PtboPics: Democracy Rally At Confederation Park

[UPDATED: As per reader comment, it wasn't an Occupy Ptbo event] This afternoon, a democracy rally was held across from City Hall at Confederation Park. Here's pics...

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Backroom Briefing Q: Will Athletic Facilities Really Help Drive Population Growth?

Q: The Mayor has been quoted as saying that there could be more population growth if the community had more “athletic facilities.” I believe that there is just such a link. Could you expand on this thinking? —Bill O’Byrne

Goyette: Bill is a regular and welcome visitor to our office, and the Chair of Sport Kawartha—an impressive organization with more than 30 sports group/associate members that launched in April of 2010 with a mandate to value, improve, recognize and promote sport participation in the region. You can see the savvy in the man: He quotes the Mayor and then seeks confirmation as a method of promotion. I like it.

The Mayor was responding in February to a report on the City’s growth. He said that we might consider building new sports facilities and other infrastructure to attract young families to the City.

The question has to do with the reasons people move to a new location. These can be divided into two categories: One is a set of “push” factors at the point of origin that trigger movement, such as a lack of economic or educational opportunity; personal issues such as divorce, retirement or a preference for independence; and cultural discomfort such as religious or political conflict or persecution. Another is a set of “pull” factors at the point of destination that attract movement, such as jobs, education, the presence of family or community, climate, and a host of personal perceptions of benign conditions. These are all tied to the stages and cycles of life, as well as psychological outlook. For many, the grass can easily look greener on the other side.  

The research indicates that because of “distance decay,” people are more likely to move to places that are closer to them rather than further away. It also indicates that you are more likely to adopt a new hometown if you already know it. That means that people who move to Peterborough are statistically more likely to have come from somewhere nearby, and have been here before. The arrival here of people from the GTA and those who have prior cottage or rural experience would seem to bear this out.

Do athletic facilities rank highly as a drawing card for these newcomers? Not on their own, and not to the degree of other factors such as a new job. While they are probably more important in retention rather than attraction, they are undoubtedly part of the bundling of community benefits—the “infrastructure” that the Mayor referred to—that inform smart economic and tourism promotion. There is consensus that we have an entrenched deficit of sports facilities in the region, and the remedy for that, which is well underway, stands on its own merits as an issue of the quality of community life.  

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David Goyette is the Executive Assistant to Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett. Email your burning questions for David about City Hall to feedback@ptbocanada.com.

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Here's The City Documents That Reveal How Canteen Of Kawartha Took Over Contracts From Reggie's & Hippy Chippy

Here are the documents for Request for Proposal P-05-12, Mobile Food Service Operations at Nassau Mills Road, Beavermead Park, and West 49 Skateboard Park, that reveal how Canteen of Kawartha was awarded the new contracts for mobile food service operations at those locations. Aside from their 34 years of being in operation and existing contracts in place with other companies/organizations like Havelock Jamboree and GE Canada, it is mentioned in the "Recommended Bidder" area on the last page (see below) that Canteen of Kawartha "presented the menu with the broadest range of healthier food choices. They offered the highest level of financial compensation of all proponents, in the amount of $10,800 for the Beavermead site and $24,727 for Nassau Mills site, for the initial three year term of the lease agreement."

This is all public material, provided to us by Mayor's office. Have a read of the documents...

 

 [Related: Reggie's Chip Truck Closed]

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Reggie's Forced To Close Their Chip Truck At Trent

[UPDATE: Canteen of Kawartha, a small locally owned company which has been in business in Peteborough 30 years, has been awarded the contract. They will serve home-made burgers and fresh curd poutine there, as well as a number of healthier food options.]

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This announcement was made on Reggie's Facebook page yesterday:

 

As of this morning, there were already 51 comments to the post and folks seem ready to take action to discourage this from happening. We all have fond memories of making our way to the chip truck after a long bike ride or hike—or just when you had a craving for one of their delicious burgers and fries. If you would like to voice your concerns regarding this decision, contact the City of Peterborough - Recreation Department at 705. 742.7777 Ext 1873. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Car-Free School Day

Don't forget that today is a Car-Free School Day. The first Wednesday of each month, Peterborough Moves encourages you to enjoy some fresh air and walk to school.

For more information about Car-Free School Days, or to register your school for a program package (and chances to win monthly prizes), please contact Maeda Welch at Peterborough Green-Up, (705) 745-3238 ext. 216, or by email.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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This Sunday Is A Seedy Sunday

The annual Seedy Sunday will take place this Sunday, March 11th at George Street United Church from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

It's a great opportunity to get into the spirit of Spring and start thinking about the upcoming gardening season.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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PTBOCanada Review & Pics: New Exhibition At Artspace Explores Mortality

We are all mortal. We have a beginning, a middle and an end. Montreal based artist Diane Gougeon captures this ephemeral notion within her work PFFUIT! A neutral grouping of helium filled balloons whose nature is that of ours, only in this case their destiny is compressed and we can witness this change over hours and days. The balloons read "We Are All Dead In The Long Run ;-) ". This is an exhibition worth lingering over. To be close to these floating sea of orbs is especially enlightening. Also, visit every couple days, even just to witness them through the wide windows from the street, as the balloons loose their umph and slowly descend to the floor. The show runs through March 31 at Artspace, 378 Aylmer Street North. Here's some pictures...

[Text and pics by PtboCanada's Jeffrey Macklin]

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Anyone For A Quiznos Franchise In Peterborough?

After the recent demolition of the building that was formally Rural Routes, a small shopping plaza is looking to take its place. It appears Quiznos sub shop is looking to re-enter the Peterborough fast food market after the previous two locations (one formally a few stores down where the current MacEwen gas station resides) closed down.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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