Questions and Comments Open for Curtis Creek Improvement Project

The City of Peterborough is looking to make improvements to Curtis Creek between Tivey Street and Swanston Avenue through a flood reduction and channel naturalization project.

Photo courtesy of ConnectPTBO

The general goals of the project, in accordance with the recommendations set out in the Curtis Creek Flood Reduction Master Plan, are to:

1. reduce the negative impacts of flooding on properties in the watershed;

2. naturalize the channel to improve water quality and wildlife habitat;

3. provide slope stability and erosion control measures; and

4. improve the open space and pedestrian connections south of Euclid Avenue at Trent Street.

The project plans, additional project information and resources are available on Connect Peterborough, City’s online community engagement hub, at www.connectptbo.ca/curtiscreek. Residents can submit comments and ask questions through the online engagement tool.

Residents who are directly impacted will be consulted on an individual basis as designs are finalized. Local residents, Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation and Otonabee Region Conservation Authority have been approached as part of the ongoing work.

The project team will consider feedback received through Connect Peterborough as it develops the project plan.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Foodie Friday: Nòstimos Regarding Anagnostou's Family Restaurant Legacy In Town and Serving Greek Food

---

We talk with George Anagnostou and Shannon LeClair of Nòstimo about Anagnostou's family legacy of restaurants in Peterborough and bringing fine Greek and Mediterranean dining to town.

---

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

City of Peterborough Teams up with Hellmans Canada to Kick Food Waste to the Curb

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Waste Reduction Week in Canada, the City of Peterborough has announced a new partnership with Hellmann’s Canada in support of food waste awareness.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Over the next three months, half of the City’s waste collection vehicles will be sporting a new look, with a creative message from Hellmann’s on the driver side of the vehicles. The tongue-in-cheek message provides an important educational perspective on food waste:

‘This is Canada’s Most Popular Food Truck. Unfortunately. 58% of Food produced in Canada gets thrown out.’

“Thank you to Hellmann’s for sharing this important message through a sponsorship initiative. Bringing attention to food waste is the first step to changing our behaviours,” said Councillor Gary Baldwin, Chair of the City’s waste management portfolio. “From meal planning, to cooking, to left-overs and composting, we need to be conscious of reducing food waste, and diverting it from the landfill in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

City residents are encouraged to minimize the amount of food waste they place in their regular garbage by participating in the City’s back yard composting program, which provides cost-subsidized composters for sale to local residents at City Hall, 500 George St. N., or at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot, 400 Pido Rd. More information is available on the City’s website at www.peterborough.ca/waste.

“At Hellmann's we believe food is too good to be wasted, so we’re thrilled to partner with the City of Peterborough to help educate Canadians about food waste in this unique way via Canada’s most popular food truck, the garbage truck,” said Kristen Denega, Senior Brand Manager, Hellmann’s Canada. “Canada is one of the worst offenders when it comes to food waste with almost two-thirds of food thrown away still being edible. We hope this partnership encourages City residents and passers by to learn more, either through our website or the City’s, and take action.”

In addition to food waste reduction, the City is also focused on the diversion of food waste from landfill with a new organic waste collection and processing program. Work continues on a new source separated organics food diversion program.

The City of Peterborough GROW (Green Resource Organics Waste) is on target for a Fall 2023 implementation. Residents can learn about the GROW project and the City’s efforts towards Zero Waste at www.peterborough.ca/grow.

Waste Reduction Week in Canada runs from October 18 to 22, 2021. The program focuses on the principles of circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. Waste Reduction Week celebrates our environmental efforts and achievements while encouraging new innovative ideas and solutions.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Be Nice Campaign Launched in Peterborough

The ‘Be Nice’ Campaign was launched on Thursday by Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha and Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Improvement.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Dave Smith.

The initiative encourages customers in businesses where enhanced vaccine certificates are required to be patient and kind as they patronize these locations.

“Our frontline workers have faced considerable uncertainty over the last 18 months; from lockdowns to challenging experiences working in customer service,” Smith said. “This campaign is to remind everyone to take an extra moment in consideration of the staff working in difficult circumstances; understanding they really are trying to do their best.”

"We really wanted to be proactive with getting the message out that regardless of where you land on the debate about vaccination proof, please don't take it out on the staff and restaurants," said Terry Guiel, Executive Director, DBIA. "The staff and restaurants are already dealing with immense stresses caused by the pandemic". "This sign we hope catches peoples attention before they enter the establishment to remind us all that these staff and business owners are your neighbors, friends and family so please be nice.”

“We have been on a crazy roller coaster ride and not a fun one thanks to this COVID pandemic,” said Warden J. Murray Jones. “Our local businesses are doing the best they can to pivot and adapt to the ever-changing rules. This is stressful for them, when all they want to do is open up and serve their community. Be Nice, just makes sense, it’s who we are as a full community, let’s not let this pandemic get the better of us.”

The current vaccine receipt without a QR code remains valid and will continue to be accepted. Ontarians will need to continue to show a piece of identification with their name and date of birth along with their proof of vaccination to enter businesses.

Businesses and organizations can now download the free Verify Ontario app from the Apple App and Google Play stores. The app has been designed to help businesses by making it quicker and easier to confirm if a person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The app never stores personal information and only shows the minimum amount of information necessary to confirm vaccination.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Jigsaw Puzzles of Peterborough Zoo's Miniature Train Sold To Fundraise New Locomotive

The Riverview Park & Zoo is selling jigsaw puzzles of its iconic James Hamilton miniature train in a fundraising effort for a new locomotive that launched on Friday.

The train travels on a bridge through a forest of artificial and natural attractions but does not run through the zoo. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly 750 copies of the 308-piece puzzle have been made to help fund the required $650,000 — along with other fundraisers — for a new train projected for 2023 according to Paul Hartung, zoo board member.

The puzzle is sold for $20 at the zoo’s gift shop and stores such as Brant Basics, Griffins Greenhouses, Fork in the Road Country Market and Ennismore Pharmacy. Other stores could soon follow suit.

Calyptic Creations, a commercial printer based out of Calgary created the puzzle where Hartung knew through the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The train needs to be replaced since its parts are no longer manufactured and getting new parts would be costly says Hartung.

“We would have to hire an engineer to make a new part for us and it could cost us roughly $200-$300 an hour,” he explained.

The train opens during the summer season from daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Photo Courtesy of Paul Hartung.

Hartung researched the campaign idea in December last year. The zoo’s advisory committee agreed to the idea and began planning the fundraising process.

The train was built in 1974 that costs two dollars to ride and is free for children under two.

The miniature train ride is an 1860 locomotive replica. Located under sabre jet, the train track is over two kilometres and the ride is roughly ten minutes long according to the zoo’s website.

“This is a way that can probably help us prepare for a replacement of the train and hopefully the new train will last us another 50 years and another three or four generations,” reflected Hartung. “The fun of it is to go for the ride.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Chamber of Commerce Announces Peterborough Business Excellence Awards

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosted its 18th annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards online on Wednesday.

Stu Harrison has been a member of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce for over 16 years. File Photo.

This is the second year the award show has been hosted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses and people in over 20 categories were honoured and recognized throughout Peterborough county for demonstrating excellence.

Up to three businesses and people were nominated for each category.

The Business Excellence Awards are available to watch on Youtube.

The following are the 2021 Business Excellence Awards finalists:

SKILLED TRADES (sponsored by Charlotte Products Ltd.)

• Kawartha Lakes Construction

 

Tourism

• Escape Maze Incorporated

Hospitality

• Jesse’s Tap & Grill

 

Micro Business — Fewer than 5 employees

• Jason McIntosh Auctions

 

Retail

• Avant-Garden Shop

 

Professional Services

• Pinchin Ltd.

 

Customer First

• Antoinette Bridal Boutique

 

Local Focus

• RMS Events — LIVE! at the Barn

 

Innovation/Research and Development

• OptiSolve Ltd.

Commercial Development or Renovation

• The Little Building Company

 

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Emily Mae’s Cookies

 

Marketing and Promotion

• Peterborough Public Health

 

Green Initiatives

• Trent University — Forensic Crime Scene Facility

 

Health and Wellness

• Canadian Family Health Counselling

Not For Profit

• New Canadians Centre

 

Employer of the Year

• Trent University

 

Businesswoman of the Year — Entrepreneur

• Christine Teixeira — Accountability Financial

 

Businesswoman of the Year — Organization

• Julia Anderson — Canadian Partnership for Women & Children’s Health

 

Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year

• The Traynor Family (Traynor Farms)

4-Under-40 Profiles in memory of Kathy Windrem

• Jessica Dalliday

• Faith Dickinson

• Joon Kim

• Lyle Saunders

Business Student Leadership Prizes

• Sarah Moore (Fleming College)

• Mohamad Ellabban (Trent University)

New Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year

• Rosie Salcido-Schmidt (Agave Designs, Faces by 2)

Business Citizen of the Year

• Tom Minicola

All finalists were asked to record a thank you video. To view those videos click here.

OLG Makes Gaming Revenue Payment to City of Peterborough

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced Thursday that the City of Peterborough will receive non-tax gaming revenue payment of $571,586 for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough.

Shorelines Casino. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Since October 2018, the City of Peterborough has received almost $5.5 million in non-tax gaming revenue.

“We are pleased that land-based casinos have reopened safely and are contributing to our local economy again,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “The City of Peterborough continues to benefit from significant revenue from its Municipality Contribution Agreement. This capital enables the city to invest in affordable housing and critical infrastructure as we build a foundation for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

OLG makes payments to host municipalities under the Municipality Contribution Agreements, using a prescribed formula consistently applied across all sites in Ontario that is based on a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site or sites.

Under the province's reopening framework, gaming sites were able to resume operations beginning on July 16, 2021. Casino re-opening dates were determined by each service provider in consultation with OLG, depending on their readiness and ability to operate under the mandatory restrictions. All gaming sites in Ontario resumed operations by August 16, 2021.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Trent University to Install Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Trent University is partnering with Ameresco, Inc. to install various energy efficiency upgrades, including an on-site Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on its Peterborough campus.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The new system aims to reduce the University’s carbon footprint, while supporting the provincial energy grid.

“This project is an exciting next step in Trent’s ongoing commitment to environmental and sustainable initiatives on campus,” said Tariq Al-Idrissi, acting vice president, Finance and Administration at Trent University. “Our renewed Energy Performance Contract with Ameresco builds on previous energy saving projects such as converting the campus lighting to LEDs, implementing smart ventilation systems and using solar energy to power the new zero-carbon Forensics Crime Scene Facility, the first of its kind in Canada.”

The BESS will store energy overnight, when the provincial grid is producing the lowest cost and lowest carbon energy and use it to power the campus at strategic times when the Ontario system operators typically turn to gas-fired generation to meet atypical high demand for electricity.

Taking this action on campus contributes to Ontario’s Industrial Conservation Initiative and will result in an expected reduction in Global Adjustment fees of over $1 million annually. These savings will fund the BESS installation as well as extensive upgrades to Trent’s electrical infrastructure.

“One of the amazing things about working with customers on projects like these is finding energysaving solutions that work for them and generate significant cost savings in the long run,” said Bob McCullough, president, Ameresco Canada.

The Energy Performance Contract amendment between the University and Ameresco was recently approved by Trent’s Board of Governors, with construction scheduled to commence later in the fall.

Proposed upgrades include the installation of a 2.5MW/5 MWh BESS, the replacement of aging switchgear components and the implementation of a carport canopy photo-voltaic (PV) and electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The PV and EV charging station will complement the newly installed BESS and reduce the University’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Shoreline Residents Along the Indian River Should Prepare for the Annual Fall Reservoir Drawdown

Otonabee Conservation has announced that they will be adjusting water levels along the Indian River on or after Monday.

Hope Mill Dam. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Stop logs will be removed at Hope Mill Dam, Lang Mill Dam and Warsaw Auxiliary Dam.

During operations, shoreline residents can expect water levels to decrease above the dams; water levels and flows will increase below the dams. Water levels and flows will stabilize in the days following operations. In total, water levels will decrease 6 to 12 inches in the reservoirs.

Property owners upstream and downstream from the Hope, Lang, and Warsaw Dams should ensure that all boats, floating docks, etc. are removed from the water before this reservoir drawdown begins.

The Hope, Lang, and Warsaw reservoirs will not be restored to their current water levels until after the Spring freshet, which usually occurs before the May 24 holiday long-weekend.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.