Kirkfield Man Makes Excel Sheet Data To Help Win $118,000 In Lotto 6/49
/Data analysis paid off for Kirkfield’s Rendall Pinnie as he won the second-place prize of $118,002.40 on the Lotto 6/49 Jan. 4 draw.
Photo courtesy of OLG.
Peterborough Blogs
Outdoor Skating - What's Open or Closed for Feb. 15
/With temperatures reaching a high of 14 C according to Environment Canada for Wednesday, outdoor skating facilities such as Quaker Foods City Square and the canal are closed announced by The City of Peterborough on Wednesday.
Photo by David Tuan bui.
The City notes that mild temperatures and sunny conditions can cause short-term temporary closures to the rink.
Located on Charlotte Street, Quaker Foods City Square operates from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weather permitting for free casual skating. It is closed for Wednesday.
The canal is also closed due to the warmer temperatures. The City advises residents to check the safety flag to see if skating is safe and open. A safety flag identifies if ice conditions are safe:
A green flag indicates skating is permitted.
A red flag indicates skating is not permitted.
The neighbourhood rink program has run in City parks since 1965 with help from volunteers who prepare, flood and maintain ice for skating. Rinks are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. as weather and ice conditions permit. The following are neighbourhood rinks however the conditions are unknown by the City at this time:
Dixon – 120 Benson Ave.
Earlwood - 52 Earlwood Dr.
Farmcrest – Ashburnham Drive across from Ecology Park
Golfview Heights - 921 Whitefield Dr.
Hastings – 690 Hastings Ave.
King Edward – 455 George St. S
Kiwanis – 234 Middlefield Rd.
Manor Heights - 700 Victory Cr.
Nicholls Place - 725 Armour Rd.
Roper - 1610 Firwood Cr.
University Heights - 1385 Hetherington Dr.
Wedgewood - 1535 Fairmount Blvd.
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Voice of Businesss: Businesses Are Optimistic About Themselves But Lack Confidence In the Economy
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Coming out of few rocky years and into another year of economic uncertainty, business confidence has dropped to a new low according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) seventh annual Ontario Economic Report (OER).
“Ontario business confidence has dropped to a record low in 2023. Labour shortages, inflation, health care system vulnerabilities, and forecasts of an economic contraction are dampening confidence in the province’s economic outlook,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, OCC. “Only 16 percent of organizations surveyed have confidence in the economy. This is down from 29 percent last year. Promisingly, most businesses feel confident they can withstand these headwinds and continue to grow in the year ahead.”
The Ontario Economic Report is an interactive report with regional and sector-specific data on business confidence, public policy priorities, regional forecasts, and timely business issues such as employee health and well-being, climate change, succession planning, diversity and inclusion, reconciliation, and remote work.
Key highlights of the report include:
Business confidence has dropped to a new low, with only 16 per cent of organizations expressing confidence in the outlook of Ontario’s economy in 2023 (down from 29 per cent in 2022).
Inflation and labour shortages are primary concerns for organizations.
Despite low confidence in the economy, 53 percent of businesses are optimistic about the outlook and growth prospects of their own organizations, as high employment rates and population growth should prevent a sharp decline in consumer spending.
Small businesses want governments to prioritize policies and programs that support their immediate financial and operational challenges, while large businesses are more interested in broader workforce development and health care issues.
Labour shortages are directly impacting most employers and 87 per cent of large businesses. Shortages are especially acute in education, construction and accommodation and food services.
Businesses appreciate the importance of employee health and well-being, diversity and inclusion, economic reconciliation and climate action – but there are notable gaps in addressing them.
After experiencing two years of employment growth of 2.4 per cent in 2021 and 3.8 per cent in 2022, employment in our region of Muskoka-Kawarthas is forecasted to grow by only 0.2 per cent next year. For our region, 51 per cent of businesses reported feeling confident in their own organization, 32 per cent were neutral and 13 per cent were not confident. These numbers show an increase in confidence in their own organizations over 2021 when 18 per cent reported not being confident. Despite this optimism, local businesses feel less confident in the Ontario economy than the provincial average.
Locally, our top 10 policy priorities are:
Invest in broadband internet infrastructure – 50 per cent
Reduce/simplify business taxes – 44 per cent
Encourage Ontarians to buy/travel locally – 44 per cent
Invest in workforce development – 35 per cent
Address health care system capacity – 34 per cent
Support businesses with energy costs – 32 per cent
Strengthen local supply chains, industries, and manufacturing – 31 per cent
Expand/improve access to mental health and addictions programs and services – 27 per cent
Enhance access to credit/capital – 25 per cent
• Support businesses with technology adoption – 22 per cent
“This year’s OER makes it clear that leaders in the public and private sectors must invest strategically in productivity, resilience, and long-term growth,” said Claudia Dessanti, Senior Manager, Policy, OCC. “Unsurprisingly, labour shortages continue to dominate as a source of concern directly impacting most employers and 87 percent of large businesses. Shortages are especially acute in specific sectors such as education, construction, and accommodation and food services.”
The seventh annual OER offers unique insights into business perspectives across Ontario. It is informed by data from the annual Business Confidence Survey (BCS) and economic forecasts for the year ahead. The BCS was conducted online from Oct.18 to Nov. 30 last year, attracting responses from 1,912 organizations across Ontario.
Check out the Ontario Economic Report here.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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The Launch Kawartha Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Is Officially Open
/The Launch Kawartha Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre officially opened its doors to the public on Feb. 10, with the goal of providing multiple streams of innovation and incubation programming for the Peterborough community and beyond.
Pictured above from left to right: Mayor Doug Elmslie, City of Kawartha Lakes; MP Jamie Schmale; Executive Director Vince Killen, KLCFDC and Launch Kawartha; Mark Torrey, KLCFDC Board Chair: Nicole Stephenson, Interim CEO Innovation Cluster Peterborough and The Kawarthas.
The Centre is designed and anchored by the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corp. and funded internally by the Kawartha Lakes Business Community Development Corp. It will provide a space for up to 20 entrepreneurs each year to incubate their businesses alongside the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas. This will aid in delivering programs and services at Launch Kawartha and fostering the development of new, innovative technologies, products, services and job opportunities in the region.
Vince Killen, executive director of the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corp. and Launch Kawartha, announced that the new facility is set to host approximately 40 events over the coming year. Recent events hosted at the centre include the induction announcements for the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame and Ministerial roundtables aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs.
Upcoming events were also announced, including the Intellectual Property “Pizza's and Patents,” a fun and interactive workshop and innovation leadership training programs. Additionally, multiple "Fireside Chats" with industry experts are planned and virtual viewing webinars and events are being developed for the public.
“We are deeply committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for entrepreneurs in the City of Kawartha Lakes. That's why we are thrilled to sponsor Launch Kawartha and relentlessly work towards our mission of empowering the next generation of business leaders in our community,” said Nicole Stephenson, interim CEO of the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
For more information on the Launch Kawartha Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, visit the website.
Jason Wilkins and Peterborough Arts Collective Present Canvas Combat Event
/The Peterborough Arts Collective (PAC) is hosting their first big event outside of the Jason Wilkins Factory; presenting the head-to-head artist battle ‘Canvas Combat’ on March 11.
Photo courtesy of Jason Wilkins.
From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Farmhill Weddings and Events, 10 artists will battle it out in three 30-minute rounds of live painting.
PAC members and other community artists will also be showing work during the event, displayed on the exposed brick wall next to the combat zone.
“This is a really passion project of mine, and giving artist’s a platform that they can use to promote their work, sell their work and sort of elevate themselves as artists is kind of what the Arts Collective is all about,” says Wilkins. “Events like this really just bring that whole idea to the next level.”
The Peterborough Arts Collective, founded by local illustrator Jason Wilkins, is a group of multi-disciplinary artists from Peterborough working to better themselves and the community through art.
PAC has gained momentum since it's inception in 2021. With community support, the group of artists continue to come together to make art and collaboration accessible to all.
Photo courtesy of Jason Wilkins.
Wilkins says five of the 10 spots are already spoken for, but those interested in battling or showing off their work can reach out to him via email.
Tickets are $75 dollars each, which includes one drink at the bar (or non-alcoholic beverage) and a personal charcuterie board (or vegan/vegetarian option), as well as travel to and from the venue by Pascal Bus Co., leaving from 188 Hunter St W. at 6:15 p.m. March 11, with two retiring trips downtown at different times throughout the evening.
All pieces will be up for auction post-battle with 100% of the proceeds going to the artists.
During the rest of the month the collective hosts workshops, First Friday events, artist drop-ins and PAC meetings at the Jason Wilkins Factory. Those interested in learning more can call Jason, or drop in during business hours at Unit #7, 188 Hunter St W).
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Pandemic Exceptions to Expired Driver and Vehicle Licenses Over; Peterborough Police Remind of Fines Being Re-Enforced
/The Peterborough Police Services Traffic Unit is notifying residents that driver’s licenses and vehicle license plates that have expired must be renewed announced on Tuesday.
Photo by Samantha Bianco.
“These items must be renewed and valid as any exceptions the government had in place through the pandemic have now ended,” says Sergeant Ryan Wilson, Traffic Services Unit, Peterborough Police.
Those failing to do proper renewals result in fines of the following:
An expired license plate is a fine of $110
An expired driver’s license is a fine of $325
Police recommend visiting the Ontario website to learn more about how to renew your license plates and driver’s license. Renewals can be done online.
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City Council Approves Changes To Garbage Pickup; Clear Bags and Bi-Weekly Trash Pickup
/City Council has endorsed adopting the clear bags and bi-weekly trash pickup as part of an the Waste Management Master Plan Update during a meeting on Monday night.
File Photo.
The summary of changes in waste management services are the following:
Requiring the use of clear garbage bags for waste collection
Moving to every-other-week residential garbage collection starting Oct. 31 at the same time as the introduction of weekly Green Bin (household organic waste) collection service that will reduce the bulk of current garbage material
Preparing for the provincially-directed switch to producer-responsible recycling program delivery, instead of it being a municipal service, starting Jan. 1
Bringing a report to Council in the future to amend the Waste Collection Enforcement By-law to include new definitions of the waste stream, collection requirements, and penalties for non-compliance as an option if public education efforts are not effective in changing disposal behaviours
The changes would result in garbage collection would shift to every other week while Green Bin and Blue Bin collection would be provided weekly.
A ‘clear bag’ program refers to the use of a garbage bag that is transparent or see-through. According to the City, use of clear bags for garbage encourages waste diversion in several ways:
Clear bag Programs improves worker safety and allows Transfer Station attendants the ability to conduct a quick assessment of the contents within the clear bag(s) to ensure that no recyclable or hazardous items are in the bag.
Clear bags can serve as a reminder if people forget to separate out these materials from their garbage, as the clear bag allows residents to see what is being thrown out.
Clear bags prompt people to reflect on their waste disposal habits and encourage them to consider waste diversion options.
Clear bags can assist in with the enforcing of municipal material disposal bans by allowing waste collectors to monitor for compliance and reject any bags containing banned items.
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Peterborough Petes Dedicate Night to Fleming College In Partnership for Thursday's Game
/The Peterborough Petes are dedicating their game against the Ottawa 67s to Fleming College students, staff, faculty and alumni for this Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
Fleming College president Maureen Adamson (right) with Peterborough Petes Mascot Roger (left). Photo courtesy of Fleming College.
Fleming’s past, present and future will be part of the ceremonial puck drop while global tourism student Lauren Mackay will sing the national anthem.
Students are hopping on busses to and from the Memorial Centre from the Sutherland and Frost campuses to attend the game with PA announcements addressing and recognizing the campus.
Fleming alumni are eligible and can obtain discounted tickets by emailing alumni@flemingcollege.ca. The college requests you include your full name and program when requesting tickets.
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Second Intake of ‘Spark’ Program Now Open to Support Tourism Innovation in Peterborough and The Kawarthas
/A second intake of the Spark Mentorship and Grants program has been launched Tuesday, encouraging local entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new tourism ideas for Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
Robyn Ivory Pierson (pictured) of Indigenously Infused was the 2022 Spark Program Winner. Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.
The program provides selected applicants with a $3,000 grant, industry mentorship and additional partner support to help them launch their new tourism idea.
In 2022, the program’s inaugural year, successful ideas included camping equipment rentals, a busker festival, outdoor culinary experiences, a bunkie resort, Indigenous experiences and an immersive maple syrup experience.
“We are inspired by the creativity, passion and innovative spirit of our past Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program winners, and are excited to foster and support new tourism ideas and entrepreneurs in the region,” said Justin Lafontaine, program lead at Tourism Innovation Lab.
Entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits and community groups are encouraged to apply with their new tourism ideas for Peterborough & the Kawarthas from Feb. 14 to March 20. Following a juried review process, finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.
The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program is being led by the Tourism Innovation Lab in collaboration with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, a division of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, and the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City and County of Peterborough. The goal of the program is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas that will enhance current offerings, address gaps in the market and motivate longer stays and increase year-round visits to the region.
“We are really excited to offer this opportunity again this year for tourism businesses in this region to develop and launch new products or experiences” said Joe Rees, director of tourism for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. “This successful collaboration in innovative tourism development supports sustainable growth and expansion of tourism businesses through experiential product development.”
For more information and to register for an upcoming information session visit the website.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available At the New Peterborough Recreation Complex and Library Branch
/Sponsorship opportunities are available for the City of Peterborough’s newest recreation complex and community hub that is under construction, with an opening date expected in fall 2024.
photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.
