City Of Peterborough Issues Release Regarding Weather Forecast & Wellbeing Of Those Living In Tent City

The City of Peterborough, which is looking for a new space for overflow shelter beds in the city, has issued a release regarding the 7-day forecast as concern grows for the wellbeing of those living in the Tent City at Victoria Park.

“The 7-day forecast includes a strong probability of thunderstorms and extreme heat,” the media release says. “A very large branch recently fell close to tents in Victoria Park. With the number of large trees in Victoria Park, it, along with any City park, can be unsafe during a thunderstorm. For your own safety, we urge those who have alternative places to go that are indoors to please move to alternative shelter.”

The City is asking people not to camp in the park. “If you are homeless, check with emergency shelters (Brock Mission, Cameron House and YES) daily as bed availability changes every day and talk to our outreach workers who are committed to assisting you in accessing alternative shelter.”

While emergency shelters and overflow shelter beds are currently needed, the City recognizes that:

• Housing first is the goal rather than people living in shelters

• Living in a tent is not a safe and stable option for you

• Living in a tent does not provide you with the access to the services and supports that we want everyone in our community to be able to access

• Public spaces are shared by the entire community.

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A Record-Breaking 34 Participating Restaurants Will Paint The Town Red For United Way

The 7th Annual Paint the Town Red event in support of the United Way Community Campaign will have a record-breaking 34 participating restaurants this year.

It takes place Wednesday, July 17th, and the participating restaurants will be donating 25 percent of their daily sales to support United Way of Peterborough. Last year’s event raised more than $16,000, bringing the total to over $75,000 since 2013.

Photo from Paint the Town Red Media Launch courtesy United Way of Peterborough

“I am thrilled be part of Paint the Town Red this year and even more excited to see restaurants in the County of Peterborough participating for the first time including Jack’s Restaurant in Lakefield and Rallis Burger Family Restaurant in Bridgenorth,” says David Goyette, Chair of this year’s United Way campaign.

Adds United Way Development Officer and Event Coordinator, Erica Richmond: “This is truly my favourite event of the year. I believe that food has the power to bring people together and this is consistently demonstrated during this event as community members support local businesses who are supporting our community. It’s a full circle of support bound together by food, conversation and local love.”

For a full list of participating restaurants, click here—and make sure to hit up one of them on Wednesday for a great cause!

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Brock Mission Shelter Redevelopment Set To Begin After $5.2 Million From Federal Government

On Thursday (July 11th), MP Maryam Monsef announced a $5.2 million financial commitment from the federal government for the redevelopment of the Brock Mission—a non-profit organization formed in 1987 to provide shelter for homeless adult males.

“Addressing housing and homelessness in our community will solve many of the other challenges we face,” says Monsef. "My team and I have been working with several local groups to support building housing locally. I’m happy to announce that the Brock Mission is receiving a significant boost to build 30 new shelter beds and 15 new affordable housing units for homeless and at-risk men.”

Main entrance of Brock Misson, rendering courtesy Lett Architects

The redevelopment of the Brock Mission—which is located on Murray Street—is expected to begin as early as this month and be completed in 2020.

"I am happy to see this investment in emergency shelter for Peterborough," says City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien. "We are facing a serious housing crisis and all levels of government must come together to make change. This is an important step in the right direction."

View of Brock Misson dining hall, rendering courtesy Lett Architects

Lett Architects is designing it (see renderings in this post) and says the three-storey building has been designed around a courtyard with access to natural daylight into every room and corridor. Aside from the shelter beds and housing units, the building also includes a dining hall which will provide three meals a day all year.

“We are very grateful for the support that MP Maryam Monsef and her office have given our redevelopment project,” says Bill McNabb, Executive Director of the Brock Mission. “The investment from the National Housing Co-Investment Fund has enabled us to finally move forward on a much needed purpose-built facility that offers appropriate Housing First shelter services and supportive housing to some of our most vulnerable homeless citizens.”

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Norwood Pride Prepares To Celebrate Its 3rd Annual LGBTQ Pride Event

In 2016, a small group of friends and residents of Norwood jokingly talked about having a “small-town Pride in the country”. By the summer of 2017, they had successfully organized a social event that welcomed more than 250 people in its inaugural year.

The volunteers of Norwood Pride are now getting ready for their upcoming 3rd Annual Pride Event on Sunday, July 14th. The community will come together and celebrate diversity, inclusivity and equality within the Township of Asphodel-Norwood, located 30 minutes east of Peterborough.

Photo courtesy Norwood Pride

“We never expected it to be so warmly received so quickly,” says volunteer Tony Tavares of how the event has caught on. “We started out just planning an informal gathering of friends for an afternoon social, and then we saw people join us from all across the township—and beyond—to celebrate with us. It was really amazing.”

With the support of the community behind them, the group of local volunteers hosted a second event in 2018 and saw continued success. The addition of a live band and BBQ sponsored by the local RBC Royal Bank branch drew even more attention in 2018.

“Part of why we’re doing this is to increase awareness for young people that might feel isolated and alone in a small community,” adds Tavares. “But one of the things that was really encouraging to us was people who had grown up gay or lesbian in the area and are now 60 or 70 years old who approached us, visibly emotional some of them, and said ‘I never thought we would see this happen here, we’re so glad you’re doing this.’”

Photo courtesy Norwood Pride

Now heading into its 3rd year, there will be a BBQ, cash bar, kids activities and music, and the group has added a drag performance by Peterborough performer, Dixie Q. For a second year, the group is partnering with the Peterborough Pride to co-host the 4th Annual Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament.

The Pride event is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 300 (27 King Street) in Norwood from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 14th, and is open to all ages.

In advance of the celebration, the Township of Asphodel-Norwood is raising a Pride flag in recognition of the upcoming event on Friday, July 5th, at 1 p.m. at the Norwood Town Hall (2357 County Road 45). A brief ceremony will include words from the Mayor and the Norwood Pride group.

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Lakefield Youth Unlimited (LYU) Purchases Tribal Voices Building In Lakefield

Lakefield Youth Unlimited (LYU) has purchased the Tribal Voices building, which is directly off the bridge in Lakefield. This was made possible due to an anonymous lender who provided a no interest, no payments loan for as long as they own the building. They move into their new facility in mid-September.

LYU has been part of the Lakefield community for 15 years, working together with local residents, businesses, churches, schools, and government for the youth of our community. Through various programs and events, their vision “is to see the lives of youth in Lakefield attain their full life potential as God designed it.”

LYU envisions many possibilities as to how their new building will be used. Some ideas that could happen in the space include shared meeting rooms, life skill programs for youth, Jr. and Sr. High programs, gathering spaces for families and after-school programming.

Most of the funds were provided for the purchase of their new home but they still need to raise $20,000 by August 14th to pay off the remainder of short-term loans, plus an additional $55,000 by October 1st to begin their renovations in the fall. For more information about their purchase or how to donate, contact Chris Jones at 705.761.2903 or via email here.

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Warming Room Overflow Emergency Shelter Service Announced By City Of Peterborough

With the closure of the Warming Room until they find a new home, The City of Peterborough has announced it is working with community partner agencies—including Brock Mission emergency shelter, Cameron House emergency shelter and Youth Emergency Shelter—to make sure there are beds available for people in need.

When there isn’t space in a shelter, Peterborough Social Services provides alternatives for short-term shelter while they connect people with more permanent housing programs and services. That’s the priority—making sure people have safe and reliable housing, so they don’t have to be in tents or living on the streets. Everyone who uses the Warming Room is being offered assistance.

The Warming Room has announced it is closing until it can find a new home

The City wants to continue to provide the Warming Room service. The Warming Room Community Ministries’ lease with Murray Street Baptist Church expired at the end of 2018 and was extended until the end of June 2019. It hasn’t been able to find a new space. The City’s continuing to work with Warming Room Community Ministries as it searches for a location.

“I have always been supportive of the Warming Room and assisting the community’s most vulnerable citizens,” Mayor Diane Therrien says. “We are working together to find better solutions, create permanent housing, and help the Warming Room move to a new location.”

Anyone who needs emergency shelter is asked to visit Peterborough Social Services at 178 Charlotte St. or contact Social Services by phone at 705.748.8830 between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or at 705.927.0096 overnight, on weekends and on holidays.

If you have a space that could work for Warming Room, email charvey@warmingroom.ca. (One Roof, also operated by Warming Room Community Ministries, a drop-in centre and meal program, continues to operate at St. John’s Anglican Church on Brock Street.)

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Ontario SPCA & Humane Society 38-foot Mobile Spay/Neuter Unit Visiting Peterborough In August

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has rolled out its new SPCA Mobile Animal Wellness Services trailer to give pet owners across the province access to critical resources like spay/neuter services, and the trailer will be making a stop in Peterborough August 16th and August 17th. 

The 38-foot trailer, which was made possible because of a grant provided by the Pet Valu family of stores through its Giving Back Project, features two surgical tables where 20-30 spay/neuter procedures can be performed per day. The new mobile unit is part of the Ontario SPCA’s ongoing efforts to control pet overpopulation and help build relationships with pet owners and their local veterinarian.

Photo courtesy Ontario SPCA

The trailer will be visiting communities across the province, including Peterborough—its location in the city will be announced later this summer, Ontario SPCA tells us, keep an eye out here—reaching underserved areas to provide spay/neuter surgeries, wellness exams, microchipping and vaccinations. 

“It’s important that we spay and neuter as many animals as possible to reduce the number of unwanted animals who end up homeless on the streets trying to survive,” says Daryl Vaillancourt, Chief, Humane Programs & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “This new mobile unit will also serve as an important educational tool to help pets live longer, healthier lives by educating pet owners about the importance of routine veterinary care with a local veterinarian.” 

Photo courtesy Ontario SPCA

Financial donations are needed to help stock the unit with medical supplies and cover operating costs, to ensure this mobile unit can visit as many communities as possible.

Any donations received by midnight on June 27th will be matched, thanks to a generous pool of Ontario SPCA supporters.

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100 Women Peterborough Just Raised $10,000 In Under An Hour For Five Counties Children’s Centre

On Tuesday (June 18th), the 100 Women Peterborough group raised more than $10,000 in under one hour for Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Adam White, Chair of the Five Counties Board, and their 15-year-old client, Rebecca Jordan, presented on behalf of the organization to the women at their meeting held at the Innovation Cluster. Five Counties Children’s Centre was selected to receive the donations by a majority vote that evening. (Also presenting to the group were Peterborough Butterfly Run and the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra.)

Photo courtesy 100 Women Peterborough

“A huge thank you to 100 Women Peterborough for their thoughtfulness and generous gift, your donation will make a difference in the lives of the children that will be able to receive service sooner,” says Adam White. “Because they can get this service sooner, it’s going to make a huge difference in their development, lives and in the way they can chase their dreams.”

Five Counties Children’s Centre provides therapy services at no cost to families that assist children who are delayed in their development to develop the skills they need in everyday life such a walking, talking, and activities of daily living. A non-profit organization, Five Counties Children’s Centre is primarily funded by The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the City of Peterborough.

Catia Skinner and Rosalea Terry from 100 Women Peterborough

“Thank you on behalf of the other children,” says 15-year-old Rebecca Jordan, who moved to Peterborough to access the life changing services of Five Counties Children’s Centre. “I have benefitted from Five Counties Children’s Centre so the opportunity for more children to have the opportunity is something that I’m excited about because I know how it has impacted my life and how it will change someone else's.”

The contribution from 100 Women Peterborough will fund the Centre to work with 12 children who would have otherwise not been able to receive support this year. One hundred percent of the funds raised by 100 Women Peterborough are donated to four non-profit organizations determined by the membership throughout the year.

Women that are interested in joining the group are encouraged to reach out via the website here.

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B!KE: The Peterborough Community Cycling Hub Facing Financial Hardship, Hosting Fundraiser July 13th

B!KE: The Peterborough Community Cycling Hub (293 George Street North) needs your help to stay a float, which is why they are hosting their first ever B!KE-a-thon on July 13th to raise the funds they need to keep their doors open and their programs running.

B!KE—an incorporated not-for-profit cycling education and support organization that’s been working with the Peterborough community since 2006 teaching bike maintenance, repair and riding skills—is facing financial hardship due to recently passed provincial legislation that caused it to lose significant core funding.

They need your support to ensure B!KE continues to run effectively for the community. By FUNdraising for B!KE, your team will help the cycling hub continue to deliver high quality, low-barrier cycling education programs, and a community bike workshop and hub.

Photo by Inclusive Advisory

REGISTER YOUR TEAM

For one full day, enthusiastic B!KE supporters will gather together to “spin the pedals “ for B!KE. Signing up as a team, cyclists will a ride stationary bike (one per team) for 12 hours straight to raise funds for B!KE. Team names, costumes and themed teams are strongly encouraged. Stationary bikes can be provided, but you may bring your own.

If you love to ride and believe in what B!KE does, they need you to gather your friends, family and work colleagues, and lead a team! Each team will be comprised of five members, and collectively it’s their job to keep a bicycle in motion for the entire event. Each team must commit to raising $500 (or more) in support of B!KE.

Photo by Inclusive Advisory

The fundraiser takes place Saturday, July 13th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Set-up time starts at 7:30 am.) Join B!KE on the back patio of The Social, 295 George Street North. (If it rains, they’ll move inside.) A lunch, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided free of charge.

Organizations interested in sponsoring the event can contact David Koski by email, and general inquiries for the event and about the hub can be directed to B!KE executive director Tegan Moss via email or by calling 705.775.7227.

Go to communitybikeshop.org for more info on the organization, and register here for this fundraiser.

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Pilots Spot Drones In Close Proximity To Aircraft At Peterborough Airport

Twice last week at the Peterborough Airport, drones were spotted by pilots in close proximity to aircraft while they were flying around the airport, according to Peterborough Police.

“This is a concern for the safety of the aircraft and the safety of the pilots,” says Lisa Davidson, Peterborough Airport Manager. “If a drone is struck in flight, resulting in a mid-air collision, it could cause the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, or seriously damage the plane causing an emergency situation.”

“The safety at the airport is jeopardized every time a person operates a drone, disregarding the rules that allow both planes and drones to operate safely,” adds Davidson. “Drones are not allowed to be operated within 5.6 km of an airport.”

The drone was spotted at approximately 1000′ above the ground both times it was spotted and was operating dangerously close to aircraft flying in the circuit.

“In one instance the drone was noted to be black and orange in colour with flashing lights, which shows how close the drone was to the pilot in that case,” says Davidson. In both instances, Peterborough Police were called and responded to the airport to assist with trying to find the location of the drone operator.

“Flying drones in close proximity to an airport and other aircraft is extremely dangerous, irresponsible and illegal,” says Inspector John Lyons, Operations Division, Peterborough Police Service.

“We encourage anyone with information regarding persons engaged in this behaviour to contact police or Crime Stoppers,” adds Lyons.

Transport Canada states that drones are aircraft—which makes the person operating the drone a pilot. When flying the drone, you’re sharing the skies with other drones and aircraft. Before flying, the public needs to understand the rules. For more information on drone safety, click here.

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