Destinations for Peterborough Departures 2022 Announced by Blowes and Stewart Travel Group

After having no departures from 2020-2021, Blowes and Stewart Travel Group announced their lineup of destinations for Peterborough Departures 2022 on Sunday.

Image Courtesy of Blowes and Stewart Travel Group.

In 2022, they will be offering departures from Peterborough to St. John’s, Nfld.; Cape Breton, N. S.; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans, La.; Savannah, Ga.; and Atlantic City, N. J.

All trips will be three days and include a round-trip ticket and accommodations. To view all travel options, click here.

“The travel industry was one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic so to still be here and still able to continue with our Charter Program is a huge win for us,” says Scott Stewart, BST Vacations president. “We are so grateful for the community support we have received over the pandemic, and we look forward to welcoming our clients back on our charters in 2022 and exploring with them again.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been new safety measures introduced such as contactless check-in from passengers vehicle, proper queue spacing, sanitization packages provided to travelers and COVID-19 screening prior to departure.

There is also a new registration process that will make booking more streamlined and efficient for passengers. Once passengers register, a BST Vacations representative will contact them to review the booking, collect a deposit and discuss insurance options.

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“O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge” Tourism Campaign Launched In Peterborough & the Kawarthas

As the province reopens Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism (PKT) is gearing up to welcome more visitors to the area.

Photo Courtesy Of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development and the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City and County of Peterborough is launching the “O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge” an invitation for residents and visitors to promise to respect the land, waterways and communities of the region.

Pronounced “Oh-da Pee-tah-na-mawn”, this initiative was created in collaboration with Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation and draws on the traditional teachings of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg.

“If we’ve learned anything from 2020, it’s the power of unity, of working together for a mutual cause,” says Tracie Bertrand, Director of Tourism, PKT. “Respect for the people, culture, and natural spaces we depend on, for future generations—for each other—has never been more important, and the O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge is meant to unify everyone for whom Peterborough & the Kawarthas lives within their hearts.”

“O’de Piitaanemaan” is the Ojibway word for “respect,” and comes from the teaching “mnaadendamowin” — to give respect to all creation. It is hoped that this pledge will encourage everyone to do their part in preserving and appreciating the earth.

The O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge is as follows:

• I pledge to be light on the land and wise on the water.

• I’ll explore my surroundings with an open heart, ask for help when I need it and be kind to strangers.

• Before starting my day, I’ll gear up, make a game plan and get wind of the weather.

• I’ll remember my miigwech’s, thank-you's and merci’s.

• With every new season, I’ll seek fresh experiences and flavours, trails and friends.

• I’ll place safety before sport when pedalling, paddling, parking or powerboating.

• Be it bison, baked goods or a crafty brew, I’ll buy local where I can.

• I’ll greet new cultures and traditional teachings with curiosity, kindness, and compassion.

• After feeding my soul with authentic adventures, I’ll take fond memories with me and leave nothing but footprints behind.

To take the O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge click here.

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Canadian Canoe Museum Terminates Lease With Parks Canada, Search For New Museum Site Begins

A search for a new museum has begun as the Canadian Canoe Museum has announced today it has terminated its lease agreement with Parks Canada for the land located alongside the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway at 353 Hunter Street East, the place where the new canoe museum was to be built.

As announced in May of this year, this location, owned by Parks Canada, was found to contain an industrial solvent, the chemical compound trichloroethylene (TCE) in addition to a variety of other chemicals. This, together with the costs associated with clearing the contamination, the resulting unavoidable project delays and inevitable rising costs have rendered the site no longer viable for the new museum build.

“The Canadian Canoe Museum and Parks Canada have worked together to reach an amicable dissolution to the Lift Lock lease agreement at no additional punitive cost to the museum,” says Carolyn Hyslop, executive director, The Canadian Canoe Museum, in a media release.

Rendering of where location was going to be.

The museum is now is engaged in a proactive site selection process and is reviewing multiple alternative sites, located in Peterborough, to determine where it will construct its new museum. Feasibility studies and environmental assessments will be conducted before selecting the new site for the building of a new canoe museum. The project is expected to be shovel-ready by the end of 2021.

“CCM is profoundly grateful to those who have supported our original build project,” says Hyslop. “We had a beautiful, award-winning design that was perfectly suited for the Lift Lock location that is regretfully utterly non-transferable to another location.

“The Canadian Canoe Museum looks forward to delivering on the commitments to its current donors and funding partners who have expressed continued strong support for the new project to come as it creates a vibrant cultural attraction that welcomes visitors to walk into the museum through the front door and paddle out the back door,” adds Hyslop.

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An Awesome 15 Passenger Party Bike Called PedalBoro Has Come To Town

Peterborough’s very first 15-passenger party bike, PedalBoro, will soon be launching in the city. This will be a great idea for office functions, family and friend parties, tourists, and more—and it’s environmentally friendly.

PedalBoro is a multi-passenger bike tour company that will provide an innovative, eco-friendly transportation alternative for exploring downtown Peterborough's vibrant food and beverage scene.

Photo courtesy PedalBoro

With the launch of PedalBoro, Peterborough will become the 5th city in Canada to host this new form of cycle tourism, a sector that is booming right now. 

Once launched, PedalBoro tours has the opportunity to be a powerful economic driver as part of the city’s high value cycle tourism industry; connecting residents and tourists alike to Peterborough’s culinary creators and beverage makers.

Photo courtesy PedalBoro

Sign up here to be the first to know about ride bookings, and add this to your summer bucket list.

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How It Works: Centennial Fountain

UPDATE: We were at Little Lake on Friday, May 17th, when Centennial Fountain kicked on for the season. Daryl Stevenson, Supervisor of Wastewater Treatment at City of Peterborough, explained to us how it works. Watch this video below produced by StudioPTBO…

ORIGINAL POST:

The iconic Centennial Fountain in Peterborough is a huge attraction for locals and tourists alike to view from many different vantage points around the city.

The fountain is the highest jet fountain in the country. Installed in 1967, the water shoots up 76m (250 feet).

Photo courtesy City of Peterborough

The Centennial Fountain will turn on for the 2019 season at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 17th.

Check out historical footage of construction of the fountain here.

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Peterborough Ranked One Of Most Active Cities In Canada

Expedia has ranked Peterborough one of the 21 most active cities in Canada. 

Some of the factors Expedia looked at in compiling their list include: average number of marathons and hiking trails; access to bike paths, trails, and races; per capita gyms; and abundance of outdoor activities such as kayaking, canoeing, etc.

Photo by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada

"To paraphrase Salt-N-Pepa, you’ve got to push it when you’re in Peterborough, Ontario," Expedia says of Peterborough.

"This means pushing your endurance along Trent Canal when you’re riding your bike next to dozens of pros. Pushing your body up just a little higher off the safe ground at Rock and Rope Climbing Centre. And pushing your paddle skills on Little Lake to one day earn a glittering spot at the Canadian Canoe Museum in town."

Click here to view Expedia's entire ranking.

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Peterborough & The Kawarthas Tourism Is Hosting Open House

On Thursday, July 12th, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism is hosting an Open House at the Visitor Centre (270 George Street North, Suite 101).

You can learn about the visitor services and resources available to uncover some hidden gems, discover amazing experiences, and plan a summer of fun in Peterborough & the Kawarthas.

FUN STUFF THE FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT WILL INCLUDE

• Free ice cream (while quantities last)

• Face painting with Faces by 2

• Other activities and fun for the kids

The event takes place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on July 12th. RSVP to Cara Walsh by email, by calling 705-743-0777 ext. 2116 or via this Facebook event page. 

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A Local Company Wants To Build A Water Park On Little Lake

Peterborough couple Jason and Niki Pulchinski have a dream: to construct a water park on Little Lake in this city they love.

Their Peterborough-based company At The Lake Distributing Inc.—which sells water toys and docks, and has installed water parks across the country—wants to construct a quarter million dollar inflatable water park on Little Lake.

Here is a 3D rendering ATL Distributing provided to PTBOCanada of a possible location on Little Lake...

Little Lake rendering

The Pulchinski's company has a proven track record: They have installed water parks (see pics below) at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario; Camp Qwanoes in Crofton, British Columbia; Clevelands House Resort in Minett, Ontario; Sunshine House Boats in Cranbrook, British Columbia and an upcoming one at Railyard Wake Park in Mount Albert, Ontario this summer.

Deerhurst Resort Splash Zone

Camp Qwanoes Park

Clevelands House Resort

These parks really add a wow factor to any place that installs one, and this is what ATL Distributing wants to bring to Peterborough—thinking it could be great for locals but also an awesome tourist attraction being near the Trent Severn Waterway and Lift Lock for boaters coming through from all parts.

It could help put Peterborough on the map even more.

Rendering of Rail Yard Aquapark

ATL want to pay the city to put up this water park (they are open to different locations but suggested one near Del Crary Park and the Art Gallery of Peterborough—see rendering at top of post), and incur all the costs associated with running it (insurance, security, and everything else involved in the running of this park).

It would be run by ATL and it would create at least six well paid jobs, the company tells PTBOCanada. Safety is top of mind: There would be lifeguards, and lifejackets would be required wear. They also would partner with local businesses, kids camps and kids charities to get people downtown.

Water park 3D rendering courtesy ATL Distributing

"Bringing a water park to Peterborough is really for the attraction of people to our beautiful downtown and Del Crary Park by Little Lake," ATL says.
 
Jason has reached out to the City of Peterborough and is hoping to get a meeting to present an elaborate proposal to them of how their company can work with the muncipality on the project. Without their blessing, the water park will not happen.

In the meantime, Jason and Niki will continue to dream big, believing this project could create a huge splash here. They hope to someday see kids and adults from Peterborough and beyond creating family memories at this water park on Little Lake in the Kawarthas.

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Canadian Canoe Museum Attraction Increasing Number Of International Visitors

Over the past week, the Canadian Canoe Museum welcomed an incredible 18 international visitors from 11 countries, reflecting a trend of increasing international interest in its world-class collection.

Between October 17th and 25th, these individual international visitors from countries including Australia, Germany, Mexico, Russia and India signed the guest book and longtime museum volunteer Bernice Standen took note. “We are fortunate to have the preeminent collection of paddled craft in the world,” says Mrs. Standen, a museum volunteer who, since 2004, has been working with visitor statistics.

Here is a visual representation in red dots of where their visitors come from...

In 2016, 25 percent of those who signed the museum’s guest book were international visitors—up from 14 percent in 2015.

Visitors to the museum come from all over the world, and last year the guest book documented those from more than 30 countries. Many international visitors explore the museum more than once.

Some comments from international visitors include the following...

“I learned new things about the world and of course Canada.” (EGYPT)

“Superbe musee!” (FRANCE)

“Fantastic presentations—well interpreted and engages all (even very old and very young). RIVALS the Smithsonian!!” (U.S.A.)

In 2016, the museum welcomed 27,267 visitors overall—an increase of close to 2.5 percent over the previous year. That increase built upon the attendance figures of 2015, which were 11 percent higher than in 2014.

Early projections indicate that the new museum, to be built beside the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway, will welcome more than twice the number of visitors in its opening year alone.

“Our collection, and the museum as a whole, continues to attract national and international attention,” says General Manager Carolyn Hyslop.

“This, paired with the local excitement related to the new museum project and some of our newest programs, contributes to the incredible momentum we are experiencing right now."

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Watch This Awesome Parks Canada YouTube Video From Lock 'N' Paddle Day

On June 24th, 328 canoes and kayaks filled the two tubs at the Peterborough Lift Lock for Lock 'n' Paddle.

Parks Canada has put together a great video capturing the epic day from many different angles at Lock 21. Watch it below...

On June 24th, 2017 paddlers gathered at the Peterborough Lift Lock for Lock 'n' Paddle! This year we were able to fit 328 canoes and kayaks into both tubs. Thank you to all participants and of course our partners: The Canadian Canoe Museum and The Land: Canadian Adventures.

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