Two City of Peterborough Lifeguards Receive Rescue Awards of Merit

Two lifeguards with the City of Peterborough were honoured with Rescue Awards of Merit from Lifesaving Society Ontario during a ceremony Tuesday.

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Avery Fam and Tessa Kitchen, both lifeguards and swim instructors at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, received the awards in recognition of their life-saving actions while off duty.

On Oct. 6, 2025, Fam noticed an individual lying on the grass near the parking lot of the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre. After checking the individual, she determined they were not breathing. Fam immediately ran into the facility to call 9-1-1 and retrieve a first aid kit before returning to begin CPR. 

Kitchen, who was arriving at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, noticed Fam providing assistance to the individual and quickly joined her. After CPR was administered, the individual began breathing again. 

Both lifeguards continued to provide first aid until paramedics arrived. The individual was transported to hospital and survived the incident. 

“We are incredibly proud of these two off-duty lifeguards whose quick thinking, training and selflessness saved a life when it mattered most,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Their actions are a powerful reminder that the skills our lifeguards carry don’t end when their shift does. On behalf of City Council and the community, I congratulate Avery and Tessa on receiving Lifesaving Society Ontario’s Rescue Award of Merit and thank them for exemplifying the very best of public service.” 

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MP Michelle Ferreri to Host Free Fun Swim at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre

To kick off the March Break, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha Michelle Ferreri will be hosting a Free Fun Swim at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on March 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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This swim is open to all ages and abilities, offering fun-packed activities for everyone. Participants can take a ride down the area’s largest indoor water slide, enjoy the water features in the leisure pool or relax in our therapy pool featuring soothing jets and warm water.

Accessibility features include a Poolpod platform lift available in the leisure pool and an accessible ramp with water wheelchairs are available in the therapy pool. Water wings, lifejackets and noodles are available for use.

“Very excited to bring families together at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, a great space to make memories. We may not have summer yet, but we have a great indoor public pool with a slide. Hope to see everyone there,” says MP Ferreri.

The following rules are in place to ensure a safe pool experience for everyone:

• Swimmers 15 years of age and under are required to wear a wrist band for Fun Swims.

• Children under 10 must be supervised in the water by an adult , with a maximum of three children to one adult.

• Swimmers must be 42” tall and are required to pass swim test to use the slide.

• The maximum capacity for the aquatic facility is 175, including a maximum 44 persons in the therapy pool. Once maximum capacity is met, no additional swimmers will be admitted.This swim is open to all ages and abilities, offering fun-packed activities for everyone. Participants can take a ride down the area’s largest indoor water slide, enjoy the water features in the leisure pool or relax in our therapy pool featuring soothing jets and warm water.

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City Of Peterborough Seeks Public Input On Feasibility Of Building Multi-Use Sport & Event Centre

Hallelujah to The City of Peterborough, which is studying the feasibility of building a new multi-use sport and event centre in the City and is seeking public input.

The study is being conducted in two phases, with an initial review of market opportunities to replace the existing Peterborough Memorial Centre and a second phase including a more detailed assessment of potential site locations, concept design and financial implications of investing in a new facility. 

The public is invited to join the City's consultants for an information session at the Evinrude Centre:

Date: Tuesday, April 3rd
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Evinrude Centre, Banquet Hall, 911 Monaghan Road
 
The purpose of the meeting is to provide background to the work, and answer questions like:

• What is a feasibility study?
• Why is an experienced and multi-disciplinary consulting team needed?
• What is the process of this study (Phase 1 and Phase 2) and what might the subsequent process look like?
• What outputs are likely and what impacts may arise?

The City wants to hear your opinion on the project and the merits of a new venue, and what ideal locations should be considered in developing a new multi-use sport and entertainment complex in or around Downtown Peterborough.

The consulting team led by Sierra Planning and Management will provide a presentation and facilitate a general discussion of results of the study so far at the event on April 3rd, and the issues and choices facing the City as a result of the analysis.

The Study has been underway for several months and details of the process can be found on the City of Peterborough website under “Business/Studies & Projects”.

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