Peterborough Transit Adjusting Services For the Holidays and January

Peterborough Transit has made service adjustments for all routes for the holiday season from Saturday until Jan. 7, announced on Friday.

All Route 11 and 11A Water trips will be suspended from Christmas Eve until Jan. 8, with regular weekday service resuming on Jan. 9.

On Saturday, all routes end early, with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park). Evening PTBOnDemand service will not be available.

There will be no service on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

On Boxing Day, a Holiday/Sunday service schedule will be in place, with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (or 7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park). Evening PTBOnDemand service will not be available.

On all routes, late evening trips departing after 11:32 p.m. are suspended between the period of Friday 23 until Jan 7. (please note: late evening trips information was updated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday)

On Dec. 31 all routes end early with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park). Evening OnDemand service will not be available. Extended New Year’s Eve service will not be offered this year.

Transit Customer Service desk

The Customer Service desk at the Simcoe Street Terminal will operate with adjusted hours for the holiday period.

• Saturday, Dec. 24: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 25: closed

• Monday, Dec. 26: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Dec. 27 to Friday, Dec. 30: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 31: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Jan. 1: closed

Regular hours resume at the Simcoe Street Bus Terminal on Monday, January 2, 2022.

For questions about Transit service, please call Transit Operations at 705-745-0525 or by email at transitoperations@peterborough.ca.

Service changes to Routes 3, 4 effective Jan. 2, 2023

Starting on Jan. 2, weekday service on Route 3 Park will operate hourly after 9 a.m. and Route 4 Weller will be reduced to operate hourly as Peterborough Transit continues to work towards providing more stable service for our customers during staffing challenges.

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

City of Peterborough Closing Early or Modifying Friday Services Due to Winter Storm

Due to the major winter storm, the City of Peterborough programs and facilities is closing or altering services as of noon on Friday for the safety of employees and customers.

File Photo.

The Peterborough Public Library, arenas, Morrow Building, the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, the Art Gallery of Peterborough and the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) Box Office will be closing early starting at noon on Friday.

Quaker Foods City Square skating rink is temporarily closed due to the weather causing unsafe ice conditions. When weather conditions allow the rink to be re-opened, an update will be posted on peterborough.ca.

The City of Peterborough had previously provided the holiday schedules for programs and facilities for the period between Christmas and the new year, with some facilities operating under different schedules. Due to the storm, some facilities are closing earlier than scheduled.

The Peterborough Public Library will return to regular operating hours on Wednesday, opening at 10 a.m.

The Healthy Planet Arena returns to normal holiday operations as of 11 a.m. on Monday. The PMC returns to normal operations on Tuesday while the Kinsmen Civic Centre will remain closed until Monday.

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre will return to normal operations as of 6 a.m. on Tuesday as previously scheduled for the holidays.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will resume regular operating hours starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

The PMC Box Office offers online services at memorialcentre.ca. It will reopen for regular in-person operating hours starting 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

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

YMCA Closing All Branches For Friday Due To Inclement Weather

Due to the inclement weather from the winter storm, the YMCA is closing all their branches on Friday.

File photo.

The branches closed at 10 a.m. Friday, citing the health and safety of our staff and members is the top priority.

YMCA says they are providing an update to be open for Christmas Eve later on Friday. They were originally scheduled to be open until 2 p.m. on that day.

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

City Providing Temporary Overnight Drop-in Space During Major Winter Storm

The City of Peterborough is providing temporary overnight warming space for people who are experiencing homelessness throughout the major winter storm from Thursday until Boxing Day morning (Dec. 26).

File Photo.

The space is open from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. at the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St.

The City is also providing a daytime drop-in space in partnership with One Roof Community Centre at 99 Brock St. with extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. until Jan. 2.

Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter.

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.

• Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.

• Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.

• Overflow Shelter at 210 Wolfe St., overnight phone 705-761-1875

If regular emergency shelters are full, or for individuals who cannot access traditional shelters, alternative accommodations may be available in motels. If people are given temporary shelter in motels during extreme winter weather, the City provides transportation to the motel and food onsite.

Emergency After Hours Services related to emergency shelter are available through the Social Services by calling 705-926-0096. The Peterborough Social Services website has full details at www.peterborough.ca/socialservices.

Information on the City of Peterborough response plan that provides a warm space for people who are experiencing homelessness to access 24 hours a day during extreme winter weather events is online at www.peterborough.ca/en/news/services-for-people-experiencing-homelessness-during-extreme-winter-weather.aspx.

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

City of Peterborough Declares Significant Weather Event Of Impending Winter Storm

The City of Peterborough has declared a Significant Weather Event in advance on Thursday’s major winter storm.

File Photo.

The forecase is calling for rapidly falling temperatures and potentially damaging winds along with snow and potential for blizzard conditions on Friday and into the weekend. This weather can be dangerous for users of City roads, sidewalks and bike lanes. Snow clearing operations will take longer to complete due to the potential severity of the storm.

“Declaring a Significant Weather Event is a way to advise residents, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists that conditions on roads, sidewalks and bike lanes can be expected to be delayed compared to typical levels of service, due to the potential severity of the approaching storm,” said John Czerniawski, Public Works Operations Manager. 

City of Peterborough Public Works staff are tracking weather radar and preparing operations according to forecasts. They are tracking significant snowfall over a long duration storm with the potential of a flash freeze and snow heavy at times.

Crews will focus on arterial and collector roads first, with residential streets, sidewalks and trails to follow depending on resources and conditions. The City says crews are working until the City’s 978 km of roads, 404 km of sidewalks, 39 kkm of trails and 650 bus stops are cleared. 

There will be 18 plow trucks, 11 sidewalk plows, two graders, seven loaders and backhoes and four light sanding units, with winter abrasives and de-icers stocked and staff ready to be deployed. 

During this time, residents are advised to use caution and that typical winter maintenance service levels for roads may not be met. 

Motorists are advised to stay home and only use the roads for necessary travel. 

• Adjust driving based on the conditions 

• Visibility may be reduced 

• Go slow 

• Watch for taillights ahead 

• Be prepared to stop 

Road users and pedestrians are asked to leave crews the space they need to safely and effectively clean city streets, sidewalks and trails.

Winter parking restrictions are in place and parking is prohibited on all City streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every night. Additionally, residents are asked not to park on City streets for the duration of the storm to allow for effective snow clearing. During snowstorms, free overnight parking is available in municipal parking garages and surface lots. Drivers can use the parking garage entrance ticket for a free ride home on Peterborough Transit. 

“Thank you to everyone for your patience and cooperation as our crews work through this major winter storm,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. ”My sincere appreciation to the City employees who will be working around the clock in difficult conditions this holiday season to keep our roads, sidewalks and trails safe.”

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

Laurie Jones and Company Hair Designers Closing After 36 Years in Peterborough

Laurie Jones and her company Laurie Jones and Company Hair Designers are setting down the scissors and closing up shop, announcing her retirement after 36 years of business in downtown Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Jones.

The salon, located at 165 Sherbooke St., has always been Jones’s sanctuary.

“It’s comfortable here and it’s homey,” she said as she motioned to her space. “It’s always been my comfort zone.”

The salon doors opened in 1986 and offered brow waxing and various cut and colour hair services.

“It was a little scary, but my family was really supportive so I went for it and never looked back,” says Jones. “You kind of wonder if you can actually do it and I remember my dad saying ‘if you don’t ever try it, you’ll never know if you can,’ and with the support of everybody, I was able to.”

After being closed for nearly seven months during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones says she got used to having some downtime.

“I sort of just went ‘you know what? I think I want to try out this retirement thing,’” she laughed. “I’m closing because I want to, not because I have to and that is a big thing to say.”

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Her nephew Jonathan Jones noted that his aunt took great pride in her business.

“Laurie prided herself on getting to know her clients and their families. Her shop was a family-friendly spot filled with laughter and good stories,” he said via e-mail.

As she wraps up her 47-year career, she reflects on the community connections she’s built along the way.

“I’ve had customers for years,” she explains. “In one family I’ve done five generations of hair which is pretty amazing.”

Laurie plans to work until the end of the week, saying she is looking forward to spending her new-found time off with her nephews and family.

“Everybody asks ‘what do you want for your retirement’ and I say people have been loyal to me for 45 years, what more could I want? You can’t get better than loyalty,” says Jones.

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

Six New Constables Have Been Sworn-In to Peterborough Police Service

Six new constables have been welcomed into the Peterborough Police Service, were officially sworn in and received their badges in a ceremony at Peterborough City Hall on Monday.

(form left to right) Constable Jeremy Avey Constable John Bangay, Constable Christopher Cox, Constable Blake Harris, Constable Daniel Hicks and Constable Dominic Moukarzel are the newest recruits to the PEterborough Police Service. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

The following are the newest officers to Peterborough, Lakefield, and Cavan-Monaghan. 

• Constable Jeremy Avey

• Constable John Bangay

• Constable Christopher Cox

• Constable Blake Harris

• Constable Daniel Hicks

• Constable Dominic Moukarzel

The group recently completed basic training at Ontario Police College and was able to have their family and friends attend their ceremony.

“Congratulation to our new recruits, the Peterborough Police Service welcomes you,” said Tim Farquharson, acting chief of police. “We are excited to have you and look forward to you learning and being a part of the Peterborough community.” 

Peterborough Police Services Board Members Drew Merrett and Mayor Jeff Leal were in attendance, welcoming the group to the community and thanking them for their commitment to community service.

These new officers come to the Service from various fields including corrections, security, customer service management, sales, and have volunteer experience with auxiliary units.  They have post-secondary degrees in commerce, sports management, forensics, and police foundations.

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

City Services Offered With Modified Holiday Hours in Peterborough

Various City of Peterborough services will be offering modified hours, with some closures, over the holidays from Friday to Jan. 3.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

There are no changes to curbside garbage and recycling collection over the holiday period. For missed recycling collection, please phone Emterra at 705-742-3139. For missed garbage collection, phone Public Works at 705-745-1386.

Essential services, such as emergency services, public works and wastewater treatment, continue uninterrupted. Public Works can be reached for urgent matters at 705-745-1386. This line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

City Hall, including the Tax Office, Clerk’s Office, Building Services and Planning and the Heritage Preservation Office will be closed starting at noon on Dec. 23, reopening with regular hours on Jan. 3.

While the Social Services administration office is closed over the holiday period, individuals can phone 705-926-0096 at any time for emergency shelter services. City-operated childcare programs will be closed starting at noon on Dec. 23 and reopen with regular hours on Jan. 3.

Most recreation and community services are open with revised hours of operation.

The Quaker Foods City Square outdoor rink is open most days from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Dec. 24 the rink is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Unscheduled rink closures may be required due to inclement weather and ice conditions.

There will be holiday adjustments to Transit schedules from Dec. 23 to Jan. 7, including suspended late-night trips, as well as trips ending early on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. There is no Transit service on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. For full details about Transit holiday service and Transit Customer Service hours, please visit www.peterborough.ca/transit or phone 705-745-0525.

Closed from noon on Dec. 23 until 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 3:

• City Hall, including the Tax Office, Clerk's Office, Building Services and Planning

• Social Services office

Regular hours for most City services resume on Jan. 3. Online services are available at www.peterborough.ca.

For the full list of service hours, visit the City of Peterborough website.

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

City of Peterborough Lifts Significant Weather Event Designation After Thursday's Snowstorm

The City of Peterborough lifted its Significant Weather Event designation at 3 p.m. on Sunday after facing over 20 cm of snow from Thursday’s snowstorm.

Photo by David TUan Bui.

The City has reported that snow-clearing efforts are progressing well as snow-clearing crews have been working around the clock since Thursday. The snow clearing is substantially complete according to a press release.

“Thank you to Public Works staff who have worked around the clock in response to the storm to keep our roads, sidewalks and trails safe for motorists and pedestrians. We appreciate your commitment,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

Additional clean-up will continue on roads, sidewalks, trails and bus stops over the coming days.

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

City of Peterborough Issues Road Closures In Place For 2022 Santa Claus Parade

The City of Peterborough has road closures set in place during the 47th annual Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade downtown Peterborough for Saturday.

To allow for both staging and the parade procession, the following road closures will be in place starting at 4 p.m.:

• Antrim Street — Aylmer Street to Water Street

• Edinburgh Street — Aylmer Street to Water Street

• Dublin Street — Aylmer Street to Water Street

• London Street — Aylmer Street to Water Street

• McDonnel Street — Aylmer Street to Water Street

• Murray Street — Aylmer Street to Water Street

• George Street — Parkhill Road to Brock Street

• Prince Street — George Street to Park Street

• Aylmer Street — Lansdowne Street to Romaine Street

The parade will travel south on George Street beginning at McDonnel Street, passing in front of City Hall at 4:45 p.m. and ending and dispersing at Prince Street. Peterborough Police Services is supervising a rolling road closure and is in place along George Street during the parade.

Event volunteers will be available to remove barricades to allow for local access for residents and emergency vehicles along side streets. All road closures are expected to be over by 7:30 p.m.

On-street parking is not permitted on George Street between Brock Street and Prince Street starting at 3 p.m. Parking staff will be on-site to help relocate cars if necessary. Any remaining cars parked on George Street at 3 p.m. will be towed to a nearby lot.

Parking is available at the King Street Parkade at 202 King St., the Simcoe Street parking garage at 190 Simcoe St. or municipal surface lots at the following locations: 

• Chambers Lot at 184 Hunter St.

• Reid Lot at 350 Reid St.

• Surface lot at 365 Aylmer St.

• Rehill Lot at 210 Wolfe St.

• Del Crary Lot at 100 George St. N.

• Downie Lot at 336 Downie St.

Parking in municipal lots and parking garages is free on weekends. Any voluntary parking fees during December will be donated to Kawartha Food Share.

Residents are reminded to follow all on-street parking regulations that may be in place in the downtown area including calendar parking where applicable. The City urges everyone to not block fire hydrants and driveways.

Peterborough Transit will have detours in place for Route 2 Chemong, Route 4 Weller, Route 6 Sherbrooke, Community Bus 22 – Blue and Community Bus 23 – Red starting at 4 p.m.

• Route 2 - Chemong

  • Southbound from Terminal: Simcoe to Aylmer Street to Romaine Street to Park Street to Lansdowne Street to Lock Street

    Northbound from Lansdowne at Borden: Regular route to Lansdowne Street to Park Street to Romaine Street to Aylmer Street to Simcoe Street

• Route 4 - Weller

  • During the rolling road closure #4 westbound will follow regular route to terminal only.

    The eastbound bus will travel to the bus stop at Simcoe at Water streets. Customers will be directed to catch the bus at the Simcoe and Water bus stop.

• Route 6 - Sherbrooke

  • Southbound from Trent (4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: regular route to Parkhill Road, right on Parkhill to Reid Street, left on Reid Street, left on Simcoe Street.

    Northbound from Terminal (during rolling road closure): Simcoe to Aylmer Street, Aylmer to McDonnel Street, left on McDonnel to Reid Street, right onto Parkhill Road where regular route resumes.

• Community Bus 22 - Blue

  • Southbound on George Street to Parkhill Road, right on Parkhill to Reid Street, left from Reid to McDonnel Street, travels right on Aylmer Street and continues on Aylmer Street to Charlotte Street where regular route resumes.

• Community Bus 23 - Red

  • Until rolling road closure begins: Eastbound on McDonnel Street to Aylmer Street, right on Aylmer to Simcoe Street and continues on regular route.

    During the rolling road closure: Eastbound on McDonnel Street to Aylmer Street, right on Aylmer to Romaine Street to Park Street, where regular route resumes.

A Peterborough Petes game is occurring at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. With the Santa Claus Parade being in that vicinity, anyone attending the game is encouraged to plan for extra travel time. Paid parking at the Memorial Centre opens at 4 p.m. and the arena doors open at 6 p.m.

The City is expecting increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic so extra time and exercising caution while travelling in-and-around downtown is encouraged.

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