Entrepreneurs Are Preparing for Patio Season As Permitted By the City of Peterborough

As Downtown Peterborough increases space for pedestrians and patios, several entrepreneurs are eager to serve their customers with patio dine-in beginning Friday.

Chemong Lodge (pictured) has been sold by the Northey family to the Adam and Addison Brown, owners of Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews. File Photo

Existing approved patios are permitted to open with the province’s announcement of Stage one re-opening for the Peterborough region.  

Restaurants have been unable to serve dine-in customers since late March due to the emergency brake shutdown announced by the Government of Ontario.

“After a quiet winter and two months of being on lockdown, we’re very excited to see people out on the street again enjoying all that downtown has to offer,” said Susan Tung, owner of Hanoi House.

Tung is a first-time entrepreneur with her Vietnamese restaurant located in downtown Peterborough on Hunter Street and on Lansdowne St. W.

Tung outside her first of two locations of her Vietnamese restaurant: Hanoi House. She opened her business on February 14, 2020. Photo Courtesy of Hanoi House.

Tung is not the only restaurant owner excited to be able to serve dine-in customers again. Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria is eager to open its doors to the public for dine-in.

“We’ve been crazy busy this week making sure everything is in place to be able to open our patio for Friday,” said Taso Hatzianastasiou, owner of Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. “We’re really excited to be able to bring back our serving staff and finally welcome customers.”

Taso’s is known for their homemade pizza and Greek cuisine. Hatzianastasiou took ownership of the property on March 30, 2019 and renovated it into Taso’s. Photo courtesy of Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria.

The re-opening of restaurants is one more step towards normalcy from the COVID-19 pandemic that has drastically affected the world since March 2020.

”The sentiment of opening is an overwhelming feeling of relief,” said Adam Brown, co-owner of Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews and Chemong Lodge. “I’m relieved that our staff can get back to work, that our guests can feel some sense of normalcy and that we can get back to what we love to do.”

Adam and Addison Brown of Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews and Chemong Lodge will have their first summer owning both businesses. Photo courtesy of Adam Brown.

The City of Peterborough released guidelines that businesses opening patios need to follow under the easing of its emergency orders.

Establishments must take measures to ensure physical distancing of at least two metres between patrons from different households, including: 

• Using reservations – no lineups. 

• Limiting the number of patrons allowed in the outdoor space at one time. 

• Ensuring enough space between tables, including to allow for movement. 

• Access to indoor facilities is limited to patio/outdoor dining area access, food pickup, payment, washrooms or other health and safety purposes. 

• Liquor sales licensees who wish to temporarily extend the physical size of their existing licensed patio, or temporarily add a new licensed patio within the approved period are authorized to do so if all the following criteria are met 

  • The physical extension of the premises is adjacent to the premises to which the licence to sell liquor applies. 

  • The municipality in which the premises is situated does not object to an extension. 

  • The licensee can demonstrate sufficient control over the physical extension of the premises. 

  • There is no condition on the liquor sales licence prohibiting a patio. 

Peterborough Public Health and the City of Peterborough have collaborated to determine precautions that must be followed by businesses choosing to reopen existing, previously approved patios. These precautions include: 

• the restriction of the number of patrons on the patio to a maximum of 50% of the previously approved capacity; 

• the prohibition of any overhead structures such as tents and canopies; the use of umbrellas is encouraged to provide shade

• ensuring that tables and chairs are at least one metre from the outer limit of the patio, in order to facilitate physical distancing. 

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Hometown PTBO: Linda Kash Discusses Her Most Prominent Roles, East City and How She Made Peterborough Her Home

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks to actress Linda Kash about her most famous appearances in Seinfeld, Fargo and the Philly Angel, East City and how she made Peterborough home.

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OPP Handing Out Positive Tickets to Kids For Positive Community Behaviour

This summer, the Ontario Provincial Police has begun “Operation Freeze” handing kids “positive tickets” for demonstrating positive behaviour for the community announced Tuesday.

A child receiving a '“positive ticket” from a local OPP officer. Deeds such as wearing bicycle helmets, picking up trash or obeying school crossing rules will earn tickets for children. Photo Courtesy of OPP.

Kids will receive coupons for a free small “Froster” in a partnership with Circle K convenience stores.

Reasons may vary but the OPP is out looking out for the following positive behaviours:

• To recognize youth for practicing personal safety such as wearing bicycle helmets

• Doing various good deeds

• Participating in community activities

• Demonstrating community pride (eg. picking up trash)

• Deterring crime or observing school crossing rules

• As an "icebreaker" to establish a rapport with kids in their patrol area

Operation Freeze and Operation Heat are campaigns in a partnership between the OPP and Circle K convenience stores. Photo Courtesy of OPP.

"This is a great initiative and allows officers the opportunity to interact with youth in a positive manner," said Terry Ward, Dufferin OPP Detachment Commander. "These interactions with police can open dialogue with the youth and leave a good lasting impression."

The OPP will run a similar campaign this winter called “Operation Heat” for a free hot beverage.

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Local Business Owner Makes Large Donation to Humane Society

Peter Blodgett, Darling Insurance owner has donated $100,000 to the Peterborough Humane Society’s construction of their new animal care centre according to a press release on Thursday.

Peter Blodgett sits with his dog Lexie. Blodgett owns Darling Insurance in the Peterborough, Lakefield and Omemee locations. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

The building is located at 1999 Technology Dr. in Peterborough where construction began in May.

"Truthfully, I'm allergic to all animals, but I have been involved in the farm community throughout my life and have a great appreciation for animals big and small." Peter shares "I've been observing the work of the Peterborough Humane Society and the positive impact they are making in our community over the past few years and wanted to get behind their mission.”

Blodgett, President of Darling Insurance, has made a generous gift of $100K to the Our Pet Project fundraising campaign for the Peterborough Animal Care Centre, the Peterborough Humane Society’s innovative animal wellness facility which broke ground at 1999 Technology Dr. last month.

Blodgett is well known for supporting charitable causes in the community. He is a founding member of “Loonies on the Street” and has helped raise nearly $2 million dollars for Kawartha Food Share over the past 20 years. He has also served on many boards, including Peterborough Musicfest and chairing Fairhaven long-term care home’s capital campaign.

Blodgett has been a long-standing supporter of charities as he is a founding member of “Loonies on the Street” and has helped raise over $2 million for Kawartha Food Share in the past 20 years. He has been board member for several organizations including Peterborough Musicfest and Capital Campaign for Fairhaven.

“Peter has been a wonderful friend and supporter of the Peterborough Humane Society for years but this recent donation truly has us humbled,” says Shawn Morey, PHS Executive Director. “The fact that he recognizes the value of our new Centre and what it will do for Peterborough & the Kawarthas is phenomenal. It’s individuals like Peter who make this community as strong as it is.”

In recognition of the donation, the lounge in the Adoption Centre Lobby of the new Centre will be named the “Peter D. Blodgett Darling Insurance Lounge.”

This contribution has now totalled $7.6 million of the $10 million fundraising goal.

For more information or to donate to the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre, visit www.ourpetproject.ca.

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Award-Winning Documentary Showcases Kenyan Lacrosse Story in Peterborough

Filmmaker Janet Wells of Quarry Island Films’ documentary “Sleeping Warrior” had Peterborough as one of several focuses since it was one of the major sites for the film to be released this year.

The documentary shows a true story of two girls Sharon Opari and Moureen Atieno from Africa’s first female lacrosse team, — represented by Kenya — their journey to the 2019 World U19 Women's Field Lacrosse Championships and the transformation of their lives upon returning from the event that was held in Peterborough in August 2019.

During filming, one player discovered that her deceased mother might be alive after all so the documentary filmed that her journey to find her real family as part of the story.

The title comes from a mountain the girls train under in Kenya called ‘Sleeping Warrior’. Photo Courtesy of Janet Wells.

Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent University and Fleming College were the sites of the world championships. This was Peterborough’s second time hosting the event with the first in 2007.

Filming was done from June to December in Peterborough and Kenya in 2019.

Janet Wells and Timothy Mwaura were co-directors of the documentary. Photo Courtesy of Janet Wells.

Several girls on the team have barely travelled so coming to Peterborough was a new experience in more than one case according to Wells.

“There is something about Kenyan athletes, people are just drawn to them and they’re warm and lovely people,” said Wells. “They’re very beautiful and I learned so much.”

The team got to experience boat rides, Canadian cuisine, a box lacrosse match and many other experiences that were previously foreign to them.

“They all hated salad, they boil everything and cook all vegetables,” Wells laughed. “They also don’t like cheese either.”

Several members of Kenya’s lacrosse team have only played a few games before coming to Peterborough. Courtesy of Janet Wells.

The girls were put up in several places during their time in Peterborough. Lakefield College accommodated them for three days and some stayed at Wells’s cottage in Stony Lake.

One other notable place where the girls were housed was the cottage featured in the film, “Cheaper By the Dozen 2” in Stony Lake.

This was the first boat ride the Kenyan lacrosse team had ever gone on when they visited Canada. Photo Courtesy of Janet Wells.

The film has yet to make its theatrical debut in Canada though Wells has mentioned giving Peterborough a private screening hopefully this year.

Despite being showcased at several film festivals and earning many awards, it is not publicly available though it is on screens in Nairobi and touring film festivals.

The Kenyan team placed 18th at the 2019 World U19 Women's Field Lacrosse Championships in Peterborough, losing to Isreal in the 17th place match, 11-10.

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List of City Services During Step One of Ontario's Reopening Roadmap

With the Province announcing that Ontario is moving to Step one of its Reopening Roadmap on June 11, certain City of Peterborough facilities will reopen for in-person services starting Monday, June 14 with safety measures in place based on public health guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Downtown Peterborough has expanded patio space for businesses this summer including flowers planted by One City Peterborough. File Photo.

Other services continue to be provided remotely with provincial regulations restricting some in-person activities until later phases of the province’s re-opening framework.

The City encourages residents to continue connecting online through peterborough.ca or by phone at 705-742-7777 whenever possible to reduce the physical traffic through municipal facilities as a way to follow the public health guidance on physical distancing.

Services such as emergency services, public works, transit, social services and wastewater treatment have continued uninterrupted.

The Province has introduced a three-step Reopening Roadmap. In alignment with provincial direction, measures for Step one will be in place for City Facilities starting June 14 and are anticipated to last for at least three weeks or until further direction is received from the Province. Details on the Reopening Roadmap are on the Province of Ontario website: www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario.

Municipal services may be adjusted to respond to requirements and public health guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please visit www.peterborough.ca/covid19 and sign up for updates at www.peterborough.ca/subscribe, monitor www.peterborough.ca news updates, follow local media or contact the City at 705-742-7777 for information on the status of municipal services.

Arena Division

The Province has scheduled indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to reopen during Step three of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening. In alignment with the provincial directive, arenas remain closed at this time.

Note: The Evinrude Centre/Healthy Planet Arena will continue to be used for vaccination clinics by appointment only. Please see peterboroughpublichealth.ca for information on how to book vaccinations for those who are eligible.

The PTBOLive Summer Concert Series will be happening at the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot as previously announced. Events will proceed in compliance with all operational requirements as outlined in Stage 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen. The concert series kicks off with it's opening weekend on June 25, all events are on-sale now, for a list of events and concert information please visit www.memorialcentre.ca. 

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Province has scheduled museums and art galleries to reopen during Step three of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening. In alignment with the provincial directive, the Art Gallery of Peterborough's facility remains closed at this time. Programs and services continue online.

Building, Planning and other services under Infrastructure and Planning Services

Building Services will re-open for pick-up and drop-off service for Infrastructure and Planning Services from its location in the North Wing of City Hall on Monday, June 14. Residents are encouraged to access services online or by phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1892 whenever possible. Visit www.peterborough.ca/building for information, forms and the application process.

Child care centres

Licensed centre-based and home child care continue to remain open. At this time most licensed child care centres in the City and County of Peterborough will be open and providing regular full-day services for children aged 0 – 3.8 years.

City Hall

City Hall will reopen for in-person service on Monday, June 14 with public health precautions in place. Residents are asked to please call ahead to schedule an appointment for most services at City Hall. Regular business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the phone number is 705-742-7777.

City Council

To respect the restrictions on indoor gatherings, City Council will continue to hold its electronic meetings as scheduled. Council meetings can be watched at www.peterborough.ca/watchcouncil. For a listing of scheduled Council meetings, please visit www.peterborough.ca/citycouncil.

City Parks, Pavilions and Special Events

Outdoor special event rentals at City parks and pavilions are scheduled to resume during Step 3 of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening. The City is not issuing rental permits for parks and pavilions at this time. Information and requests regarding park rentals for future dates can be reviewed by contacting Recreation Division at 705-742-7777 Ext. 1826.

Outdoor parks and pavilions remain open for causal use respecting physical distancing and outdoor gathering limits.

Community Services

Community Services, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Public Art and the Heritage Preservation Office will remain closed to in-person service, with staff available by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or by email at communityservices@peterborough.ca.

Curbside pickup parking

Curbside pickup parking spaces for free 15-minute parking are provided in the downtown area.

Downtown Youth Space

The Downtown Youth Space operating at PCVS remains closed until further notice.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Museum Gift Shop is open by appointment, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointments can be made online at www.peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca or by phoning 705-743-5180.

The Museum will be open for children’s Summer Discovery Camps on July 12, 2021.

Registration for PA Day Camp on June 30 will open on June 14.

In accordance with Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening, the Museum exhibition galleries will remain closed until the Province moves to Step three.

Peterborough Public Library

The Library will continue to offer curbside pickup services until the Province’s Reopening Roadmap allows libraries to reopen. Limited access to public washrooms is available during Library operating hours. Access to the facility is limited to five people at one time.

The DelaFosse branch remains closed at this time.

Further details are available online at www.ptbolibrary.ca.

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre

The Province has scheduled indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to reopen during Step three of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening. In alignment with the provincial directive, the Peterborough Sport and Wellness remain closed at this time.

The Center will open for Summer Camps on July 5, 2021. Registration is ongoing.

Wellness Centre memberships will remain on hold. Memberships will automatically re-start when the Centre is permitted to re-open under provincial guidelines. Communication via local media, email, social media and website updates will be shared once this date is known.

For questions related to Recreation Division and Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, staff can be reached by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 2201 and leaving a voicemail for a returned call or by email at sportandwellnesscentre@peterborough.ca throughout the closure.

Peterborough Marina

The Marina will open for seasonal and transient including overnight boating activities beginning on Friday, June 11. Each boater is responsible for complying with provincial restrictions and the Marina COVID-19 Safety Guidelines. Boaters must ensure that members on the boat are only from the same household.

The Lighthouse Lounge and Grill will also open providing outdoor dining. For additional information on hours and services, please call 705-868-3102.

Provincial Offences Court Services

Starting Monday, June 14, the court administration service counter reopens for in-person service under modified hours of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Face coverings are mandatory, and only one person at a time is permitted at the service counter.

All inquiries and payments can also be made by phone 705-742-7777 ext. 2099 or online at www.peterborough.ca/POA. 

Public Operations Centre (Public Works)

The Public Operations Centre (Public Works) administration office at 791 Webber Ave. remains closed to the public. Public Works can be reached for non-urgent matters, by email pubworks@peterborough.ca, or using the online Report an Issue form at www.peterborough.ca. For urgent matters, please call 705-745-1386. This line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Social Services

Public access to the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will continue to be limited to two people at a time with public health screening done at the front entrance. Clients are required to wear a face covering and stay in authorized areas only. Social Services client appointments will take place over the phone whenever possible. Current clients are encouraged to contact their case worker for further information and are encouraged to register for online services through MyBenefits. The local phone number is 705-748-8830 or 1-855-738-3755.

Clients who have bank accounts are encouraged to contact their case workers about signing up for direct deposit.

All applications for Ontario Works or Emergency Assistance will be done online at or over the phone, when possible, to minimize face-to-face interaction and allow for physical distancing. Applications for other services such as Child Care fee subsidy and Housing Access Peterborough will also be completed over the phone.

Emergency shelter services will continue to operate as normal, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. Individuals can call 705-926-0096 for emergency shelter services on evenings and weekends.

Sport field permitting

Sport leagues and teams training for up to 10 people including all participants involved in the training are scheduled to begin as part of Step 1. To schedule training or questions regarding permitting for training can be directed to Recreation Division at 705-742-7777 ext. 1829.

The Province has scheduled outdoor sport leagues to be allowed to resume during Step two of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening. The City is not issuing permits for league or team sport play on sport fields, ball diamonds, rectangular fields, and outdoor sport courts at this time.

Information and requests for sports permits for future dates can be reviewed by contacting the Recreation Division at 705-742-7777 ext. 1829.

Outdoor sport courts and fields remain open for non-organized play respecting the Ontario regulations to a maximum of 10 people outdoors.

Transit

Peterborough Transit continues to operate as currently scheduled. Face covering is mandatory and physical distancing is required. Visit www.peterborough.ca/transit for service details.

Customer service at the terminal will remain open with only one customer permitted into the facility at a time. A face covering must be worn at all times.

To allow for a single direction of traffic flow onboard the bus, customers are asked to enter through the front door and exit by the back door. Mobility customers will continue to access the front door ramp. When finding a place on the bus, customers are asked to keep an eye out for areas with extra space and respect fellow riders’ personal areas when moving about the bus. 

Waste Management

Garbage and recycling collection continues as normally scheduled. To protect waste management workers, please ensure that all personal items and personal protective equipment are properly bagged in the garbage.

The Peterborough City/County Landfill remains open, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Face coverings and physical distancing is required. Only electronic payment is accepted (no cash).

The Recycling Depot and Household Hazardous Waste Depot on Pido Road will remain open, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Face coverings and physical distancing is required. More information is online at www.peterborough.ca/waste. 

Making payments to the City

Residents are encouraged to make use of the numerous methods available when doing financial interactions with the City and avoid using cash.

Property taxes can be paid like any other bill through online or telephone banking using the 15-digit roll number as the account number. Cheques can be mailed to the Tax Office, City Hall, 500 George St. N., Peterborough, ON., K9H 3R9, or placed in the secure drop box located by the steps at the front doors of City Hall. The City offers preauthorized payment plans by completing an online form that’s available at www.peterborough.ca 

The City does not directly accept credit cards as a payment method for property taxes; however, people can use online bill payment services such as PaySimply, Plastiq or Paytm to pay property taxes online using a credit card. The listed payment services are not affiliates or partners of the City; they may apply service charges and there may be restrictions on the type of credit cards accepted.

For parking tickets, payments can be made online through www.peterborough.ca, over the phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1865 or by cheque submitted through mail or using the drop box outside City Hall.

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Downtown Peterborough Gets the Green Thumb With Launch of Green Team

One City Peterborough has added a new horticultural team, called the “Green Team” to make downtown Peterborough a cleaner and more welcoming community hub for everyone this summer announced in a press release on Tuesday.

One City Peterborough’s Employment Program began in 2018. Photo Courtesy of DBIA.

The team cares for all the planters and some green spaces downtown. that came with the new pop-up patio project. The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) purchased all the botanicals for this summer’s streetscape including flowers for 75 large patio planters and another 31 painted flower pots.

“This is an exciting extension of our strong partnership with One City Peterborough and it offers an excellent opportunity to help some of the most vulnerable people in our downtown,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “We’re looking forward to seeing the Clean and Green Team downtown, showing their downtown pride and we hope you will give them a wave when you see them.”

Workers will be able to explore the world of urban horticulture as they learn how to care for the many plants in Downtown Peterborough.

 "One City is excited to once again partner with the DBIA to offer opportunities for employment, community engagement, and care for the downtown,” said Jenny Bloom, One City Peterborough’s Employment Program Facilitator. “Our employees take pride in contributing to the beautification of downtown and this new Green Team will have them doing just that while also gaining new skills in gardening, and spending time outdoors.  We can't wait to see the positive impact this program has on our community."

“Congratulations to the Peterborough DBIA on expanding their partnership with One City Peterborough and introducing the new Green Team program,” says Diane Therrien, Peterborough mayor. “Thank you to all of the volunteers and members of the DBIA and One City Peterborough for introducing this exciting project and all of your work to keep Downtown Peterborough clean, vibrant and a destination to enjoy great local food and shopping.”

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