Enjoying Newmarket's popular summer concert series has often been a challenge for local accessibility advocate and wheelchair user Steve Foglia.
The chair of the municipal accessibility committee said the large crowds at the Riverwalk Commons concerts make it difficult for wheelchair users.
“Once you’re in a spot, you can’t get out — especially when the concerts are quite crowded — without disturbing so many people,” he said. “So we do our best to stay on the perimeter … We sit literally in front of our van away from the entire crowd. We don’t get to really appreciate the concert that much.”
The Town of Newmarket has now taken measures to make the TD Newmarket Music Series more accessible.
The municipality has added a new accessible seating area underneath the lion outside the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall this year. Accessible by the west side pathway, the area provides quick access to public washrooms, ease of travel from accessible parking spaces and is monitored by staff to ensure the area remains clear.
“Accessibility is always part of the event planning process at the Town of Newmarket,” the municipality said. “The town will continue to include these updates for future music series events.”
Besides the seating area, the municipality added 10 accessible parking spots along Doug Duncan Drive for the concert series, besides the five already available, bringing the total to 15.
The municipality said staff is positioned to assist anyone who needs access to the community centre building. The municipality also said it hired an additional four security guards for the series, bringing the total to 10, with two to three guards designated to ensure walkways remain accessible throughout the concert.
Food and beverage providers have been relocated to Timothy Street behind the stage to alleviate congestion, the town said.
Foglia said the concert accessibility was an issue he raised at the accessibility advisory committee, and he was impressed by how quickly the town and fellow committee member Councillor Kelly Broome reacted.
“It goes to show the town is doing their best to make these concerts more accessible,” he said.
Besides the accessibility elements added this year, the town said it continues to ensure all ramps and sidewalks are fully accessible, offers access to a backstage lounge with an LED screen to watch, and uses cord covers to assist with travel over electrical cords.
