$9.3 Million Investment Made For New Net-Zero Fire Station At Former Northcrest Arena Location

The federal government and Federation of Canadian Municipalities have invested $9.3 million to construct a new net-zero fire station at the former Northcrest Arena location on 100 Marina Blvd., announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The Green Municipal Fund, a $1.6B fund which since 2001 from the Government of Canada, has helped municipalities and local actors switch to sustainable practices faster and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by close to 3M tonnes. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made by Whitby Member of Parliament Ryan Turnbull, who also serves as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. He was present on behalf of Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Scott Pearce, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

“This transformative project will incorporate renewable energy, mass timber construction, and water-saving technologies, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and substantial operational cost savings of $24,270 per year for the city,” said Turnbull.

The $9.3 million investment is divided into $1,226,080 in grants and $8,173,910 in loans through the Green Municipal Fund.

The new station will replace the existing Fire Station 2 at Carnegie Road.It can no longer meet the city’s needs since being built in 1967, according to the City.

“The new Fire Station #2 will be the City’s first building that is designed, built, and certified as a Zero Carbon Building for both performance and design categories,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This key investment in the City of Peterborough Fire Services will enhance community safety by reducing emergency response times while also protecting our environment by producing zero emissions.”

The net-zero building features automated control systems, ground source heat pumps, rooftop solar panels and a heat-recovery system. The building will also be constructed from mass timber instead of concrete, steel or aluminum to achieve a lower carbon footprint. It will also include water-saving features and be resituated to reduce flood risk and meet operational standards.

Construction completion is slated for this fall. The City and Mayor Leal have yet to determine what will happen to the Carnegie fire station location.

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City of Peterborough to Begin Curbside Collection of Christmas Trees On Jan. 2 Throughout the Month

The City of Peterborough begins curbside collection of natural Christmas trees throughout January starting on the second.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Collection takes place (weather permitting) and does not follow traditional collection schedules. Residents do not need to call to request collection.

Trees will be composted, therefore all decorations and tinsel must be removed and trees must not be in plastic bags.

Residents are asked to place trees at the curb in a visible location within safe reach for collection staff. Please avoid snowbanks and ensure that trees do not get buried in them.

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Recycling Services Shift to Circular Materials Starting On New Year's Day

Recycling collection services in the City of Peterborough will be provided by Circular Materials starting Jan. 1 under a new province-wide system that shifts the responsibility of recycling programs to producers (those that produce and supply Blue Box materials to residents).

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The local municipal government will no longer provide recycling collection and processing services.

There is no change in recycling services for residents, who will not notice any difference in their recycling schedule and will still be able to recycle the same materials.

Residents will continue to place their Blue Box recyclables curbside weekly, precisely as they do now, on their same collection day, separating container and fibre (paper) items into separate boxes for collection.

For recycling collection and processing services in Peterborough, Circular Materials has hired Emterra Environmental, the same company that the City of Peterborough has contracted for recycling curbside collection and processing. Using the same company that currently delivers the service will help ensure a smooth transition for residents.

For recycling collection issues, residents can contact Emterra Environmental at 705-742-3139 or 1-888-597-1541 as of Jan. 1, 2024.

To reach Circular Materials, residents can email customerservice@circularmaterials.ca or call 1-877-667-2626.

For recycling service information, including to search for collection dates and a “What Goes Where” tool, please visit circularmaterials.ca/peterborough.

Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit organization that builds efficient and effective recycling systems where materials are collected, recycled and returned to producers to use as recycled content in new packaging and paper. As the administrator of Ontario’s standard collection system, Circular Materials is responsible for operating the new system for blue box materials. It is committed to increasing recycling rates across Ontario and ensuring more materials are looped into the circular economy, benefiting both people and the environment.

In 2021, the Ontario government released the Blue Box Regulation that shifts the financial and operational responsibility of recycling programs to producers – those that produce and supply blue box materials to residents. In this new extended producer responsibility framework, producers become financially and operationally responsible for collecting and recycling blue box materials.

Historically, Ontario’s blue box programs were operated by municipalities responsible for paying about half of the program's costs, with producers accountable for the other half. Under the Blue Box Regulation, Ontario is transitioning to a new model where producers – the organizations that produce the products and packaging – are 100% responsible for operating and funding the program.

Transition to extended producer responsibility will occur between 2023 – 2025, with the new framework entirely in place on Jan. 1, 2026. Along with the Regulation, the government released a schedule that assigns a transition date to each of the 376 Ontario communities.

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City of Peterborough Installs 35-Foot Tree In Quaker Foods City Square

A 35-foot-tall tree was installed at the Quaker Foods City Square and put up by the City of Peterborough to add vibrancy to the downtown community space, including winter outdoor skating on Thursday.

free two-hour holiday parking is at all downtown municipal parking spaces including on-street parking, municipal parking lots, the King Street Parking Garage and the Simcoe Parking Garage until Dec. 31. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Sourced from Ennismore, a tree lighting ceremony at the Square is planned for Dec.15 at 5:30 p.m. The City is releasing further information within the next couple of weeks.

“Quaker Foods City Square brought a tremendous amount of energy to the downtown last winter with thousands of people enjoying the new outdoor skating rink,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The tree will add to the festive spirit and vibrancy. I look forward to celebrating the season with the community at the upcoming tree lighting event.”

The square opened in December last year. The City says it provides a year-round space for community events and family-friendly features including a refrigerated outdoor skating rink in the winter. The space is meant to bring the community together, similar to Springer Market Square in Kingston and Mel Lastman Square in Toronto.

The refrigerated skating rink is anticipated to open for the season by mid-December (depending on weather conditions). City staff are preparing the site and monitoring conditions to make and maintain safe ice conditions.

For the first time, Runner’s Life is offering skate rental services for visitors to the Square’s outdoor rink through a sponsorship with the City. Rental skates, helmets and skate sharpening services are available through this service.

“Runner's Life is excited to provide skate rentals and sharpening to downtown Peterborough. Downtown has always been a vibrant place, the heart of the city, and with the addition of Quaker Foods City Square, it’s only become better,” said Dave Dame of Runner’s Life. “The rink was very well received last year and we hope to open the door for more people to try skating and enjoy the dynamic spirit of downtown.”

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City to End Seasonal Yard Waste Collection On Dec. 1

The final week for the 2023 curbside yard waste collection service will be Tuesday to Dec. 1.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City of Peterborough reminds residents that in late fall, when temperatures drop below freezing, yard waste can freeze, sticking to the sides of bins and causing issues with collection.

The City adds that to ensure full pickup of yard waste, residents should consider using bags for disposal to avoid partially frozen material being left in a bin after collection.

The curbside yard waste collection program will resume in April.

Yard waste collection program details include:

• Unlimited quantities of yard waste are accepted when set out in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers that are labelled, bushel baskets.

• Rigid open-top containers with a maximum volume of 80 litres, with two fixed handles. Lids must be removable and not secured by any means. Yard waste material must empty freely when emptied/dumped by the collector.

• Bins must have two clearly identifiable yellow yard waste labels, available for no charge at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

• Plastic bags are not accepted for yard waste.

• Each bag or container must weigh less than 13 kilograms (30 pounds).

• Brush can be tied in bundles weighing not more than 13 kilograms (30 pounds), with a length of up to one metre (three feet) and a diameter of up to 30.5 centimetres (12 inches).

Yard waste is accepted year-round at the Peterborough landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. in Otonabee-South Monaghan; fees will apply.

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RBC Donates $20,000 to Jumpstart Local Net Zero Farms Pilot Project

RBC has donated $20,000 to Net Zero Farms for a new pilot project that will assist farmers in incorporating sustainable practices into their operations at Woodleigh Farms on Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from RBC cut the ribbon to represent the launch of the Net Zero Farms Pilot Project alongside non-profits GreenUP and Farms at Work. Pictured from left to right:  RBC Community Manager Karalee Murray, Green Economy Peterborough Net Zero Farms Program Coordinator Natasha Sheward, GreenUP Director of Programs Natalie Stephenson, GreenUP Executive Director Tegan Moss, Green Economy Peterborough Hub Coordinator Jackie Donaldson, RBC Relationship Manager for Business Markets Deanna Baker, Farms at Work Executive Director Heather Ray, RBC Relationship Manager for Agriculture & Agri-Business Specialist Scott McCaig. Photo courtesy of GreenUp.

The program coaches business leaders in the agriculture sector to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, set reduction targets, further understand their role in sequestering carbon and develop a plan for reducing their impact on the environment, all while sharing experiences and the greater community according to a press release.
 
“We know farmers like to learn from farmers. We’re thrilled to be developing this networking piece to help support their sustainable practices, and to develop a culture where farmers don’t feel alone in their efforts to become more environmentally friendly,” says Heather Ray, Farms at Work executive director. “Farm-to-farm engagement and mentoring is essential for an agricultural business looking to adapt to a changing climate.”
 
The Net Zero Farms pilot seeks to support up to 10 farms in their efforts to take climate action while building local capacity within the greater agricultural community, as stated by GreenUp.
  
“Measuring greenhouse gas sources in agriculture is different from measuring the emissions of a downtown retail store,” says Natasha Sheward, Net Zero Farms program coordinator. “We want to include all of the relevant aspects of this sector within our GHG measurement in order to ensure relevance and accuracy. This will provide insight and opportunity for our farmers to identify actions that will reduce their costs and increase their resilience.”

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City’s Urban Forest Grows With 'Trees 4 Peterborough' Event

The City of Peterborough got a little greener with their ‘Trees 4 Peterborough’ event by planting 520 trees at Bears Creek Woods Park on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Event sponsors RBC, the Excelsior Group, Peterborough Homes and Merritt Home Hardware; support from GreenUp and volunteers from the Rotary Club of Peterborough took part in the event.

500 potted trees and 20 larger calliper trees were planted with help from community volunteers, members of the Rotary Club of Peterborough and students from the Trent University Community Research Centre.

The investment in the City’s urban forest canopy was the result of sponsorship by RBC Dominion Securities of $10,000 and donations from The Excelsior Group of $5,000, and from Peterborough Homes of $2,500 and Merritt Home Hardware, who lent a drill for the planting.

“Trees 4 Peterborough has evolved into a wonderful community project and we sincerely thank our partners,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “These 520 new trees, in addition to the City’s yearly complement, are most welcome.”

Urban trees provide many benefits, including reducing flooding, improving air quality, reducing heat build-up in the City, positive impacts on mental and physical health and mitigating climate change according to the City. One tree with a diameter of 15 centimetres can absorb 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide and intercept almost 2,000 litres of yearly rainfall. 

“A variety of maples, oaks, spruce and other trees native to our zone have been planted for an authentic look and resilience,” said Parnell. “Special thanks to our urban forestry team at the City of Peterborough for their tireless efforts.”

RBC Dominion Securities started the initiative with a five-year, $50,000 commitment through the RBC Foundation.

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National Tree Day Sees Otonabee Conservation Plant 125 Trees and Shrubs at Peterborough Humane Society

There were 25 community volunteers and staff from Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and Otonabee Conservation who planted 125 native trees and shrubs at the Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre to celebrate National Tree Day on Wednesday.

Twenty-five volunteers planted native trees and shrubs at the Peterborough Humane society on National Tree Day. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Red osier dogwood, ninebark, honey locust, and freeman maple were planted to increase biodiversity and habitat at the site, provide shade and their humans and create a visual and auditory barrier between the road and the outdoor areas used for animal rehabilitation and recreation according to a press release.

“This project is one of the final components for the overall construction phase of the new state-of-the-art Animal Care Centre,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “Our ongoing partnership with Otonabee Conservation has lead to a total of 925 plants in the ground at our new facility to benefit wildlife and naturalize the property while enhancing our outdoor facilities with shade and natural beauty.”

“Community engagement and support is key to the success of stewardship projects like this,” explained Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO. “We are committed to planting trees across the watershed which also helps us locally adapt to climate change. When the community and our corporate partners collaborate to plant trees, we all benefit.”

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Monaghan Ward Councillors To Host Green Bin Information Session

Monaghan Ward Councillors Matt Crowley and Don Vassiliadis are hosting an information session on the new Green Bin household organic waste collection service at the Mapleridge Recreation Centre from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 27.

File Photo.

Details will be presented on the waste collection service changes that begin the week of Halloween including the new weekly Green Bin service, bi-weekly garbage collection and the requirement to use clear bags for curbside garbage collection. Recycling collection will remain on a weekly schedule according to the City.

Citizens can ask questions to City staff and discuss the service changes.

The new Green Bin service will reduce the amount of garbage going to the landfill which extends the life of the landfill and reduces greenhouse gas emissions as stated in a press release.

Roughly 8,000 households are having their waste collection day shift with the re-balancing of collection routes to improve service reliability and safety for sanitation workers to do the curbside collection. Residents can check their collection day using the online tool.

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Lake Edge Cottages Future-Proofs Property With 110 Solar Panels In Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Mother Nature and Lake Edge Cottages are celebrating as the latter has installed 110 solar panels to future-proof its property in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Wednesday morning.

(from left to right) Jacob Wildfong, Steve Wildfong, Paulette Prentice, Director General and Anne Wildfong. The Wildfongs own the 12.5-acre property just north of Lakefield. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The panels cover multiple buildings of the resort including a garage and several cottages. They cost roughly $145,000-$150,000 to build but owners of the Wildfong family were awarded $85,000 from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

The Lakefield resort can run on a hybrid power source with solar and hydro moving forward that will save the property on energy costs according to co-owner Jacob Wildfong.

“When the sun goes down, we draw from the hydro grid,” said Wildfong. “During the day, we'll produce more than double what we need on the resort.”

Jacob (right) tours the property, displaying several amenities the cottages have to offer such as pet-friendly facilities, pool and boat launch dock. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Wildfong continues to say that it would be a dream for him if other companies could start to follow suit in creating a more ‘green’ business.

“We're not just protecting the past but we're giving hope to people in the future,” he explained. “For us, we're not saying it's inexpensive to do it but think about the money that people spend on renovating a kitchen. You have to look at this as a renovation. You have to look beyond yourself and you have to think beyond the cost. There is a payback to it.”

To continue the green movement in the resort, Wildfong is promoting the new use of their electric vehicle charging station.

“We're encouraging guests that have vehicles to come and charge up here if they're overnight guests. There's no fee, we're using it as complementary and encouraging people to bring their green vehicles so they can fill up.”

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