Warsaw Caves And Beavermead Campground Will Be Open For Spelunking And Boat Rentals This Season

After being closed for two years due to pandemic restrictions, the Warsaw Caves will open for spelunking this season and boat rentals will be available at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (CA) and Beavermead Campground.

Meade Creek. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

“We are excited to invite visitors back to Warsaw Caves; it is a popular spot for visitors to the are who are looking for a unique outdoor experience in nature,” said Otonabee Conservation’s Manager of Conservation Lands, Jessie James, “Warsaw Caves offers an exciting opportunity to explore caves, kettles, limestone cliffs and ledges, underground channels, and other interesting natural features on the landscape.”

While Covid restrictions ease across the province, visitors to the caves this season will be encouraged to wear a mask in enclosed spaces and to act safely by distancing from others in close quarters and along the trail.

Canoe and kayak rentals will also once again be available to visitors at Warsaw Caves CA and Beavermead Campground.

At Warsaw Caves CA, paddlers can enjoy a trip along the Indian River with flat water and a gentle current. At Beavermead Campground, paddlers can access Meade Creek and paddle out into Little Lake and along the Otonabee River into downtown Peterborough.

Canoe and kayak rentals include the use of paddles, personal floatation devices, and the required safety gear. Sanitation stations will be set up to disinfect equipment before and after use.

Conservation Areas open for day-use and camping on Friday, May 13th, 2022. Campers are encouraged to visit otonabeeconservation.com to plan their outdoor adventure in the Kawartha’s and learn more about the Conservation Areas within the Otonabee Region Watershed that provide a diverse range of outdoor activities for all ages.

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

Enbridge Gas Announces Hybrid Heating Program for Peterborough

An Enbridge Gas Hybrid Heating Program that is planned for Peterborough will support the community’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Stock Photo.

Announced last week, the Province says it plans to provide up to $4.5 million toward a Clean Home Heating Initiative in London, St. Catharines, Sault Ste. Marie, and Peterborough to support the installation of electric heat pumps with smart controls for up to 1,000 households, providing homeowners with $3,000 to $4,500 in incentives.

By pairing an electric air source heat pump and smart controls with their high-efficiency gas furnace, homeowners can reduce their natural gas use. The hybrid system optimizes gas and electric sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while achieving utility bill savings.

Enbridge Gas’s Hybrid Heating Program compliments the City’s development of a Home Energy Efficiency Program, which would assist homeowners with renovations reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with their homes.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to take climate action and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, while also reducing their home energy bills,” said Michael Papadacos, Interim Commissioner for Infrastructure and Planning Services. “Residential home heating is the largest source of greenhouse gases in our community and this program will help residents take another step towards addressing community emissions. This type of support from upper levels of government will be critical for municipalities like Peterborough to meet their climate change goals.”

The City is currently reaching out to the community to get feedback to help inform the creation of the Home Energy Efficiency Program.

Information on the Home Energy Efficiency Program and surveys to submit feedback are available through the City’s online community engagement hub, Connect Peterborough, at connectptbo.ca/homeenergy.

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

St. John's School Holds Ukraine Fundraiser With City-Wide Badminton Tournament

St. John’s Catholic Elementary School grade 7 and 8 students used their racquets and birdies to raise money for their “United for Ukraine” two-day badminton tournament held on Wednesday and Thursday.

St. Anne’s grade 8 student, Clara Murison (pictured), 13, serving against Monsignor O’Donoghue (MOD) at St. John’s gymnasium. Murison and her teammate Sequoia Soubliere, 14, defeated MOD in their round-robin matchup. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Nine other schools within the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board were invited to participate and contribute to the cause.

The money is going towards the New Canadians Centre Welcome Fund which aids refugees and immigrants with mental health services, employment opportunities and other services.

"The kids have been working on this for a couple of months now as a 'deep learning' project," said Stacy Higgins, St. John's grade 8 teacher. "They learned about what was going on in Ukraine and wanted to help."

"We did a little bit of research on Ukraine and we were talking about it a lot in class,” said Jayden Hopkins, 14, St. John's grade 8 student. “We haven't really haven't had any schools come over in a long time because of COVID so we thought this would be a great way to help our community and help the refugees but also have a fun time."

St Anne’s grade 8 student Sequoia Soubliere (pictured), 14, was one of the finalists for the girls’ tournament. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

St John’s students were responsible for contacting other schools to get them involved, reach out to sponsors and organize the event.

"It took a lot of effort, we had to call a lot of places and we're so thankful for our sponsors to help donate food, drinks and flowers, said Hopkins. “It was a lot of hard work to make those signs, and call the different places, it was a lot of work but it was worth it."

All the awards were designed by a St. John’s student while Holy Cross Secondary School created them. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The students reached out to Holy Cross Secondary School where teacher Mike Whibbs helped created the awards from the shop class. The first-place trophy was designed by a St John’s student and made with a 3D printer.

The amount of effort and work put into the tournament was rewarding according to the St. John’s students.

"It's very nice to know that we're helping families coming to Peterborough and the surrounding area," said Reed Lain, 13, St. John's grade 8 student. "Not many people have done stuff since Covid, everyone's been inside so it's pretty good for the teams playing."

Each school had two girls and boys represent their respective schools to play in the doubles tournament while contributing $100 for each team.

The girls’ tournament was held on the first day with the boys’ on the following day.

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

Peterborough City Councillor Henry Clarke Files Nomination For Mayor

Peterborough City Councillor Henry Clarke filed for election to the office of Mayor of the City of Peterborough, on Thursday.

Clarke filing for nomination at City Hall. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Clarke was elected as Monaghan Ward councillor in 1998, then re-elected five times.

He sat as deputy mayor from 2004 until 2018, and was also chair of the city’s finance committee from 2007 - 2018.

Clarke is the second resident to announce a campaign for Mayor. Northcrest Ward Stephen Wright also announced he would be seeking the office.

Current Mayor, Diane Therrien, announced in November that she would not be seeking re-election.

The Municipal Election will take place on Oct. 24.

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

Dr. Thomas Piggott Unites With Two Other Ontario Public Heath Agencies And Urges Ontario's Chief Medical Officer To Reinstate Mask Requirements

Dr. Thomas Piggott from Peterborough Public Health has united with two other Ontario public health agencies to send a letter to Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health sharing concern with continued high disease activity, for a temporary province-wide masking mandate to bring down sixth wave transmission.

File Photo.

“COVID-19 risk continues, and masking remains a key strategy to protect yourself and others,” said Piggott. “I strongly recommend continuing to wear your mask, and with colleagues am asking the Chief Medical Officer of Health to consider broadening the temporary mask requirement to protect our communities.”

The letter, sent to Dr. Kieran moore, awas signed by Dr. Piggott, Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, Medical Officer of Health & Commissioner (Acting), Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services and Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

In the letter suggests that Ontario temporarily broadens the mask requirements in Ontario to include indoor public spaces such as workplaces, schools, college and universities, as well as essential service settings (such as grocery stores and pharmacies).

They reference the Ontario Science Table, that has recently reported persistently high amounts of COVID-19 in the wastewater, as a key marker of transmission.

They also note that in each respective region, hospitalizations have either remained steady, or increased since the last wave.

“The return of masking could help protect those with inequities and vulnerabilities, relieve the pressures on our hospitals, and most importantly protect the health of the people we serve,” the three note.

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

Kawartha Downs Unveils 50th Anniversary Schedule Including Two-Year Master Plan Project

Kawartha Downs is going all-in for its 50th anniversary.

The racetrack has released its 2022 lineup and given Master Plan details to revitalize the facility over the next 18 months with entertainment facilities announced on Wednesday.

Richard Weldon, Kawartha Downs managing director was representing the subsidiary of Romspen Financial Corp. during the media conference on Wednesday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Romspen Investment Corp. — the subsidiary of Kawartha Downs — has approved the Master Plan which is a $30 to 50-million-dollar investment that will require Provincial and Federal support within a three-part plan.

The track is building several new amenities including:

• Large outdoor concert venue with a 15,000 person capacity

• An indoor concert venue with 3,000-4,000 seats

• A full-scale, permanent tractor pull facility with a spectator capacity of over 5,000 people

• A new convertible horse/cattle and exhibit space

• A 220-room hotel

• One FIFA outdoor soccer field

• Over 4000 parking spaces

Richard Weldon, Kawartha Downs managing director says the project will not only become a tourist hub but a way to generate employment opportunities all-year round.

“This is where we want people to stay,” said Weldon. “They grow here, we have some housing to support them but we have a major event here of employment, we have all kinds of events, we have entertainment and we have everything for people to stay."

The Downs will experiment with bringing in small-business opportunities such as a pop-up high-end steakhouse, Friday night rib fests with dancing and local acts and a newly renovated retro diner.

Opening day for the track is on May 28 which will feature a classic car show with over 200 vehicles from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a 2 p.m. concert by Kim Mitchell, harness racing at 6 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. — that will also be displayed again on July 2/3 and Aug. 5 — that contains $100,000 of fireworks over four displays.

July 2 will feature a Festival of Retro Music and a fireworks show. The following day will have a Festival of Country and Western Bands with evening fireworks.

On Aug. 5, the Downs will hold a tractor pull, agricultural fair, country/western concert to be announced and the fireworks show finale.

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

Hometown PTBO: Easton Rye From Being a Peterborough Petes Fan Into a Draft Pick As Their Goaltender

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with newly-drafted Peterborough Petes goaltender Easton Rye at Overtime Hockey Company Center about growing up loving the Petes and being drafted to the team in the OHL Priority Selection Draft.

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

PVNC Presents Students With Annual Catholic Student Leadership Awards

As part of Catholic Education Week, which runs May 1 to 6, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNC) honoured 38 students with a Catholic Student Leadership Award during a ceremony at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in Peterborough on Wednesday.

One student was selected from each elementary and secondary school and winners were presented with a special medallion.

Award recipients were nominated by principals, teachers and in some cases, fellow students. Each demonstrated outstanding qualities in Catholic leadership, family commitment, involvement in school affairs, involvement in community activities and dedication to a difficult situation or task.

“These award winners are true role models who embody the goals of our Catholic Graduate Expectations,” said Braden Leal, Chairperson of the Board. “Catholic Education Week affords us a perfect time to pay tribute to the student leaders in our schools and reflect on the importance of faith in our lives, and the role it plays in Catholic education.”

A full list of recipients is below:

Faith Griffiths, St. Mary CES, Lindsay

Niamh Walsh, STA Virtual Elementary School

James Gouin, STA Virtual Secondary School

Jayden Hopkins, St. John CES, Peterborough

Ruby Briand, Holy Cross CSS, Peterborough

William White, St. Peter CSS, Peterborough

Quinten Fowler, St. Paul CES, Peterborough

Makenzie Nichols, Holy Trinity CSS, Courtice

Chase Hudson, St. Stephen CSS, Bowmanville

Lola Bittner, St. Catherine CES, Peterborough

Avery Pick, St. Patrick CES, Peterborough

Michel Gagné, St. Michael CES, Cobourg

Liam Cook, Immaculate Conception CES, Peterborough

Anna Golobic, St. Francis of Assisi CES, Newcastle

Alena Vuong, Holy Family CES, Bowmanville

Elizabeth Payne, St. Joseph CES, Bowmanville

Katie Payne, St. Paul CES, Norwood

Matteo Crimi, Notre Dame CES, Cobourg

Cheyenne Hudson, St. Elizabeth CES, Bownmanville

Rees Tewsley, St. Anne CES, Peterborough

Keira deLaPlante, St. Joseph CES, Douro

Emma MacDonald, Monsignor Leo Cleary CES, Courtice

Chloe McMahon, Monsignor O’Donoghue CES, Peterborough

Sydney MacLellan, St. Paul CES, Lakefield

Janey King, St. Mary CES, Campbellford

Eva Winn, St. Luke CES, Downeyville

Hunter Young, St. Teresa CES, Peterborough

Connor James, St. Mother Teresa CES, Courtice

Emma Smith, St. Mary CES, Grafton

Daniel Zito, Good Shepherd CES, Courtice

Jessica Harris, St. Mary CSS, Cobourg

Alisha Byrne, St. Thomas Aquinas CSS, Lindsay

Addison Gerelus, St. Martin CES, Ennismore

Madison Mohr, St. John Paul II CES, Lindsay

Raina Willson, St. Dominic CES, Lindsay

Ayaji Antolin, St. Joseph CES, Cobourg

Donny Drake, St. Anthony CES, Port Hope

Josiah McMahon, St. Alphonsus CES

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

PRHC President And CEO Dr. Peter McLaughlin To Retire After 50 Year Career In Healthcare

The Board of Directors of Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) announced on Wednesday that Dr. Peter McLaughlin has decided to retire in 2023 after 17 years with PRHC, during the last eight of which he has served as the hospital’s President and CEO.

Dr. Peter McLaughlin. Photo courtesy of PRHC.

“The board is so grateful for Peter’s leadership, first as Chief of Staff and most recently as President & CEO of PRHC,” said Louis O’Brien, Chair of PRHC’s Board of Directors. “He has been an exceptional leader, and we are thankful for his vision and his commitment to providing the best possible care and support for our patients and community. His thoughtful, steady and compassionate leadership style has earned him a great deal of respect, and he will be deeply missed.”

During his tenure as President & CEO, PRHC has faced significant challenges and achieved many successes, including:

• Highest possible standing from Accreditation Canada in 2017

• An award for Leading Governance Excellence from the Ontario Hospital Association in recognition of

PRHC’s collaboration with Peterborough Housing Corporation to develop supportive, affordable housing for seniors

• National recognition by the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) for work in safe handover and clinical cultural competence initiatives

• International recognition by the National Safety Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) for surgical safety standards

• Successful implementation of Epic, a new, regional clinical information system that will transform the way PRHC and its partner hospitals deliver care for generations to come

• Supporting the organization through the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Incorporating patient and family engagement into all levels of the hospital’s work and decision-making

• Creating a culture of continuous quality improvement, with a focus on patient and staff safety

• Providing leadership in the creation and continued growth of Peterborough Ontario Health Team

• Fostering more collaborative relationships with partners in the community and across the region

“It has been an absolute privilege to lead this team of dedicated people, who have worked so tirelessly to provide the highest quality of care to the people of our community and region, often in the face of incredible challenges,” said Dr. McLaughlin. “I am profoundly appreciative of the incredible support I have received over the years from our Board of Directors, the hospital’s leadership team, our healthcare workers, our community partners, the PRHC Foundation, our volunteers, and everyone else who has helped to shape healthcare in Peterborough and the surrounding region.”

The Board of Directors has struck a search committee and selected an external firm, Boyden Canada, to support a national search for a new President and CEO. Additional details will be shared in the weeks ahead.

Dr. McLaughlin has agreed to continue in his role until a successful candidate is selected, with a goal of retiring on or around May 31, 2023.

Plans to honour Dr. McLaughlin will be shared closer to his retirement date.

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

Peterborough Declares 2022 as "The Summer Of Lacrosse" of the Sport's 150th Anniversary in Town

Peterborough has proclaimed 2022 to be “The Summer of Lacrosse” after a flag was raised at City Hall on Wednesday morning to commemorate 150 years of the sport first being played in town.

Mayor Diane Therrien (left) and Hall of Fame Lacrosse goaltender Tim Barrie (right) raising the 150th lacrosse anniversary flag at City Hall. The logo was released to the public in early February. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Members of local lacrosse communities attended the ceremony as Mayor Diane Therrien made the proclamation at City Hall. The meeting honoured Peterborough and its rich history with lacrosse also known as the Creator’s Game.

“Lacrosse is one of the oldest sports in Peterborough, an Indigenous sport even predating even that time so there's such a long history and tradition,” said Therrien. “It's going to be a great summer and highlighting all the work that's been in the past and that's led us up to this point today.”

“If you're getting into the lacrosse community, they're just good people,” said Tim Barrie, Hall of Fame lacrosse goaltender. “We've always been called the 'blue-collar sport' but it's the people who've had their hearts in the right spot and we have so many volunteers that readily give back to the game.”

The flag will remain at City Hall for one week then will be commemorated at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall Of Fame.

The 150 years marks the first game of lacrosse being played in town as the Peterborough Red Stockings played the first game in 1872.

Peterborough has won 29 national champions while youth teams have won over 100 provincial titles.

The Peterborough Lakers are three-time defending Mann Cup Champions. Their home opener is on June 2 against Cobourg Kodiaks. The Lakers have not played in over two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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