Unexplained Mass Waypoint Removal Event Today - Halifax, Nova Scotia

[WillZedd]

In an area of our city, where it is a “hot spot” to play, essentially open to the public with pubs, places of historic significance and the boardwalk suddenly had almost all of the waypoints in Pokemon Go (stops and gyms) just disappeared apparently at roughly the same time. About two dozen or so.

A few stops and a power spot still remain in place around what appears to be outside some sort of permiter. It seems odd, it goes along the “Halifax Seaport” and reaches into a residential neighbourhood removing a local park and a church to the extent of it on the southwestern end of things.

It occurred just over an hour ago: Between 3PM and 4PM today February 11, 2025.

I wasn’t sure if a geo-fencing like event occurred: as I’ve seen with some local cemeteries, but it makes no sense because (a) it’s not something sensitive like a cemetery and (b) a public spot with amenities.

It caused two new gyms to trigger in locations outside of it. I see that it extends to the south into a residential neighborhood across the way. I haven’t seen the extent of it there, but it’s about 800 meters from Seaport.

Asides from a recently removed statue in real life (waypoint still in the game), only thing I can think of that was out of place was an Art Gallery sitting on the road.

I am not sure if there were complaints regarding trainers that might have be playing in the parking lots at night (it happens, believe it or not) given there’s a lot of spawns here. The spawns all exist through the area that had many waypoints removed. As I recall, some of these waypoints existed close to the beginning of the game and long before I played.

It would be very busy in all the games with contributions from murals, museums, art galleries, maps, a farmer’s market and several historic plaques and statues.

I am feeling really saddened by what I am seeing. I hope that someone from Niantic can provide answers for our community.

Here is just a quick list within the zone of various public places that meet criteria vanished.

Emmigrant
44.64170153784435, -63.56691397231883

Halifax Chinese Church
44.635286, -63.569394

Grainery Park
44.63336745186413, -63.57158747264912

[DTrain2002]

Hmm, interesting. I checked the 3 locations provided, and all are still on the Spatial/Lightship map. The church is the only Wayspot in the L17 S2 cell, so it should show up in PoGo.

Grainery Park is also still on the map, but at 44.633165, -63.571535. It’s the only Wayspot in that cell, so it should show up in PoGo.

Emmigrant is in a cell with 2 other Wayspots, Battle of the Atlantic Memorial and Halifax Seaport Directory - Discovery Centre/Cunard Statue. The Emmigrant is also at 44.641433,-63.566812. Are either of these in PoGo?

Other than Emmigrant, the other 2 should be in PoGo, based on the density/inclusion rules.

[cyndiepooh]

This often happens when Niantic is redetermining density. I was waiting for staff to comment. But since a comment has been made, I will put that idea out there.

[elijustrying]

Hello I don’t know anything about the circumstances of this location, however we do get similar reports on this forum from time-time. It usually turns out to be due to an enforcement of the normal density rules, to how the normal expectation.
It takes a few days for the rebalance to happen.

This is a previous instance - see if this sounds like your case.

Mass removal of Pokestops in Sydney Australia

The most popular area to play in Sydney for community days and other global events appears to have been gutted of Pokestops. [Screenshot 2024-07-05 142101] The locations above correspond to the circled areas here: [image] These areas were previously filled with Pokestops, but now only the gyms and a handful of stops remain. Every corresponding portal in Ingress remains. In addition, some nearby areas have had gyms shuffled around. Any word on what’s going on? We’re a week out from global g…

[DTrain2002]

Yeah, not a small place, by any means. A rebalance makes sense, but the 2 that are in their own L17 S2 cells should still show up. Hopefully they do, but if not, hopefully staff will take a look.

[WillZedd]

Emigrant was the gym in Pogo. It’s gone now.

[DTrain2002]

I think you may need to see if one of the other 2 Wayspots in that cell are in-game now, or see if there are other gyms in the area; gyms appear only in the larger L14 S2 cells, and there is a limit based on the number of stops. This info is outlined here, if you’re wondering how the S2 cell rules work:

https://pokemongohub.net/post/featured/comprehensive-guide-s2-cells-pokemon-go/

Like Eli noted, this could be a rebalance of the map, so it’s possible that some gyms may disappear, but another could replace it. It’s possible that a stop may appear in the L17 cell where Emmigrant is, as again, there are a total of 3 Waysoots in that cell alone, including Emmigrant.

Again, you may want to wait a few days to see if things balance out again, based off of the density/inclusion rules. If you think there’s still an issue, I’m sure staff can take a look to be sure.

[NianticAaron]

We have removed the Wayspots at the request of the property owner.