You've Driven Past Benmor Towers: This Week Is Your Chance to Take a Look Inside

By Scott Arnold

AON is inviting the Peterborough community to tour Benmor Towers this week and discover what life is like inside the long-standing Parkhill Road West apartment community.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour Benmor Towers during AON's open house this week, including a look inside renovated and traditional suite layouts. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

Located at 630 and 650 Parkhill Road near Jackson Park, Benmor Towers will open its doors Tuesday, July 28th, and Thursday, July 30th, for residents interested in learning more about the building, viewing available suites and seeing the amenities and community that have made it a home for many residents over the years.

The open house will take place Tuesday from 9am to noon and Thursday from noon to 3pm. Visitors can stop by during those times to tour the building and speak with AON’s leasing team. No appointment is required, although visitors can sign up ahead of time if they wish.

For Leasing Manager Jeneen Spellman, who has spent more than 20 years helping people find their next home, the most rewarding part of the job is the relationships built along the way.

“I build relationships with them that carry on for years after,” Spellman said.

Benmor Towers is designed as an adult living community, offering residents a comfortable apartment lifestyle with on-site support and a strong sense of community. Spellman said many residents are looking for a more convenient option after selling their home and want a place that allows them to enjoy their next stage of life.

“They’re looking for a turnkey apartment to do their traveling,” she said.

The two-tower complex offers a convenient location with easy access to downtown Peterborough, surrounding areas and nearby green space, including Jackson Park located just behind the property.

Benmor Towers on Parkhill Road West is welcoming prospective residents and community members to explore the building during open house events on Tuesday and Thursday. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

During the open house, visitors will have an opportunity to see different suite layouts, including a recently renovated apartment featuring an updated open-concept design, modern kitchen layout, renovated bathroom and additional storage space.

While every suite has its own features, Spellman said one of the things residents appreciate most is the community that has developed inside the building.

“It’s a good sense of community,” she said.

Benmor Towers also has on-site superintendents, with AON staff available to assist residents when needed.

For Spellman, helping someone find the right fit is what continues to make the work rewarding.

“I love the people that I meet every day,” she said. “No day is the same.”

Residents interested in learning more about Benmor Towers can visit during the open house Tuesday from 9am to noon or Thursday from noon to 3pm.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Canadian Council of the Blind Receives $1,250 Donation From AON Inc.

AON Inc. has donated over $1,200 to the Canadian Council of the Blind Peterborough Chapter at a cheque presentation Monday.

photo courtesy of The Canadian council of the blind.

The donation will go towards the continued support of the local blind community; providing visual aids for those with vision-loss.

“On behalf of the Canadian Council of the Blind Peterborough chapter, thank you to AON Corporation and The Gardens for your generous donation and continued support. Your kindness makes a real difference in the lives of blind and visually impaired people in our community,” said Christel Galachiuk, Chair of the Canadian Council of the Blind Peterborough. “Because of partners like you, we are able to provide connection, advocacy and meaningful programs that help people live more independent and fulfilling lives. We are truly grateful for your generosity and belief in our mission.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Photos: AON Inc.'s Long-Term Care Home Station Place's Celebrates Grand Opening In Havelock

AON Inc.’s Station Place long-term care home is officially operating, as they hosted their grand opening in Havelock on Friday afternoon.

Dignitaries and AON Inc. staff cut the ribbon to mark the grand opening of Station Place Long-Term Care Home in Havelock. All Photos by David Tuan Bui.

Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Jim Martin, Havelock Mayor were part of several dignitaries that came out to speak and celebrate the event.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed to mark the occasion. Tours of the facility were given to the public following the event.

@ptbo_canada AON Inc’s Station Place long-term care home in Havelock had its official grand opening. The home has a capacity of 128 beds in its 86,355 sq ft building. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #havelock ♬ Party - DJ EV

The building had its groundbreaking Aug. 9, 2023. The project was to be completed by September this year but it was completed within its budget and ahead of schedule in the summer.

It features dining, activity areas, lounges and access to outdoor spaces, accommodating 128 beds.

The long-term care home was 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.

The site is approximately 86,355 sq ft. and is located at 628 Old Norwood Rd. in Havelock. AON won the bid to build the long-term care home on Feb 17, 2022.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Minister of Long-Term Care Visits AON Inc.'s Newly-Built Station Place In Havelock

As Minister of Long-Term Care, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta made a stop in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, she was happily greeted by the staff of AON Inc.’s Station Place long-term care home in Havelock on Tuesday afternoon.

Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care (left) and Michael OKeeffe, Station Place administrator (right) touring Station Place and all of its amenities. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly 110 staff were out to greet the Mississauga Centre MPP with clapping and cheers as Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith escorted her to the facility.

The home has been newly built and is set to admit residents this Monday with a capacity of 128.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 9, 2023. The project was to be completed by September this year but it was completed ahead of schedule in the summer.

The long-term care home was 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.

@ptbo_canada As Minister of Long-Term Care, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta made a stop in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, she was happily greeted by the staff of AON Inc.’s Station Place long-term care home in Havelock. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #havelock ♬ You Blues You Lose - Jeff Lofton

The site is approximately 86,355 sq ft. and is located at 628 Old Norwood Rd. in Havelock. AON won the bid to build the long-term care home on Feb 17, 2022.

The home features dining, activity areas, lounges and access to outdoor spaces, accommodating 128 beds.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Canadian Council of the Blind Receives Cheque From AON Inc. For Increased Accessibility For Visual Aids

To help the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB Peterborough) increase accessibility, AON Inc. has donated $1,000 at the former’s office on Friday afternoon.

(From left to right) Vikci Coppins, Centennial Place director of dietary services; Sarah Joore, Aon Inc Sales and marketing project coordinator; Andra Hughes, Aon Inc wellnesss coordinator, Jim Haryett, CCB volunteer and Debby Whittern, Empress Gardens. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money was used to purchase items to help in visual aids for the CCB.

It purchased two portable digital video magnifiers, two large-font keyboards and 100 signature cards.

“Donations like this are instrumental in supporting our ‘From the Blind, For the Blind’ lending library,” said Debby Harriet CCB librarian. “We are always in need of new devices, and each device makes a real difference to a community member.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Photos: AON Inc. Hosts 'Taste of the Gardens' In Food Vendor Showcase; Held Bake Sale To Benefit Kawartha Food Share

AON Inc. held a double feature of events with a ‘Taste of the Gardens’ food showcase and a ‘Fall Bake Sale’ held at Princess Gardens and Empress Gardens respectively on Thursday afternoon.

Teri Penfound, Colio Estate Wines area manager (left); Ray Barlow, AON Inc. VP (middle) and Dan Leal, director of dining services (right) enjoying a wine sample. All Photos by David Tuan Bui.

The Taste of the Gardens is a food showcase with over 20 vendors at Princess Gardens. It allows residents to sample various foods and drinks served at AON Inc.’s long-term care homes.

“It's bringing a food show to our residents so they get a chance to sample different ideas for the menus,” said Dan Leal, AON Inc. director of dining services. “Our vendors have come to showcase some of their new products with feedback for their fall menu.”

The feedback allows AON Inc. to adjust its menus from the feedback to better suit the needs of the residents and mix up the food choices available throughout the year.

“A lot of the vendors have commented on how the residents are enjoying their products and it's nice to see that the products that they are promoting and selling are bringing smiles to someone's face,” explained Leal. “They're enjoying it and they're getting honest feedback.”

Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager (left) helps a customer select baked goods made by AON Inc. staff. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Simultaneously, Empress Gardens hosted a bake sale, with all proceeds benefitting Kawartha Food Share.

The baked goods included brownies, cookies, pies, haystacks, tarts and more, all made by AON Inc. staff.

Samples of baked goods, coffee, tea, and lemonade were also available to the public.

$1,575 was raised as a result of the bake sale fundraiser.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Photos: Aon Inc's Peterborough Petes Support Rally Had Fans Partying In a Team Meet and Greet

Prior to the team’s home opener, the Peterborough Petes had a meet and greet with fans at AON Inc’s support rally held at Royal Gardens Retirement Residence on Saturday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of AON Inc.

Photo courtesy of AON Inc.

Photo courtesy of AON Inc.

Photo courtesy of AON Inc.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Joore.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Joore.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Joore.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Joore.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Joore.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Joore.

The event featured vendors, autograph sessions, raffles, a kids’ table and food including a donut bar. Fans could meet and interact with the Petes and their mascot, Roger while participating in all the event’s activities.

The Petes have their home opener against the Kingston Frontenacs at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sept. 26.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

AON Inc's Station Place Long-Term Care Home In Havelock With Construction Ahead of Schedule; Company Seeking 140 Staff Members For Training and Hire

Construction for AON Inc.’s Station Place long-term care home in Havelock is ahead of schedule and is expecting project completion for the summer of next year, announced on Friday morning.

Ray Barlow, AON Inc. vice president (far left) helps guide the tour to dignitaries and others of Station Place a year later of construction. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 9 last year was projected to be completed by September next year. However, with hard work and fortunate circumstances, completion has been bumped up to be finished by summer next year, according to Ray Barlow, AON Inc. vice president.

“Our construction team is doing extraordinary,” he explained. The weather's been on our side, the crews' been working well, the contractors are working well together and when you have cooperation, you get a lot of done quickly.”

AON Inc. gave the media and dignitaries a tour of the facility of the 128-bed long-term care home while providing updates on the building’s progress. Dignitaries included Michelle Ferreri, Peterborough-Kawartha MP; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Jim Martin, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township mayor.

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 Smith.

“The residents of Havelock have been waiting a long time for the build of this long-term care home,” he said in a prior interview. “Our government has made commitments to get long-term care homes built in this province and today proves we are doing just that.”

The approximate 86,355 sq ft. site is located at 628 Old Norwood Rd. AON won the bid to build the long-term care home on Feb 17, 2022.

The home will have dining, activity areas, lounges and access to outdoor spaces with 128 beds available. The building will employ over 140 staff (both full-time and part-time), whereas AON Inc. seeks prospective employees immediately for training.

“We have time to help get people training they need and we also have a PSW training program in place that's 100 per cent paid for so when you finish the program, you will have a job at Station Place,” explained Barlow.

Career applications for AON Inc’s Station Place long-term care home can be found online.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for newsletter here.

Career Expo Sees 90 People For AON Inc.'s Long-Term Care Home Station Place In Havelock

With AON Inc.’s long-term care home ‘Station Place’ undergoing construction in Havelock, their career expo saw 90 people fill the Havelock Centre last Thursday.

The groundbreaking ceremony Photo courtesy of AON Inc.

“This event was primarily to start the conversation with our community members about future employment opportunities,” said Cheryl Filiatrault, AON Inc.’s Manager – People & Culture. “The home will not be ready to open until summer 2025 so currently there are no positions to fill yet in Havelock. However, we will begin hiring in early 2025 and will be looking at 150+ new hires at that time.”

This was the first career expo AON Inc. held for Station Place. Filiatrault; Rebecca Hooper, human resources manager and April Coulter, chief nursing officer discussed several topics at the expo.

“We wanted to invite the community to come and spend some time with us and learn more about who we are at AON, what we stand for and the services that Station Place will bring to the community of Havelock,” said Filiatrault. “(We) presented information about the Home’s design, our approach to resident care, and about the many different career opportunities that we will come with Station Place’s opening in 2025.”

The site is located at 628 Old Norwood Rd. in Havelock. AON Inc. won the bid to build the 128-bed long-term care home on Feb. 17 last year. The groundbreaking ceremony occurred at the site on Aug. 9. The building is roughly 86,355 sq ft. and the project’s completion is slated for September next year.

“This home has been the buzz around AON for a few years now and to see it coming together has been exciting for everyone involved,” explained Filiatrault.

Those who missed this past expo will have more opportunities to attend another says Filiatrault.

“We plan to hold similar events in the surrounding communities over the coming months. We plan to host Career Expos in Campbellford, Norwood, Marmora, etc,” she said.

The home will have dining, activity areas, lounges, and access to outdoor spaces. Over 150 staff will work in the building.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Photos: Minister Raymond Cho Mingles With the Residents and Staff of Canterbury Gardens

Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility of Ontario, stopped at AON Inc’s Canterbury Gardens Retirement Residence while visiting Peterborough to mingle with the residents and staff.

Minister Raymond Cho (left) enjoys the hospitality of Marilyn Thomas's (right) residence at Canterbury Gardens. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Cho was in town to make several announcements in the County including at the River Den in Lakefield and the Havelock Seniors Club in Havelock.

The minister told stories, opened a Q&A session for the residents and entertained them with an alto saxophone solo.

The Korean-born politician toured the Canterbury Gardens facility including visiting the residences and listening to the living conditions of the residents which were overwhelmingly positive.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.