University students set to return en masse to Waterloo, Guelph this weekend
Road restrictions will be in place this weekend to ease the move-in process
The Labour Day long weekend is almost upon us and that means university students will be heading back to Waterloo and Guelph, preparing for another school year.
The town and gown committee in Waterloo - which includes city staff, community volunteers and university students and administrators - plans events to welcome students to the area, including taking part in orientation week events and a doorknocker campaign in uptown Waterloo.
The MacGregor Albert Community Association will also host a barbecue for students living in that area - an important event because organizers have told CBC News it's a chance to connect with students and have everyone understand the importance of thinking about your neighbours.
This weekend, as the students return, there are a number of road restrictions and closures.
Waterloo road restrictions
Traffic will be reduced or redirected temporarily on some streets to help students move into their homes.
Lester Street: Sunday and Monday
- Will be one way, northbound traffic only between Seagram Drive and Columbia Street W.
- No access (south) from University Avenue W.
- No access (north) from Columbia Street W.
- No left turns onto Columbia Street W.
- No left turns onto University Avenue W.
- No through traffic from Lester across University Avenue W.
Sunview Street: Sunday and Monday
- No left turns from University Avenue W.
Spruce Street: Sunday only
- One way from Hickory Street to Columbia Street W.
- No access from Columbia Street W.
Guelph road restrictions
The official move-in day for students at the University of Guelph is Saturday and more than 4,300 students are expected to be calling the campus home this fall.
Move-in is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
- Gordon Street closed between Stone Road and College Avenue.
- Only new students will be able to use McGilvray Road, South and East Ring roads and Dundas Lane.
- Access to South Ring Road adjacent to One Stone Rd. (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs building) will also be restricted to move-in traffic.
- Those who need to access the Animal Health Lab and Lab Services should identify themselves to volunteers so they can be guided to the lab.
- There will be no city buses stopping on campus on Saturday.
The school said the students have all been assigned a scheduled move-in time, route and holding location to help ease any problems.
On Sept. 7, a community breakfast will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Gryphon Field House. The annual event marks the start of the academic year and also celebrates staff and faculty who make significant contributions to life at the university.