City of Peterborough Holding Consultation Meeting Of Multi-Storey Affordable Housing Development on Monaghan Road

The City of Peterborough is holding a drop-in meeting of a multi-storey affordable housing development on 681 Monaghan Rd. to view the design and speak with the project team announced on Thursday.

A digital rendering of the six-storey building on Monaghan Road. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The meeting is being held at the Healthy Planet Arena banquet hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7.

“Our community is taking action to create more affordable housing. The new development on Monaghan Road along with projects such as the 85-unit second phase of the Hunt Terrace development on Bonaccord Street are essential to the health of our community, providing homes for individuals and families,” said Councillor Keith Riel, Chair of Council’s Housing Portfolio.

The property on Monaghan Road is between Gillespie Avenue and McKellar Street. Initial building plans are six storeys with 53 units, including 37 one-bedroom units, 11 two-bedroom units and five three-bedroom units.

The project is in the preliminary design stage. Construction could start by late spring-early summer and be completed by summer next year, depending on funding applications.

Residents can post comments and ask questions about the development by going online. The project team will respond to questions submitted through the project page. Submitted questions and responses may be shared for other viewers to see without identifying the person who submitted the question.

The existing former office building is being removed in preparation for the new unit. The City acquired the property in November 2020.

Salandria Ltd. has been contracted with the building’s demolition to be done in mid February.

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Local Woman Participating in Wounded Warrior Run in British Columbia

Peterborough resident Rebecca Schillemat is participating in the Wounded Warrior One Day Run in Victoria, B.C. on Feb. 5.

photo courtesy of Rebecca Schillemat.

The one day, 58 kilometre run from Sooke to Sidney crosses the northern boarder of Victoria on Vancouver Island. This run is two weeks before the main running event, which is eight days and 600 kilometres from Port Hardy in the north to Victoria at the southern end of Vancouver Island.

The relay-style run is done with a team of military and first responders from Vancouver Island. In 2020, Schillemat participated in the 8-day charity running event to raise awareness of the mental health struggles of military spouses.

The Wounded Warriors Canada run began when Afghanistan veterans felt the need to talk about mental health and make a difference, and this year is the 10th anniversary of the British Columbia run.

Last year the run raised over $165,000 for programs and training to support the mental health of first responders, military and their families. The 2023 Run goal is $250,000.

To donate or learn more about the event, visit the Wounded Warriors website.

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Peterborough Minor Petes Announce Coaches For 2023-24 Season

The Peterborough Minor Petes (PMHC) have announced their coaches for the 2023-24 season from the U10 team to U18, released on Wednesday.

File Photo.

The following are the PMHC coaches for next season:

• U10 - Chad Cavanagh

• U11 - Bobby Christie

• U12 - Brett Ormond  

• U13 - Wayne Clarke 

• U14 - Dave Dalliday  

• U15 - Ryan Watts 

• U16 - Jamie Hicks 

• U18 - Nathan Oke   

PMHC says they thank everyone who applied to be a coach for next season.

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Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith Has Grand Opening of New Constituency Office

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith’s new Action Centre constituency office had its grand opening at the Asta Spirit Plaza on Wednesday.

Staff and friends applud the grand opening of MPP Smith’s new constituency office that is roughly 2,300 sq. ft. , an upgrade of approximately 1,400 sq. ft.Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The office is in Unit E of the plaza, located at 864 Chemong Rd. It replaces the prior location on 1123 Water St. Smith moved the office since the property was to be demolished to construct new housing units.

The new space has been operable since December but renovations had recently finished prior to the grand opening.

The location created greater accessibility for not just Peterborough but for the Kawarthas as well according to Smith.

“Almost 50 per cent of the population of this riding lives to the north and east of The City of Peterborough,” he explained. “I need to make sure that wherever we went was going to be a spot that was easily accessible for someone coming down from Kinmount or coming from Havelock or North Kawartha.”

He also emphasized that the new 2,300-square-foot location created a barrier-free space, something he was adamant about ensuring when he chose the new location. Full wheelchair accessibility, an automatic door opener, widened doorways and room upgrades were improvements made to the Chemong Road building.

“This is all wheelchair accessible, it's barrier-free and that was one of the main things for me, If someone wanted to come see their MPP, they have an opportunity to come here regardless of what disability they may or may not have.”

The expanded space added a new feature for the public as the Action Centre has in-person private constituent rooms for anyone wishing to speak to Smith or his staff.

“If somebody comes in and wants to talk to one of the constituent assistants or myself about something that's a little sensitive, we have an area we can go to now that's a little more private,” explained Smith. “They don't have to be sharing that information with others if they're coming in.”

The grand opening also had a ribbon-cutting ceremony that signified the end of renovations and that the office was running at 100 per cent.

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Former Peterborough Sports Anchor Dan O'Toole Appointed Grand Marshall For 2023 St. Patrick's Day Parade

Former sports broadcaster and Peterborough’s Dan O’Toole has been named the Grand Marshall for the 20th Annual Peterborough St. Patrick's Day Parade announced at One Eighty on Wednesday.

Tim Burke, St. Patrick’s Day organizer (left) with former sports anchor Dan O’Toole (right). The parade has not run for the last three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made by organizer Tim Burke who wanted to make the 20th edition of the parade memorable after coming off a three-year hiatus.

“I wanted to make sure that his parade is bigger and better,” he explained. “Adding Dan has just been awesome. His character, who he is will really help the parade this year and get people involved.”

There are a record number of floats and entries into the upcoming parade according to Burke saying ‘it’s the highest it’s ever been.’

O’Toole is of Irish heritage and his family has been a part of the parade for many years.

“My other side of the family, the Crough’s, we’re in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year,” he explained. “We have one of the largest contingents, we have around 200 that show up to be in the parade so the fact that I get to lead the charge, that I get asked to lead the contingent, not just my family but all of Irish in Peterborough is a dream come true.”

The parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Mar. 12 with the route beginning on George Street at City Hall and ending at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

To register to be in the parade, visit the parade’s website to apply. For more information, contact Tim Burke at (705) 875-2542.

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The Rotary Club of Peterborough Spelling Bee Returns

The Rotary Club of Peterborough’s Rotary Spelling Bee returns for local elementary students at the Whetung Theatre at Fleming College on May 13.

Photo courtesy of the rotary club of peterborough.

This spelling bee, streamed on YourTV, is set to be an exciting opportunity for students grades 4 through 8 to hone their spelling skills and win prizes.

With two divisions, a junior division for grades 4, 5, and 6 and a senior division for grades 7 and 8, the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s Literacy Committee aims to foster a love of reading and writing in young people in the community.

There is no participation fee, and the funds raised through corporate sponsorships will help the Rotary Club provide young people with materials and opportunities to develop their reading, writing and communication skills.

To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or having your child participate in this year’s spelling bee, reach out to Rotarian Catherine Legault via email.

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Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario Announces 2023 Business Hall of Fame Nominees

The Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) announced the JA Business Hall of Fame (BHF) nominees at the Venture North Building on Wednesday.

All nominees and BHF Chancellor Sanjeev Sukumaran shortly after each nomination was announced. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The hall of fame recognizes Peterborough’s exceptional business leaders. These inductees strengthen the economy and community through their exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence in business over a lifetime according to a press release.

“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the 8th annual class of inductees to join our ever-growing Business Hall of Fame,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “These exceptional business leaders are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting your own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honoured today.”

The inductees were announced by BHF Chancellor Sanjeev Sukumaran of The Ear Company.

The following are the 2023 JA BHF inductees:

• Allan and Gerald Bolton – Formerly Trentway Bus Lines

• Peter, Anne and Greg Elmhirst – Elmhirst’s Resort

• Bill Lett and Michael Gallant – Lett Architects Inc.

• Craig Mortlock – Mortlock Construction

• Neil Morton – Co-founder CORMOR & Co. and ECFC, formerly Studio PTBO

• Effy Peel – Jim’s Pizzeria & Pasta

• Peter Robinson – Formerly Weed Man Lawn Care

• Jaime Stringer – Formerly FCI Windows

• Scott Murison, Kieran Andrews, and Jonathan Moreno – Wild Rock Outfitters

The inductees are formally inducted at the 8th Annual JA Business Hall of Fame, set for May 25 at The Venue.

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Peterborough Petes Defenceman Brian Zanetti Signs With Professional Swiss Hockey Team on Two-Year Deal

Peterborough Petes defenceman Brian Zanetti has signed with the SCL Tigers of the Swiss National League club on a two-year deal and joins the club next season until 2025 announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

"My goal is still the NHL and I see the best option for my next step in development being with the SCL Tigers, as it is an ambitious training club," said Zanetti. "Lengthy discussions with all those responsible for the club convinced me that this was the best option for me.”

Zanetti,was born in Lugano, Switzerland,and was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fourth round, 110th overall, in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Petes drafted him in the first round of the 2020 CHL Import Draft.

In 83 games as a Pete, he scored six goals and 25 assists for 31 points. Zanetti recently returned to Peterborough after playing for Switzerland at the 2023 World Junior Championships, where he recorded one assist in five games.

“We want to congratulate Brian on this accomplishment as he works to continue his hockey journey next season and beyond,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “We look forward to continuing to assist in Brian’s development this season, with the ultimate goal of playing in the NHL.”

The SCL Tigers are a professional hockey team from Langnau im Emmental, Switzerland. Former Petes forward Jonathan Ang is also in the league with the EHC Kloten. He currently is 10th in league scoring with 34 points in 37 games.

"It is an important and strong sign for the Tigers organization that such a young and ambitious talent has chosen us,” said Pascal Müller, SCL Tigers Head of Sport.

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