Plan an event
Submit a request to the events teams to get support planning your event.
On this page
- What you need to plan an event
- Locations to host your event
- Equipment rentals
- Permits for your event
- Fees and Payment Options
- Neighbourhood events
- Submit your event support request
What you need to plan an event
To host an event at a City of Waterloo facility, park, road or sidewalk you will need to start by submitting a request to city event staff.
Event staff can help you:
- book a location
- decide what permits or insurance you need
- reserve equipment
- help you finalize your plan with everything you need to host an event on city property
Review the information on this page about locations, permits and fees to help you start your planning then submit a request for event support.
Locations to host your event
Community centres
Albert McCormick Community Centre (AMCC) |
The AMCC has:
Available meeting rooms:
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Moses Springer Community Centre |
View Moses Springer Community Centre location. The location has:
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RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex |
View the RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex location map. The location has four Olympic-sized ice pads:
Amenities include:
The indoor field house is 3,852 sq. metres which can be divided into three fields with spectator seating for 300 and true grass like turf Available are two NBA-sized gymnasiums with sprung maple floors that divide into four single gyms, full court capacity is 1300 people, stage area is available. Nine meeting rooms with:
Outdoor spaces include 12 multi-purpose sports fields:
Additional amenities for outdoor spaces include:
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Banquet Hall at RIM Park |
Located at RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex, this 10,000 square foot space has capacity for 500 people (seated, including a head table and dance floor). Take a virtual tour to get an idea of what the space looks like. The room can be divided in many configurations to fit your party size and needs. We can accommodate up to 650 guests seated theatre style. The facility includes:
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Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (WMRC) |
The WMRC has an Olympic-sized ice pad with 3,400 spectator seats and a viewing capacity of 4,800
There is also an activity court:
The swimming complex (swimplex) has:
Three meeting rooms with a capacity of 25 to 40 people are available. |
Parks and outdoor spaces
Bechtel Park |
View Bechtel Park location map.
Manulife Financial Soccer and Sports Centre amenities (in Bechtel Park):
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Hillside Park |
View Hillside Park location map.
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Waterloo Park |
View Waterloo Park location map and view a detailed map of the park. Rental space options include picnic shelters and gazebos for a variety of possible uses:
Other amenities include:
The Grist Mill may be rented for a wedding ceremony with capacity up to 75 guests and a rental duration up to three hours. |
Waterloo Public Square |
View Waterloo Public Square location map. The square has the following options for rental spaces with access to parking:
Waterloo Public square has a dedicated team to support public and private events who will be notified when you submit your request for event support |
Westmount Sports Park |
View the Westmount Sports Park location map. The park has available:
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Walk routes
Routes that do not require a road closure or police services and are accessible to organize charity walks are listed below. There are five options that include different locations across Waterloo.
Fees |
Fees include shared use of the space with all available public amenities such as parking lots and washrooms. Many routes are located nearby other locations with additional rental facilities and services. Extra costs can include rented rooms, fields or picnic shelters, porta-potties, tents, picnic tables, additional waster bins, bleachers, electrical connection and fencing. These rentals may be subject to additional policies and regulations. Fees for walk routes
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AMCC/David Johnson Research Park |
Located on the west side of Waterloo near the Albert McCormick Community Centre (AMCC) with these features:
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Kiwanis - Bechtel Park |
Located on the east side of Waterloo near Bechtel Park with these features:
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Waterloo Park Ring Road |
Located in the central area of uptown Waterloo on the east side of Waterloo Park with these features:
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Waterloo Park West |
Located in the central area of uptown Waterloo on the west side of Waterloo Park with these features:
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Permits for your event
Some events might need permits or insurance. A list is provided below. City staff will help you determine what types of permits will be necessary to support your event.
Food |
You will need approval from Public Health Inspectors at Waterloo Region Public Health if you:
You can apply using their form and you need to apply a minimum of 45 days in advance of your event. |
Alcohol |
To serve alcohol at a city recreation facility, a license is required and these rules apply:
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Insurance |
Insurance is required for your event if you have alcohol, amusement rides, inflatables, fireworks, and live entertainment and to cover liability in certain situations. Insurance protects participants, volunteers and the organizers and the City of Waterloo must be named on coverage for up to $5 million, depending on your event activities. The events team can help you obtain insurance. |
Music and live entertainment |
Playing music at your event requires an Entandem licence that allows you to play licensed music, recorded or live, at a public event. A music vendor may have an existing license or you may need to obtain a license. |
Amusement rides |
A TSSA certificate and insurance is required for an amusement ride at your event. Read more on the TSSA website. |
Animals |
Review information about an animals for entertainment licence which is required for live animals at an event. Not all city facilities or properties permit animals. |
Fireworks and open flames |
Fireworks and open flames have these rules:
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Noise exemptions |
An exemption is required if your event will have excessive noise between 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. on Sundays). Apply for a noise exemption through our bylaw division. |
Road and sidewalk closure |
A closure of a road or a sidewalk requires you to complete a special events permit form. Note that to host a walk event, we have pre-planned routes that do not require a road closure. Permits and approvals have these timelines:
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Tents |
Tents may require approval from our building division if they are more than 60 sq.metres in area or more than 60 sq.metres in combined area for a group of tents. |
Security |
Your event may require security if there is a large number of people attending or if alcohol is being served. |
Equipment Rentals
Rentals from the city include:
- chairs, tables, benches, picnic tables, people fencing, garbage cans, recycling bins, AV equipment or any event-style equipment
The events team will help you book any of your required equipment when booking a location including equipment from other vendors.
Fees and payment options
Review the fees related to events from the fees and charges guide (PDF)
Payment options are:
- cash, cheque, debit and credit are accepted in person at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex and RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex
- credit cards are accepted over the by phone at 519-886-1177
Neighbourhood events
A neighbourhood event involves people who live in your neighbourhood, multi-residential building, on your street or block and want to develop and maintain community connections.
The neighbourhoods team can help you:
- find a location
- apply for potential grants
- brainstorm event ideas
- support planning for your gathering
Learn more about neighbourhood events or email the neighbourhood team at neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca for help planning your event.
Submit your request for event support
Be aware:
- you do not need to know all of the details for your event before you submit your request
- event teams will support you to finalize details and make bookings for locations and equipment
- submission of the form does not guarantee your preferred locations but it does start the location booking process
- submitting a request will start the planning process with the correct team
City of Waterloo staff will contact you within two business days to help you finalize your event details, help with permits or insurance if needed and secure the location booking.
Submit your request for booking a space or to plan an event
If you have questions and are not ready to start planning, contact the Facility Allocation and Bookings team (FAB) by emailing: fab@waterloo.ca.