‘It feels as though we are living next to a racetrack’, Mississauga plaza spurs a petition

Car racing, rallies and excessive noise continue to plague residents living next to a Mississauga plaza, and now they are fighting back with a petition.

The plaza, Erin Mills Centre (also known as the Ridgeway Plaza), at Eglinton Avenue West and Ridgeway Drive, is fairly new. Many new restaurants began opening last spring.

As the plaza has become more well-known, more and more people have been using it as a gathering spot in the evening. This summer, Ward 8 Councillor Matt Mahoney told insauga.com that he had received complaints about garbage, poor traffic control and loud gatherings.

Mahoney had been trying to speak with a newly formed condo board that is supposed to be managing the plaza. He told insauga.com today (Oct. 10) that he is regularly in touch with Peel Regional Police and city by-law and enforcement staff.

There have been fights and there appeared to be a large pro-Palestine protest on the long weekend.

@canadaonetv Palestine Protest in Ridgeway Plaza Mississauga #palestine #canadaonetv #mississauga #ridgewayplaza ♬ original sound – Canada One TV

Now, a petition has started from an area resident fed up with the noise and disruption to their formerly quiet Churchill Meadows neighbourhood.

“…I am deeply concerned about the ongoing disturbance and nuisance caused by cars racing, making illegal turns, revving their engines, excessive noise from patrons in the plaza, and loud music and fireworks outside of public holidays,” Yousser Slimane writes on the petition.

Slimane hopes to gather support to increase police presence, enforce laws and set up speed cameras to catch the culprits.

“Living in Churchill Meadows used to be a peaceful haven where families could enjoy the tranquillity of their own homes,” the petition continues.

“However, this serenity has been shattered due to the reckless behaviour of some drivers and individuals frequenting the plaza nearby. The constant noise pollution from racing cars and revving engines has become unbearable. It feels as though we are living next to a racetrack rather than a residential area.”

Many residents appear to agree — as of Oct. 10, the petition had just over 400 signatures of the 500 goal.

“I’m signing because I live directly across from the plaza,” one resident wrote. “It is absolutely disgusting at the lack of respect for the residents in this area.”

Several cars are heard honking at 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., the resident said.

Another resident said the noise of the cars wakes up their kids.

Others said the plaza has become chaotic and unsafe.

For more information, see the petition here.