It's move-in weekend for students in Waterloo region and Guelph. Here's what you need to know
Heading into the Labour Day long weekend, thousands of university students will be moving to Waterloo region and Guelph.
With some having already moved in, Waterloo's university district will be filled with first-years acclimatizing to their new homes ahead of classes beginning next week.
Each school has a guide for incoming students on their website.
University of Waterloo
Students began moving into University of Waterloo residences on Thursday with the process continuing through until Sunday.
"Students get to pick their move-in time ahead of time so we know when to expect them and it spaces them out pretty evenly throughout the weekend since we are moving in over 5,000 students over those four day periods," said Pamela Hurvid, manager of marketing and communications with campus housing at the university.
Hurvid adds school officials are encouraging students to get out of their comfort zones and take advantage of the opportunity to live with diverse students from around the world.
"It's a really nervous time but also an exciting and proud time for students and their families who are sending them off."
Every first-year student who opted to live in residence was guaranteed a room, added Hurvid.
Wilfrid Laurier University
At the nearby Wilfrid Laurier University first-year move-ins for the university's Waterloo campus begin Friday morning at 9 a.m. and will continue until Sunday.
Meanwhile, at Laurier's Brantford location, Sunday is the student's only day to move in.
Chris Dodd is the director of residence at Wilfrid Laurier who has been with the university for 25 years.
"Every year something different comes up but I really believe that the team here has done amazing work and we're ready to roll," he said.
Dodd adds since the Waterloo campus is small, all residences are within a five-minute walk to main campus buildings.
University of Guelph
In the Royal City, first-year students will move in on Friday and Saturday.
Move-in time slots were assigned to manage traffic flow and ensure a positive move-in experience for the new arrivals.
Some students did not have the option to room in residence for their first year as the university admitted roughly 1,300 more students than there was residence space for.
The university had a wait list for a spot in residence with over 700 names still on it as of the end of July.
Traffic interruptions
With thousands of students set to arrive in the area, drivers may experience slower commutes this weekend.
While the University of Waterloo doesn't expect any road closures in its area, Hurvid says anyone travelling in the area should avoid University Avenue, Columbia Street and Seagram Drive.
"They will be more congested than usual," she said. "Since our residences are spread out across the different sections of the main campus, that also means the cars will be spread out."
Meanwhile, the City of Waterloo issued a notice on their website about temporary road closures and redirections for the weekend.
Many of the closures are taking place around Laurier's main campus.
"I think traveling in Waterloo on Labour Day weekend has always been a bring- your-patience kind of time for drivers," said Dodd.
The following changes will go into effect Friday at 7 a.m. and will remain until Sunday at 6 p.m.:
No right turns onto Albert Street from Bricker Avenue
No left turns from Ezra Avenue to Albert Street
No left turns from University Avenue to the WIlfrid Laurier University entrance
Lester Street will be one-way from Seagram Drive to University Avenue West - northbound traffic only
No access to Lester Street from University Avenue West.
No left turns onto University Avenue West from Lester Street
No left turns from University Avenue West to Sunview Street
Seagram Drive will be closed, move-in traffic only
A map showing the road closures and redirections in the city of Waterloo during the Labour Day long weekend as thousands of students move into residence. (City of Waterloo )
"Most of the residents of this area have been through it so many times, they know what they're up to and how to navigate the streets of Waterloo during this busy time," Dodd said.
In Guelph, the university is warning of increased traffic on local roadways and some university-owned roads will be closed to the public altogether.
The following roads will be closed on Friday and Saturday:
South Ring Road
East Ring Road
Dundas Lanes
Macdonald Street
The university warns that heavier traffic is expected on Gordon Street between Stone Road and College Avenue.
Traffic will also be heavy near U of G residence buildings on Stone Road, University Avenue, Smith Lane, and Victoria Road.
Guelph transit buses will not travel to campus during move-in weekend and all buses and Guelph taxis will operate out of the Movati Athletic Centre parking lot at 80 Stone Road West.
