TORONTO - Will Taylor Swift bring chaos or do we all need to calm down? It’s a question many Torontonians are asking this week as the city braces for the arrival of Swifties, the massive fan base of one of the world’s biggest pop stars. Hundreds of thousands are expected to descend on the downtown core for the singer’s six concerts, which kick off Thursday at the Rogers Centre and run until Nov. 23.
And while their arrival will be a boon to tourism dollars — tourism industry group Destination Toronto estimates more than $282 million in economic impact — some worry it could worsen Toronto’s gridlock by clogging streets that already come to a standstill during rush hour. Swift’s shows are set to collide with sports events at the nearby Scotiabank Arena, including a Raptors game on Friday and a Leafs game on Saturday. Some residents and local businesses have already adjusted their plans to avoid the area and its planned road closures.
Aahil Dayani says he and some friends intended to throw a birthday bash for one of their pals until they realized it would overlap with the concerts. “Something as simple as getting together and having dinner is now thrown out the window,” he said. Dayani says the group rescheduled the gathering for after Swift leaves town.
In the meantime, he plans to hunker down at his Toronto residence. “Her coming into town has kind of changed up my social life,” he added. “We’re pretty much just not doing anything.
” Max Sinclair, ch.
