Update on Preparation for Cirque du Soleil 2024 Season
This year, Cirque du Soleil’s 2024 season will run from May 8 to August 4 at 2150 Lakeshore (the former Mr. Christie site). Last year, during Cirque du Soleil’s 2023 season, we heard from local residents about the noise impacts, light pollution, and traffic impacts resulting from the event.
In preparation for the coming season, our office has been in regular communication with Transportation Service + TTC staff, Cirque du Soleil, and Humber Bay Shores residents + resident groups (including the Humber Bay Shores Condo Association and the Humber Bay Shores Residents Association).
Read on to learn about the steps we have taken to plan ahead for the 2024 season.
Mitigation of Noise Impacts + Light Pollution
During the Cirque du Soleil 2023 performances, many residents living across from 2150 Lakeshore shared concerns about how noise and light pollution from the performances impacted their day-to-day living.
Noise Pollution
We have requested increased monitoring by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) to ensure full compliance with current noise by-laws, as well as requesting the event organizers test their sound according to City of Toronto noise readings and provide the Condo Board Property Management with direct contact to City staff responsible for noise compliance.
Light Pollution
Neighbouring residents shared concerns about the presence of overhead lights in the evening causing disruption to their sleep. During the 2023 season, Councillor Morley collaborated with event organizers to address these concerns and we were able to see significant improvements, especially towards the final weeks of the event. This year we will continue to monitor and communicate regularly with Cirque to share and address any concerns as they arise.
Mitigation of Traffic and Transit Concerns
New Traffic Management Plan
In 2023, our office heard from many residents about the traffic and congestion impacts resulting from Cirque du Soleil. The biggest concerns identified by residents were lack of transit availability, congestion, and traffic management issues resulting from vehicles entering and exiting the Cirque du Soleil grounds, which caused delays along our major roadways such as Park Lawn Road and Lake Shore Boulevard West.
Councillor Morley raised these concerns at the Committee of Adjustment (COA) in April 2023. This gave residents an opportunity to speak to their current concerns. At this time, Councillor Morley submitted a letter to the COA requesting an updated Traffic Management Plan from Cirque du Soleil. The updated Traffic Management Plan received the necessary approval at the COA in 2024. This work is a positive step forward to ensure smoother coordination and traffic operations.
Over the course of the last year, Councillor Morley has been working with Transportation Services, Cirque du Soleil organizers, TTC, and local residents to develop a comprehensive Traffic Management Plan to reduce congestion and mitigate the impact on local area residents to ensure smoother traffic operations during the run of the show. The updated plan includes more active traffic management, improved schedule of shows to reduce congestion from arrivals and departures, increased TTC service to improve access to public transit, and more communication to local area residents impacted by the show.
Take the TTC!
Are you heading to Cirque du Soleil? Consider leaving the car at home and taking the TTC. Streetcars will be operating to and from the event approximately every 10 minutes. Riders traveling to Cirque du Soleil at 2150 Lakeshore Boulevard West can use the following TTC services:
Councillor Morley has worked closely with the TTC to ensure the Transit Control Centre and route supervisors are aware of the event and are monitoring service levels to make adjustments as needed. Furthermore, TTC will add signage between the Cirque du Soleil site through the tunnel to Humber Loop.
We encourage riders to use the Metrolinx Trip Planner to help plan your trip in real time. The trip planner is easy to use – enter where you're starting from and where you want to go, and Triplinx will tell you how to get there and provide an estimated travel time and associated cost.
What’s next
Our office will continue to work collaboratively with Cirque du Soleil and City staff to address any concerns should they arise once the 2024 season has started.
As the season starts, Cirque du Soleil will be sharing a hotline where you can raise any specific concerns directly with them. You can also report noise concerns to 311, or reach out to my office by phone (416-397-9273) or email ([email protected]) for further support.
