m. Free. Details
🚂 Waterloo Railway Exposition – Homewood Suites, 55 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo (train rides depart from WCR's Farmers Market Station, 330 Farmers Market Road, St. Jacobs). Saturday, August 29 to Sunday, August 30. General Exposition Admission starting at $26.75. Prices vary by activity. Tickets
💎 Kitchener Rock and Gem Expo – Stanley Park Community Centre, 505 Franklin St. N., Kitchener. Saturday, August 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, August 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 per person, free for kids 14 and under, $10 family. Crystals, gemstones and minerals from vendors, plus a geode cracking station and gem sifting for kids. Tickets
🏊 Bingemans Night Swim – K-Pop – Big Splash Waterpark, Bingemans, Kitchener. Saturday, August 29, 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. All ages. K-Pop music all night, with waterpark access and the heated wave pool. $13.95 online, $16.95 at the door. Tickets
🏒 Kitchener Rangers pre-season opener vs. Sarnia – Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (400 East Ave, Kitchener). Sunday, August 30, 2:00 p.m. See Sports for full details. Tickets
🍴 Ribs, Rhythm & Rotary Ribfest (Just outside the Region) – Riverside Park, Guelph. Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30. Free admission, one of the area's biggest end-of-summer festivals in its 28th year. Details
Coming Up This Month
🏟️ The Aud's 75th Anniversary Open House – Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, 400 East Ave. Wednesday, September 9, 5 to 8 p.m. Free, no registration. See Local News for full details. Details
🏒 Kitchener Rangers Fan Fest & Preseason Summer Showcase – Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, with one more Summer Showcase game Monday, September 7 at Woolwich Memorial Centre. Fan Fest (free admission) runs Sunday, Sept 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with inflatables, player autographs, a BBQ, and the Memorial Cup and J. Ross Robertson Cup on hand for photos. Summer Showcase games are $5 at the door. 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!