North-End Fire Station Gets Groundbreaking Ceremony From City of Peterborough

The construction of a new Fire Station No. 2 has officially been marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on 100 Marina Blvd. at the former Northcrest Arena location held on Thursday.

Lett Architects Inc. designed the fire station to be completed for the fall of 2024. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The new fire station is replacing the Carnegie Avenue location which was built in 1967. It will aid in making fire response times quicker since you have three minutes to escape a building without injury according to Peterborough Fire Services Chief Chris Snetsinger.

He continues to state that the replacement of Fire Station 2 is necessary as the needs of fire services have evolved since the current station was built in 1967.

“The station has served our community well over the years, but because of its design it has become increasingly challenging to provide the services that are necessary from the existing station,” said Snetsinger. “The new station is designed and strategically located to support our community’s existing neighbourhoods and projected growth.”

The new facility is being built following the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Standard for both design and performance according to Councillor Leslie Parnell.

The building is designed to achieve net zero energy performance using onsite renewable energy to reduce operating and maintenance costs.

“The new fire station will help position and support our Fire Services workers as they respond to emergency calls in our community,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “By building it using Zero Carbon standards, we’re reducing our environmental footprint in our delivery of this essential service.”

Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024.

JCB Construction Canada was awarded the construction contract by the City for $10 million.

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Peterborough's Nolan Burke Dazzles With Four-Goal Performance For Sarnia Sting

Peterborough’s Nolan Burke led the Sarnia Sting to a 9-1 rout of the Guelph Storm with four goals at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia on Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy of the OHL.

His first goal came in the final minute of the opening period with a wrist shot that off the post and in, beating Brayden Gillespie and giving Sarnia a 3-0 lead.

He continued where he left off 8:31 into the period with a one-timed shot from just outside the faceoff dot for his second tally of the game. Burke capped off a hat trick in the dying two minutes of the stanza with a pass from Sasha Pastujov and one-timed it home from the slot for his third goal of the game.

Burke was not finished yet as Sarnia had a two-man advantage early in the third period. The Peterborough-born forward saw his wrist shot find the back of the net and in for his fourth of the game en route to a 9-1 win over the London Knights.

Burke was awarded the first star of the game honours with four goals on five shots on net and winning 15/20 faceoffs.

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Peterborough Seeking Approval For $8.2 Million Community Health Centre From Provincial Government

Community leaders have proposed an $8.2 million community health centre (CHC) has been to help 6,000 marginalized people announced at the YMCA of Central East Ontario on Wednesday.

Johnathan Bennett, CHC director and chair is part of four board of director members spearheading the porposed centre. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The centre is set to offer on-site laboratory services, pharmacy, access to social work, peer navigation, physiotherapy, parenting supports and specialist support for mental health and addictions according to Jonathan Bennett, Peterborough CHC’s board chair.

“A community health centre essentially asks that family physicians become employees,” he explained. “They're salary so it tends to attract different kinds of a physician to work and surround that position to help more complex issues (usually marginalized folk) that take longer to receive the care that they need.”

The proposal was first made to the Ministry of Health by the Peterborough Ontario Health Team on Aug. 5.

“Peterborough has the fourth highest level of marginalization among 42 Ontario Health Team regions yet we don’t have the health care model that is designed and resourced to serve more complex patients,” said Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, CHC vice chair.

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith joined the announcement showing his support for the centre.

“More than 60 per cent of new medical graduates want a salaried position with flexibility to explore many challenges in healthcare,” he said. “The community health centre would provide that attractive option to entice new physicians to our area in a way we have not had in the past. It will integrate into our existing healthcare options to help reduce hallway healthcare, reduce demand on the emergency room and provide the right care where it is needed most.”

He also added that the closest CHCs are in Lindsay and Cobourg which are too far away from anyone living in Peterborough especially if they need care and have no vehicle.

“It’s 49 kilometres from the edge of Lindsay to the edge of Peterborough. How many individuals, who don’t have access to a car, are going to walk to Lindsay? How many individuals are going to walk to Cobourg?” said Smith. “The answer is historically none.”

Bennett and Lavell-Harvard make up two CHC board of director members (chair and vice chair respectively) with Sarah Budd (treasurer) and James Shipley (director) who are spearheading the proposal.

A location has yet to be determined for the new proposed centre.

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The Peterborough Butterfly Run Returns To a Live In-Person Race For It’s 7 Year Anniversary

The Peterborough Butterfly Run is returning to an in-person run for the first time in four years at Millennium Park on April 30.

photo courtesy of the peterborough butterfly run.

GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, in partnership with the Peterborough Butterfly Run executive committee and the Partners In Pregnancy Clinic (PiPC) are bringing back the annual 5 kilometre run/walk with the same route as previous years. Registration will open at 9 a.m., the 1K Memorial Walk and 1K Kids Fun Run at 10 a.m., opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m., and the 5K chip timed run/walk starting by 11 a.m.

The Memorial Walk is free, with 1 kilometre Kids Fun Run registration costing $5 and the 5K run is $45. This includes a race shirt, medal and various other items in the race kit.

The 2023 Peterborough Butterfly Run Executive Committee includes Kelly Ross, Jennie Vanier, Alessandra Friesen, Kori Mahon and Ashley Hickson and the event is also supported by a number of other dedicated volunteers.

Mike Dalliday will be speaking at the run, sharing his story with participants.

“The Butterfly Run has always been very special to my wife Jess and I. Even before our own battle, we had many friends and family members who had been affected by infertility, miscarriage and infant loss and the event felt like a way we could connect with and support those families,” said Dalliday. “In 2016 after we were married, we began our own infertility journey. But after almost 2 years of tests, appointments, 2 surgeries, close monitoring, and medications we were miraculously able to conceive our now 4-year-old daughter Rachel.”

“We were lucky enough to conceive our second child in 2020. However, after a rare complication of childbirth, both Jess and our newborn daughter Angeline tragically passed away in April of 2021. Through that experience and beyond, the Butterfly Run and the support and services it makes possible have been an integral part of our grief and healing journey. My family and I will be forever grateful for the Butterfly Run and the community of support it has brought into our lives when we needed it most,” Dalliday continued.

Funds raised at the event have been used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss.

Since 2018, more than 500 bereavement kits have been provided to families and individuals by health care providers. Money raised at the race is also invested back into the race day itself as keeping costs affordable for participants, continuing to offer the free 1 kilometre Memorial Walk/Run, providing memorial bibs to all runners to write a personalized name or message and the display of memorial banners are all important aspects to creating the sense of community that the Peterborough Butterfly Run has become known for.

“GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation has been involved in the Peterborough Butterfly Run from its inception in 2017. We are excited to take a more lead role in organizing the event this year, under the watchful guidance of the Butterfly Run race committee” said Vince Bierworth, executive director for the GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation. “It’s great to be able to return to a live event this year as the last time we had a live event was in 2019. However, for those unable to attend on April 30th, or don’t feel comfortable doing so, we are also offering a virtual run option to build upon the success of the past two virtual runs and be as inclusive as possible.”

Registration is available online or in-person at Runner’s Life 174 Charlotte St., Peterborough.

Those who would like to find out more about sponsorship opportunities can email Vince@GPHSF.ca or PTBOButterflyRun@gmail.com.

For those who are unable to join on April 30, but would still like to support, a virtual option is also available. 

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Things To Do In-and-Around Peterborough This Family Day Long Weekend; Feb. 17 - 20

Family Day weekend fun for the whole fam!

Here are 7 things to do in Peterborough City and County from February 17 to 20.

Kick off the festivities at Snofest

The Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre will be hosting a free Fun Swim with special guest Snofest Pete!

Bring your family and friends for a free fun swim, admission rules still apply: 

• Swimmers age 15 and under are required to wear wrist bands for Fun Swims. 

• Children under 10 must be supervised in the water by an adult age 16+ (maximum of 3 children to one adult).

• Swimmers must be 42” tall and are required to pass swim test to use the slide.

• The maximum capacity for this swim is 175 (therapy pool 44 persons max); access cannot be guaranteed if capacity is met. 

When: Friday Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.

Five Counties’ Winterfest

Five Counties’ Winterfest has in-person events at the following locations:

1. Feb 18 – Lansdowne Place Mall (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

2. Feb 19 – Lindsay Square (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

3. Feb 20 – Peterborough Memorial Centre (2:05 p.m.) – tickets are on sale through Five Counties for $15 each with all proceeds supporting the kids!

There are tons of auction items available on the website, as well as virtual events over Family Day weekend.

More information: Here

Cheer on your Peterborough Petes against the Sudbury Wolves

Watch the Peterborough Petes take on the Sudbury Wolves at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Tickets: Available online

When: Monday Feb. 20, 2:05-4:30 p.m.

Where: Peterborough Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St.,

Tebey with special guest Five Roses

The Venue, Modo Live and Pure Country present Tebey – Shotgun Rider Part II Tour with special guests Five Roses at The Venue.

When: Friday Feb. 17, 8 p.m-2 a.m.

Where: The Venue, 286 George St N.

Tickets: $25 available online

Outdoor Skating Downtown Peterborough

Enjoy some outdoor skating at the Quaker Foods City Square or the Peterborough Lift Lock.

Please check the City of Peterborough website daily to see if skating at the canal and Quaker City Foods Square is open or closed.

Where: Charlotte St. (Quaker Foods City Square) and Hunter St. E (Liftlock)

Come see Grease on the Showplace stage!

Join the 1959 senior class of Rydell High with Danny Zuko, Sandy Dumbrowski, the Burger Palace Boys and the Pink Ladies as they sing and dance their way through such memorable songs as "Summer Nights," and "Greased Lightnin'" at the Showplace Performance Centre. With an eight-year run on Broadway and innumerable school and community productions, Grease remains among one of the world most popular musicals.

When: Saturday Feb. 19, 7 p.m.

Where: Showplace Performance Centre, 290 George St N.

Tickets: $28.50 available online

Crafternoons Winter Sweater Wreath event at Peterborough Public Library

The Library’s registered Crafternoon program features guided creative projects you can complete at the Library. Set aside an afternoon to craft and learn new skills along the way.

Banish the winter blahs and create a colourful, cozy winter wreath, to bring some cheer to your front door.

Tickets: Available online

When: Saturday Feb. 18, 1 p.m.

Where: Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St N.

Community Care Peterborough Donates $500 in Leftover Grocery Gift Cards to North Kawartha Food Bank

Community Care Peterborough (CCP)’s Apsley office presented $500 in leftover grocery gift cards to the North Kawartha Food Bank announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Katie Bryck presenting Diane Rothnie, President of North Kawartha Food Bank with the $500 of leftover grocery gift cards. Photo courtesy of CCP.

“The cost of food, temporary loss of our grocery store and the high cost of gas has had a significant impact on our community,” said Diane Rothnie, North Kawartha Food Bank president. 

“Our ‘Be A Lifeline’ donors have allowed us to enhance our current services and provide delivery of food bank hampers to isolated food bank clients on a weekly basis, with the support of our volunteer drivers,” said Katie Bryck, CCP’s Community development coordinator. “They have also allowed us to give away $11,500 in grocery gift cards to community members in need over the holiday season.”

Community Care staff and volunteers provide a variety of essential services to seniors and adults with physical challenges helping them to live at home.

Some of their services include, Exercise and Falls Prevention, Friendly Visiting, Volunteer Transportation, Meals on Wheels, Brokered Home Help and Home Maintenance, Medical Equipment Program and more.

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Peterborough Actor Stars in Toronto Production Of Rock of Ages

One of Broadway’s longest running hit musicals Rock of Ages will star Peterborough actor Jonathan Cullen at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto beginning Feb. 23.

photo courtesy of jonathan cullen, facebook.

A concoction of power rock and hilarious comedy, this reimagined version of the iconic 80’s-inspired production promises top tier talent and an unforgettable performance. 

The show, presented by More Entertainment, will hit the stage from Feb. 23 to May 20.

Cullen plays Stacey Jaxx in the production, alongside a rockstar line-up of performers in the cast including AJ Bridel as Sherrie Christian, Trevor Coll as Drew Boley, Kent Sheridan as Dennis Dupree, Louise Camilleri as Justice Charlier and Steffi DiDomenicantonio as Regina Kunz.

“We’re very similar in a lot of ways,” says Cullen about his role in Rock of Ages. “He’s been caught in the underbelly of the rock-n-roll scene in L.A. in the 80’s, so he kind of represents the mountainous highs and the dark, dark lows of super stardom. He’s become lost in that world. There’s a large part of me that can feel compassion and empathy for that as a human.”

Cullen has wowed audiences on stages across North America since 2010. Growing up doing community theatre in Peterborough, he starred in many local productions such as State Fair and The Sound of Music.

“I feel proud to be from Peterborough. I have a very fond place in my heart for where I grew up. There’s such an amazing artistic scene in Peterborough so it’s very nice to be bringing some of that energy to the big City, and on a bigger scale,” he said.

photo courtesy of Strut Entertainment.

He has also toured across Canada with his award-nominated pop/soul group, Silver Lining, and was cast in the Mirvish production of ground-breaking Broadway success Billy Elliot.

Most recently, he played a leading role on the first national tour of the Broadway smash-hit The Book of Mormon.

In Rock of Ages, Cullen says the music will be enjoyed by both a Toronto and Peterborough audience.

“Peterborough has a wonderfully diverse and large artistic scene, the music that comes through our music festivals and the theatre productions by our high schools and community theatres is truly wonderful. The music from the 80’s was such a strong genre and raw musical era, and anyone who enjoys a little bit of rock and a little bit of alternative music would totally dig this show,” said Cullen. “It’s a very music driven show, and I think Peterborough is such a community steeped in music that anyone from (the area) would just love the show.”

For tickets and more information on Jonathan Cullen and Rock of Ages, check out the link.

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Theory of a Deadman Making a Concert Stop At the Peterborough Memorial Centre For April 28

Theory of a Deadman is coming to rock the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on April 28 as part of The Dinosaur Tour announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Theory of a Deadman.

The night will also feature ‘special guests’ to be named at a later date.

Tickets to Theory of a Deadman: The Dinosaur Tour go on sale on Friday at 10:00 a.m. online, by phone at 705-743-3561 or in person at the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office.

PMC SCOOP members’ presale starts on Thursday from noon until 10 p.m. online.

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Belmont Lake's Cameron Spalding Makes First-Career Podium Appearance With Bronze In World Cup Snowboarding

It was the first podium appearance for Belmont Lake’s Cameron Spalding as he finished third place with a bronze medal at the Calgary Snow Rodeo FIS Snowboard World Cup on Sunday.

The 17-year-old scored 77.33 to get the first World Cup medal of his career behind USA’s Dusty Henricksen and Spalding’s teammate Darcy Sharpe (who came first place). Spalding came first in the qualifier event held on Friday.

The Canadians snagged four of the six available medals during the event.

Screenshot.

Earlier this year, Spalding placed 44th in Switzerland and 16th in Mammoth Mountain just north of Los Angeles in World Cup events.

His performance ranks him 10th overall in the World Cup slopestyle standings with 75 points. Spalding also ranks 19th overall (as the top Canadian) in men’s park and pipe event standings with 111 points.

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