Meet The YDS On-Site Team!

Meet Robert, Security

Name
Robert

Employer
GardaWorld

Role
Static Security Guard (one of several who patrol and monitor the site 24/7)

Job description
Keep the public and events safe, crowd control, and anything else that pops up

Length of commute to work
1 hour

Time working at YDS
1 year

Favourite season at YDS
Spring or summer because people seem in a better mood and it’s nice to see smiling faces when I do my patrol. 

Favourite event to work at
Indie Friday concert nights. The weekly genre didn’t matter - the event always brought a nice feeling of happiness and everyone was enjoying themselves.  

Lunch order recommendation in Downtown Yonge
From Chipotle: Burrito Bowl with beef, brown rice, black beans, mild salsa, and grilled veggies. I never get guacamole and I bring my own drink, although one time I did get their fountain organic lemonade from the cash-out area - it was delicious. 

Strangest experience at YDS
Strangest would have to be seeing the dogs with their owners, specifically in the warm weather when the fountains are on. The dogs are very confused about how to try and drink the water as it shoots up from the grates. 

I’ll also share some good experiences on-site. My standard greeting to patrons on the Square is either, “Good morning/afternoon”, or “Welcome to Yonge-Dundas Square”. Sometimes people respond with “Why are you being so nice?”, to which I reply with, “Because my mom raised me to be respectful to everyone”. Being told things like, “Thank you for keeping us safe”, and, “Thank you for being kind”, is always a nice thing as well.

Meet Jeremy, GM of AV Production

Name
Jeremy 

Employer
Production Services Industries (PSI)

Role
General Manager of AV Production

Job description
I install and then run all of the AV equipment. I also liaise with talent. Being a GM includes work in several different capacities at YDS - Backline Tech, Stage Tech, Video Tech, Stage Manager, Talent Wrangler. And helping other techs where they need it. The team of technicians is a well-oiled machine, and when I think about some of the shows we pulled-off, it makes me happy. No matter how well organized an event was, there were often surprises that we had to handle in a professional and timely manner. One time a group showed up with multiple percussionists and we had to clear the stage to make room, get them mic'd up and comfortable, and on stage in less than 10 minutes. We did it, but I’m not sure how. Teamwork really makes the dream work. 

Length of commute to work
These days it’s about an hour to YDS with 'pandemic traffic'. Last September I moved to St. Catharines to oversee our Niagara operation, but before that, I lived at King & Strachan and it was a 15 minute bike ride or half hour walk to the Square.

Time working at YDS
2018-present 

Favourite season at YDS
I will answer the question in two ways. If “season” means which event season/year, I’d say that 2018 was amazing. PSI had just become the production providers for YDS so it was amazing to work with all the different community groups and other events for the first time. One weekend it could be 12 bands from all over the Middle East, and the next, a 48-hour celebration of poutine. If the question is referring to “seasons of the year” - it’s summer, hands down. There is never a boring moment at Yonge-Dundas and the passing parade is always entertaining.

Favourite event to work at
I loved Indie Fridays. Seeing 3 great acts every week and providing production support for them reminded me about why I got into this business in the first place. The vibe was always great - we looked after the performers and I always felt like they gave the audience a great show, partly because we worked so hard to help them sound and look their best. One particular memory was in the fall of 2018, when Rob Baker and Jonny Faye from the Tragically Hip performed Grace Too with Choir!Choir!Choir! as a tribute to the recently departed Gord Downie. Among the hustle and bustle of Toronto busiest intersection, there was definitely grace.

Lunch order recommendation in Downtown Yonge
My go-to is always Asian Gourmet Wok & Grill at 10 Dundas East. There’s almost never a lineup for me (probably because I eat at weird hours on shows) and it’s always delicious. My order there is usually a plate with Shanghai noodles, General Tao chicken, pepper beef, green beans, bean sprouts and hot sauce.

Another favourite is Blaze Pizza, though that can be a stretch if I have limited time. It’s so popular that it’s busy all the time! I’m a simple guy with pizza - pepperoni and mozzarella. But never forget the Garlic Bites. Biggest issue is eating it all and then snapping back to attention for the show.

Strangest experience at YDS
There is so much going on in and around the Square all the time. There’s always something “strange” happening! But my favourite was the Naked Bike Ride. I’d heard about it, and knew it was happening, but I would have guessed that it was much smaller than it was. I’m sure it was thousands of naked people biking past down Yonge Street on that Saturday afternoon. I don’t remember what the event on-site was at the time but I do remember thinking that hey - if you have an event in downtown Toronto, you never know what’s going to happen.

Meet David, Electrician

Employer
Fitzpatrick Electrical Contractor Inc.

Role
Electrician

Job description I supply power for all events...and then take it away. Sometimes what I prepare to install is not what is actually needed on site so I must adjust accordingly to ensure the event runs smoothly. Usually all this takes place within a very short window of time, on the day of the event. I’m also responsible for general electrical maintenance around the Square like the fountains and upkeep of lighting and basic electrical power.

Length of commute to work
Usually it’s about a 30 minute drive.

Time working at YDS
I have been at the Square since day one of construction. I was the Electrical Foreman for the project. I think that is why they keep me around - I know where everything is and how to make it work.

Favourite season at YDS
Spring is my favourite time of year at the Square. The fountains get started up again, and some of the largest events happen. Although the events calendar changes every few years, you can always count on the big ones like Ribfest, NXNE, etc.

Favourite event to work at
There are so many great ones, but if I had to choose I’d say any event with good organizers. 

Lunch order recommendation in Downtown Yonge
I am mostly at the Square in the early mornings for a set-up, so I am around more for breakfasts. For that order, I would say a Sausage Breakfast Sandwich on an English muffin, with chocolate milk, from Tim Horton’s. When I am around not for work though, my family really likes Blaze pizza; we like their pepperoni and mushroom pizza - nothing fancy.

Strangest experience at YDS
Now this is a tough one because I think I’ve seen it all working at YDS for so long. But one year when opening the fountains, a gentleman decided to serenade me all morning with whatever songs popped into his head.

*This photo was taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.