Park and rock: York gets ready for the Rolling Stones concert





 


It’s only rock and roll, but York likes it. Especially the cause it supports.


The University is making 6,000 parking spaces available to the public at the Keele campus for the Rolling Stones concert at Downsview on Wednesday, July 30. The spaces will be sold only through the concert organizers (http://www.iam.ca/rollingstones), on an advance-reservation basis.


The Stones-headlined, all-day event is designed to help Toronto recover from the economic damage caused by SARS. York’s contribution amounts to 12 per cent of the total spaces available as reserved parking for the concert.


“Given York University’s proximity to the concert site and involvement in SARS research, the University is making a goodwill gesture as part of our ongoing commitment to the Toronto community,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden. 


The University will remain open on July 30. York faculty, students and staff who require parking will have access to a space on the day of the concert. Planning efforts are underway with York security and parking personnel to limit potential traffic and parking disruptions on campus for the York community.


Right: Mick Jagger


York’s parking spots will be held from approximately 10pm on Tuesday, July 29, until approximately 7:30am on Thursday, July 31, for concert-goers who reserve them. The distribution and sale of these spaces has been centralized by the concert organizers. The fees York is charging event organizers for parking spaces cover costs only. This is not a profit-making venture for the University. 


The spaces are located in lots on the periphery of the campus. York is making efforts to minimize the effects on the community by preserving a predetermined quantity of parking spots for permit holders, and by upgrading and/or redirecting displaced permit holders during the event.


Students, faculty and staff with parking permits who normally park in these lots will be upgraded to more centrally-located lots on that day, or redirected to lots close to their originally designated spaces, under the direction of parking staff.


The TTC will operate as normal in the early part of the day on July 30, but there will be route changes later. For details, please go to:  http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/rollingstones/rollingstones.htm.


See below for the University’s set of Frequently Asked Questions about concert arrangements. Here are details of affected parking lots and where permit holders may be redirected:


 









































IF YOU PARK IN…



 


THEN PARK HERE…



YORK BLVD. N. LOT (Lot-1)


No change required. Permit holder must use west entrance for entrance and egress.


FOUNDERS RD. E. LOT (Lot-3)


ALBANY ROAD LOT (Lot-2), or as directed by a Parking staff member at that location.


FOUNDERS RD. E. VISITORS LOT (Lot-3V)


Limited Visitor Parking for York community in ALBANY ROAD LOT (Lot-2).


FOUNDERS RD. W. LOT (Lot-4)


ALBANY ROAD LOT (Lot-2) or as directed by a Parking staff member at that location.


NORTHWEST GATE LOT (Lot-5)


No change required.


NORTHWEST GATE VISITORS LOT (5V)


Limited Visitor Parking for York community in ALBANY ROAD LOT (Lot-2).


SHOREHAM DR. LOT (Lot-6)


Arboretum Parking Garage (PS ll)


SENTINEL RD. E. LOT (Lot-8A)


Either Lot-8, Lot 7, Lot HH, or as directed by a Parking staff member at those locations.


SENTINEL RD. E. LOT (Lot-8)


No change required for permit holders.


POND RD. LOT (Lot-9)


Either Lot-8, Lot 7, Lot HH, or as directed by a Parking staff member at those locations.


If a particular lot fills, permit holders will also be allowed entrance to other areas as directed by a Security, Parking or Transportation staff member.


A Note regarding York University visitor parking (non-Stones related): There will be limited visitor parking on a first-come, first-serve basis in HH Lot, and Albany Road Lot (Lot-2).


Frequently Asked Questions about parking at York for the concert


Will public parking be available at York University for the Rolling Stones concert?



  • Yes, but only on a reserved basis through concert organizers. Questions about available parking and confirmation of reserved space should be directed to the organizers at 1-877-365-7090 or 416-466-3955. For more concert, transit or parking information, you can also visit the following Web site: http://www.iam.ca/rollingstones/.

Should members of the public expect to show up at York on the day of the concert and find a parking spot?



  • No they should not. York is committed to ensuring students, faculty and staff have access to parking on the campus. The public should contact event organizers to reserve a parking space.

How will this affect York faculty, staff and students? Will they lose their parking spots on the day of the concert?



  • No. Staff, students and faculty who normally park in affected lots located on the periphery of the campus will be upgraded to more centrally-located lots or redirected to lots in close proximity to their originally designated spaces under the direction of parking staff.
  • A sufficient number of parking spaces is being held in reserve for the York community and those who must attend the University on the day of the concert. There will be limited visitor parking on a first-come, first-served basis in HH Lot and Albany Road Lot (Lot-2). For further information on parking for York community members and the lots affected visit the following Web site: http://www.csbo.yorku.ca/ParkingServices.
  • Under these unique circumstances, every effort will be made to ensure minimal disruptions.
  • It is expected that most of the pre-sold parking spaces for concert goers will be occupied before noon on the day of the concert.

How will this affect general access to the University?



  • Event organizers and York security and parking personnel will be on-hand at all main entrances to direct traffic into the University on the day of the concert.
  • Public road closures and re-routing of traffic for the concert is the responsibility of the City of Toronto. Road closures to the south of the University are being well-publicized in the media. Road closures are not expected for northern access routes.
  • It may be easier to arrive at the University from the north entrances, off Steeles and Keele.
  • Members of the York community are encouraged to check YFile and York’s home page on the Web for updates as they become available.

Are there any plans to cancel exams or advising appointments scheduled on that day?



  • No. The University will be open as usual.

How will bus transportation into the University be affected?



  • TTC Routes 106 York University, 107 Keele North, 108 Downsview and 196 York University Rocket are on temporary route diversion during the concert commencing at 8pm on July 30. For details about the TTC, its services and route diversions, please visit http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/rollingstones/rollingstones.htm.
  • TTC will also provide notification cards at the bus stops on campus to inform their passengers. GO Transit and YRT routes to York University will not be affected by the concert.

Will a shuttle service be offered from York University to Downsview Park?



  • A shuttle service will be available via event organizers but only to ticket holders who have reserved parking spaces at York for the concert.