Fleming Phoenix Roundup: March 12

The Fleming Phoenix took home several top finishes including a first overall team finish for the men’s team at the 62nd Macdonald College Loggersports Competition at McGill University on March 9.

The Fleming Phoenix logo was unveiled for the college on Sept. 8, replacing the Fleming Knight. Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

With a first overall finish for the Phoenix men’s A team, they had wins in the following competitions:

• First: Stock Saw, Log Decking, Pulp Throw, Standing Block Chop and Underhand Chop

• Second: Team Crosscut, Team Swede, Water Boil, Wheelbarrow Race and Pole Climb

• Third: Single Buck and Quarter Split

The team consisted of Kaden Bulmer, Blake Fellman, Brayden Holubowsky, Charlie Scott, Thomas Switzer and Tristan Godin-Mercer.

The men's B team saw wins in the following competitions:

• First: Pole Climb

• Second: Log Decking and Pulp Throw

• Third: Stock Saw

The B team included Adam Groth, Mitchell Blackman, Jordan Brown, Thomas Kitchen, Coltan Ross and James Hollingsworth.

The Phoenix women's A team saw the following results:

• First: Pulp Throw

• Second: Axe Throw, Single Buck, Wheelbarrow Race, Standing Block Chop and Team Swede

• Third: Team Crosscut, Log Decking, Super Swede, Underhand Chop

Team members include Sarah D’Hondt, Madelyn McInnes, Mattea Miller-Evans, Darian Carpenter, Rory Lauckner, Maggie Hope and Katrina Leslie.

The women's B team had the following wins:

• First: Pole Climb

• Second: Log Decking

Their team comprised Rene Urwin, Suzanne Mooser, Holly Smith, Isabel Andonian, Hunter Delicate and Thyme Kennedy.

All teams compete on March 23 at Dalhousie University.

The Phoenix men’s extramural cricket team played in the RECCup championship, held on March 7 at Fanshawe College.

They fell in their first match to Humber 34-33. In their second match, the Phoenix lost to Conestoga 29-28.

In the elimination match, the Phoenix bounced back, beating Fanshawe 41 to 39 to advance to the semi-finals where they lost to Conestoga 35-31.

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Peterborough Humane Society Launches Inaugural 50/50 Lottery In Honour Of Late Dog Ambassador

On what would have been Ambassador Owen the Griff’s 17th birthday, the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has launched its inaugural 50/50 lottery, announced on Wednesday.

Owen the Griff’s Instagram account has over 114,000 followers and has been succeeded by another dog, Gigi. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

Owen was popular through his Instagram account and a vital advocate in PHS fundraising throughout his dog life.

The PHS 50/50 Lottery allows participants to win money while providing financial support at PHS’s Animal Care Centre. In addition to the 50/50, the draw features Owen's ‘Ruff’le, a chance to win two patio chairs valued at over $1,700. 

“We're incredibly excited to launch our first-ever PHS 50/50 Lottery,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “It's a fantastic way for our community to come together and make a difference for animals in need while also having the chance to win beautiful patio chairs through Owen’s ‘Ruff’le.”

The draw will occur on April 17 at 1 p.m. PHS’s social media pages and website will update the public on the 50/50 pot throughout the draw. At the time of this article's publication, the pot was $2,220.

Tickets can be purchased online in packages of 25 for $25, 10 for $10, three for $5 or one for $2.

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A Section of Crawford Rail Trail Closed For Maintenance From March 18 to 20

A section of the Crawford Rail Trail between Crawford Drive and Erskine Avenue will be closed from March 18 to 20 to allow Hydro One to safely complete forestry work as part of annual maintenance.

pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

During the temporary closure, alternate routes for active transportation include Crawford Drive and Erskine Avenue.

Maintenance includes pruning trees and removing vegetation from grounds adjacent to hydro lines beside the trail to reduce hydro outage risks during weather events.  

The trail will be closed to allow the crews to safely access the worksite with heavy equipment including lift trucks and stump grinders, to work without safety issues for trail users.

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Peterborough Lakers Release 2024 Schedule; Home Opener Against Brooklin L.C. On June 13

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers are looking to avenge themselves after last season, their schedule for the 2024 season has been released by Major Series Lacrosse on Tuesday.

pHOTO courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers will play 12 games with six at home and on the road. They will play two road games before their home opener on June 13 vs the Brooklin L.C.

The MSL has readjusted its playoff format with the Oakville Rock and Owen Sound North Stars in this year’s mix. The playoffs will consist of three rounds and begin in mid-July instead of August's first week.

The first round of playoffs will be a best-of-five series:

• 1st place earns a bye

• 2nd vs 7th

• 3rd vs 6th

• 4th vs 5th

The semi-final and final will continue to be a best-of-seven series.

The Lakers schedule is as follows:

• June 3 @ Toronto Rock

• June 6 @ Brampton Excelsiors

• June 13 vs. Brooklin L.C.

• June 16 @ Cobourg Kodiaks

• June 20 vs. Oakville Rock

• June 22 @ Owen Sound North Stars

• June 25 vs. Owen Sound North Stars

• June 27 vs. Six Nations Chiefs

• July 3 @ Brooklin L.C.

• July 4 vs. Cobourg Kodiaks

• July 9 @ Six Nations Chiefs

• July 11 vs. Brampton Excelsiors

Season tickets are on sale now at the Peterborough Memorial Centre box office. Tickets can be purchased or renewed in person or by phone at the Grant Thornton Box Office.

The renewal deadline for existing season ticket holders is May 9th at 5 p.m. After that, any seats that have not been renewed will be released to the general public and open to the exchange of seats by other season ticket holders or new buyers. Ticket exchange day will occur on May 15th. 

Season ticket packages will include eight games (all six regular season home games plus the first two home playoff games that cannot be exchanged).

Season ticket holders can receive digital tickets by email but can still accept printed tickets.

Season Ticket Prices

• Adult - Regular Bowl $150, Club $186

• Senior 65+ - Regular Bowl $126, Club $162

• Student - Regular Bowl $110, Club $146

• Child - Regular Bowl $62, Club $98

Single-game tickets will go on sale at a later date.

The Grant Thornton box office is open for phone transactions Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and for in-person sales Wednesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Woman Robbed While Sleeping; Man and Woman Arrested For Robbery With Violence

A Peterborough woman and man have been charged with robbery with violence after a street-level robbery on Monday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 8 p.m., officers were called to the Aylmer Street and Sherbrooke Street area after a woman attended a nearby business asking for help. Officers learned that the woman had been sleeping and woke up to find two people going through her pockets and belongings. When she tried to get away, she was kicked and punched by the suspects. The pair fled the area shortly after while the woman was treated at the scene.

At approximately 9:25 a.m. on Tuesday, officers with the Community FIRST unit were in the area of George Street North and Dalhousie Street. They spotted the suspects matching the descriptions given to police and took them into custody.

As a result of the investigation:

A 33-year-old Peterborough woman was arrested and charged with:

• Robbery with violence

A 48-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:

• Robbery with violence

Both accused were released on an undertaking and are scheduled to appear in court, April 2.

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Trent University Reappoints Vice-President, Communications & Enrolment To Second Five-Year Term

Trent University and president Leo Groarke have reappointed Marilyn Burns to a second five-year term as vice-president of Communications and Enrolment at Trent University, effective July 1, 2025, announced on Tuesday. 

Burns oversees 65 staff members across Communications, undergraduate domestic Recruitment, domestic and international Admissions and Trent’s five Colleges. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Marilyn has been a driving force behind Trent’s rising reputation, impressive strides in recruitment, and the University’s renewed commitment to its collegiate system – positioning Trent as a leader in higher education,” said Groarke. “The remarkable progress we've seen in communications and enrolment under Marilyn's leadership is just the beginning. Her expertise and dedication will be instrumental in continuing to guide the University through its next phases of growth and innovation, including the opening of Gidigaa Migizi College – the University’s sixth college.”

Burns joined Trent in 2001 and has served in several roles over her 20+-year career at Trent. They include associate vice president of Communications & Recruitment, executive director of Marketing & Communications, Recruitment & Admissions, and director of Marketing & Communications.  

She was appointed vice-president, communications & enrolment in July 2020. Enrolment at the University has increased 53 per cent across Trent’s two campuses in Peterborough and Durham GTA since 2014 according to a press release.

As chair of the Champlain Committee, she led the Champlain Report, which resulted in several recommendations including the naming of Trent’s sixth college: Gidigaa Migizi College. 

“I am honoured and excited to continue in my role, building on our successes and facing new challenges head-on. I’d like to thank my team for their focus on Trent’s distinctive qualities, like the Colleges which alongside strong recruitment and enrolment strategies have been key to our rising reputation,” said Burns. “I look forward to further enhancing the Trent experience for our students, faculty, and the broader community, especially as we expand our presence in Durham and welcome the new Gidigaa Migizi College.”  

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Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers Add New Assistant Coach For 2024 Season

As the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League season approaches, the Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers have added Curtis Conley as the new defensive assistant coach announced on Tuesday.

pHOTO courtesy of Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers.

The Ottawa native played minor lacrosse with the Nepean Knights and his junior lacrosse with the Gloucester Griffins Jr. B and Toronto Beaches Jr. A teams.

He played with the Trent Excalibur as a four-time Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Defensive Player of the Year, a four-time CUFLA All-Canadian, and a Baggataway Cup champion, the only title in school history. Last week, Conley was named Trent’s first-ever Athlete of the Year. 

Conley’s has appeared in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) with the Albany FireWolves and the New York Riptide. He is currently playing for the Whitby Steelhawks in the Arena Lacrosse League.

“Curtis brings a wealth of knowledge to our team,” said Robert Hope, Lakers head coach. “He has went through the many different levels of lacrosse from junior to pro and knows what it takes to make it to the next level. He has a passion for teaching and coaching. He understands the game and has a great energy that he will bring each day to the rink.” 

“When Coach Hope reached out to me to be a part of the Jr. A Lakers organization, I was extremely humbled and grateful,” said Conley “I am excited to pass on the knowledge that I have gained through my Junior and NLL experiences to provide our family with the best chance to succeed at the end of August. With some of the best lacrosse minds in the game on the bench, I am looking to bring whatever I can to this group to help make us successful.”

Hope agreed with Conley regarding the team’s challenges last season and shared his optimism for the future.

“Last year was a very frustrating year for our organization. Top to bottom we didn’t do enough to be successful. We learned a lot as coaches and players. We are looking to correct those mistakes that we made,” said Hope. “We have taken a lot of time to reflect on our mistakes and it is now time to change for the better.”

Conley joins assistants Turner Evans, Taylor Evans, and Jeff Ralph. The Lakers’ 2024 season will kick off on May 24 at home against the Six Nations Arrows.

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Irish Heritage Week Kicked Off With Flag Raising at Peterborough City Hall

Peterborough is getting in the green spirit as City Hall raised the flag of Ireland to kick off Irish Heritage Week on Monday morning.

Maureen Crowley, Peterborough Canadian Irish Club past president (left), Mayor Jeff Leal (middle) and Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden (right) joined members of the club prior to raising the Irish flaG at City Hall. pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

Mayor Jeff Leal declared Irish Heritage Week for Peterborough from March 11 to 18.

“I think the last count, 62 per cent of the people here trace their heritage back to Ireland so it's a very important for the Peterborough community,” said Brendan Moher of the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club.

2024 marks the 199th year that politician Peter Robinson administered the passage and settlement of Irish Catholic families into Scott’s Plains, now known as Peterborough.

“We're doing the lead-up now to the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson immigration that came to Peterborough,” explained Moher.” (That’s) 2,000 men, women and children back in 1825. We're leading into that for next year so this is an important year.”

Sunday is the 21st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade at 2 p.m., starting at City Hall and running through George Street until the Peterborough Memorial Centre. This year's parade grand marshall is Neil Sanderson, Three Days Grace drummer.

More than 90 entries have been entered into the 21st parade. A 5k run to raise money for Right to Heal, which helps those with mental health and addictions, has been cancelled. All are invited to attend the parade regardless of race and background.

“There's a big tradition here in Peterborough that on St. Patrick's Day, everybody is Irish,” said Moher. “All you have to do is put on a little bit of green and you can certainly join in on all the festivities that will be happening.”

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Connection Unknown From Two Weekend Break-and-Enter Incidents

The Peterborough Police Service is investigating two break-and-enter incidents but is unsure if they are connected from over the weekend.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The first occurred in the Auburn and Dunlop Street area at roughly 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. A resident reported waking up to find the back and front doors open. They noticed some items in the home had been moved and only an old pair of sneakers was taken.

The second incident happened at about 3:20 a.m. on Monday in the Armour Road and McFarlane Street area. The resident awoke and discovered a man in her room saying he needed to deliver a pizza. The man was told he had the wrong house, was escorted out of the residence and was last seen heading north on Armour Road.

No injuries were reported in either incident.

The man was described as:

• 6 ft.

• White

• Approx. 35 years old

• Light brown hair

• Wearing blue jeans, a light blue button-up shirt, greenish dress shoes and a black jacket  

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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City of Peterborough Rewarded $1.88 Million From Provincial Government For Exceeded Its 2023 Housing Target

After Peterborough exceeded its 2023 housing target and broke ground on 506 new housing units last year, the provincial government rewarded the City with $1,880,000 through the Building Faster Fund, announced at City Hall on Monday morning.

(From left to right) Councillor Leslie Parnell; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP; Matthew Rae, Perth-Wellington MPP and Mayor Jeff Leal. In 2022, Ontario saw the second-highest number of housing starts since 1988, with just over 96,000 new homes. Ontario also broke ground on nearly 15,000 new purpose-built rentals, the highest number ever on record. pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

The announcement was made by Matthew Rae, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing who was in attendance of the press conference.

“I want to congratulate Peterborough and all municipalities that have worked hard to get shovels in the ground faster,” he said. “Our challenge to these municipalities now is to redouble their efforts to build more homes than ever before so we can improve affordability and keep the dream of homeownership alive in Ontario. Our government will be there to support you every step of the way.”

Last August, the Ontario government announced the Building Faster Fund, a new three-year, $1.2 billion program to provide significant funding based on performance against provincial housing targets to address the housing supply crisis.

Municipalities that have reached at least 80 percent of their housing target receive funding, and municipalities that exceed it receive increased funding.

“We have a target that we have to achieve by 2031 of 4,700 units as part of the overall provincial pledge that the Premier announced last August,” explained Mayor Jeff Leal.”

He continued to explain that this is a step toward making housing in Peterborough more available and affordable to rent or purchase.

“We want to move that vacancy rate from one per cent to a three per cent level which would be much more healthy and that would moderate rent in the City of Peterborough and provide opportunities for young people to buy that first home,” said Leal.

Any unspent funding can contribute to housing-enabling infrastructure to all municipalities, including those that have already received funding due to reaching their targets, through an application process.

In addition, ten per cent — or $120 million — of the Building Faster Fund is being set aside for small, rural, and northern municipalities to help build housing-enabling infrastructure and prioritize projects that speed up the increase in housing supply according to a press release.

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