Four Exceptional Student-Athletes Graduates Receive Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary

Four graduating student-athletes were recipients of the annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary Award at a presentation ceremony at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday night.

(Left to right) Linda de Jeu, PDSHoF Second Vice Chair; Ireland Payne, TASS graduate; Ava Johnston, Adam Scott Graduate, Brynn Jenkins, Crestwood Graduate; Finn Hughes, Holy Cross Graduate and Tim Barrie, first vice chair. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Finn Hughes, Brynn Jenkins, Ava Johnston, and Ireland Payne were this year’s winners, taking home $2,000 apiece from the bursary. Each recipient was a graduating high school student that attending University in the fall.

This year’s winners will have their headshots commemorated in the Hall of Fame and their names etched into the history of the awards’ beneficiaries. The award has been given annually to four recipients since 1996 (with 2020 having six).

Hughes graduated from Holy Cross Secondary School, will attend Laurier University, study Business Administration and play rugby for the Golden Hawks.

He is an honours student with a 90 per cent average.

The Hurricane alumnus captained football, basketball, and rugby for Holy Cross. He was named senior athlete of the year and earned several MVP awards. He also served on the school’s student council.

In the community, he was a member of the U18 Team Canada rugby program, U19 Team Ontario rugby, Peterborough Pagans, Petes minor hockey and Otters football.

As a volunteer, Hugues was a link leader at Holy Cross, volunteered with special needs students, was an OFSAA lacrosse volunteer and gave back to minor hockey as a referee and scorer and timer.

“It's an honour,” explained Hughes. “I'd just like to thank the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame for thinking of us and getting us in here. It feels great.”

Jenkins graduated from Crestwood Secondary School this past summer with a 94 per cent average as an honours student. She is attending Queens University, studying Health Sciences and will play varsity rugby.

At Crestwood, she played rugby, basketball, volleyball, track and field and wrestling. She was captain of the rugby team and earned an OFSAA gold medal in wrestling. She competed at OFSAA in track and field for four years. She earned MVP honours in rugby and was given the Dysart award, one of the highest athletic honours at Crestwood.

Outside of school, Jenkins was a member of the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club, played Kawartha lacrosse, soccer and has attended the Rugby Canada development academy.

Jenkins was an active volunteer. She worked with Kawartha Food Share, was a referee for junior rugby, coached mini rugby and advocated for black athletes on social media.

“It feels wonderful to be recognized for all of the hard work that I've put in and all of us,” said Jenkins.

Johnston is a graduate of Adam Scott Collegiate and is attending the University of Guelph. She will study Health Sciences and play rugby for the Gryphons.

The 96 per cent average honours student played high school rugby, volleyball, wrestling and ultimate frisbee. She was captain of several teams, leading them to OFSAA gold medals in Ultimate and Kawartha and COSSA championships in Rugby and volleyball. She was Adam Scott’s senior female athlete of the year and earned many MVP awards.

Johnston was a member of the Ice Kats for hockey, part of the Peterborough Pagans Rugby Club and has been a member of the Ontario Rugby program.

Off the field, the Adam Scott Lion alumnus was a Sunday school volunteer and assisted with the Million Meals program. She was also an active volunteer and referee at the KPR elementary rugby and ultimate tournaments.

“It's just really awarding putting in a ton of hours into both sports and off the field,” explained Jenkins. “It's satisfying knowing that you're getting recognition for all of it and it's awesome for all of us.”

Payne graduated from Thomas A. Stewart and will attend the University of New Brunswick in the fall to study environmental management and play volleyball.

She played high school basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, soccer and track and field. Ireland earned multiple MVP awards in her sports while maintaining a 94 per cent average.

She was a member of Peterborough Thunder Volleyball, Soul Beach Volleyball and Peterborough Badminton Club.

Her volunteer work involves helping at Kawartha Food Share, Peterborough Humane Society and several KPR elementary sporting events.

“I'm very grateful that I got to be recognized and just very happy,” said Payne. “It makes me feel proud of myself and affects my self-esteem. It helps me feel more confident when you're recognized for high school accomplishments.”

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City of Peterborough to Bring Bonnerworth Park Project Draft Plan to Advisory Committee review

A draft plan for the Bonnerworth Park project will be reviewed during a combined meeting of the Arenas, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Accessibility Advisory Committee on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., announced on Thursday.

Coalition member Geoff Rix performing an “Indy” grab while airborne off a launch ramp after the Bonnerworth West 49 Skatepark revitalization in 2021. City Council initially approved the Bonnerworth Park project when it approved the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study in October 2023. It approved the Bonnerworth Park project in the City’s 2024 Budget in December 2023. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The review includes an expanded skateboard park, a new bike pump track, pickleball courts, planting trees and landscaping.

The meeting will be live-streamed on the City’s website while no public delegations are allowed at advisory committee meetings.

The draft plan shows features such as:

• About 275 trees will be planted in the park

• About 63 per cent of the site will be green space – landscaped/grass

• Setbacks from neighbouring properties

• Noise attenuation measures, including noise attenuation fencing and landscaping such as berms

• The location of 14 pickleball courts, down from 16 when the concept was initially introduced

• The location of the new bike pump track that will be designed with grass areas between the bike paths

• The expansion of the existing skateboard park

• Parking areas totalling 44 spaces, which is a reduction from a previous concept

• Pathways within the park

The two advisory committees will be able to provide feedback about the draft plan for consideration before the City finalizes the document ahead of construction, which is expected to begin this fall.

Public comments on the draft plan, which can be viewed through the City’s community engagement hub, can be submitted using the comments tool on the project page, by sending an email to bonnerworthproject@peterborough.ca or by calling 705-742-0050 ext. 2226#.

Public comments can be submitted until 11:59 p.m. on August 16, for consideration before finalizing the project plan.

The project team is considering feedback from community consultation, including feedback from the Arenas, Parks, and Recreation Advisory Committee, the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and broader public feedback from the consultation process, before finalizing the draft plan for the project according to the City.

The draft plan is also informed by various studies and factors such as noise studies, traffic flow, groundwater conditions, and stormwater management.

Community consultation for the Bonnerworth Park project and the Knights of Columbus Park project was undertaken from February through April with two surveys, two public meetings and meetings with recreation facility user groups related to the two projects.

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Hometown PTBO: Adam Brown On Dr. J's Being On the Move and Keeping It In the Family Business With It and Chemong Lodge

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Chemong Lodge and Dr. J's co-owner Adam Brown about growing up near the Lodge, Dr. J's moving out of the former Montréal House location and keeping business in the family.

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Full Tilt Cycle Hosting Reopening Event to Recover From Break-and-Enter In Late July

As part of the cycling comeback, Full Tilt Cycle is hosting a Spin & Community Rise Up Party on Thursday afternoon/evening after the business was subject to a break-and-enter in late July.

Photo courtesy of Full Tilt Cycle.

The day includes spin classes from 3 to 6 p.m. (in one-hour intervals at 3, 4, 5, and 6 p.m.) followed by a community party at 7 p.m. with tickets priced at $25.

The business was ransacked on July 30 and the perpetrator left with roughly $34,000 in product according to Peterborough Police.

Full Tilt Cycle released the following statement the day after the incident:

“Dear amazing Full Tilt Community, after eight years of being proud members of downtown Peterborough we feel disrespected and at a loss! On Monday evening, Sadie and her daughter walked into our studio for our first ride of the day to find our studio broken into and ransacked.

Our merchandise, bike supplies, electronics, cleaning supplies and even personal shoes and all our towels were GONE. Our front desk area was pillaged and a mess was left in our studio that has been nothing but a safe and happy place. We are overwhelmed with frustration and feeling our sanctuary to many of you, has been violated. We are dealing with the Peterborough police and Ashburnham Realty to find the perpetrator. We will post more when/if we get footage of the culprit(s).”

The suspect was found and arrested by Peterborough Police on Friday. They discovered them among several people sleeping outside in the Water Street and Murray Street area.

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Peterborough Jr. C Lakers Hold Off Third-Period Surge From Fergus Thistles To Take Game One of the Meredith Cup In 9-6 Win

The Peterborough Jr. C Lakers draw first blood in the Meredith Cup finals, fighting off a late rally from the Fergus Thistles to take Game One in a 9-6 victory at the Centre Wellington Sports Complex on Wednesday night.

SCreenshot.

The Lakers opened the scoring just under five minutes into the game as Jeremiah Wade scored get break the ice. It took just over eight minutes for the next score Nick Fornier extended Peterborough’s lead to make it 2-0. Fergus got on the board under a minute later but Drew Calderwood got one right back for the Lakers to end the first in a 3-1 lead for Peterborough.

Only one player found the scoresheet in the second period but it was Wade who scored three consecutive goals to extend Peterborough’s lead to 6-1.

The Thistles attempted to mount a comeback, scoring the first four of five goals for a 7-5 game. Ryder Perry had the lone goal for Peterborough in nearly the first 15 minutes of the period. The Lakers were able to make one more push, getting the next two goals thanks to Liam Vollins and Reed Chamberlin with the latter scoring on the power play. Fergus scored with 68 seconds left but it was too little, too late and the Lakers hung on for 9-6 win.

The Lakers return home to the Healthy Planet Arena to play back-to-back games for Games Two and Three on Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. If they win both home games in the best-of-five series, the Lakers can sweep the Thistles and win the Meridith Cup at home.

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Peterborough Police Seeking Public's Assistance In Finding Missing 13-Year-Old Girl

UPDATE: She has been located safe.

The Peterborough Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 13-year-old Peterborough female, Eden King reported missing on Thursday morning.

She was last seen at Del Crary Park on Wednesday night around 9 p.m.

King is described as:

• 5'6 to 5'7

• 130 lbs

• Brown hair past shoulders

• Was wearing a black short-sleeved belly shirt, black shorts with a black backpack

Family and police are concerned for her safety.

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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Peterborough Petes Release Ticket Details For Port Hope Preseason Game Against Niagara IceDogs

The Peterborough Petes the Municipality of Port Hope and the Port Hope Panthers have released ticket details for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) preseason game between the Petes and the Niagara IceDogs on Sept. 1 at the Jack Burger Sports Complex.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Tickets for the game range from $20 to $30 (plus applicable fees) and are available online. All tickets sold online are reserved seating and are available while supplies last. A limited number of standing-room tickets will be available at the door on gameday starting at 1 p.m. The game will also feature a 50/50 draw and other fundraising opportunities.

Peterborough’s full 2024 preseason schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 1 - Niagara @ Peterborough - 2:05 p.m. (Jack Burger Sports Complex - Port Hope)

• Sept. 6 - Peterborough @ Guelph - 7:07 p.m.

• Sept. 8 - Sudbury @ Peterborough - 3:05 p.m. (Asphodel Norwood Community Centre - Norwood)

• Sept. 20 - Peterborough @ Kingston - 7:00 p.m.

• Sept. 21 - Guelph @ Peterborough - 7:05 p.m. (Cavan Monaghan Community Centre - Millbrook)

Puck drop for the game is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.

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Voice of Business: Nine Ships 200 Year Anniversary Plans Set Sail

The Peterborough Irish Club, joined by the Irish Consul General, announces a new website dedicated to the historical Irish nine ships.

This past week, your local Chamber of Commerce hosted members of the Peterborough Irish Club (PIC)and Irish Consul General Janice McGann. Members of the PIC gathered to present their new website documenting the Peter Robinson nine ships' immigration to Canada in 1825.

In attendance were guests who were descendants of the people of the nine ships from Ireland. The voyage of the nine Irish ships to Canada departed on May 6th, 1825, from County Cork, Ireland. The ships carried 2,024 individuals who traversed the Atlantic Ocean to reach Canada for a new life. The nine ships would leave a legacy in founding Peterborough and many other communities in the surrounding areas.

The newly created website documents a detailed history of the nine ships led by Peter Robinson from start to finish. The website features information on the journey of the nine ships into the City of Peterborough, a biography of Peter Robinson, the ships, and even the ship’s list of travelers—the content of this website is derived in partnership from the local historians of Trent Valley Archives.

The launch of the Nine Ships website is also particularly important for the 200th anniversary next year. This celebration will host many activities such as boat cruises, tours, plays, and art displays. Local First Nations have also been invited to participate. The commemoration will seek to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the immigrants from nine ships who immigrated from Ireland.

Several members of the PIC gave their own words on the importance of being a descendant of nine ships and the pride of their ancestors who embraced the challenge of a new life in Canada. Some members from the PIC and McGann acknowledged the complex histories intertwined with local First Nations. This involved the local Anishinaabe people adjusting to their new Irish Neighbors.

According to the Nine Ships website, the history of Peterborough credits the immigration of the Nine Ships to the founding of the city of Peterborough. After arriving in Cobourg, the Irish settlers transported their possessions to Peterborough. Upon arrival in downtown Peterborough, they were then given directions to their land administrated by Peter Robinson, whose office was at Water and Simcoe Streets. From there, each family was scattered around Peterborough County working to build farms and communities.

The 200th anniversary hopes to celebrate the legacy left by the Irish settlers of the nine ships. The commemoration event will take place next August and will hope to attract visitors and descendants of the nine ships from as far away as Australia and the United States. This event will serve as a great information gateway for future visitors wanting to know more about the historical impact of the Irish people from these nine ships.

Irish Consul General expressed her support for the upcoming calendar of events and the launch of the new website. McGann highlighted that “immigration is an act of bravery and resilience, where there is no chance of going back. Canada offered hope for a better life and opportunity. Today we are blessed to have an Irish Community that thrives and continues to keep our heritage alive.” The meeting concluded with a gift to McGann from the Peterborough Irish Club thanking her for her visit to Peterborough.

For all those interested, the website can be accessed at nineships1825.com.

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

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Local Man Arrested On Break and Enter Charge From Downtown Peterborough Business In Late July

Peterborough Police have arrested a 40-year-old man wanted in connection with a break-in at a downtown business.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

On Friday, an officer and a special constable were made aware of several people sleeping outside in the Water Street and Murray Street area. When they went to check on them, it was discovered that one of them was the male wanted in connection with the break-and-enter

The man was arrested on the strength of the warrant and charged with:

• Break and enter a place to commit an indictable offence

• Fail to comply with probation order

The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

The accused was held in custody and appeared in court on Friday.

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Peterborough Goaltender Passes Away From Fatal Crash In Ottawa

Peterborough-born goaltender Creed Jones has passed away after a fatal crash near the Highway 416/417 split in Ottawa on Friday night.

Photo courtesy of Gatineau Olympiques/Facebook.

The 24-year-old former U16 Peterborough Pete was one of two people killed that night according to Ontario Provincial Police.

“It is with great sadness that the Gatineau Olympiques organization has learned of the passing of one of our alumni, Creed Jones. Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” the Olypiques stated from an X post.

Creed’s other former teams, including the Peterborough Petes, paid their respects to the late goaltender on social media.

“The Peterborough Petes are saddened to learn about the passing of former minor Pete and Peterborough native Creed Jones. Our thoughts are with Creed’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

“The Wellington Dukes organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Duke Creed Jones. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”

“The Saint John Sea Dogs are saddened to learn about the passing of former goaltender Creed Jones. Our thoughts are with Creed’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Both drivers were seen travelling at high rates of speed before the collision as stated by the OPP. One rider was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was taken to the Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus before succumbing to their injuries.

The Olympiques said they will pay tribute to Jones in a game against one of his former teams, the Rimouski Océanic on Sept. 28 with details to follow.

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