Behave or say goodbye to Panda Game, officials warn students

Students need to tame their Panda Game celebrations if they want the tradition to continue beyond this year, says the city councillor for Sandy Hill.

Following last fall's football win by the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees over the Carleton Ravens, thousands of people descended on that area near the winning campus.

Revellers flipped a vehicle, seven people ended up in hospital, while eight others faced charges ranging from mischief to rioting to participating in an unlawful assembly. 

That kind of mayhem can't happen again, said Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury. If it does, the 53rd Panda Game on Oct. 1 at Lansdowne Park could be one of the last.

"It's a reality that the policing cost and the reputational cost for both the city and the universities … are putting this tradition in jeopardy," he said.

"The game's going ahead this year but it doesn't mean it will be seen again next year."

Mayor Jim Watson said he plans to attend. He hopes people enjoy the game then leave in peace and had strong words for anyone who gets violent.

"The message to students is clear: Don't be an idiot. Enjoy the football game, have fun … but also respect the neighbourhood you live in," said Watson.

"The bottom line is if the thing goes completely out of whack and there's destruction and damage and injury to people, obviously we have to step back and take a look — is this going to continue?"

Ottawa police have said online and by going door-to-door that they'll have "zero tolerance" for disruptive parties and have cautioned people to expect a heavy police presence in the ByWard Market, Sandy Hill and Old Ottawa South. 

Last year, the festivities were calm at first and a large number of police were in Sandy Hill during the day, but officers had