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Warsaw Road Swing Bridge Opened For Vehicles
/Parks Canada reports that the Warsaw Road Swing Bridge has reopened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic according to a press release on Saturday.
File Photo.
The bridge has been closed for a full replacement of the steel swing bridge structure, repairs to concrete abutments and replacement of mechanical and electrical operating systems. The project has brought the bridge up to full highway loading.
Short intermittent delays are expected for operational testing.
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Peterborough Group Revitalizing Skateboarding With Skatepark Upgrades
/After several coats of blue paint, the West49 skatepark gets a facelift from the Peterborough Skateboard Coalition and volunteers on Sunday.
Dan Post (left) performing a grind known as a “tailslide.” Post moved to Peterborough in October and met several coalition members and friends at the West49 skatepark. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The group is made up of skateboard enthusiasts that want to improve skateboard spaces, events and programming through advocacy, fundraising, partnering and engagement in Peterborough.
The paint was supplied by the City of Peterborough with help from Cassandra Babcock, Facilities Manager and Coun. Lesley Parnell according to coalition member Dan Post.
Several members and volunteers painted the McDonnel Street skatepark and spray-painted “tags” of the coalition’s logo. The concrete was patched by skateboarder Riley Wilkins before the park was covered in blue.
Coalition member Geoff Rix performing an “Indy” grab while airborne off a launch ramp. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Built in 2002, the 8,400 square feet skate park was painted as one way of reinvigorating skateboarding back into Peterborough.
The sport has gained popularity in recent years as a new sport in the Olympics, the rehashing of the popular video game series “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” and veteran skaters that can be in skateparks again from the COVID-19 pandemic according to Post.
Sparo Lindsay rides the ramp vertically. Lindsay is the owner of beauty salon Union Studio in downtown Peterborough, Photo by David Tuan Bui.
He wants to grow the Peterborough skateboarding community of all ages and skill levels and wants the city to help foster and accommodate.
"We gave it a bit of revitalization to inject some more energy back into the place, to create a sense of pride,” he said.
Coalition member Aiden Finn performing a “kickflip” while going gap-to-gap from a higher level to a lower one. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The group is seeking help from the City of Peterborough to make more upgrades to the facility such as high-wattage LED lights for nighttime skating, exterior seating, more garbage and recycling bins, a water fountain and a sunshade.
"It's all part of bringing this park back up to a community standard that's more welcoming, more accessible and more inviting," said Post.
The coalition is lobbying the city to build a second skatepark to accommodate the skateboarding community’s growth in Peterborough. The proposed park would have a design that would cater to skaters of all skill levels.
"This design of this park comes from an era it was built," explained Post. "Skateboarding has no rules and so it is constantly evolving. The terrain we skate also needs to evolve alongside it."
The Peterborough Skateboard Coalition is always openly looking for new volunteers to help grow the skateboard community. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Skateboard Coalition.
Expanding skateboarding accessibility in Peterborough can foster Olympic-level athletes since the city already displayed elite hockey and lacrosse players in the past according to Post.
“There is a need to start training and for younger kids to start training, as some of them are going to have Olympic aspirations,” he said. “We have an opportunity to produce some high-level elite skateboard talent here as well that could one day make it into the Olympics.”
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Local Musician Records New Album After 15-Year Drought
/After 15 years since local musician Barry Haggarty’s last album, he has released his third solo record entitled, “Consider Me Undecided.”
Haggarty played guitar for the legendary Ronnie Hawkins — where he also had the pleasure of playing with Bob Dylan and the Band — as well as with The Family Brown before starting his solo career. Photo Courtesy of Barry Haggarty.
He recorded the new album during the COVID-19 lockdowns which gave him extra free time to focus on himself in his otherwise busy studio. Haggarty says this was the only “blessing” to ever come from the pandemic. The local musician has been performing and playing during the 15-year drought.
The album contains 13 tracks with a wide range of genres such as pop, rock, country, jazz and folk music. That “musical diversity” led to the album’s name as Haggarty had no idea what kind of music to classify it.
Photo Courtesy of Barry Haggarty.
Consider Me Undecided’s style is distinct from his previous albums, “If These Walls Could Talk” and “Old Days” as a culmination of how Haggarty has “upped his game.”
“Partly it was for me to showcase what I can do,” he said. “I didn’t want to do a cookie-cutter album that was 10 songs of the same thing.”
Haggarty enlisted different session musicians with a variety of expertise to record the songs live in his studio. He kept all the editing and post-production to a minimum to maintain an “old school” vibe.
“That’s what this project is, real live players in the studio making music,” said Haggarty.
His’s newest single from his album, “Moments” was released late last month that features fellow local musician Kate Suhr. The two are singing in Haggarty’s home studio in Peterborough called “Haggarty Sound Studio.”
Haggarty’s album can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and Tidal.
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Fleming Requiring Proof of Vaccination for All Students and Employees on Campus
/Fleming College announced today that they are implementing a vaccination policy for the fall 2021 semester.
Photo courtesy of Fleming College
Everyone, including students, staff, faculty and visitors, will be required to have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by September 7 and the second dose by October 20 in order to access the programs and activities on Fleming campuses.
This policy will not impact the current plan for in-person and online program delivery for the September semester.
As part of this policy, Fleming will only accept COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada and the World Health Organization. Proof of having received at least the first dose prior to Sept. 7 will be required in the form of a paper or digital receipt to access campus facilities.
“This decision is consistent with the Fleming Safe plan that we implemented at the onset of the pandemic and we believe this policy will provide the best possible protection and freedom to everyone at Fleming to pursue their academic, athletic and personal goals in a safe environment,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming College president. “Vaccination is an effective safeguard against future lockdowns and interruptions in learning, as the scientific evidence shows. Given the current spread of the virus and its negative impact on all healthcare services including the availability of non-COVID-19 related health services, we believe this policy is an important contribution to the communities we serve.”
Fleming will assist students in gaining access to vaccines through on-campus and local clinics. The College respects any student, staff, faculty or visitor who cannot be vaccinated on medical or other grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code. These individuals may request an accommodation.
For those without proof of vaccination, regular testing will be required. Fleming is committed to the protection of privacy, and any information gathered will be in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
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Petes Player Mason McTavish Signs Entry-Level Contract With Anaheim Ducks
/The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the NHL club has signed Mason McTavish to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
During his 2019-20 rookie season with the Petes, the Carp, Ontario native recorded 29 goals and 13 assists for 42 points, finishing second in the OHL rookie scoring race.
He was named to the OHL 2nd All-Rookie team.
“I’m super fortunate to be drafted by the Ducks’ organization,” McTavish said. “I bring my size, strength, and strong hockey IQ and I hope I can make an impact here as soon as possible.”
During the 2020-21 season, McTavish was loaned to EHC Olten of the Swiss League due to the cancellation of the OHL season.
During this time he amassed 11 points (nine goals, two assists) in 13 regular-season games and seven points (two goals, five assists) in four playoff games.
Serving as an alternate captain, McTavish helped Team Canada win gold for the first time since 2013, at the 2021 U18 IIHF World Championship in Texas.
The 6’0”, 198 lbs centre finished the tournament with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in seven games, ranking fifth overall in the tournament and tied for second on Team Canada.
McTavish participated in Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Development Camp from July 28 - Aug. 4, at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on the Tsuut’ina Nation near Calgary.
McTavish became the first player from the Petes to be drafted in the first round since Nick Ritchie in 2014 (being selected in 10th overall also by the Ducks). Dallas Eakins, Ducks head coach, suited up for the Petes from 1984-88.
McTavish became the first Pete to be selected third overall in the NHL Entry Draft since Zach Bogosian (2006-08) in 2008.
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Peterborough Public Health Names Dr. Thomas Piggott New Medical Officer of Health
/The Board of Health for Peterborough Public Health has announced that Dr. Thomas Piggott will serve as the area’s new Medical Officer of Health (MOH) starting December 1, 2021.
Dr. Piggott enjoys family time with his wife, a family physician, and their two young daughters. In their free time they all enjoy being engaged in their community and outdoor activities including hiking, running, bicycling, swimming, gardening, and camping. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Public Health
Dr. Piggott is coming to the role of MOH/CEO of Peterborough Public Health with experience working at various levels of public health in Canada and Internationally. Most recently, Dr. Piggott has been Medical Officer of Health and VP lead for Population Health and Rural and Remote Health in the northern region of Labrador-Grenfell Health.
Dr. Piggott has experience in collaborative Indigenous public health in Canada and internationally. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, he led a response in solidarity with Indigenous governments in Labrador for outbreak prevention and a fair vaccination rollout prioritizing Indigenous communities.
Prior to working with Labrador-Grenfell Health, Dr. Piggott worked as a field doctor with Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Dr. Piggott is a public health and preventive medicine specialist, and a practicing family physician who completed his Masters in Public Health at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and residency training at McMaster University.
“The Board of Health was very impressed with Dr. Piggott’s extensive track record in public health and we are confident he’ll serve our community with the care, passion and scientific expertise our residents have come to expect from their Medical Officer of Health,” said Andy Mitchell, Chair of the Board of Health for Peterborough Public Health (PPH). “We look forward to his leadership at this dynamic time in public health, both locally and provincially.”
The Board of Health has also confirmed coverage for the period between Dr. Rosana Salvaterra’s departure in late September and Dr. Piggott’s arrival on December 1.
Dr. Ian Gemmill, former Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Kingston-Frontenac-Lennox-Addington Public Health will provide medical direction to PPH, and Larry Stinson will serve as interim CEO. In addition, Donna Churipuy will serve as Incident Commander for the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continuity in PPH’s emergency response.
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Foodie Friday: Dan Rennick of Apollo Grill Celebrates the Burger Joint's 10th Anniversary and Explains the Royal Burger Link
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This week on Foodie Friday in our first-ever episode, we speak with Dan Rennick, owner of Apollo Grill as he celebrates his 10th anniversary and how the storied Royal Burger's lineage lives on through his business.
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Former Religious Residence Converting Into Housing With Community Help
/The former Mount St. Joseph’s complex is being renovated into housing units by The Mount Community Centre (MCC) with help from more than 200 volunteers.
Former Winnipeg resident Andi van Koeverden (pictured) has completed her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Manitoba. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The 10-acre property was purchased back in 2013 and is a $4 million campaign to fully complete construction, all backed by volunteers.
It is being built by Beavermead Construction however work such as painting, furnishing or landscaping is done through volunteers.
This is the building’s final phase of construction where 63 housing units have already been developed since 2013. Construction this fall will add another five housing units and project completion will total 74 residential units.
Andi van Koeverden, MCC Director of Strategic Advancement acknowledges the affordable housing problem that has been a complaint by several Peterborough citizens and believes this is another step towards reliving that issue.
“In 2014, the City and Counsel committed to building 500 affordable units in 10 years,” she said. “We have added 63 units to that count. That is quite substantial.”
The units already contain several amenities such as a food centre, office space, public venue space and a café (currently closed due to COVID-19).
The following is where the money is being invested:
$2,665,000 Centre & North Wing Renovations
$710,000 Food Centre
$500,000 Sustainability Fund
$125,000 Grounds & Gardens
The Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network opted to turn the property into affordable housing back in 2011 according to van Koeverden.
“This group was looking at acquiring a building of some kind and turning it into affordable housing and a food centre,” she said. “They turned the ownership over to the Mount Community Centre Board of Directors who managed the redevelopment from then on.”
The MCC is continuing to seek donations and projects to finish construction within the next two years according to van Koeverden.
Donations to the construction campaign can be found here. You can also volunteer by calling 705-875-5095.
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Local Indigenous Business Owner Semi-Finalist in Pow Wow Pitch
/Dominique O'Bonsawin, owner of cedarlilie a beadwork and craft supply shop, is a semi-finalist in the Pow Wow Pitch. Pow Wow Pitch is a a grassroots community of Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island.
Dominique O’Bonsawin and her dog Cedar. Photo courtesy of Dominique O’Bonsawin
O'Bonsawin is of both French-Canadian and Abenaki heritage and started learning beadwork about five years ago while attending university in Ottawa.
“It was an important part of me reconnecting to my community and the larger Indigenous community in Canada,” she said.
As she gained interest in the craft she began to notice a lack of Indigenous owned bead stores in the country. She began to buy beads in bulk for her own use and selling any extras she had.
“I started running out of beads and realized this was a market I could tap into,” she said. “Before I knew it I had to make my own website.”
O'Bonsawin has now been selling beads and craft supplies for about a year and a half.
An example of Dominique O’Bonsawin’s beading. These pieces were completed along with her mother and sister. Photo courtesy of Dominique O’Bonsawin.
The Pow Wow Pitch competition is for Indigenous entrepreneurs across North America. It shines a light on vendors, artists, business builders and innovators from all backgrounds and industries, whether just starting or looking to grow to the next level.
This year, more than 1,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses online for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $500 to $25,000.
O'Bonsawin was one of those entrepreneurs and was surprised to find that she was chosen as a semi-finalist.
“I had a few people reach out to me and tell me to apply, but I didn’t think I was there yet. I’m still kind of figuring out this whole thing,” she said.
“All we had to do was submit a one minute video of what we would do with the money if we were to win,” she said. “It caught and I thought ‘okay this is for real now’.”
Of the over 1600 entries there are 156 semi-finalists who now must pitch their business plan live to a board of panelists.
O'Bonsawin is also eligible to win the peoples choice award, which would send her straight to the finals. The peoples choice award is based on the amount of votes a contestant receives, anyone is welcome to participate in voting.
More beadwork by Dominique O’Bonsawin.
