New Peterborough Visitor Centre to Open at the Lift Lock On June 26

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Peterborough Tourism with the City of Peterborough is preparing to open the doors of the Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock on June 26.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The Visitor Centre location will be an information hub where visitors and locals can access information about attractions, experiences and local businesses in Peterborough.

“This new Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock represents an exciting step forward in how we welcome people to Peterborough,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The Peterborough Lift Lock is one of our most iconic attractions and a celebrated National Historic Site of Canada. As the largest urban centre along the waterway, our connection to the water is central to both our community identity and visitor experience. This new space strengthens that connection and invites exploration year-round.”

Located at 353 Hunter St. E. at the base of the Lift Lock, the Visitor Centre is accessible to those travelling by boat, car, bike or on foot.

As of June 26, the Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock will be open year-round. Here, visitors and residents can access the tools and inspiration to explore the city and surrounding region.

In the coming months, programming will be developed that celebrates the area’s culture, heritage, and natural environment, including Indigenous perspectives, with opportunities to amplify diverse voices and stories.

“It’s so wonderful to see a space that makes it easier for people to connect with Peterborough and one of Canada’s most iconic landmarks,” said Emma Harrison, Peterborough-Kawartha MP. “The Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock will once again be a welcoming, accessible hub where visitors and community members can come together, explore, and experience all that our vibrant region has to offer. By reopening the doors to more inclusive and engaging ways to discover the Trent–Severn Waterway, this initiative helps bring people closer to the stories, culture, and connections that make Peterborough so special. It’s also great to see the centre being run by people who know it best, bringing local knowledge and passion to the experience.”

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Lift Lock Tunnel to Temporary Close On Monday For Embankment Work

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Parks Canada is temporarily closing the Lift Lock Tunnel on Hunter Street East in Peterborough to allow for work on the embankment, immediately east of the tunnel on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Tunnel will be closed to vehicular traffic from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday.

A signed detour route will be in place. Traffic control personnel will be on-site to assist with the movement of emergency services vehicles, transit buses, and heavy trucks. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly.

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City of Peterborough Discontinues Maintenance On Canal Due to Budgeting; Final Deliberations In Early February

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As part of its 2025 Budget deliberations, the City of Peterborough is not maintaining a skating rink at the Peterborough Lift Lock and may remove that service as a cost-cutting measure.

File Photo.

With the canal property of Parks Canada, the City does not decide on public access to the property, according to a press release. Parks Canada has, in the past, installed steps for public access to the ice surface of the canal at the City’s request.

The City estimates an annual cost of $100,000 for maintenance, which includes activities such as regularly flooding the ice surface to create a smooth rink, snow clearing with snow clearing machines, and testing ice thickness.

The green flag was posted for safe skating on the canal beneath the Lift Lock for the following number of days for each of the past few seasons based on weather and ice conditions: 2021-2022 season, 12 days; 2022-2023 season, four days; 2023-2024 season, one day.

The City also operates an outdoor skating rink at Quaker Foods City Square on Charlotte Street. It administers a neighbourhood park rink program provided by volunteers who maintain rinks at neighbourhood parks.

City Council will continue its 2025 Budget deliberations on Jan. 20 with final approval of the 2025 Budget anticipated on Feb. 3.

The Draft 2025 Budget reflects an eight per cent all-inclusive property tax increase for 2025. City Council has indicated it would like options to reduce the all-inclusive property tax increase to seven per cent.

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Traffic Interruptions Expected At Kirkfield Lift Lock Until Friday Evening For Repairs

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Parks Canada advises the public to expect traffic interruptions at the Kirkfield Lift Lock until Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

THE KIRKFIELD LIFT LOCK IS LOCATED A FEW KILOMETRES NORTH OF THE VILLAGE OF KIRKFIELD. PHOTO COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA.

A crane will be on-site to support the final repairs at the Kirkfield Lift Lock before the navigation season.

“We expect to be able to maintain both lanes of traffic flow on Kirkfield Road (County Road 6), although traffic controls, including flaggers and signage, will be in place as needed,” according to a press release statement.

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Partial Lane Closure For Kirkfield Lift Lock; Traffic Interruptions Expected

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Expect traffic interruptions at the Kirkfield Lift Lock as there is a partial lane closure until Friday at 5 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The closure on Kirkfield Road (County Road 6) is required to facilitate crane access to support the necessary repairs. Traffic controls including flaggers and signage will be in place as needed.

Parks Canada thanks area residents and visitors for their patience and understanding.

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David Tuan Bui


Runner's Life Seeking Skaters To Make World's Longest Conga Line At Peterborough Lift Lock

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Runner’s Life Ltd is calling all skaters in the area to create the world’s longest Conga line along the Lift Lock canal on Feb. 4.

File Photo.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Skaters of all skill levels are invited to participate. For every skater participating, a dollar will be donated to ComPassion Project.

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Partial Lane Closure At Kirkfield Lift Lock For Repairs Scheduled For Tuesday Until Saturday

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The Kirkfield Lift Lock (Highway 503) will experience traffic interruptions from a lane closure starting from Tuesday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m. according to Parks Canada.

THE KIRKFIELD LIFT LOCK IS LOCATED A FEW KILOMETRES NORTH OF THE VILLAGE OF KIRKFIELD. PHOTO COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA.

The closure facilitates crane access, supporting the Kirkfield Lift Lock Urgent Repair project according to Parks Canada. Traffic controls, including flaggers and signage, will be in place as necessary.

The pedestrian walking path from the south side to the washrooms through the road-level walkway will be unavailable during this period.

While repairs progress, Parks Canada advises boaters that single chamber lockages remain in place, operating on demand and taking approximately 60 minutes per transfer.

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Fifth-Annual Lock & Paddle Hits Peterborough Lift Lock This Saturday

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Parks Canada’s fifth-annual Lock & Paddle event is welcoming back paddlers and spectators at the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada this Saturday at 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

This year’s theme ‘Lift Your Spirits,’ invites paddlers and attendees to show us what makes them happy! Paddlers get to experience going down the Lift Locks and paddling through the canal. This free all-ages event invites anyone to decorate their vessel, wear a costume or have fun.

To participate, registrants can go apply online.

Beginners or those with accessibility needs can enter the waterway at the Visitor Centre on-site at the event. Canoes can be launched at the following places:

There is no parking available at the Peterborough Lift Lock or Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre (except for vehicles with Handicapped Accessible signage). A paddle craft drop-off option is available at the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre.

Parking options nearby

This is a smoke-free and alcohol-free event that will happen rain or shine.  

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Jim Carrey Spotted In Peterborough While Scouting Filming Locations For Ace Ventura 3

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UPDATE: 12:20 p.m. 01/04/23

APRIL FOOLS! Did we get you? Jim Carrey was sighted at Peterborough Airport in 2014. It is said that he has property in the Buckhorn area.

Renowned actor Jim Carrey was recently spotted in Peterborough and several other local spots, scouting potential filming locations for his next movie, Ace Ventura 3.

Twitter Photo.

The Newmarket native has had ties to Peterborough, owning a cottage in the Bancroft area and spending several days there in between shoots.

He reached out to fellow Canadian actress Linda Kash at Market Hall (best known for her role as the Philadelphia Cream Cheese angel) to collaborate and help find potential filming spots in town.

“Both of us were big in the 90s and I don’t know how we never had the chance to work together,” explained Kash. “When he called me and asked for my help, I couldn’t say no. I’ve always loved watching him and was a big inspiration to me when I was starting my acting career.”

A movie poster teaser of Ace Ventura 3. A sequel for the series’s third incarnation ahs been 18 years in the making.

Carrey’s movie series, ‘Ace Ventura’ is reputable for its plot of the title character of a pet detective rescuing captive or missing animals.

One spot Kash recommended was the Riverview Park and Zoo as Carrey was brainstorming ideas for exotic animals to be missing in his upcoming film, according to Cathy Mitchell, zoo program supervisor.

“Jim was discussing ideas of what animals we could showcase for his upcoming film,” she explained. “We made suggestions of our beloved otters, Hazard the lynx and several other animals but he was particularly fond of Pablo, our 10-year-old Capybara. We’re incredibly honoured that our beautiful Pablo could become a movie star in the near future.”

Pablo celebrated his 10th birthdya on Valentine’s day. Photo courtesy of Riverview Park & Zoo.

The Peterborough Memorial Centre was in the presence of Carrey as the Peterborough Petes’s mascot Roger was discussed as a potential ‘missing animal’ for the third movie. This would follow in the footsteps of the first movie as it used ‘Snowflake,’ an actual dolphin that was kidnapped while being the Miami Dolphins’ mascot in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

“Roger has been an incredible and iconic mascot for the Peterborough Petes for the past 12 years,” said Adam King, Petes director of marketing. “To potentially see him on a big stage with an actor as famous as Jim Carrey would be wonderful for the Petes organization and Peterborough.

Peterborough Petes Mascot Roger, caught by surprise at the Canada Day Parade last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Kash recommended Peterborough Lift Lock as another filming location for the movie. Carrey said the unique structure could be a perfect spot as a climax scene for the movie as a ‘final showdown’ according to Chad Buchner, Ontario Waterways manager of canal operations.

“With the way the Lift Lock was built and how it operates, Jim told me that there are several angles he could go with filming scenes here,” he explained. “We could have someone falling from atop the Lift Lock, get trapped underneath the water or a boat chase scene along the Trent-Severn Waterway. The possibilities are practically endless.”

File Photo.

A projected date has not yet been released for Carrey’s third movie in the series.

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Kirkfield Lift Lock Repairs Contracted; Projected Completion For This Year's Navigation Season

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Parks Canada has awarded a contract for the Kirkfield Lift Lock to undergo repairs since suffering a mechanical failure on Sept. 2 that resulted in its closure for the rest of 2022.

The Kirkfield Lift Lock is located a few kilometres north of the Village of Kirkfield. Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The Lift Lock is scheduled to be fully operational by the beginning of this year’s navigation season according to Parks Canada.

The scope of work will include: 

  • Repairs to the structural, mechanical and electrical components.

  • System improvements to increase safety controls and access improvements to critical system components.

  • Backup system improvements to minimize impacts on future maintenance activities.

The Kirkfield Lift Lock is the second-highest hydraulic lift lock in the world with a lift of 15 metres (49 ft). The Kirkfield lock is at the highest point along the waterway at 256.20 m (840.5 ft.) above sea level.

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