OLG Makes Gaming Revenue Payment to City of Peterborough

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced Thursday that the City of Peterborough will receive non-tax gaming revenue payment of $571,586 for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough.

Shorelines Casino. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Since October 2018, the City of Peterborough has received almost $5.5 million in non-tax gaming revenue.

“We are pleased that land-based casinos have reopened safely and are contributing to our local economy again,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “The City of Peterborough continues to benefit from significant revenue from its Municipality Contribution Agreement. This capital enables the city to invest in affordable housing and critical infrastructure as we build a foundation for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

OLG makes payments to host municipalities under the Municipality Contribution Agreements, using a prescribed formula consistently applied across all sites in Ontario that is based on a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site or sites.

Under the province's reopening framework, gaming sites were able to resume operations beginning on July 16, 2021. Casino re-opening dates were determined by each service provider in consultation with OLG, depending on their readiness and ability to operate under the mandatory restrictions. All gaming sites in Ontario resumed operations by August 16, 2021.

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Ontario Grants Peterborough $150,000 for Start-Up Visa Program and Commits $5 Million to Rural Economic Development

Peterborough MPP Dave Smith announced that the Start-Up Visa Program will receive $150,000 in funding through Ontario’s Rural Economic Development (RED) program on Thursday.

Dave Smith makes announcement on Thursday with Mike Skinner, CEO of Innovation Cluster. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The Start-Up Visa Program, implemented by the Innovation Cluster, will allow entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada by starting a business, creating jobs and diversifying the community.

“Diversifying and developing our local economy by investing in new ideas and new Canadians will deliver long-term economic growth. this direct investment will foster wider, sustainable growth in the city and county of Peterborough,” said Smith. “Unique programs such as the Start-up Visa program will enable new entrepreneurs to invest in our community and strengthen our economic recovery.”

In addition to the Start-Up Visa program, the Ontario government is committing $5 million in cost-share funding under the next intake of the RED program to help rural communities implement additional economic growth plans to address the economic impacts of COVID-19.

“Supporting local jobs and economic development in rural communities is more important than ever,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “As the economy continues to reopen our investments in the RED program will have a very real impact for communities across rural Ontario.”

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Ontario Government Declares State of Emergency With Stay-At-Home Order Restrictions

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared a state of emergency including a province-wide stay-at-home order in a live stream press conference in Toronto at Queen’s Park on Wednesday.

The four-week order will take place at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday after top public health officials and Ottawa urged the province to do more to contain the COVID-19 variants.

The same officials reported a surge in patient overflow in hospitals and ICUs in the last week according to Ford.

During the order, Ontario plans to roll out mobile clinics to vaccine those aged 18+ who need it the most such as workers in the high-risk locations.

“These next four weeks are absolutely critical,” said Ford. “We’ve come so far already and we just need to stick together a little longer. because hope is on the horizon.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford (pictured) announced an “emergency brake” shutdown on Apr. 1. Over 2.7 million vaccines have been administered in Ontario since the press conference. Screenshot.

The following are the restrictions the Government of Ontario is putting into place in addition to the “emergency brake” shutdown on Thursday:

• Grocers and pharmacies are allowed for indoor shopping

• Garden centers can stay open

• Big box and discount store retailers can sell essential items such as food, pet care, medicine, cleaning supplies and personal items

  • All other items and are restricted to curbside pickup or delivery

  • If the store sells the non-essential items in addition to food and pharmaceutical items, the sections must be blocked off

• Non-essential retailers are limited to curbside pickup and delivery from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Residential evictions will be suspended

• Shopping malls are restricted to specific purposes such as access to designated pickup locations via appointment

Any eligible person who wants to book a vaccine appointment can visit the Government of Ontario website or call 1-888-999-6488.

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Little Lake To Be Renamed "Big Lake" to Create Better Optics for Peterborough

UPDATE: Happy April Fool’s Day!!

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While Little Lake is synonymous with Peterborough like Market Hall, Quaker Oats and the Memorial Centre, sources tell PTBOCanada that there are serious discussions happening behind closed doors regarding a name change to “Big Lake”.

Photo by David Tuan Bui

Attracting more tourists to provide city revenue and giving Peterborough a “big city” feel are some reasons for the change according to the unnamed source.

“Little Lake makes us look small but ‘Big Lake’ reflects the direction the city is going in right now — we’re growing and we have the best amenities including this gorgeous lake,” the source tells us. “When people are attending Musicfest from all over Canada and the world, do we want them to think, ‘Little Lake or Big Lake?'"

Photo by David Tuan Bui

There is no doubt Little Lake has a rich history and name. Adam Scott built a sawmill and grist-mill in 1818 on the south edge of the lake and the settlement of Scott’s Plains would eventually become Peterborough.

The Electric City is moving into a bold new era of innovation, fresh ideas and momentum as it is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada. It is why name change advocates say now is the time to call it Big Lake.

PTBOCanada reached out to City Hall but they refused to comment at this time, "We’ve got bigger fish to fry than to comment on that," a staffer told us.

Photo by David Tuan Bui

PTBOCanada editor David Tuan Bui did report seeing a small group of people standing on the deck of The Lighthouse Lounge & Grill overlooking the marina holding. He claims to see them holding renderings of a marketing design that featured the name “BIG LAKE” in all-caps.

“I was taking a walk in beautiful Del Crary Park where I noticed something was going on at the upper deck,” said Bui. “Out of nowhere, I saw the words and thought this would be big news!”

In the Legend of the rendering, it also said “PTBO Fountain”, making us wonder if they are considering changing the name of Centennial Fountain as well.

“Listen, I can neither deny nor confirm the existence of those renderings, but what I can tell you is that Centennial Fountain is the highest jet fountain in Canada,” the source says. "Imagine having the highest jet fountain on Big Lake as opposed to Little Lake? They work well together, especially when combined with boaters and tourists who travel up to the alpha Historic Lift Lock. Big Lake just works better overall.”

Photo by David Tuan Bui

PTBOCanada did an informal poll regarding the possible name change at Del Crary Park and 33% of respondents (we polled three people) did not think it was the worst idea.

“It’s great to be nostalgic about the past, but we have to push forward,” said one respondent. “I mean, it’s not like we’re changing the name of the city, right? It’s a lake. And it actually does look pretty big if you think about it.”

The other two respondents thought it was a bad idea. “If they change the name to Big Lake, I’m moving to Oshawa,” laughed one. “Little Lake foreva!” said the other respondee. “Put that on a Tee!!”

What do you think of a possible name change? Go to our Facebook page and weigh in...

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Incubated Startup Space For Hired Fleming & Trent Students Will Now Be Free Through New Graduate Program Partnership

Peterborough's Innovation Cluster is launching a Graduate Program for alumni of Fleming College and Trent University. Graduates hired by Innovation Cluster startups will now be provided free office space in order to further employment opportunities.

The Graduate Program was created in partnership between the Innovation Cluster, Fleming College and Trent University as an incentive that promotes the growth of entrepreneurship, employment and student opportunities in Peterborough.

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

“Fleming College and Trent University does a great job at bringing in National and International students,” says Michael Skinner, President & CEO of the Innovation Cluster. “We hope this program will retain this talent in our region.”

The launched program promotes startup companies located in The Cube incubator to hire locally through Fleming College and Trent University alumni, to increase both employment rates for Peterborough’s educational institutions as well as reduce cost for incubated startups.

Currently, startup founders pay a monthly fee of $100 per desk space per employee. This is still the case, however those with current employees who are Trent and Fleming graduates will not incur a fee for desk space, along with future alumni employees hired. Founders accepted into the program through the application process receive complimentary space to ensure that money is put to good use.

Multiple companies within the Cluster who have grown their team by hiring local graduates have been able to reach new milestones with the aid from their employees.

Andrew Revoy, based out of the Innovation Cluster, is a Trent University graduate and Senior Project Manager of startup company Kavtek

Andrew Revoy is a Trent University graduate and Senior Project Manager of startup company Kavtek, a client of the Innovation Cluster. Within four months of launching, Kavtek rapidly grew their team to keep up with the growth of their company, hiring software and project positions including Revoy, who says Trent University helped prepare for his employment.

“I'm really glad to be working at the exciting tech startup Kavtek here in Peterborough!” says Revoy. “I've always been interested in technology and business, which is why I studied Computer Science and Marketing & Entrepreneurship at Trent University. My degree in Computer Science gave me valuable skills which helped me stand out and the Marketing and Entrepreneurship Post Grad Certificate gave me the tools and an internship which allowed me to get started in my new career.”

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Chalk Talk: Mayor Daryl Bennett

PtboCanada's Chalk Talk is a snapshot of people's favourite thing about Peterborough. Watch for us around town as we would like to feature your favourite thing too! In this edition of Chalk Talk, Mayor Daryl Bennett was very enthusiastic about "The volunteer spirit of Peterborough!"

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PTBOPics: Business Openings & Moves Around Downtown & East City

When you walk about vibrant downtown Peterborough and East City, you likely always seem to spot a new shop, a new place to eat, or places that have relocated to another part of downtown. Here's a glimpse of recent changes...

Saying goodbye to 38º restaurant means welcoming Nicolini's back after a hiatus away from downtown. 

Hobart's Steakhouse is now calling Hunter Street home after a complete renovation to the building which was once occupied by Nicolini's. Across the road from Hobart's is currently the home of Fab Collectables & Gifts (see below), which is now on the move and has a 30% off sale in effect. No mention of where their new location might be.

As we previously mentioned in a post, Circus has now opened its second location at 382 George Street to accompany their already existing location on Aylmer Street. Circus replaces Glow Maternity, which has relocated to 188 Hunter Street. 

Enticing Cakes will be moving across the road from their current spot to help expand and grow their bake shop. Also in East City is the recent addition of the already ever popular Ashburnham Ale House.

Shots (above) has recently opened in the old Splice location at 379 George Street.  

Goddard's Flippin' Burgers will be opening soon beside the Galaxy Cinemas where Johnny Eh's were previously located, and joining the increasing competition of the perfect burger downtown. Goddard's also has a location in Bancroft at 181 Hastings Street North (see below).

Photo by Evan Holt

We love to see new and existing entrepreneurs opening their doors and helping to continue to making our downtown a thriving one. Tip us with further changes you know about downtown, in East City and elsewhere around town.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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