Peterborough Petes Reveal New State-of-the-Art Video Board

Games at the Peterborough Memorial Centre are going to be more visually appealing as the Peterborough Petes unveiled their new state-of-the-art video board in time for the team’s 65th OHL season after a press conference held on Wednesday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The video board features four 13 foot x 6 foot screens, with an approximately 13 foot x 2 foot high diameter digital ring display underneath the screens, all in high definition. The Petes also received a new fan camera, which will capture the game’s best moments on and off the ice.

“We’re really excited to have the best video board in the Canadian Hockey League in our building,” said Eric Ebenbaur, Petes Director of Sales. “This is an opportunity for us to improve our game day and fan experience while giving our players and hockey operations the best experience possible.” 

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The team also announced that Fully Promoted/Signarama has been named as the Petes season presenting sponsor. 

“We are very excited to work with the Petes to help give their fans the best experience at their games,” said Morgan Smith, Fully Promoted/Signarama president. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Petes this season and enhancing the game experience.”

Fans can see the new video board and experience the improved fan experience at the Petes home opener on Oct.14 at 7:05 p.m. against the Sudbury Wolves.

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Peterborough Man Wins $50,000 From the Lottery

Peterborough’s Eduardo Bossio knows how to pick his numbers as he won $50,000 from the Daily Keno 8 Pick on the Sept. 13 evening draw announced Wednesday.

Photo Courtesy of OLG.

Eduardo, a 55-year-old father, said he is a regular lottery player and discovered his win right after the draw.

“I checked the winning numbers on the OLG App and saw they matched,” he said. “I looked at it over and over to make sure. I kept saying ‘Thank you, God!’”

He plans to invest his winnings.

“I feel very blessed and grateful,” he concluded.

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Peterborough Petes Acquire Former First-Round Pick In Trade

The Peterborough Petes have acquired left-winger Emmett Sproule from the Erie Otters in exchange for Peterborough’s sixth-round pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection announced on Tuesday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Sproule, a 2001-born forward was selected in the first round, 21st overall by the Otters in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. The 5’11, 174 lbs Collingwood, Ont. native has recorded 30 goals, 45 assists and 75 points in 187 games with the Erie. He hass recorded three points (two goals, one assist) in five preseason games this season. 

“We’re excited to add Emmett to our team,” said Michael Oke, Petes General Manager. “He’s a player that we took note of during his OHL Draft year, and have been following as his OHL career has progressed. Emmett has the skills and abilities that we think will complement our roster, both on and off the ice.”

Sproule attended the Philadelphia Flyers 2019 Development Camp on an invite basis.

Sproule is expected to be in the Petes lineup when they face the Battalion in North Bay this Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

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Temporary Changes to Late Service on Some Peterborough Transit Routes During Armour Road Construction

The City of Peterborough announced on Tuesday that overnight road work at the intersection of Parkhill Road East and Armour Road will affect some Peterborough Transit routes from Wednesday to Friday.

File Photo.

Routes 6C, 7A, and 9 will be on detour after 9 p.m. between Parkhill and Trent University.

The Armour Road bus stops at Parkhill Road, at Dunlop Street, and Vinette Steet will be temporarily out of service. Customers should proceed to the corner of Armour Road at Spencleys Lane for service.

Route 6C and Route 9 trips will not be able to access Armour Road. These trips will continue to serve Trent University at Gzowski.

Route 6C Sherbrooke

Late night Route 6C Sherbrooke trips will not be able to access Armour Road. Eastbound Route 6C trips will travel on Water Street from McDonnel Street to Nassau Mills Road, turn right and travel over the bridge to resume the regular route to the Gzowski loop bus stop before heading back to Trent at Bata.

For Route 6C trips, a shuttle will be available from the transit stop on Water Street opposite Tim Horton’s south of Nassau Mills Road for customers to access Armour Road.

Route 7A Lansdowne

Eastbound Route 7A Lansdowne trips will travel north on Armour Road to Swanston Avenue, turn right to Snelgrove Road, turn left to Parkhill Road, turn right to Leahy’s Lane, turn left to Spencelys Lane, turn left to Armour Road and then turn right to resume the regular route. Westbound trips will follow the same routing in the reverse direction.

Route 9 Parkhill

Route 9 Parkhill trips will not be able to access Armour Road. Eastbound trips will travel east on Parkhill Road to Water Street to Nassau Mills Road, then turn right and head over the bridge to resume the regular route to the Gzowski loop bus stop.

Westbound trips will leave Trent at Gzowski following the normal route out to Armour Road and continue over the bridge at Nassau Mills Road to travel south on Water Street. Continuing south on George Street, trips will proceed through the Parkhill Road intersection and then turn left at Antrim Street to Water Street, turn left to Parkhill Road, and then turn left to resume service at the westbound bus stop on Parkhill Road before George Street.

Customers with questions about these changes can contact Peterborough Transit directly by phone at 705-745-0525 or by email at transitoperations@peterborough.ca.

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Holy Cross Celebrates Grand Opening Of New Sport Complex

After three years of construction, the next era of athletics for Holy Cross Secondary School (HCSS) is here as a new sports complex with an artificial turf field has officially opened on Tuesday.

City members, Holy Cross student athletes and staff celebrate on the artificial turf that is also available for use by the community. The Holy Cross’s football team began in 2003. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project cost $3.7 million and sports such as field hockey, football, track and field, rugby and more are played at the complex.

Upgrades include an artificial turf field converting from natural grass. Night lighting, improving track and field features, such as high jump, long jump, and resurfacing the eight-lane track surrounding the field. New pathways and upgraded spectator seating improve the accessibility of the facility.

“To have the field here for all our rugby practices and games, it's awesome,” said Sophie McLean, Grade 11 student and girls’ rugby player.

“For my whole high school career, it's always been at a different school because our field has been at work,” said Eli McColl, HCSS senior student trustee and HCSS quarterback. “It finally feels amazing to be stepping at home and bring our teams here and show them what Holy Cross really is.”

@ptbo_canada

This is what $3.7 million dollars looks like! Awesome new field you have Holy Cross Secondary School!

♬ Rock 'n' Roll (Part 2) - Gary Glitter

The joint project was led by the city and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB).

Mayor Diane Therrien, Councillor Leslie Parnell and school board officials were in attendance to briefly speak on the official opening.

“We have been watching the construction of this new state-of-the art track and field at Holy Cross CSS with much excitement,” said Joan Carragher, PVNC Director of Education. “We are thrilled that the track is now officially open and we look forward to seeing students and staff using these facilities to the fullest this upcoming school year and for many years to come.”

“Being a father of four daughters who are all involved in athletics, I know that some of the greatest lessons are learned on the sports field,” said David Bernier, PVNCCDSB Chair.

“The new artificial turf field and track amenities are top-notch. This is an exciting project that will greatly improve sports and recreation facilities for the Peterborough community, PVNC students. Artificial turf fields allow us to expand the sports season and add to our “sport’s hub” for sports tourism and local tournaments,” said Parnell. “Artificial fields present savings in terms of annual operating costs as they only need to be raked once weekly and do not need watering or fertilizing.”

Mayor Diane Therrien was one of several speakers that attended the ceremony. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The artificial turf also has safety advantages that the coaches and players have experienced on other fields.

“You're getting consistency in turf like this. It is an aggressive surface. It moves faster but there are no potholes for you to fall into,” said Geoff McKinley, HCSS boys football coach. “Things that we're working on with the athletes are acceleration and deceleration to make sure that they're minimizing injuries but you're not dealing with things that you can't control that can happen on a grass field and the maintenance that goes with that.”

“It gives you the opportunity to cut in and out, make those runs and those passes that you need to make,” said McColl. “It gives you the opportunity to shine as an athlete and shows your full potential as well.”

The facility was available to permit beginning July 19 with community sports groups using it throughout the summer and on evenings and weekends in the fall.

Holy Cross CSS has been using the facility since the beginning of the school year. Community sports teams can contact 705-742-7777 ext. 1829 for current permit information.

The first game played on the field since its opening was girls’ rugby as the Holy Cross Hurricanes hosted the Campbellford District Flames on Tuesday.

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One Hairy Fundraiser to Donate to Three Local Organizations

Local entrepreneur, Husayn Dharshi, is organizing ‘One Hairy Fundraiser’ for three local initiatives and has pledged to offer his long hair to an organization that may need it once he reaches his goal of $1,500.

Funds donated to ‘One Hairy Fundraiser’ will be evenly split between Kawartha FoodShare, Peterborough's Safe Consumption and Treatment Site and The Home Program under One City Peterborough.

When he reaches his $1,500 goal Dharshi will cut his long hair and donate it to a charity that will put it to use. He has not yet decided which charity.

“The focus of this campaign is to raise awareness of all the great organizations that are doing so much in the community right now,” said Dharshi. “They fit into the brackets of people living with food insecurity, underhoused people and people with mental health challenges and addictions - which are things we need so much more support for.”

Dharshi is a local website and web application developer, and the Founder of TransitOne Canada, a local start up dedicated to creating better access to local communities through better transit. When the COVID-19 pandemic began his business took a hit, and he found himself in need of work.

He began working full-time as a social services worker at One Roof Community Centre, where he has been volunteering since 2018.

“They have been so gracious with me and so kind to me, this is just a small token of my gratitude to them,” said Dharshi.

To donate to One Hairy Fundraiser click here.

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Wilfred Laurier University and Fleming College Renew Diploma-Degree Pathway for Environmental Studies Students

Wilfrid Laurier University is renewing its partnership with Fleming College to continue offering its “2+2” pathway for students interested in earning both a diploma and degree in four years.

File Photo.

Under the agreement, graduates of six Fleming College programs can enter directly into the third year of Laurier’s Honours Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, offered on Laurier’s Waterloo campus, allowing them to complete their degree in only two years.

The pathway option is available to students in Fleming College’s two-year (technician) and three-year (technology) diploma programs in the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences. Including Environmental Technician and Technology, Ecosystem Management Technician and Technology and Fish and Wildlife Technician and Technology.

“Increasingly, students are finding this pathway to Laurier’s Environmental Studies program and we are pleased to work with a highly motivated group of excellent students,” said Mary-Louise Byrne, professor and chair in Laurier’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. “They will be uniquely prepared to enter the workforce with the combination of skills and environmental knowledge needed to work in environmental management at this critical time as climate change unfolds.”

Fleming graduates in Laurier’s degree program will be required to take core Geography and Environmental Studies courses such as environmental theory, hydrology, geographic information systems and research methods to expand their knowledge and skills.

The pathway program has been renewed from September 2021 to September 2023.

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Lindsay Student Awarded $8,000 From Province-Wide Bursary

Lindsay’s Henry Stephenson was selected for the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA)-Dairy Farmers of Ontario bursary for $8,000 as one of five high school graduates announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of OMHA.

The bursary is awarded for students who achieved academic excellence and made a big impact in their schools and in their communities in the 2020-21 school year.

Maintaining a 98 per cent average is challenging enough yet deciding to learn Mandarin on top of Stephenson’s regular academics proved to be no issue.

Not only did he excel academically but he also played hockey with Lindsay Minor Hockey, was a cross-country provincial finalist. He was also a member of the soccer, rugby, tennis and badminton teams during his time in high school. Additionally, he is a Level 10 piano player with the Royal Conservatory of Music.

He also put together recorded musical recitals for seniors’ homes in the area and was a regular volunteer at the local food bank.

“Henry’s on a different path than most. He’s an elite young man and he’s going to do amazing things. It wouldn’t shock me if one day we’re all working for him,” said Trevor Catherwood, Stephenson’s hockey coach. “He’s an excellent kid to coach.”

Stephenson is in his first year studying Bioengineering at McGill University.

“I really like that I’ll have the opportunity to solve problems that might not have come up before,” he said.

“We are extremely proud of the five recipients chosen for the Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary this year,” said Ian Taylor, OMHA Executive Director. “Their desire to give back during a challenging year in hockey and their excellence in the classroom shows their leadership as people and players. I am confident these five great athletes and students will continue to shine in their post-secondary education.”

Applications for the 2022 Bursary Program will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Camp Kawartha Celebrates Opening of New Rotary Health Centre

Following a multi-year fundraising campaign, Camp Kawartha (CK) formally opened its new Rotary Health Centre announced on Saturday. 

(left to right) David Goyette; Jason Huffman, Past Board CK Chair; Myke Healy, CK Board Chair; Liam Churchill, CK Board Director. Photo Courtesy of Camp Kawartha.

Camp Kawartha boasts the building as one of the most environmentally responsible in Canada. The 2,070 square foot building is a straw bale construction that features net-zero utility costs, zero toxins, zero fossil fuel use, zero waste output and a zero-carbon footprint.

Designed by the local firm Straworks, it showcases the use of natural building materials – the majority of them local – as well as elements such as a living roof, energy-efficient radiant heat and super-insulated walls that sequester carbon.   

Named for the Rotary Club of Peterborough, the building represents ongoing cooperation between the Camp and the Club, both of whom are celebrating their centennials this year.

The Club is the primary financial sponsor of the Centre. Building on that sponsorship, a fundraising campaign led in 2020 and 2021 by David Goyette has now raised more than $470,000.  

Wayne Harding, Rotary President recognized those Rotarians who first initiated the development of the Camp as a Club project in 1921.

“We are proud of our long-standing relationship with Camp Kawartha, and we are honoured to have our name associated with this outstanding project,” he said. “This building makes all of us leaders in the drive to reduce carbon emissions and sets Camp Kawartha apart as a trailblazer in environmentally sustainable construction.” 

Photo Courtesy of CK.

“We are here today to marvel at this extraordinary building. The Board of Directors is thankful to the many individuals, organizations, foundations, and businesses who supported the vision of this exciting and unique project,” said Myke Healy, Camp Kawartha Board Chair. “This building is a testament to human ingenuity and Camp Kawartha’s mission. Not only is it a beautiful and fully functional health centre, it is a building that inspires camp visitors and teaches about the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability.” 

The Rotary Health Centre will provide educational opportunities for students, builders, architects, and campers to learn about carbon-neutral design, carbon sequestration, alternative energy generation, natural building materials, product life cycles and green-waste management systems. 

Building tour information is available at info@campkawartha.ca.  

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Overnight Closure of the Intersection at Parkhill Road and Armour Road

The intersection at Parkhill Road and Armour Road will be temporarily closed overnight to complete surface grinding and paving announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The closure will be from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. from Tuesday to Thursday, depending on weather.

Detour routes posted during this overnight closure are as follows:

Parkhill Road

• Eastbound traffic will detour south on George Street, east on Hunter Street, south on Rogers Street and East on Maria Street.

• Westbound traffic will detour south on Television Road, west on Lansdowne Street, north on Ashburnham and west Maria Street.

Armour Road

• Northbound traffic will detour west on Hunter Street and north on Water Street.

• Southbound traffic will detour west on Nassau Mills Road and south on George Street.

Local traffic will be permitted and access to businesses in the area remains open.

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