Guelph, ON, September 3, 2015 – The annual Safe Semester program, designed to create a safe and enjoyable environment in Guelph’s downtown for all patrons including students, starts September 11.
The program will run every Friday and Saturday night until October 3. New this year, it will also run on the busy Halloween weekend—October 30 and 31.
“Downtown Guelph is a major destination within our city and Safe Semester helps ensure a vibrant and safe downtown experience for residents, visitors and students,” says Ian Panabaker, corporate manager of Downtown Renewal, City of Guelph.
“As the new school year approaches, we have again teamed up with many partners on our Safe Semester plan in anticipation of an increase in demand for our services,” says Chief of Police, Jeff DeRuyter. “It’s our goal to continue to make Guelph an excellent and safe community.”
The Downtown Late Night Task Force leads the Safe Semester program and works to reduce conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and drivers getting in and out of the downtown, and to prevent littering, public urination and other nuisances. It includes representatives from the City of Guelph, Guelph Transit, Guelph Police Service, Downtown Guelph Business Association, University of Guelph, the Downtown Residents’ Neighbourhood Association and several downtown businesses.
What to expect downtown on weekends
September 11 to October 3, and October 30 and 31
On Fridays and Saturdays between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.:
- Macdonell Street will be closed to traffic from the Macdonell parking lot to about six parking spaces west of the West Parkade.
- Wyndham Street will be closed to traffic between Carden Street and Cork Street.
- One accessibleportable washroom will be placed at Guelph Central Station.
- One taxi stand will be located onthe north side of Carden Street across from Guelph Central Station.
- All parking lots will remain open and accessible.
Cars parked on the closed sections of Macdonell Street and Wyndham Street after 10 p.m. will be towed and impounded at the owner’s expense.
Late night bus service
Guelph Transit offers late night bus service, funded by the undergraduate and graduate student associations at the University of Guelph. The service starts on Saturday, September 5, with buses traveling from Guelph Central Station to the University of Guelph and surrounding area. Late night service will run from 12:30 a.m., until the last bus leaves the University Centre at 3:30 a.m.
For more information
About the Safe Semester project
Constable Mike Gatto
Guelph Police Service
519-824-1212 extension 7253
About road closures and parking
Rob Barr
Supervisor, Traffic Engineering
Transportation Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2044