Familiar Reid and Parkhill Corner Reduced to Rubble

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By Scott Arnold

A familiar corner in Peterborough has changed dramatically after the building that housed Mister Convenience and Harbour Front Laundry Villa was demolished as part of the City's long-planned Chemong Road reconstruction project.

A familiar corner in Peterborough has changed dramatically after the building that housed Mister Convenience and Harbour Front Laundry Villa was demolished as part of the City's long-planned Chemong Road reconstruction project.

Debris covers the property at reid and parkhill following the demolition former home of Mister Convenience and Harbour Front Laundry Villa (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The property at the corner of Reid Street and Parkhill Road was a familiar sight for many residents, with Mister Convenience at 656 Reid St. and Harbour Front Laundry Villa operating next door at 652 Reid St.

For many residents, the corner was a regular stop before the building was torn down

screen shot via google maps

The familiar streetscape at Reid Street and Parkhill Road looks much different following the demolition

screenshot via google maps

The corner has long been a familiar fixture in the community and a regular stop for local residents at one of the city's busiest intersections.

Heavy equipment clears the site where a familiar corner business once welcomed customers for years.

photo by scott arnold

The site has been cleared as preparations continue for the City's long-planned Chemong Road reconstruction project.

photo by scott arnold

The former Mister Convenience and Harbour Front Laundry Villa has been demolished at the corner of Reid Street and Parkhill Road.

photo by scott arnold

The removal of the building is one of the first visible changes connected to the City's plans for the Chemong Road corridor.

photo by scott arnold

Demolition has transformed a corner that generations of Peterborough residents have come to recognize.

photo by scott arnold

The demolition is one of the first visible signs of the City's long-planned reconstruction of the Chemong Road corridor. The project includes improvements along Chemong Road, Reid Street and Parkhill Road, including upgraded infrastructure, improved pedestrian and cycling facilities, intersection upgrades and changes designed to improve traffic flow and reduce flooding.

While the building is now gone, it's a location that many longtime residents will remember for the businesses that operated there over the years. Its demolition marks the end of another familiar piece of the neighbourhood streetscape as preparations continue for the future changes planned in the area.


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

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Scott Arnold


Demolition Begins for Planned 17-Storey East City Development

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By Scott Arnold

Demolition is underway at 90 Hunter St. E., where the church's former community hall is being removed to make way for a controversial 17-storey mixed-use development approved by Peterborough City Council last summer.

Demolition is underway at 90 Hunter St. E., where the church's former community hall is being removed to make way for a controversial 17-storey mixed-use development approved by Peterborough City Council last summer.

Demolition is underway at 90 Hunter St. E. as the former community hall on the Mark Street United Church property is removed to prepare for the approved 17-storey mixed-use development. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The project will include a 17-storey building with 205 apartment units and ground-floor commercial space. Mark Street United Church will remain on the property as part of the approved development.

The proposal was controversial during the approval process, with many East City residents voicing concerns about the height and scale of the building and its impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Demolition is underway at 90 Hunter St. E. as the former community hall on the Mark Street United Church property is removed to prepare for the approved 17-storey mixed-use development. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The approved development will be constructed on part of the Mark Street United Church property, while the original church building remains in place. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The next phase of the 90 Hunter St. E. project has begun, with demolition work making way for a future building featuring 205 apartment units and ground-floor commercial space. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The next phase of the 90 Hunter St. E. project has begun, with demolition work making way for a future building featuring 205 apartment units and ground-floor commercial space. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The project at Hunter Street East and Mark Street has been the subject of community discussion, with concerns raised during the approval process about the building’s height and scale. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The project at Hunter Street East and Mark Street has been the subject of community discussion, with concerns raised during the approval process about the building’s height and scale. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

Nearly a year after Peterborough City Council approved the rezoning application, demolition marks the first visible step toward the planned 17-storey East City development. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

Nearly a year after Peterborough City Council approved the rezoning application, demolition marks the first visible step toward the planned 17-storey East City development.

Demolition work continues at 90 Hunter St. E. as the site moves toward construction of a new mixed-use building that will add 205 residential units to East City. (rendering courtesy tvm group)

Council approved the rezoning for the project in August 2025. The development will add 205 new housing units, contributing toward the city's provincially assigned housing target.

With demolition now underway, the project has reached its first visible stage as the site is prepared for construction.


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.

A Photo Tour Through The Old Historic Peterborough County Jail

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UPDATE (May 11th): Our Scott Arnold was back on site as he documents demo for us and reports that this is pretty much all that remains of the old jail as demolition of the 151 year old structure continues...

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UPDATE (May 1st): Our Scott Arnold visited the site again on Sunday (May 1st) as the demo continues. Here are his pictures...

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ORIGINAL POST

The old jail at Peterborough County Courthouse is being demolished to be converted into a park, and PTBOCanada contributor Scott Arnold has visited the site on several occasions.

Scott has posted photos of the jail—which dates back to the 1840s—during the demolition process to his Instagram page, including these below...

More recently, Scott got an even better look at the demo site when he noticed that a door between the old jail and the courthouse had been left swung open. 

"On the other side of the door was a narrow dark corridor," Scott says. "It was complete silence. I kept walking and was spooked when three pigeons started flying out from above. They scared the crap out of me. I kept going and there was an open air lounge area with a big set of black metal stairs with bright yellow stripes that I climbed."

At the top of the stairs, Scott got a much better look at the demo happening. "I was excited to get this view, I love capturing history and exploring historical buildings," he says. "I had never been in that jail, only heard the many stories, so it was pretty surreal—even with it being almost demolished."

Here are more photos below Scott captured from atop those stairs...

The Quaker tower sits in the background

The Quaker tower sits in the background

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Here Are Drawings Of The New Park That Will Replace Old Peterborough County Jail

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The old decrepit jail at Peterborough County Courthouse on Water Street is partially being demolished, and the plan is to convert the site into a park.

A peek at the plans from Peterborough's Lett Architects reveals many walls will be left standing, giving the impression of beautiful garden walls.

Lett Architect drawing

Lett Architect drawing

The County is preserving what it can of the old building, and will "then honour the history of the location with interpretive panels throughout the park that tell the stories of the site."

The park project is slated to begin in early Spring, and it looks impressive and picturesque.

Lett Architect drawing

Lett Architect drawing

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PtboPics: City Police Investigation Continues at Home on Raymond St. where explosion occurred

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[photos courtesy Harrison Perkins Photography. Click here to contact Harrison.]

[Related: Demolition begins at site of Wednesday explosion; Crews demolish Raymond Street home; Blast house torn down]

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