City of Peterborough To Acquire Calvary Pentecostal Church For Second Police Facility In $15 Million Deal; Deal to Close In February

The City of Peterborough is purchasing 1421 Lansdowne St. W. for Peterborough Police Service administrative offices, with the sale closing in February for $15 million, announced on Friday afternoon.

Pastor Michelle Mercer of Calvary Pentecostal Church (left), Chief Stuart Betts (Middle) and Mayor Jeff Leal (right) at one of the Peterborough Police Station’s conference rooms with the announcement. Calvary Pentecostal Church will remain in the new facility for up to five years as per the sale agreement. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Most police operations will remain at its downtown facility at 500 Water St., according to Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief.

“I strongly believe the presence of a police facility in the downtown area is a must,” he said. “There is no intention to leave the 500 Water Street location.  The current location at 500 Water St. will continue to be the base of operations and investigations.”

The former Johnston & Johnston Medical Products facility with the administrative offices and police training could include other future uses, such as the City of Peterborough municipal facility needs.

The property acquisition is a long-standing need to meet growing space requirements for policing in the community that is fiscally responsible and strategic according to Mayor Jeff Leal. He adds that his new facility aligns with his campaign slogan. ‘Building our Tomorrow Together.’

“A new police station was estimated to cost $68 million in 2017. The property and construction costs would be much higher today. With the former Johnston & Johnston property acquisition, we’re able to maintain the downtown police station on Water Street for police operations, add a second police facility for administrative and support services and have additional land and building space for other municipal needs,” said Leal. “Even with the future renovation costs, this is the most financially responsible path, addressing a critical need.”

“With the City of Peterborough purchase of this property, the Peterborough Police Service will have two locations. This is important as the city is growing and will continue to grow,” said Betts. “It is also the most fiscally responsible solution and is intended to meet the needs of the Police Service for decades. It’s expected that the costs of the renovations will be significantly less than the cost of a new-build facility. Securing this property and being respectful of financial constraints was important to me and the Police Services Board."

Renovations are expected to occur over the next few years, subject to City Council approval. They will also occur at the downtown police station, according to Betts. Estimates on facility renovations will be the subject of future reports and budget requests to Council according to a press release.

“Through the joint City-Police facility review process, the thinking on how to meet the need for a new facility for the Police Service evolved from where it started, which was to focus on one new building,” said Betts.

Calvary Pentecostal Church owns the 13.3-acre property with a building with about 106,000 sq. ft. of space.

“Calvary Church is pleased with the recent sale of our church property and is looking forward to how it will benefit all parties involved including the greater community,” said Calvary Church Pastor Michelle Mercer. “It has been a very positive experience working with the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Police Service through the negotiation process. We look forward to bright days ahead for Calvary Church and those overseeing the development of the city we are called to serve.”

The Church will use part of the building for up to five years as per the sale agreement while they transition into a new property (which has yet to be determined).

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Miskin Law Named Sponsors of New Community Complex On Lansdowne and Park Street

Peterborough’s new community complex at Lansdowne and Park Streets will be named the Miskin Law Community Complex through a $600,000 naming rights sponsorship, approved by City Council on Monday.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Dec. 8, 2022 to officially mark the start of construction on the new facility. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City of Peterborough is finalizing an agreement for the naming rights for the community complex for 10 years, with the revenue going toward the capital costs to build the new facility according to a press release.

The community complex will include a twin-pad arena, a Peterborough Public Library branch, an indoor walking track, multi-purpose space and office space to be available for lease. An aquatics centre will be added in the future.

“On behalf of the City of Peterborough, I want to thank Miskin Law for this important investment in our community,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “The Miskin Law Community Complex will be the City’s premier community complex, providing something for every member of our community, from children learning to skate, to adults walking the track, to seniors and students visiting the library. This is an investment in the health and wellbeing of Peterborough.”

“Through sponsorship of this vital community facility, Miskin Law is sharing its success and saying thank you to Peterborough for being our home,” said Murray Miskin, Miskin Law senior lawyer. “We hope that residents and visitors will enjoy using the Miskin Law Community Complex for many years.”

As part of the construction project budget the City plans to raise $1 million through sponsorships. The facility is anticipated to open in fall 2024.

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Sign-a-fied Becomes New Sponsor of Healthy Planet Arena Pad

Full-service sign and print shop Sign-a-fied is the new official sponsor of the north pad at the City of Peterborough’s Healthy Planet Arena, announced on Friday morning.

File Photo.

The new Sign-a-fied name for the ice pad will be in place next week.

Healthy Planet Arena includes two ice pads and a large multi-purpose space.

“As a company that is directly reliant on the continual development of business in Peterborough, we understand the importance of giving back to our city in ways that will make a lasting impact,” said Steve Daynes, Sign-a-fied owner. “Sign-a-fied is honoured to be involved in supporting such an integral aspect of the community through our sponsorship with Healthy Planet Arena. Together we hope to assist in providing the public with an environment to safely compete, exercise and come together.”

Earlier this year, the City invested in a renovation project that included the replacement of the refrigeration plant, dasher boards, arena glass and lighting system on the north pad according to a press release.

“The City of Peterborough is pleased to welcome Sign-a-fied as the naming rights sponsor for an ice pad at Healthy Planet Arena – one of our premier recreation facilities in the community,” said Heather Stephens, City of Peterborough recreation programs and partnerships manager.

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AON Inc's Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony For A Havelock 128-Bed Long-Term Care Home For September 2025

The shovels dug deep for AON Inc. as they started the groundbreaking ceremony for a 128-bed long-term care home in Havelock on Wednesday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The home will help Ontario address the growing demands for long-term care. The Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Mayor and Council have been very involved in working hard to secure a long-term care home in Havelock according to a press release.

The site is located at 628 Old Norwood Rd. AON won the bid to build the long-term care home on Feb 17. The building is roughly 86,355 sq ft. with the project’s completion slated for September 2025.

“With the support of the citizens of Havelock, they lobbied the government to get bed allocation to here and that's the key component that you need and then through the process, we were able to successfully win the tendering to build the home here,” explained Brad Smith, AON Inc. president. “It's the support of Havelock that's made this happen.”

The long-term care home is part of the provincial government’s $6.4 billion commitment to build more than 30,000 new beds by 2028 along with 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds across the province according to MPP Dave Smith.

“The residents of Havelock have been waiting a long time for the build of this long-term care home,” he said. “Everyone deserves to be close to their family and friends. Today, with this initial ground-breaking, we are one step closer to making this a reality. Our government has made commitments to get long-term care homes built in this province and today proves we are doing just that.”

“We have had a lot of ups and downs over the years, but have always kept this as a top priority for not only Havelock-Belmont-Methuen but also Peterborough County and the surrounding area, where we received tremendous support,” said Jim Martin, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township mayor.

The home will have dining, activity areas, lounges and access to outdoor spaces according to AON. The building will employ over 140 staff.

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Caley's Crease Earns Sponsorship Naming Rights For Kinsmen Twin-Pad Arena

Retail sports store Caley’s Crease has earned the sponsorship naming rights for the Kinsmen Civic Centre west twin-pad arena at 1 Kinsmen Way on Sherbrooke Street, announced by The City of Peterborough on Friday.

In recent years, the City has invested in the infrastructure at the Kinsmen Civic Centre, which is expected to extend the life of the facility for another 20-plus years. Photo courtesy of Caley’s Crease.

“The City of Peterborough is pleased to welcome the new sponsor at the Kinsmen Civic Centre which is also leasing space for a sports store that offers services to Kinsmen Civic Centre users as well as customers from the broader community,” said Heather Stephens, City of Peterborough recreation programs and partnerships manager.

Caley’s Crease sells hockey and lacrosse equipment while specializing in hockey goalie equipment. The storefront can be accessed from both inside Kinsmen Civic Centre as well as from a separate exterior entrance.

“Caleys Crease is excited to grow and expand in the community by adding our second location at the Kinsmen Civic Centre,” said Colin Caley of Caley’s Crease. “In addition to naming rights to an ice pad, Caleys Crease offers the Kinsmen Civic Centre a new pro shop offering skate sharpening and equipment sales to users.”

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Lansdowne West and Webber TD Bank Closed After Vehicle Crashes into Building

Emergency crews respond to the TD Bank located on Lansdowne St. W. and Webber Ave. after reports of a vehicle crashing into the building.

All photos by Felicia Massey.

Posted at 11:07 a.m., Peterborough Scanner Feed shows a silver vehicle which struck the front of the bank. No injuries have been reported.

The branch is currently closed with their closest location open at 830 Monaghan Rd.

The story will be updated as more information is released.

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Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association Celebrated at National Conference

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA) announces that past president Garnet Northey has been named to the executive board of the Canadian Home Builders Association, and PKHBA member Trademark Homes has won a nationally renowned award at this years Home Building Week in Canada Conference.

photo courtesy of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association.

During the conference, members from across the nation submitted their best work of 2022 for judging. Winners in over 50 categories were announced at the conference in Banff, AB last month.

One of PKHBA members, Trademark Homes, won the National Award of Housing Excellence for best custom home over 5,000 square feet for their project on Balsam Lake in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Trademark Homes has been a member of PKHBA since 2022 and continues to provide residents of the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes with outstanding service in their field.

Past president of PKHBA and owner of Spotlight Home & Lifestyle Inc. Garnet Northey was named as the new treasure for CHBA at this same conference.

“This association is really a grassroots association. I’m from Peterborough, a little town in Ontario, very involved provincially and now nationally,” said Northey. “It’s a learning experience but it really allows me to get a good cross sectional matrix of all of our members at all levels so that I can represent our members properly at the province and now at nationals. So, I'm really looking forward to it and continuing to serve in this capacity.”

For more information on what PKHBA learned and presented at the national conference, contact Rebecca via email.

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Canadian Canoe Museum Provides Progress Update On New Museum; Delays Grand Opening

Progress updates outline that industry-wide construction challenges have delayed the Ashburnham Drive Canadian Canoe Museum’s (CCM) opening to late summer or early fall announced Thursday.

photo courtesy of the canadian canoe museum.

The CCM is creating a cultural destination to learn about Canada’s collective history, and reinforce connections to land, water and to one another through the lens of the canoe. The new museum will be located on a five-acre site with views of Little Lake and connection to the Trans Canada Trail and various public parks.

“It is an exciting time for the Canadian Canoe Museum. A little more than a year ago, we had just begun construction. Since then, we’ve achieved many milestones,” said executive director Carolyn Hyslop. “The building structure has come to life before our eyes, the mass timber façade is taking shape and the building is nearly closed in. Exhibits have been developed and are being sent to fabrication, the fundraising campaign is in its final stretch and the collection is nearly ready for its move across town.”

A national fundraising campaign has raised 95 percent of the project’s $40-million cost to date. The project is also made possible in part by the generous support of various local and national donors.

While they report steady progress has been made, the new museum’s opening will occur later than initially anticipated. The museum had originally hoped to welcome visitors in early summer 2023, but due to these delays the anticipated opening is now late summer or early fall.

CCM says the project is experiencing delays due to the pandemic and its ongoing impacts on the construction industry, affecting supply chains and material availability resulting in material shortages.

“As designers, we have seen unprecedented upheaval in the construction sector over the last two years. While there have been similar delays and supply chain issues on the CCM, through our integrated approach to project delivery, these have been minimized compared to other projects. We are pleased with the progress made and look forward to seeing the museum open to the public in 2023,” said managing principal at Lett Architects Inc. Bill Lett.

The CCM remains hopeful that the new museum will be able to celebrate its grand opening during paddling season.

“We are working very closely with the project team to recover the schedule delays, as we would be overjoyed to open earlier. With so much excitement and interest in the new museum, locally and nationally, we want to be transparent with our community about the timeline as we know many are planning trips to visit us this summer,” continued Hyslop.

To learn more about the new museum or to donate, visit the website.

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Construction Underway In Groundbreaking Ceremony For Peterborough's Twin-Pad Arena And Public Library Branch

The shovels dug deep for the twin-pad arena and Peterborough Public Library branch’s groundbreaking ceremony at Morrow Park on Thursday.

The building features an indoor walking track and multi-use space along with the twin-pad arena. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The new community centre is being built on the west side of Morrow Park with construction projected to be completed in fall 2024.

The arena serves as the replacement for the single-pad Northcrest Arena closing in April 2020 and replaces the DelaFosse Library Branch closing in March 2020.

“Our community is working to build our tomorrow together, including investing in community infrastructure and fostering Peterborough as the place to invest, work, live and play,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Infrastructure such as this new hub for recreational activities along with a new Peterborough Public Library branch will become part of the life of the residents of our community while also supporting economic activity by attracting regional and provincial events that use our sports facilities.”

“Today marks the official groundbreaking for the construction of a true community centre for our citizens of all ages,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, Council’s Arenas, Parks and Recreation Portfolio Chair. “It is a much-needed facility to support the community services that our residents deserve and expect. Peterborough deserves this beautiful facility for our essential physical, mental, and social well-being.”

“The design reimagines what an arena and library can be, as a gateway to the City and a destination for a diverse range of residents,” Christina Grimes, Project Architect, Perkins + Will, said. “The plan is composed around a series of pavilion forms for each major use. This helped us create a welcoming civic scale for the building, allowing it to function as both a recreation and learning hub for the community.”

Studies and community consultation had identified an existing need for additional ice/floor time capacity for City recreational facilities users that will continue to grow as the City’s population grows according to a press release.

Construction started in October lead by Ball Construction on the $65.5-million project. About $37 million of the cost comes from development charges levied on new community development to help pay for growth-related infrastructure.

The City will issue an Expression of Interest in the coming weeks to draw interest from all businesses and highlight some of the key sponsorship and Naming Rights available at this facility.

There is a second phase planned for an addition of an aquatics complex but has not been budgeted or approved for now. The project is being designed in order to be ready to proceed with the second phase if funding becomes available.

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The Canadian Canoe Museum Closed Due to Windstorm Damage

Extensive damage from Saturday’s windstorm has caused the Canadian Canoe Museum to close while it undergoes repairs announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of The Canadian Canoe Museum.

The museum is temporarily closed until June 4, reopening at 10 a.m.

Damage includes torn signage from high winds, blown-out windows in the Collection Centre and downed trees at both locations. The main building's roof suffered significant damage with several attachments being blown off. It resulted in rain and moisture entering the galleries, soaking several different parts of the museum.

No one or collection pieces were injured or damaged during this windstorm.

The Museum is reopening with its summer operating hours in effect (Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Any pre-purchased tickets for May 22 to June 3 will be refunded.

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