New Outdoor Play Spaces Open at YMCA in Peterborough Thanks to $128,600 Grant

By Scott Arnold

Children and youth at the YMCA of Central East Ontario’s Balsillie Family Branch in Peterborough now have two new outdoor spaces for sports, games and recreation, following a $128,600 provincial grant.

$128,600 OTF Grant from the Province of Ontario Supports New Outdoor Play Spaces Project at the YMCA (photo courtesy of the YMCA of CEO Balsillie Family Branch)

MPP Dave Smith visited the YMCA on October 21st to celebrate the completion of the project, funded through a 2025 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The two spaces feature multi-sport court markings and equipment, secure fencing and shade structures to help protect participants from the sun. They are designed to support YMCA camps, recreational programs and other activities for young people.

Since opening, the new spaces have already been enjoyed by hundreds of children and youth taking part in summer camps and YMCA programs, offering more opportunities to play sports, build skills and connect with others.

“These new outdoor spaces have already had a tremendous impact on our campers and program participants,” said MaryAnne Wooldridge, General Manager of the Balsillie Family Branch. “They provide safe, inclusive places where children and youth can stay active, build friendships, and develop lifelong healthy habits.”

Smith said the investment will help strengthen opportunities for young people in the community.

“These new multi-sport courts and shaded play areas will give our local children and youth high-quality spaces to build skills, make lifelong friends, and stay active for years to come,” said Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation supports community projects across the province. In 2025-26, it invested nearly $107 million in 746 projects focused on areas including child and youth development, active living and creating spaces for people to connect.

Learn more about the Ontario Trillium Foundation at otf.ca.

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

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Peterborough Engineering Symposium to Explore the Future of Canadian Nuclear Technology

By Scott Arnold

From CANDU reactors to small modular reactors and fusion, a Peterborough symposium will bring together experts to discuss the technologies shaping the future of nuclear energy in Canada.

Engineering professionals, researchers, and industry leaders will gather at Fleming College on Saturday, November 7 for the 2026 Peterborough Engineering Symposium, focusing on Canadian nuclear technology from Canadian Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactors to small modular reactors, fusion, and beyond. (photo courtesy of Fleming College)

The 2026 Peterborough Engineering Symposium takes place Saturday, November 7th at Fleming College’s Sutherland Campus, with presentations and panel discussions exploring the evolution of Canada’s nuclear industry and what comes next.

Topics will include CANDU technology, small modular reactors (SMRs), fusion and nuclear waste management. Discussions will also look at the future of the Canadian nuclear industry, workforce development and the environmental considerations involved in sustainable nuclear energy.

Speakers are scheduled from organizations including BWXT, Ontario Power Generation, Ontario Tech University, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and Candu Energy Inc., an AtkinsRéalis company.

The event is organized by the IEEE Peterborough Section, Professional Engineers Ontario’s Peterborough Chapter, Fleming College’s Centre for Applied Machine Intelligence and Integration Technologies (CAMIIT) and Ontario Tech University’s Brilliant Energy Institute.

Dr. Fereydoon Diba, Director and Principal Researcher at CAMIIT, says the symposium will give experts an opportunity to share knowledge and examine both the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.

“As Canada looks to expand its clean energy capacity, these conversations are important to advancing innovation, strengthening collaboration, and preparing the skilled workforce needed for the next generation of nuclear technology,” says Diba.

Registration begins at 9am, with presentations starting at 10am. The day also includes college tours and information tables before the symposium wraps up at 4pm.

For event details and registration, visit the 2026 Peterborough Engineering Symposium page on Eventbrite.

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

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Free Marketing Workbook Helps Peterborough Businesses Make Every Dollar Count

By Scott Arnold

Small businesses looking to get more out of their marketing now have a free resource to help them build a strategy before spending time and money on promotion.

In Celebration of Small Business Week 2026 Community Futures Peterborough Launches New Free Downloadable Marketing Workbook. (photo courtesy of community futures peterborough)

Community Futures Peterborough’s Business Advisory Centre has launched a downloadable Marketing Workbook to help local entrepreneurs plan their marketing around clear goals rather than simply deciding what to post or where to advertise.

Released during Small Business Week 2026, the workbook provides a step-by-step guide to identifying a target audience, defining what sets a business apart, understanding competitors, setting goals and choosing the right marketing channels.

The aim is to help business owners make more informed decisions about where they invest their time and money, rather than taking a trial-and-error approach to promotion.

Rosalea Terry, Manager of the Business Advisory Centre and Corporate Communications at Community Futures Peterborough, says marketing should be a strategic tool for business growth rather than simply another task on an already busy to-do list.

“Marketing can easily become something they feel they have to do rather than something they strategically use to grow their business,” says Terry. “This workbook is about making marketing more intentional, manageable, and connected to the bigger picture.”

The workbook is designed for businesses at any stage, from those developing their first marketing plan to established businesses looking to make sure their marketing efforts still align with their goals.

It also complements the Business Advisory Centre’s marketing and branding workshops and one-on-one advisory services for entrepreneurs looking for additional support.

The free Marketing Workbook is available through the Community Futures Peterborough website, where business owners can also find upcoming workshops and information about booking individual advisory sessions.

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

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United Way Peterborough & District and PATH Launch Annual Coats for Community Winter Clothing Drive

By Scott Arnold

With winter approaching, United Way Peterborough & District and Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) are asking the community to help ensure local residents have the warm clothing and winter essentials they need.

Coats for Community… and More! collects winter clothing and essential gear for local residents, with donations helping people stay warm through the colder months. (Photo Courtesy of United Way Peterborough & District)

The annual Coats for Community… and More! campaign launched October 21st, continuing a tradition that began in 1986 as Coats for Kids. Now in its third consecutive year of partnership with PATH, the initiative collects winter clothing and gear for people who need it.

Last winter, more than 2,200 coats and hundreds of other winter essentials were distributed through the program.

Donations of new and gently used items are welcome, including winter coats, snow pants, insulated boots, hats, gloves, mittens, warm clothing layers, blankets and sleeping bags. Hand warmers are also needed. Used items should be in good condition, without stains or tears and with working zippers.

A community collection day is planned for Saturday, November 7th, from 10am to 2pm at PATH, located at 385 Lansdowne Street East in Peterborough. Donations can also be dropped off at PATH on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm throughout the winter, with collections continuing into April.

Workplaces, schools, sports teams, service clubs and other community groups are encouraged to organize their own collection drives. A limited number of collection boxes are available through United Way Peterborough & District.

For residents who need winter clothing, PATH will offer pickup opportunities on Saturdays from November 14th to December 19th, between 10am and 2pm. Volunteers will help community members find suitable items, with clothing also available through some local service providers.

To ask about organizing a collection, volunteering or arranging collection boxes, contact Betsy MacDonald at United Way Peterborough & District at bmacdonald@uwpeterborough.ca.

More information about accessing winter gear and local service providers is available through the United Way Peterborough & District website.

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

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