City Closes Sports Fields and Baseball Diamonds Temporarily Due to Wet Conditions

The City of Peterborough's natural sports fields and baseball diamonds are extremely wet due to Wednesday's rainfall and they are temporarily closed to avoid further damage, announced on Thursday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All sports and recreational users are asked to stay off the City's natural sports fields and diamonds until further notice. Damaged turf and divots can create safety concerns for players according to the City. If fields require repairs, their reopening could be delayed or they may have to be taken out of play while work is completed, negatively impacting user field time.

The City expects rainy conditions to continue Friday and through the weekend. All natural sports fields and baseball diamond facilities will be closed until 4 p.m. on Monday.

City staff will assess the facilities on Sunday morning pending the rainfall on Saturday. If conditions allow for earlier reopening, scheduled user groups will be contacted.

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Peterborough Lakers Hold Off Third-Period Surge For 13-10 Season Opener Win

The Peterborough Lakers held off a six-goal rally from the Brooklin L.C. to win their season opener 13-10 at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre on Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy Anna Taylor and the Peterborough Lakers.

Peterborough dominated the opening period with Carter Page starting the scoring. After letting up a power-play goal, the Lakers saw Holden Cattoni score two and Dylan Hutchinson get one for a 4-1 lead after the first.

Brooklin rung off two straight goals to open the second period to make it 4-3 but the Lakers went on a seven-goal run shortly after. Colton Armstrong, Brad McCulley, Koleton Marquis, Taite Cattoni, Thomas Hoggarth and Page’s second were part of that streak. Both teams traded goals at the end of the period for an 11-4 game.

Brooklin was not leaving the game quietly as they had a 5-1 run until the final 5:12 of the game. Austin Hasen had a late powerplay goal, his second of the period, to give the Lakers some insurance. Brooklin scored once more but it was too little, too late and Peterborough held on for the 13-10 win.

The Lakers have their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Lakers Trade For Veteran Defenceman and Sign Former First-Round Forward Ahead of Home Opener

The Peterborough Lakers have acquired veteran defender Warren Jeffrey from the Brampton Excelsiors and signed forward Brad McCulley for the 2025 season.

Warren Jeffrey. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers also regained their 2026 fifth-round pick previously held by the Excelsiors. Brampton receives the Lakers’s second-round pick in 2026 and reobtains the rights to Jeffrey for 2026.

Jeffery played three seasons in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), all with the Colorado Mammoth. During that span, he scored four goals and nine assists for 13 points. He also played 14 playoff games, registering two goals and five assists for seven points.

McCulley hails from Victoria, B.C., where he previously played for the Victoria Shamrocks in the Western Lacrosse Association. He and the Shamrocks competed for the 2024 Mann Cup against the Six Nations.

McCulley spent the latter half of the 2025 NLL season on the practice roster of the Rochester Knighthawks under Lakers’ head coach Mike Hasen. He previously played for the Vancouver Warriors and Buffalo Bandits, winning the 2023 NLL Cup for the latter.

The former first-round draft pick has scored 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points in 36 career NLL games.

The Lakers open their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on Wednesday before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on Thursday.

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Peterborough Lakers Re-Sign Three Local Players For Upcoming 2025 Season

The Peterborough Lakers have re-signed three local players in Mike Robinson, Drew Hutchison, and Colton Armstrong for the 2025 season, announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Lakers Transition Colton Armstrong scoring a crucial goal against the Six Nations Chiefs in Game Two of the MSL Championship. Peterborough had taken a 2-0 series lead after that game. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

All three return home after helping the National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Halifax Thunderbirds reach the semifinals.

Robinson finished third in rookie scoring this past season in the NLL and currently leads all rookies in postseason scoring with 12 points. After spending last summer under contract with the Premier Lacrosse League’s Boston Cannons, Robinson returns to his hometown team.

Hutchison had a breakout year in Halifax with five wins and three losses.

Armstrong, known for his strong transition play and highlight-reel goals, returns to the Lakers. He was acquired from the Cobourg Kodiaks in a trade in 2023..

The Lakers open their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 21 before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on May 22.

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Kinsmen Minor Football League Registration Open For the 2025 Fall Season

The Kinsmen Minor Football League (KMFL) has opened registration for the 2025 Fall Season.

Photo courtesy of KMFL.

The League will consist of a Junior Division (kids born from 2015-2017) and a Senior Division (kids born from 2012-2014).

Weekly practices start on Aug. 25, Saturday games begin Sept. 13 and the season concludes on Championship Day on Nov. 1. 

Cost is $395 with Early Bird pricing of $345 in effect until July 1.

All equipment, excluding mouthguards and cleats, is provided.

“We are very excited to open our 2025 Season,” said Angela Madill, KMFL vice-president. “Last year we had the largest season in the 45-year history of the League. We are hoping to continue that success and have added a few surprises to further enhance our player and family experience this season.”

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Peterborough Lakers Partner to Raise Money For PRHC Foundation Throughout MSL Season

The Peterborough Lakers have partnered with the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation as the team will help raise funds for the latter throughout the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) season, announced at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Monday afternoon.

(From left to right) Len Powers; Lakers board member; Lesley Heighway, PRHC president and CEO and Dylan Hutchinson, Lakers defenceman. The Lakers start their season on the road against the Brooklin L.C. on May 22 before having their home opener against the two-time defending Mann Cup-Champion Six Nations Chiefs on May 22. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The PRHC Foundation’s campaign goal is $60 million, the largest fundraising effort in the hospital’s history.

The campaign aims to empower world-class care close to home, attract top healthcare professionals and address urgent hospital needs according to Lesley Heighway, PRHC president and CEO.

“We're focused on a couple of key priorities. One is digital pathology. There's a laboratory on the sixth floor of the hospital where things like cancer diagnosis happen,” she explained. “Having the test results and digitized means that pathologists can share them with each other, they can share them with colleagues at other hospitals and they can do it seamlessly.”

The campaign has already raised $52.9 million. Len Powers, Lakers board member, says that the organization is committed to doing everything it can to help the PRHC after all they do for the region.

“The Lakers are all about community, and there’s nothing more ‘community’ than supporting our regional hospital,” he said. “PRHC is the heartbeat of the Peterborough region. It’s where our families turn in moments of greatest need.”

“We’re excited to team up with a championship organization like the Lakers,” said Heighway. “They represent dedication, heart, and excellence – just like our hospital. We know how strongly this region rallies around the Lakeshow and PRHC. Together, we can help reimagine healthcare.”

Throughout the MSL season, the PRHC Foundation will be at Lakers home games, sharing stories and inviting fans to get involved. To help raise founds for the Foundation, limited edition Lakers merchandise will be sold with further details released at a later date.

A special PRHC Family Night is set for June 26 against the Cobourg Kodiaks. PRHC staff and volunteers will receive a promo code for discounted tickets.

On Canada Day, the Lakers will wear Canadian-themed jerseys during the game and will auction them off after the match, with all proceeds benefiting PRHC Foundation.

“My message for people in the community is that gifts of all sizes make a difference,” concluded Heighway. “Never think that 'my gift of $25' or 'my gift of $100' isn't going to make a difference. All of that comes together and it's going to help us get to our goal.”

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YMCA Pickleball Tournament Raises $15,391 For Its Strong Kids Campaign

The YMCA of Central East Ontario hosted the second annual Pickleball Tournament in support of the Strong Kids Campaign, raised $15,391 that ran on Saturday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Team Pearce was the top fundraising team with $7,947, with Team Hamblin raising $5,894. Lindsay Seabrooke was the top fundraising individual with $2,450 and Team Pearce won the Golden Pickle as the tournament winners.

Following the tournament, the 2025 Strong Kids Campaign was launched to ensure kids and families with financial needs can access YMCA programs and services in our community. Kinsmen Club of Peterborough kicked it off with a $5,000.

Donations to support the campaign can be made online or in person at the YMCA any time during the year.

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CMHA HKPR Launches Third-Annual 'Change the Cycle' Fundraiser For Mental Health Initiatives

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) has launched the third-annual 'Change the Cycle' fundraising event at Nicholls Oval on June 21.

Ryan Waudby, Tom’s Heating & Cooling president (left) and Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education (right) after the former kickstarted the fundraiser with a $5,000 donation. CMHA HKPR's Change the Cycle raised over $25K for youth and family mental health supports. Photo courtesy of CMHA HKPR.

“Youth mental health is a critical area of focus, given the unique challenges and needs of this demographic,” said Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education. “We know the importance of providing accessible mental health care to young people, ensuring they can thrive. We are excited to announce this year’s proceeds will be going towards a new initiative called Planet Youth.”

To help kickstart the fundraiser, Tom’s Heating & Cooling donated $5,000.

Cyclists can register for a 4k, 12k or 26k ride along the Rotary Trail in Peterborough. They can register online as individuals or teams. Registration is $20 per person, and children 12 and under can register for free. Registration includes the ride, a t-shirt and a BBQ lunch.

To become an event sponsor or volunteer, email Veitch at jveitch@cmhahkpr.ca.

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Photos: Monster Truck Makes Monster Visit to Keith Wightman Public School

As part of Edge Entertainment’s Monster Madness Tour, they brought their Sabotoge monster truck to the staff and students of Keith Wightman Public School on Friday morning.

All Photos by David Tuan Bui.

The visit promoted their tour, as Kawartha Downs is a stop for one of their shows this Saturday afternoon. Students from junior kindergarten to Grade 6 were invited to explore the truck, meet the drivers and have their pictures taken.

While the monster truck was inoperable during the visit, the children could touch it, play with it and ask the drivers questions.

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Peterborough Lakers Extend Deadline For Season Ticket Renewals

The Peterborough Lakers have extended the season ticket renewal deadline to Wednesday at 5 p.m., announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The team has made season tickets available to the general public, who can purchase a full season package without having previously held tickets.

Following the May 7 deadline, any additional unclaimed seats will be released to the public beginning Thursday at 10 a.m. Fans can upgrade or swap their seats that dya during the Lakers’ Season Seat Swap/Upgrade Day at the Grant Thornton Box Office at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Season ticket packages can be picked up starting on May 12. The Grant Thornton Box Office is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can also call 705-743-3561 to purchase or reserve their seats.

The Lakers have also announced that single-game tickets will be sold to the general public starting May 19.

The Lakers have their home opener against the Six Nations Chiefs on May 22. 

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