Rock the Park, Sunfest and other events move toward midnight end time

Rock The Park and other special events in downtown London could soon be allowed to keep rocking until midnight after a city council committee vote on Monday. 

Members in the community and protective services committee (CAPS) voted to move ahead with staff-recommended changes to the city's special events policy. Among the changes: Pushing back the stop time for amplified sound at events in Victoria Park, Harris Park and Dundas Place from 11 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

The change comes after staff reviewed the city's special events policy — a process that included a public engagement process over the past year. Staff presented survey results that showed most of Londoners who responded support the changes, which will also require event operators to supply free water and provide bike parking.

The survey said 65 per cent of respondents strongly agreed or agreed with extending the event hours. 

In questions from councillors about why the later stop date was being put forward, staff said it gave performers at events such as Rock The Park and Sunfest more flexibility for encores and to ensure their performances weren't cut short by delays. 

Only two people spoke during the public participation portion of the committee meeting to discuss the changes.   

Downtown resident Anna Maria Valastro said large evening events and the crowds they attract are having a negative effect on downtown neighbourhoods, including noise and garbage.

"Thousands of people that attend the events need to clear out after the events are done, and these go through the neighbourhoods and these have impacts on the residents," she said. 

The updated special events policy includes a maximum sound limit of 90 decibels over a 15-minute period, a rate that's measured by bylaw officers in nearby neighbourhoods such as Blackfriars and Old South. 

Some councillors told the committee they get regular complaints about noise from downtown events, particularly Rock The Park. The annual music concert series is held at Harris Park where the sound can reverberate long distances over the Thames River. 

Musicians, organizers want flexibility

Alfredo Caxaj, the co-artistic director of Sunfest, told the committee the extra hour is a helpful option for event organizers, and doesn't mean musicians will always play right to midnight. 

"Sometimes there's delays and this will allow us to continue with the programing," he said. "This will allow us to deal with any emergency issues."

Coun. David Ferreira proposed an amendment to hold the nightly limit for amplified music at 11 p.m. Ferreira, who lives near Harris Park and represents a downtown ward, said the 11 p.m. stop time was a fair compromise, as more people are choosing to live downtown.

"I do enjoy the events, but I'm just looking for that balance," he said. 

Ferreira's motion, however, was voted down 2-3. Coun. Sam Trosow supported the amendment but fellow committee members Elizabeth Peloza, Jerry Pribil and Hadleigh McAllister voted against it.

The bylaw update includes a requirement that events with more than 1,000 people submit a sound design plan and provide a $2,000 security deposit to cover any fines for violation.

Under the proposed changes, there can be no more than nine events at Victoria Park between June and Labour Day. Harris Park will only be restricted to 12 event days a year. 

The proposed changes to the special events policy will come back to committee on Dec. 2. If they are then passed in their final form by committee and council, the changes would be in place by next spring.