Peterborough Blogs
Enforcement Of The Two-Hour Limit For On-Street Parking Resumes
/To support commercial activity in the downtown with stores re-opening for curbside pickup, enforcement of the two-hour limit for on-street parking will resume on Monday, May 11th in downtown Peterborough.
The two-hour limit for on-street parking helps ensure the spaces are used for short-term parking, which increases the availability of parking for customers. Enforcement of regulations for other parking infractions, such as no stopping zones, no parking areas and commercial loading spaces will also continue to support downtown businesses and promote safety.
While enforcement activities are resuming, free parking for on-street parking and surface lots in the central area will continue for now as a temporary measure to reduce the potential for spread of COVID-19.
Convenient access to parking is important to restaurants offering take-out and retailers reopening for curbside pickup following the Province of Ontario Orders and associated guidelines.
"The DBIA appreciates the steps taken by the City of Peterborough to provide free parking downtown during this crisis,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. “We believe it important to keep spaces open for our businesses so that they can do quick pick-up and deliveries which are essential for them right now.”
Peterborough Public Health recommends following these guidelines for safe curb-side pickups:
• Only send one person and stay in the car if possible
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after the pickup
• Maintain a 2-meter distance from others
• Wear a face covering, required if you have any COVID-19 symptoms
• Avoid idling your car
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How To Watch Out For Ticks In The Area This Spring
/Now that Spring has arrived and you actually have the time to start working in the gardens, be extra vigilant this year to check yourself and family (pets included!) for ticks.
These little insects hide in your leaf litter to survive the winter, and if you’re bitten by one, there is a chance they can pass on a wide variety of diseases, the most prevalent being Lyme disease (check out this great article from Peterborough Health to learn more).
CHECK OUT THIS HANDY APP
There is a handy app called eTick (developed here in Canada) to help you identify and report ticks. You can also use it to see if there have been any sightings in your area. Looking at the green dots on the map pictured above, sadly you can see ticks have already been reported in almost every part of Peterborough this year alone!
Stay safe, and make sure you wear long clothing, use insect repellent containing DEET, check yourself over when you get back inside (be sure to look closely, they are pretty tiny!) and if you find one… remove it properly.
—by Evan Holt, PTBOCanada.com
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Construction Is Now Resuming At Scotts Mills Dam In Peterborough
/Parks Canada’s construction projects are considered part of the Agency’s critical services to the public. As such, work has continued on them over the past several weeks, including Scotts Mills Dam.
Construction of the first two sluices and completion of the secant retaining wall on the eastern shoreline of the Scotts Mills Dam is set to resume as early as this week. Work will not include pile driving at this time.
The Scotts Mills Dam at Lock 19 is centrally located and as such remains an important part of the Peterborough community by way of public space, flood mitigation, environmental protection and through navigation. As construction progresses, curiosity builds for what the finished dam will look like.
Below is a rendering of what it will look like…
THE SCOPE OF PROJECT
-> The Scotts Mills Dam at Lock 19 is in the process of being fully replaced with a new dam that respects the historic look of the site (see rendering above) and has a life expectancy of more than 80 years.
-> The new dam will optimize hydraulic capacity, increase the safety of water management operations, and be constructed in a way that allows improved access for maintenance activities.
-> In addition, the project will be the first step in creating a more public friendly lock site, with pedestrian access onto the dam itself once restored.
WHAT’S NEXT
· Demolition and excavation are almost complete with construction of the pier, base slab and stilling basin to follow.
· Pile driving is projected to resume in June, and additional construction noise can be expected.
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Paramedic Takeout Program: DBIA and Y Drive PTBO Collaborate To Feed Isolating Paramedics
/Contactless food delivery from downtown restaurants is now available to Peterborough City-County Paramedics isolating from their friends and families at the Holiday Inn Waterfront, thanks to a new Paramedic Takeout Program by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area and Y-Drive PTBO.
“The Downtown Business Improvement Area is delighted to be working with the Peterborough City-County Paramedics to feed our front-line workers,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the DBIA. “We have a bounty of amazing restaurants for our paramedics to choose from while in isolation. Food is the most basic form of comfort and we are so incredibly pleased to be spreading a little joy to our isolating paramedics at this time.”
“Along with the DBIA’s Paramedic Takeout Program administrative support, we now have a beautifully designed takeout menu with a plethora of options made specifically for our paramedics,” adds Peterborough County Warden, J. Murray Jones. “Our Paramedics do so much for us. It is so great to provide this for them, and at the same time contribute to local businesses.”
Photo courtesy DBIA
The Peterborough City-County Paramedics set aside funds for meals and accommodation to support the Paramedics through isolation. “Our paramedic team is giving all they’ve got and it’s our responsibility to accommodate them in these uncertain times,” adds PCCP Chief Randy Mellow. “We are very grateful to the DBIA, the downtown restaurants, Y Drive and the Holiday Inn for helping us look after them.”
Y Drive PTBO—a local app-based delivery service—stepped up to support the takeout program, providing free delivery for any participating restaurant unable to deliver foodstuffs themselves.
“Now, more than ever, we need to support our front-line workers—offering free delivery through this program allows Y Drive PTBO to give back to those who are working hard to safeguard our community health,” say Rob Davidson and Erica Young, co-owners and operators of Y Drive PTBO.
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Trent University Provides $675,000 In Emergency Funding For Students
/As part of its ongoing response to support students, Trent University has provided $675,000 in emergency funding to more than 1,200 students— including domestic, international, undergraduate, and graduate students —who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“At Trent, we have a commitment to providing the financial support that students need to be successful,” says Tracy Al-Idrissi, University registrar at Trent. “With all of the change and uncertainty happening, it was crucial that we help alleviate the immediate financial pressures facing students, allowing them to keep their academic focus.”
The funding came from budget earmarked for student support through Financial Aid, the School of Graduate Studies and Trent International. The total was also enhanced by the #TrentUCares campaign, which attracted donations from alumni, staff, faculty and friends for the Student Rapid Relief Fund.
“The entire Trent community stepped up to help offer financial support at a critical time, and the students that I’ve spoken to and received emails from have definitely felt that support,” adds Christopher Rooney, associate registrar of operations and client services. “Many students were able to purchase groceries and supplies, pay essential monthly bills, and acquire the tools and equipment necessary to finish up their term remotely because of the support they received.”
Following the successful disbursement of emergency funding to students in immediate need, the University is now focusing on student financial needs for the summer term, which runs May through August.
Financial Aid has already started releasing funds through OSAP and bursary applications for the summer term are available in order to support students to continue their studies through this challenging time.
Meanwhile, fundraising efforts continue, as increasing requests for support are anticipated due to the loss of summer employment opportunities students normally count on to carry them through the fall and winter term.
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Fleming College Opens Residence To Frontline Healthcare Professionals Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
/Fleming College has opened its residence buildings to offer temporary housing options for frontline healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Fleming College is proud to support our community in our collaborative COVID-19 efforts,” says Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “We must do our part for those fighting on the frontlines to keep us and our loved ones safe and healthy.”
Photo courtesy Fleming College
Fleming College has opened its residence buildings at Sutherland Campus for healthcare professionals, and is preparing its Frost Campus residence in Lindsay for Ross Memorial Hospital employees. The College has signed partnerships with Peterborough Regional Health Centre, OMNI Health Care Long Term Care, Peterborough County Paramedics, St. Joseph’s at Fleming and Ross Memorial Hospital.
On top of opening the residence to frontline workers, Fleming’s ongoing efforts to support the community during the pandemic have included:
-> use of the 3D printer at the Makerspace to create face shield parts for facemasks
-> establishing a Student Help Line to offer additional support for students, along with the creation of a COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund for students
-> the launch of a music video, #TogetherAtHome, featuring Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor and local artists in support of the emergency fund.
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Harco Enterprises Ltd. In Peterborough Receives Expedited Health Canada Approval To Produce PPE
/On Friday (May 1st), Maryam Monsef, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha, announced that Harco Enterprises Ltd. in Peterborough has received approval by Health Canada to manufacture and distribute a COVID-19 Medical Device (Harco Face Shield).
With the approval, Harco Enterprises are currently able to produce 2,000 components per day and looking for options to be flexible depending on what the demand is in the days and weeks ahead.
“Through our government’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19, we have been supporting local businesses so they can quickly scale up production or re-tool their manufacturing lines to develop needed products right here at home,” says Monsef. “We are stronger together, and businesses like Harco who are stepping up to help at a time when it’s most needed shows the character of our community.”
“Through the media we had seen that the 3D printing community were printing headbands for a face shield—we thought we could make injection mold tooling to produce similar components,” says Terry Harris, Vice President of Harco Enterprises Ltd. “We decided on a popular open source design being used, then from a sample our team created a mold for a head band and strap, and coupled it with a clear shield. After showing this to Peterborough Regional Health Centre, they had faith in us and this item, and placed an order.”
Harris noted that from the beginning of the project, Harco Enterprises Ltd. reached out to the business community and received a tremendous response and networking support from Peterborough Kawartha Economic Development, the Kawartha Manufacturers Association, and many others. They were able to collaborate with Dan Baily at Merit Precision, Mark Bateman and Mike Shafer at Ventra Plastics, as well as engaged Jeff Pinkney who was instrumental in helping obtain the Health Canada license.
If there are any clinics, hospitals or long-term care facilities that are in need of face shields, Harco Enterprises Ltd. is asking that you reach out to them by email sales@harco.on.ca or by calling 705-743-5361.
If you are a manufacturer looking to produce PPE equipment, reach out to MP Monsef’s office at Maryam.Monsef@parl.gc.ca.
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YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Announces End Of Walk A Mile In Her Shoes After 11 Year Run
/After an 11 year run, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton has reached the decision to end Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in Peterborough.
"We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all past participants, sponsors and volunteers whose shared compassion has resulted in more than $950,000 in critical funding for women who experience violence," says YWCA's Ria Nicholson.
Since 2009, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes has helped raise community awareness about the prevalence of violence against women and the ongoing need for YWCA Crossroads Shelter and support services in Peterborough.
File photo
YWCA remains committed to securing funds that will ensure the continuation of essential crisis and support services for women who experience violence, both during and after the COVID-19 crisis.
"Unfortunately, the effects of physical distancing are complex and will be long-lasting—particularly for women we serve," says Kim Dolan, Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. "While physical distancing is essential in reducing exposure to COVID-19, isolation and uncertainty are creating additional barriers and risks for women who are now trapped and have fewer opportunities to get help. We anticipate dramatic increases in the need for shelter, safety planning and crisis support over the coming months."
To learn more about YWCA Peterborough Haliburton services for women and children, click here, call 705-743-3526 or email info@ywcapeterborough.org.
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