Jude’s Joy Gives Ennismore Families a New Place to Play, Connect and Belong

By Scott Arnold

A long-awaited new playground at Ennismore Waterfront Park is now officially open, creating Selwyn Township’s first barrier-free playground and a new accessible space for children and families of all abilities.

Jude’s Joy Inclusive Playground is now officially open at Ennismore Waterfront Park, providing a new barrier-free space where children of all abilities can play and families can connect. (photo provided by Township of selwyn)

The official opening of Jude’s Joy Inclusive Playground brought together families, community members, volunteers, donors and project partners on Friday as the community celebrated the completion of a project years in the making.

Made possible through a partnership between the Ennismore Optimist Club, Jude’s Joy and Selwyn Township, the playground received $145,300 through a Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation. More than $200,000 was also raised through community fundraising, donations and in-kind contributions.

The result is a playground designed so children and youth of all abilities can participate together.

The space features poured-in-place rubber surfacing and adaptive play elements, including an accessible merry-go-round and ground-level sensory elements. Its layout was also designed to encourage interaction between children, families and different generations.

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith was among those at Friday’s opening and said the project demonstrates what can happen when a community comes together.

“This project is a true testament to what can be achieved when a community opens its heart and comes together for our kids,” said Smith. “Jude’s Joy is more than just a playground—it’s a living tribute to love, inclusion, and the simple, priceless joy of play. Our government, through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, is immensely proud to support this barrier-free space, ensuring Jude’s legacy continues to touch and bring families together across Ennismore and Selwyn Township for years to come.”

Accessibility improvements extend beyond the playground itself.

The surrounding area now includes an accessible parking lot, enhanced washroom accessibility, accessible pathways and an access mat leading to the water. Accessible benches, picnic tables and other amenities were also added to support visitors of different ages and abilities.

For Selwyn Township Mayor Sherry Senis, the opening was an opportunity to see the community’s work come to life.

“On behalf of Selwyn Township Council, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make Jude’s Joy a reality,” said Senis. “It was wonderful to celebrate the opening of this special playground with the community and see the joy it is already bringing to children and families. This playground is so much more than a place to play. It is a place where everyone is welcome, where children of all abilities can participate together, and where families and community members can create lasting memories. We are incredibly proud of what our community has accomplished together.”

Julie Grant, community leader for the Jude’s Joy Inclusive Playground project, said seeing families use the space for the first time made the opening especially meaningful.

“Jude’s Joy is a wonderful example of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared vision,” said Grant. “Seeing the playground officially open and watching families experience the space for the first time was an incredibly meaningful moment. The support we received from residents, businesses, organizations, volunteers and donors has been overwhelming. We are so proud to see this vision become a reality and to know that Jude’s Joy will bring joy, inclusion and connection to families for years to come.”

The project was supported by residents, local businesses and organizations throughout its development, with contributions coming through monetary donations, in-kind support and employee donation-matching programs.

Community fundraising efforts included pasta dinners and pancake breakfasts, while the Ennismore Optimist Club worked alongside Jude’s Joy and the Township to help bring the project forward.

With the playground now open, families and visitors can experience the new space as part of Ennismore Waterfront Park.

And Jude’s Joy is not the final improvement planned for the park. Additional amenities, improvements and enhancements are planned as the waterfront space continues to evolve.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation provided the $145,300 grant supporting the playground. The provincial agency invested nearly $107 million in 746 community projects across Ontario during 2025-26, supporting initiatives focused on areas including active lifestyles, child and youth development, community connection, economic well-being and environmental sustainability.

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

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Ennismore Arena Set to Reopen With Community Celebration and Free Public Skate

By Scott Arnold

The Ennismore Community Centre arena is set to officially reopen on Thursday, September 24th with an afternoon celebration and free public skate.

The Ennismore Community Centre Arena is set to reopen on September 24th, with the community invited to celebrate and take part in a free public skate.

The community is invited to the grand reopening celebration at the arena at 553 Ennis Road from 4:30 to 6pm.

Visitors can drop in during the celebration to enjoy refreshments, look through project photos, connect with neighbours and mark the return of the arena.

A free public skate will also take place from 5 to 6pm. Residents are encouraged to bring their skates and join others on the ice as the community celebrates the reopening.

The arena project was supported through the Province of Ontario’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) and Hydro One’s Community Investment Program.

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

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Local Pro Wrestler Sean Morley, Better Known as Val Venis, Returns to the Ring at Age 55

By Scott Arnold

A familiar WWE character returned to the spotlight last week as Peterborough-connected wrestler Sean Morley brought back Val Venis for a viral in-ring comeback.

former wwe superstar sean moley, who has ties to peterborough and ennismore, came out of retirement at age 55 last week, reprising his val venis character, for a match in new jersey (photo via x @wrestlingnewsco

The 55-year-old former WWE star stepped back inside the ring for Independent Stars of Pro Wrestling’s Legends of Wrestling Night in Wildwood, New Jersey, reprising the character that made him famous.

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Complete with the trademark white towel around his waist and the familiar Val Venis entrance, Morley’s return quickly gained attention online, with photos and videos spreading among wrestling fans who had not seen the character in years.

Morley faced Rico Gold in his return match, which ended in a loss, but the result was secondary to the nostalgia surrounding the return of one of WWE’s recognizable personalities from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

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While Morley now lives in Mesa, Arizona, he has strong ties to the Peterborough area. Born in Oakville, Ontario, he spent years living in Ennismore and is considered by many as a local wrestling product.

After his WWE career came to an end, Morley returned to Peterborough for several years, where he ran a wrestling camp focused on training aspiring professional wrestlers.

His influence on the wrestling world also includes helping a young Peterborough athlete named Bobby Roode get started in the business. Before becoming a multi-time world champion and a prominent WWE producer, Roode credited Morley with teaching him some of the fundamentals of professional wrestling early in his career.

Morley joined WWE in 1998 and became known around the world as Val Venis. During his time with the company, he won the Intercontinental Championship, European Championship and World Tag Team Championship before departing WWE in 2009.

Although he stepped away from full-time wrestling, Morley continued making occasional independent appearances over the years, with his most recent appearance before last week coming in 2023.

For wrestling fans, seeing Val Venis return was a nostalgic reminder of one of WWE’s most recognizable characters. For people in Peterborough, it was another chance to see a local connection return to the spotlight on the world of professional wrestling.

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

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100 Women Peterborough's Final 2025 Meeting Sees Exceptional Turnout in Support of Jude's Joy Initiative

The holiday spirit shone brightly at 100 Women Peterborough’s last meeting of the year, where Jude’s Joy was selected as the recipient of their final donation last Tuesday.

It was a majority vote for the inclusive playground initiative, which works to make local parks accessible to all children. Jude’s Joy secured a collective donation of over $10,000 toward their vision to build the playground at Ennismore Waterfront Park.

“Seeing Jude, my son who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Global Developmental Delay, and other children with disabilities miss out on play experiences with their peers, fuelled my sense of social responsibility,” said Julie Grant, Ennismore Inclusive Playground Project founder. “This is why our goal of enhancing accessibility at the Ennismore waterfront park has always gone beyond just the playground area.”

Other charities that were represented at the event included Green Up and Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation.

“I was thrilled to see our membership show up, even in the harsh, snowy weather,” said Rosalea Terry, 100 Women co-founder. “It speaks volumes about our shared commitment to supporting charities that make a real difference in our community. We are proud to have just wrapped our eighth year of impact in Peterborough with a collective donation to Jude's Joy and are excited to continue giving back in 2026."

For more information on the Ennismore Inclusive Playground Project initiative, visit the website.

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Ennismore Seniors Skating Remain Free After Continued Sponsorship

The Township of Selwyn is maintaining free Seniors Skating at the Ennismore Community Centre, following the continuation of sponsorship by Swish Maintenance and Blue Diamond Window Cleaning.

Photo courtesy of teh Township of Selwyn.

Seniors Skating will be held every Monday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (except holidays) at the Ennismore Community Centre, beginning Monday until March 27.

This program is free of charge for everyone aged 55 and over.

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Ennismore Community Centre Receives Over $930,000 In Funding For Resurfacing From Ontario Government

The Ontario government is investing $931,750 to replace the floor at the Ennismore Community Centre, announced on Friday morning.

CSRIF is a key part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario workers, businesses and families by unleashing the economy and getting more shovels in the ground, with a historic $200 billion investment to build highways, hospitals, transit, schools and other critical infrastructure across the province. Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

The investment is part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF). The initiative helps communities revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP

“This investment in the Ennismore Community Centre is absolutely fantastic news for families in Selwyn Township,” he said. “It's more than just replacing a 54-year-old ice surface; it's about securing the future of a vital community hub. This funding ensures that local sports teams, recreational skaters, and community groups will continue to have a modern, safe, and accessible facility for decades to come. Our government is proud to make these kinds of direct investments that strengthen our communities and support active, healthy living right here at home.”

The project will include replacing the 54-year-old, 180-foot by 80-foot concrete slab floor, refrigeration piping and ice rink chiller. The arena has hosted sporting groups, youth leagues, recreational skaters and community organizations since its construction.

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Ennismore U15 Athletics Qualify For Nationals After Fourth-Place Finish At Provincial Qualifiers

After a fourth-place finish at the OASA Provincial Qualifiers in Wilmot, Ont., the “Ben Smith Sells” Ennismore U15 Athletics (A’s) have qualified for the National Competition in Quebec from Aug. 14-19.

Photo courtesy of Katy Fallis.

The A’s had an undefeated regular season with several players as OMHA champion Ennismore Eagles U15 team members this year.

“These boys have shown incredible dedication and teamwork throughout the season,” said Coach Brett Stevenson, A’s coach. “We're honoured to have the opportunity to compete at the national level and represent Ennismore and the province of Ontario. Community support will be crucial in helping us make this journey.”

The team is seeking community support to help with travel and accommodation costs. The Ennismore U15s are reaching out to local businesses, organizations, and individuals for donations to help ease the financial burden and ensure all players can participate.

Financial donations can be transferred to ennismoreathletics2024@gmail.com.

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Registration For the Ennismore Curling Club Is Open

Registration for the 2023-2024 season of the Ennismore Curling Club is now open.

Photo courtesy of the ENnismore Curling Club.

Curlers can register online for League Curling, Learn to Curl and Friday Drop-In Curling.

In-person registration and a club social is taking place on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at the club, located at 555 Ennis Rd. in Ennismore. Participants are invited to get a drink and catch up with their friends during this night.

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Ennismore Shamrock Festival’s Truck and Tractor Pull Returns July 23

After a 4-year hiatus the Annual Truck & Tractor Pull is returning to the Ennismore Shamrock Festival on Sunday, July 23.

file photo.

The Truck & Tractor Pull will take place at the Robert E. Young Recreation Complex (553 Ennis Rd.) and kicks off at noon.

Admission is $10 per person and children 12 years of age and under are free. This is a licensed event and food vendors will be available trackside.

For those interested in pulling, weigh-in and registration runs from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and you must supply your own hitch.

Classes are listed below:

Local Classes:

Local Vintage Tractor 4,500lb

Local Vintage Tractor 5,500lb

Local Vintage Tractor 6,500lb

Local Vintage Tractor 9,000lb

Local Gas Truck 6,500lb

Local Diesel Truck 8,500lb

Local Highway Tractor

Demo Pull

Sanctioned OTTPA Classes:

Single Engine Modified Tractors 6,100lb

Hot Stock 4x4 Trucks 5,600lb

Vintage Tractors 5,750lb

Modified Tractors 8,000lb

“We are very excited to welcome back the Truck & Tractor Pull to the Ennismore Shamrock Festival once again. With both local classes and OTTPA sanctioned classes, there is something for everyone,” says Londa Junkin, chair of the Ennismore Shamrock Festival Committee. “We wouldn’t be able to pull off this event without the help of our volunteers and sponsors. We are so grateful for their continued support.”

Check out the website for a schedule of events, sponsorship, vendor and volunteer information and more.

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The Ennismore Shamrock Festival & Truck and Tractor Pull is Back Starting July 21 This Summer

The Ennismore Shamrock Festival is returning to the Robert E. Young Recreation Complex from July 21 to 23 in Ennismore.

photo courtesy of the ennismore shamrock festival.

Friday, July 21:

The Ennismore Shamrock Festival starts off with an age of majority dance featuring a DJ and music from Melissa Payne at the Quarry Golf Club in Ennismore. The show begins at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased in advance or for $15 at the door.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at:

• Selwyn Township Municipal Office (1310 Centre Line, Selwyn)

• The Quarry Golf Club (447 Tara Road, Ennismore)

• Sullivan's General Store (476 Ennis Road, Ennismore)

• Jesse's Tap & Grill (583 Robinson Road, Ennismore)

Saturday, July 22:

Saturday is a Free Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with many free children's activities including bouncy castles, petting zoo, Beavertails, snow cones and more. Enjoy an all-day BBQ, local vendors and community information booths.

Sunday, July 23:

The Annual Truck & Tractor Pulls will be held Sunday, July 22nd beginning at 12

Noon. Admission is $10 per person, children 12 years of age and under are FREE.

Food vendor and a licensed refreshment tent will be available trackside. Anyone interested in pulling can check out the website to view the classes and registration times.

Attendees can check out the Shamrock Craft Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday only. This indoor craft show features 100+ vendors. Admission is $2 per person and children 12 years of age and under are free, with all proceeds going to the Shamrock Festival.

All Weekend Long:

The annual Garage Sale and Street Curling hosted by the Ennismore Curling Club (555 Ennis Road, Ennismore) will take place all weekend on Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information on this upcoming festival, visit the website.

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