City of Peterborough Celebrating Recreation and Parks Month With Community Events and Activities Throughout June

The City of Peterborough is recognizing Recreation and Parks month- a movement that promotes the benefits of recreation and parks for physical, social and environmental health- with local programs and events available throughout the month of June. 

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Access to parks and recreation helps foster personal health, wellbeing, strong communities and social inclusion.

Throughout the month of June, a wide variety of free activities, events and giveaways will be taking place across the community. There is something for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

The City says this project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

"The City of Peterborough is well known for our incredible green spaces, the Otonabee River and Little Lake, parks and recreational/sports opportunities,” says Councillor Lesley Parnell, Chair of the City’s Arenas, Parks and Recreation Portfolio. “Please get out and enjoy the many free events and activities to expand your quality of life in our beautiful City.”

Highlight of events:

• June 1: All abilities Try It Pickleball from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wellness Centre gym B/C

• June 5: It’s World Environment Day! Leave the car and walk, bike, or take the bus today

• June 9: P.A. Day Fun Swim for all ages from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wellness Centre

• June 10: Dragon Boat Festival returns to Del Crary Park. This all-day family-friendly event supports Peterborough Regional Health Centre to invest in state-of-the-art technology to serve more cancer patients. Visit the Peterborough Dragon Boat website for more information.

• June 12: Wellness Centre Client Appreciation Day

• June 17: Power Yoga in the Park for all ages at Rogers Cove from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• June 18: Happy Father’s Day! Celebrate with a Fun Swim for all ages at the Wellness Centre from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• June 20: Downtown Youth Space will host a Mini Olympics event in Confederation Square from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for all ages.

• June 23: Zumba Dance Party happening downtown at the Quaker Foods City Square from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bring your dance moves and energy for a fun-filled evening that is open for all ages.

• June 29: Let’s Bike Event in Partnership with Green Up will take place at Quaker Foods City Square from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• July 1: Canada Day celebrations start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, with pre-parade activities in Confederation Square, followed by the Canada Day Parade presented by Cogeco, beginning at noon. Join us along George Street from City Hall to Morrow Park.

Ongoing programs and facilities:

• Visit Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market in Quaker Foods City Square from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday.

• Check out the Riverview Park and Zoo to visit the animals and have fun on the largest playground in the City.

• Skate your way into summer by visiting the local Skateboard Park at 560 McDonnel St.

• Did you know? In partnership with local school boards, Fleming College and Trent University, there are over 80 fields and courts available to the community. Visit your closest park and try out a new sport!

• Splash pads are open for the season with hours of operation from 9 a.m.to 8 p.m. daily. Visit the website for locations.

• Public beaches at Beavermead Park, 2011 Ashburnham Dr., and Rogers Cove, 131 Maria St., will open for the season on July 1, 2023. Beaches are staffed with trained lifeguards from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

• Community wading pools will open July 1 for the season, operating from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. To learn more about outdoor beaches and wading pools, visit the City’s website.

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Peterborough Police Have Located 30-Year-Old Woman After Being Reported Missing From Wednesday

Thirty-year-old Peterborough woman Angela Clark has been located since being reported missing on Wednesday morning, announced by the Peterborough Police Service on Thursday.

Clark — who also goes by Angela Holroyd — was last seen by her family last week Wednesday and last heard from her on Tuesday prior to her being declared missing.

“Thank you to the public for their assistance,” stated the Police in a press release.

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Things To Do In-and-Around Peterborough This Weekend; June 2 - 4

Here are ten things to do in Peterborough City and County this weekend from June 2 - 4!

Kawartha Craft Beer Festival

The sixth annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival returns to Del Crary Park after a three-year hiatus for a one-day all-ages event.

The festival is an all-ages event for the first time. The event features 10 Ontario Craft Breweries, cideries, three local food vendors, games and live music throughout the day.

When: June 3, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: Del Crary Park

Tickets: $15 in advance (plus tax), $20 at the door (plus tax)

Live Harness Racing at Kawartha Downs

See horses and drivers in the sulkies race around a five-eighths mile track at Kawartha Downs. Bet on your favourite horses and enjoy the dining experience while you see the horses circle the track.

When: June 2, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Where: Kawartha Downs

Tickets: Free

Kawartha Downs Monster Madness Tour

Monster Madness Tour 2023 presented by Edge Motorsports! Whether it's the visual of a 10,000-pound machine flying through the air, the unforgettable smell of methanol or the ferocious sounds of a 1200-horsepower motor, the Monster Madness Tour will overload your senses and blow you away!

Reminder: Tickets purchases after May 26 DO NOT INCLUDE PIT PARTY PASS - please add the $5 pit party pass when purchasing your tickets online if you wish to attend the pit party

• 12 p.m. Doors

• 12:30 p.m. VIP Pit Party Entry

• 1 p.m. GA Pit Party Entry

• 2:30 p.m. Showtime

• 5-7 p.m. Live music

When: June 3 & 4, 12:00 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: Kawartha Downs

Tickets: $6.80 - $54.20

Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny

Due to overwhelming demand, Just For Laughs has announced that additional cities have been added for UK comedy superstar Jimmy Carr with his new show Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny. A household name in UK television and star of the UK’s most streamed Netflix comedy special of 2021, His Dark Material, Jimmy, will make his first appearance in Peterborough, Ont. on Friday at Peterborough Memorial Centre as part of his national Terribly Funny tour.

Jimmy’s show contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love. But they’re just jokes - they are not the terrible things. Having political correctness at a comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo. Now you’ve been warned, buy a ticket.

When: June 2, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Where: Peterborough Memorial Centre

Tickets: $45.50 to $65.50

League 1 Ontario Women's Home Game - Electric City FC vs Unionville Milliken SC

The Electric City Football Club Women’s Team hosts the Unionville Milliken SC for a regular-season match at Fleming College.

When: June 3, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: Fleming College

Tickets: $15 - $30

Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF

This June, join us for the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF at Nicholls Oval.

Celebrating 30 years of progress, commitment and improving the lives of those impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D). Together We Walk to cure T1D.

When: June 4

Where: Nicholls Oval

Tickets: Free

Peterborough Farmers Market

Buy directly from the farmer who grew it, raised it, harvested, or foraged it! Sixty percent of our vendors are primary producers who have gone through a third party inspection process to verify they grow 100% of what they sell. The remaining forty percent include bakers, prepared food vendors, artists and community groups.

Enjoy a festive market atmosphere with Peterborough’s finest prepared food vendors, artisans and musicians. 

Come find us every Saturday to find local produce, delicious takeaway meals and goodies, and artisan wares. We look forward to seeing you there!

When: June 3, 7 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Where: Morrow Park

Pick Up Some Produce at The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market

We invite you to listen to the sounds of our local musicians while visiting our 100+ vendor outdoor market May 1 to October 31, rain or shine in the Morrow Building parking lot. From November 1 to April 30, we are located inside the Morrow Building just south of the parking lot.

The establishment of a central market area for individual trade or sales has been a feature of societies all over the world for centuries. This trade has taken place in Peterborough for the past 190 years. This efficient method of commerce (ie. producer, direct to consumer) has gained much interest in recent years as small businesses have grown. We at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market are proud to be part of this popular phenomenon.

As producers of local food and crafts, we stress freshness, quality and value as we deal each and every week with our market patrons. Come and enjoy this traditional shopping experience.

When: June 3, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Where: Quaker Foods City Square

TASSS Presents: The Wizard of Oz Musical

After a three-year hiatus, students of Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School are back into theatrical productions. This year, they are putting on a musical of the classic “The Wizard of Oz” for four performances spanning three dates.

Dates for the shows are as follows:

• June 1, 7 p.m.

• June 2, 7 p.m.

• June 3, 2 p.m.

• June 3, 7 p.m.

When: June 1 - 3

Where: Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School

Tickets: $20

Capable Con

The Council for Persons with Disabilities’s Capable Con is back to help further support the Peterborough community in living, learning, playing, and working equally! It is a family-friendly, educational convention that is free to attend and designed to create open, healthy dialogues about disabilities and accessibility.

When: June 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Millennium Park

Tickets: Free

New Stages Theatre Presents ‘Sweat’ by Lynn Nottage

New Stages Theatre concludes its 25th season with a one-night-only staged reading of ‘Sweat’ starring Christopher Allen, Andrew Chown, Beau Dixon, Kait Dueck, René Escobar Jr., Catherine Fitch, Tony Munch & Ordena Stephens-Thompson June 11 at Market Hall.

photo courtesy of new stages theatre.

Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize, SWEAT is set in a small Pennsylvania city, proudly built on its manufacturing industries – a city not unlike Peterborough. SWEAT is the story of factory workers, of friends and family members, who find their fortune and dreams on the brink of collapse. Shifting between 2000 and 2008 financial crisis, racial and class tensions shatter the surface when desperation rises and people feel their backs against the wall. SWEAT is a devastating powder-keg of a play, and a must-see for Peterborough audiences.  

This play has an award-winning cast – Christopher Allen and Ordena Stephens-Thompson starred in the Toronto production of Sweat, and René Escobar Jr starred in the Hamilton Ontario production. They are joined by Catherine Fitch and Tony Munch, along with Andrew Chown and hometown heroes, Beau Dixon and ReFrame Film Festival Director, Kait Dueck.

Artistic Director Mark Wallace will be announcing the amazing plays lined up for the 2023-2024 season. Come and SWEAT with New Stages on Sunday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $22, and $11 for students, under-waged and artworkers available on the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte Street) website.

Content Advisory: this play contains themes of racism and uses words that are offensive and demeaning, including the n-word. Recommended audience: 14+

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Kids Get An Aquatic Lesson From the Peterborough Children's Water Festival

Over 650 students from over 20 schools in grades 2 to 5 got educated about the element of life as they attended the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival (PCWF) at Riverview Park and Zoo on Wednesday morning.

Julius the turtle and Peterborough Green up’s Karen O’Krafka are presenting to over 300 children at the return of the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The festival returned to an in-person event after going for the last three years in a digital format.

“We are excited to once again offer a live, in-person Water Festival this year after three years of virtual programming,” says Patricia Skopelianos, PCWF chair.

The two-day event saw students from 45 classes from the Kawartha Pine Ridge District and Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Boards learn about water at over 20 learning stations ranging from water consumption, leaks to conservation.

“Once again, we are pleased to offer several activity centres in the French language with the involvement of students from St. Peter Catholic Secondary School,” said Skopelianos. “We are also welcoming back Elder Dorothy Taylor for a midday Sacred Water teaching, Adventures in Understanding by The Paddling Puppeteer Glen Caradus, Stepping Stone by The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, and The Great Fish Migration by OFAH’s Bring Back the Salmon, who will all be returning to the Festival this year.”

During the event, a ceremony was held to commemorate and thank all who supported and sponsored the event.

“We are very fortunate to have tremendous community support for the Peterborough Children's Water Festival,” said Skopelianos. “For 22 years, local businesses and agencies have made generous financial contributions. We also have many volunteers who give their time and expertise and several more who provide in-kind contributions. Our community helps make this Festival a reality for the children.”

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Celebrates Top Spellers of Rotary Spelling Bee with Celebration Lunch

The Rotary Club of Peterborough hosted the Rotary Spelling Bee Celebration Lunch on May 29, honouring the achievements of the top spellers from the County-wide Spelling Bee Event held on May 13 at Fleming College.

The winners and representatives from their schools From left to right, back row: Murray Shadgett, Joy Meehan, Greg Wilson, Heather Robertson, Tracy Hall.
From left to right, front row: Kaiden Surphlis, Arthur Zadro, Olivia Jones, Noah Hofman, Sonny Gillis, Crepe Cochrane. Photo courtesy of the rotary club of Peterborough.

The Celebration brought together the winners, their educators, parents and sponsors to recognize their remarkable spelling abilities and dedication to literacy.

The Rotary Spelling Bee Celebration Lunch was a momentous occasion filled with excitement and pride. The winners from each division were acknowledged for their exceptional performance:

Junior Division (Grades 4-6):

1. Olivia Jones - St. Catherine

2. Arthur Zadro - Our Lady of the Wayside Academy

3. Kaiden Surphlis - James Strath

Intermediate Division (Grades 7-8):

1. Noah Hofman - Kenner Intermediate

2. Sonny Gillis - St. Catherine

3. Crepe Cochrane - Adam Scott Intermediate

In recognition of their achievements, $3,500 in Literacy Funding was presented to the winning schools for their literacy programs. The first-place school in each division received $1,000, second place received $500, and third place received $250. Additionally, the first-place schools were presented with plaques as a token of appreciation for their commitment to education and literacy.

"The success of the Rotary Spelling Bee is a testament to the power of collaboration," said Catherine Legault, chair of the Spelling Bee. "The teachers' and principals' involvement in the Bee program has inspired countless young hearts and minds, leaving a lasting mark on their educational journey. Rotary is immensely proud to have worked with such devoted educators who understand the importance of empowering our youth and providing them opportunities to succeed.”

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Preliminary Results of Referendum Show Majority of Peterborough County Residents Vote No for the Privatization of Hospitals

The preliminary numbers show a total of 9,345 citizens from across Peterborough City and County voted NO for the privatization of public hospitals in the cross-Province citizen-led referendum held on May 26 and 27 and online.

file photo.

“The numbers are great. It was a massive effort that far exceeded our expectations,” said Peterborough Health Coalition co-chair Marion Burton.

Volunteers counted the in-person votes on Sunday, which saw No votes totalling 4,866, and Yes votes totalling 65. These totals include some workplace votes.

Online voting results from Douro Dummer, Keene, Lakefield, Millbrook, Peterborough and Selwyn totalled 4,479 No votes and 35 Yes votes.

At press time, Peterborough’s preliminary total of No votes is 9,345 and 100 Yes votes.

There are still some workplace votes that remain to be counted.

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Peterborough Police Are In Search of a Missing 30-Year-Old Woman

The Peterborough Police Service is looking for 30-year-old Peterborough woman Angela Clark who was reported missing Wednesday morning.

Clark — who also goes by Angela Holroyd — was last seen by her family last week Wednesday and last heard from her on Tuesday. Her family and police are concerned for her safety. 

Clark/Holroyd is described as:

• 5’4 - 5’6

• Thin build

• Approximately 80 lbs.

• Brown and purple hair, shaved on both sides

• Tattoos on both arm

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Peterborough Public Health Celebrates Success of Commercial Tobacco Control on World No Tobacco Day

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is celebrating the achievements made in commercial tobacco control with a reminder of smoke free spaces on World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) May 31.

stock photo.

PPH is reminding athletes and spectators that sports fields are 100 per cent vape, cannabis and smoke-free. The same is true for beaches, playgrounds and splash pads – places where children and families often gather.

In the first three months of 2023 youth vaping, and youth access to vaping and tobacco products was the biggest issue PPH Tobacco Enforcement Officers responded to. Approximately 45 youth access inspections were conducted from January to March of 2023, resulting in 3 charges for sales of vape or tobacco products to youth. An additional 7 charges and 9 warnings have been issued related to youth smoking or vaping at prohibited locations.

“Given that there are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke, and children and youth are influenced by the behaviour of adults around them, we are encouraging people to think twice about where they smoke or vape,” said Julie Ingram, manager of environmental health. “The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) is designed to protect everyone from these products, and failure to comply with the law can result in a $305 fine.”

When the SFOA first came into force in 2006, cigarettes were the only products captured in the Act. Since then, we have seen the legalization of cannabis, and proliferation of vapour products. For those reasons, the SFOA has been updated to include these products that are smoked, lit or vaped.

“Nicotine greatly impacts children and youth’s developing brains. Nicotine affects learning, memory and concentration and some e-liquids used in vapour products contain as much nicotine as in one pack of cigarettes. Evidence also shows that youth who vape are more likely to begin smoking cigarettes,” said medical officer of health Dr. Piggott. “Peterborough City and County is home to magnificent parks, playgrounds, beaches and sports fields – visited by thousands of people every year. Ensuring these places are smoke and vape-free is a priority for PPH.”

For more information and resources, visit the website.

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Voice of Business: Make Better Business Decisions With Data

There is no shortage of data in this day and age.

We live and work online, we survey and poll, our services run through digital systems — much of what we do is tracked and analysed in some shape or form. Economists often refer to data as the new oil both in terms of its global economic value and in what it means for growing businesses.

We get a number of requests at the Chamber for data on a variety of subjects and business sectors. While we can help provide some data and analysis, we also rely on our community and industry partners for raw and aggregate data.

Here are a few places to look for free, high-quality data for making decisions for your business:

Business Data Lab

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce launched the Business Data Lab (BDL) a year ago. It brings together data from a variety of sources to track evolving market conditions and provide Canadian businesses with critical information to help make better decisions and improve performance. The BDL provides timely reports and analysis on things like the economy, workforce mobility trends, and business conditions.

The BDL also includes the Business Conditions Terminal, which provides access to real-time data on markets that matter to your business with high-quality, high-frequency indicators.

Workforce Development Board

Looking for information on local workforce trends? The Workforce Development Board is able to access data that isn’t always available to the general public or can be expensive for an individual business to purchase. They also track local labour activity. With this data, they provide analysis and reports with valuable insights businesses can use to help grow their workforce and figure out what are competitive salaries.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED)

The website is branded Invest Peterborough and the Kawarthas for a reason — the Data and Resource hub on their website includes information on all things Peterborough, including market information, quality of life data, logistics, talent, demographics, economics, major employers, reports on various sectors and economic development opportunities, and more. PKED is in the midst of their annual Business Count, a comprehensive survey of local businesses that runs through August and provides in-depth tracking and analysis on local businesses.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

The policy team at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) have put together some comprehensive reports and policy papers on various business issues. Where the Business Data Lab offers large swaths of data that can be narrowed down to specific sectors and geographics, the CCC provides data based on issues like cyber security, international trade, cannabis regulation, supply chains, Indigenous affairs, and more.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Similar to the CCC, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) provides a lot of resources, including data, relating to issues with a provincial scope, like healthcare, Ontario’s economy, transportation and supply chain, and cyber security. Their publications include some very in-depth reports, often partnered with other industry associations, on specific topics like tourism and aggregates.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce

Our website has a Resource Hub where we have compiled resources and information on topics like starting or growing a business, exporting, training, workforce, and research. Some of the information links to work from our partners and some of it will point you to services offered by our members. It’s a great place to get started and find some new places to source information.

Statistics Canada

If there’s data regarding people and businesses across Canada, there’s a good chance Statistics Canada tracks it. A lot of businesses and agencies, including the Chamber, rely on data from Statistics Canada for our research and reports. They offer raw data and non-partisan analysis.

Your own business!

When it comes to market research, no one knows your customers and their habits better than you and the technology you use to run your business. Your point-of-sale system, website, social media, customer relationship management (CRM) software, newsletter, and advertisements are all gathering valuable information on who your customers are, how and when they spend money, where they are, what they like, and what motivates them. It can also find people who have similarities to your customers, but aren’t currently spending money with you. If you’re unsure how to fully access the potential of your data, we have a Digital Service Squad member ready to connect and offer one-on-one help for free. Additionally, the Chamber has several experts within our membership and grants to cover some of the cost.

This list is nowhere near exhaustive, but is a good place to start. Chances are, there is an industry group with specific knowledge and data on your business sector. There are also a host of businesses, non-profits, charities, and government agencies with data on pretty much any issue and sector. Not sure where to look? Connect with the Chamber and we can help.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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