Peterborough Blogs
City of Peterborough Declares Significant Weather Event For Wednesday
/The City of Peterborough is declaring a Significant Weather Event to alert the community about the major winter storm expected to begin Wednesday evening through to Thursday.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The potential for blizzard conditions and snowfall overnight could pose a danger to users of City roads, sidewalks, and bike lanes. Due to the anticipated accumulation volume, the City says snow-clearing operations will take longer than usual to complete.
“Declaring a Significant Weather Event is a way to advise residents, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists that clearing snow and treating surfaces on roads, sidewalks and bike lanes can be expected to be delayed compared to typical levels of service, due to the potential severity of the approaching storm,” said John Czerniawski, Manager, Public Works Operations.
City of Peterborough Public Works staff are tracking weather radar and preparing operations according to forecasts indicating snowfall between 15 and 30 cm overnight on Wednesday, with peak snowfall rates of two to four cm per hour and high wind gusts. Crews are also monitoring a second winter storm system expected on the weekend.
The City is prepared to deploy the full complement of 18 plow trucks, 11 sidewalk plows, two graders, 7 loaders and backhoes and four light sanding units, with winter abrasives and de-icers stocked and staff ready to be deployed.
Crews will focus on arterial and collector roads first, with residential streets, sidewalks and trails to be addressed as resources and conditions allow. Work will continue until the City’s 978 kilometres of roads, 450 km of sidewalks, 39 kilometres of trails and 650 bus stops are cleared. When snow clearing operations on roads, sidewalks, trails and bus stops are complete, snow removal will begin at 250 locations including cul de sacs, dead ends and wide corners. Residents are reminded that there may be delays to this work based on available resources.
Municipalities can declare a Significant Weather Event under the Municipal Act, 2001, O. Reg. 239/02, relating to maintaining municipal roads, sidewalks and bike lanes. During a significant weather event, residents are advised to use caution and are reminded that typical winter maintenance service levels for roads may not be met.
Motorists are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to adjust their driving based on the conditions. Visibility may be reduced.
Go slow
Watch for taillights ahead
Be prepared to stop
Road users and pedestrians are asked to leave crews the space to safely and effectively clean city streets, sidewalks and trails. Peterborough Transit may adjust service, including designated snow routes, in response to weather conditions. The City thanks residents for their assistance and patience while the snow-clearing work is underway.
Winter parking restrictions are in place and parking is prohibited on all City streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every night. Additionally, residents are asked not to park on City streets for the duration of the storm to allow for effective snow clearing. Free overnight parking is available in municipal parking garages and surface lots during snowstorms. Drivers can use the parking garage entrance ticket for a free ride home on Peterborough Transit.
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City Reminds Public of Weather Services While Peterborough Is Under a Winter Storm Watch
/Peterborough has a winter storm watch in effect for the area with potentially another 20 to 40 centimetres of snow in the forecast for Wednesday evening into Thursday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
According to an Environment Canada monitoring station in the City’s north end, there was a recorded 30 centimetres of snow accumulation as of early this week, compared to three centimetres at the same time last year.
The City of Peterborough reminds residents to stay safe and follow winter parking restrictions to keep routes clear for snow plows.
The City’s Public Works division maintains 978 lane kilometres of road, 450 kilometres of sidewalks, 39 kilometres of trails, and 650 bus stops, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Snow-clearing operations are based on a priority route system.
Roads that see the highest traffic volume, are on transit routes or pass by the hospital are the highest priority for maintenance in winter weather. Arterial and collector roads are cleared first as required by legislated standards.
Once the arterial and collector roads are clear or safe, snow-clearing operations shift to residential or local streets.
Depending on the storm's severity, the time it takes to finish snow clearing can vary. A big storm with snowfall over a long period may mean it takes longer to clear snow from neighbourhood streets.
The City follows the provincial guidelines set under the Municipal Act, 2001, O. Reg. 239/02: Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways. The regulations categorize and prioritize roads based on traffic volumes and speed limits – the greater the volume of traffic and the greater the speed limit on the roads, the greater the priority for snow and ice clearing. The guidelines also include standards for the winter maintenance of bike lanes along roads and sidewalks.
From Dec. 1 to April 1, parking is prohibited on all City streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. to allow for quicker snow clearing at a lower cost because crews will not have to return to areas where vehicles were parked. The penalty for a violation is $35.
During a snowstorm, when snow-clearing operations are underway, parking is prohibited on all City streets between midnight and 8 a.m. The penalty for violating this By-Law is $80 and vehicles may be towed.
Free overnight parking is available at all municipal lots, the King Street Parkade and the Simcoe Parking Garage. Those parking overnight at either parking garage can use the gate arm ticket for a free transit trip home.
Residents must clear their driveways and ensure snowbanks do not block sight lines. It is illegal to deposit snow from a driveway or parking lot on a roadway and can result in a ticket under the Highway Traffic Act.
For waste collection in winter when there is snow accumulation, green bins and recycling bins should be placed on cleared driveways or areas on the boulevard, not on top of a snowbank or in the roadway.
There should be two feet of space around the Green Bin to allow the mechanical arm to lift the bin.
Bins should not be placed on the road. Bins on the road can interfere with snow removal operations and block traffic.
When road conditions become slippery during heavy snowfalls, Peterborough Transit may adjust operations and specific bus routes to follow designated snow routes when necessary. If Snow Routes are activated, information will be posted on peterborough.ca, and updates will be provided on Peterborough Transit and City of Peterborough social media accounts.
The following routes have designated Snow Routes:
Route 4 Weller
Route 6 Sherbrooke
Route 8 Monaghan
Route 11A Water
Community Bus 22 - Blue
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Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival Sets 2025 Fundraising Goal; Team Registration Opens Saturday
/The 24th-annual Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival has set its 2025 fundraising goal of $260,018.01 for the PRHC Foundation and registration for the event opens this Saturday.
To date, the Festival has raised over 4.5 million dollars. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival.
Michelle Thornton, festival chair, explains the precise amount of this year’s fundraising goal.
“The two represents the two out of five Canadians who will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. The 60 is to bring attention to the PRHC Foundation’s 60 million dollar ‘ReImagine Health Care’ campaign that we are a part of,” she explained. “In keeping with our mandate of raising awareness about breast cancer, the 18 is for the one in eight women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and the 0.01 is the percentage of men who will also face a breast cancer diagnosis.”
“But most importantly, what’s raised here, stays here,” said Thornton. “We all know someone who has been affected by cancer and if we keep paddling together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of family, friends and neighbours in our region, who are facing this rotten disease.”
The event is hosted by the Survivors Abreast Peterborough Dragon Boat Team. It has fundraised for the PRHC Foundation since 2001.
Ann Stabler, Survivors Abreast team President, said they are proud of the outstanding community work the team has done since its inception in 1999.
“We’ve always focussed on breast cancer awareness and raising funds for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre,” she explained. “We know firsthand the importance of the work the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation (PRHCF) does and their continuing mission to bring the best cancer care the world has to offer right here to our hospital.”
“We’re excited to get back out on the water this June, paddling for a cause that has touched so many lives,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President and CEO. “As cancer volumes continue to rise in Peterborough and the surrounding area, it’s more important than ever to invest in state-of-the-art technology and equipment our regional hospital needs to care for our family, friends and neighbours. The support from Peterborough's Dragon Boat Festival is absolutely vital to ensuring PRHC has the tools to provide world-class cancer care, close to home. We're so grateful for the Festival's commitment to cancer care and the Campaign for PRHC.”
This year’s event is back at Del Crary Park and features Dragon Boat Races, artisan and food vendors, a Family Fun Zone, a beer garden and more.
All pledges support the cause as the Festival is funded through local businesses and organizations.
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Peterborough Police Seeking Two Theft Suspects Involved In Pickpocketing At Lansdowne Place Parking Lot
/The Peterborough Police Service are seeking two suspects involved in a pickpocketing incident at the Lansdowne Place Mall parking lot that occurred Monday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
At roughly 1 p.m., a 75-year-old resident reported that he had been running errands when a man and a woman in the north parking lot at Lansdowne Place Mall near Lansdowne Street and Monaghan Road approached him.
The woman said he had something on his coat and started trying to clean him off when the man approached and started helping her despite the victim declining their help. When they left him, he noticed his wallet was missing and about $4,000 had been taken through his cards before they could be cancelled.
The suspects were described to police as:
Suspect #1
White, female
5’6
150 lbs.
Wearing a dark hat and dark coat, medical mask on her face and what sounded like an Eastern European accent
Suspect #2
White, male
5’10
180 lbs.
Wearing a grey coat with a multi-coloured scarf, wearing a medical mask and also had what sounded like an Eastern European accent
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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United Way In Final Stretch Of Reaching $1.5 Million Fundraising Goal
/United Way Peterborough & District is in the final stretch of its community campaign as it approaches its goal of fundraising $1.5 million, announced on Monday.
United Way had announced its 2025 campaign goal of $1.5 Million to be raised in September last year. Photo by David Tuan bui.
The organization is down to its last $117,000 and have until March to reach the goal since they started in September.
“The work of the campaign is not done yet though; with an ambitious goal of $1.5 million, United Way needs to raise a final $117,000 before March 31st in order to achieve the goal. The campaign goal is so much more than just a number,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “It serves as both a sign of the level of need in our community, but also as a beacon of hope. Achieving the campaign goal means that our community came together, recognized the need, and responded.”
“Being a part of this effort has been truly inspiring,” said Shirley Turner, United Way campaign cabinet. “Seeing our community come together—neighbours, businesses, and even strangers—united by a shared purpose and working hard towards a shared goal is amazing. We set a priority of having fun this campaign and it has paid off.”
All eligible donations made by Feb.28th can be claimed on your 2024 taxes after the federal government extended the deadline.
United Way’s ‘Double Your Difference’ campaign is still in effect. Any Donation made by individuals who did not give in 2023 will be matched entirely. Individuals who gave in 2023 can participate by increasing their gift by 10 per cent or more and the increased amount will be matched.
The public can d onate by March 31 through one or more of the following methods:
Donate in person at 277 Stewart St. on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Donate over the phone by calling 705-742-8839 ext. 3
Donate online at https://give.unitedway.ca/donate/WPETER
Purchase tickets to United Way’s upcoming events such as Peterborough Performs and its associated online auction (details to come)
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Snofest to Bring Winter Fun On Family Day Weekend
/The City of Peterborough is putting on a weekend of winter fun, skating, stories and pancakes as Snofest returns, starting Friday until Monday.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
“Snofest is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and embrace the magic of winter right here in Peterborough. On behalf of City Council, I encourage everyone to bundle up, join the fun, and make lasting memories with family and friends. Let’s celebrate the season and the spirit of our great city,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.
Recycle Your Batteries Canada! is sponsoring the event and encourages residents to bring their used batteries to events for safe recycling.
Snofest begins Friday with a free family swim at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr., from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. There are tea and tabletop games for grown-ups at the McDonnel St. Activity Centre earlier in the day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Peterborough Museum and Archives and the Peterborough DBIA are at at Quaker Foods City Square for ice bubbles and Sno-ga (yoga in the snow) and a live DJ. Residents can also enjoy free public skating on the outdoor rink from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Peterborough Public Library has with Drag Story Time with Betty Baker at 10:15 a.m. and Crafternoon featuring Shibori-inspired paper snowflakes beginning at 1 p.m.
The Mayor’s annual Pancake Breakfast takes place Sunday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join Mayor Leal and the East Peterborough Lion’s Club at the Sport and Wellness Centre for a complimentary plate of hot pancakes.
Residents can explore the Art Gallery of Peterborough and make their own Snofest Pete to take home during Snofest Family Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
There are drop-in sports at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on Monday beginning with pickleball at 6:15 a.m.
New events this year include a pay-what-you-can Snofest Spaghetti Dinner hosted by the East Peterborough Lion’s Club and Young Adults of Peterborough Lion’s Club at the McDonnel St. Activity Centre on Saturday beginning at 6p.m. A Snofest Family Skate, sponsored by Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty, takes place Monday, February 17 at the Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St., from 12 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
“The City of Peterborough has been an outstanding partner for our Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program, and an example of municipal leadership in battery recycling and sustainability,” said Joseph Chung, Vice-President of Account Management, Call2Recycle Canada. “We are thrilled to be part of Snofest and to contribute to Peterborough’s vibrant community and environmental initiatives. Through our collaboration, we will continue keeping batteries out of landfills and protecting the environment.”
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City of Peterborough to Receive Over $10 Million Over Three Years Through the Housing Accelerator Fund
/The City of Peterborough will receive $10,690,354 in funding over three years through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).
Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.
It is a federal program run by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to support building more housing in Peterborough.
“Housing is a critical need in our community. This funding will help Peterborough build the foundation for greater housing development in our community. I would like to thank the federal government and the CMHC for recognizing the urgency here in Peterborough,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.
A City Council report in March will outline details about the initiatives and next steps.
The City’s HAF Action Plan aims to unlock housing development by providing direct incentives for constructing additional dwelling units, missing middle housing such as triplexes and fourplexes, and affordable housing and making systemic changes to municipal policies and procedures according to the City.
The following is the list of initiatives that make up the City’s Action Plan:
Reduce or eliminate residential parking requirements;
End exclusionary zoning and incentivize missing middle housing;
Increase process efficiency by implementing a public-facing e-permitting portal;
Implement a Community Planning Permit System;
Make City-owned land available and foster partnerships to develop housing;
Formalize processes and resources to support housing innovation and alternative construction methods; and,
Modernizing the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan.
The HAF grant will cover the cost of implementing these initiatives. Most of these initiatives are scheduled to be completed or implemented this year.
The City has already received 25 per cent of the funding. The remaining installments will be paid out as the City hits key milestones in its goal to issue residential construction permits for 1,410 housing units within the next three years.
This funding follows a successful application by the City during the second round of funding announced by the CMHC.
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18 Growth-Stage Companies Accepted into Innovation Cluster's LevelUp For $10,000 Prize
/Peterborough and the Kawarthas (Innovation Cluster) has launched the first 2025 cohort of LevelUp, its business accelerator program for technology companies with a minimum viable product (MVP).
File Photo.
LevelUP’s 12-week program is designed to help innovative tech-based businesses commercialize and scale. It includes branding, revenue models, product management, go-to-market plans, customer acquisition, funding and exit strategies. On April 30, this LevelUP cohort concludes with a pitch competition in which eight participating companies will compete for a $10,000 cash prize.
The pitch competition is made possible by the following industry-leading companies that are each sponsoring both 2025 LevelUP cohorts:
Matrix Venture Studio is a boutique consulting firm dedicated to empowering immigrant entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and growing businesses in Canada to achieve their entrepreneurial goals and build successful ventures.
LaunchPath is a business incubator and accelerator that helps businesses launch and grow in Canada by offering various services, from coaching and mentorship to funding and resources.
Innovation Venture Farm Inc. is a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial hub that provides innovators with the resources, mentorship, and funding to turn groundbreaking ideas into successful products.
“The popularity and quality of companies applying to LevelUP demonstrate the need that entrepreneurs in the region have in scaling their businesses,” said Zahra Shafiei, Program Lead. In helping these companies navigate growth challenges and accelerate their businesses, the Innovation Cluster is honoured to be part of their success.”
Open to companies across the province, each ‘LevelUp’ cohort has been oversubscribed.
The companies accepted into the Spring 2025 LevelUp cohort are:
Assertive AI
Cherie AI
DocumentPro
FuturU Global Health, Inc.
Happy Cramps
Her Yes Club
Leapon
MainLogix Technology
MantaHQ
Morphace, Inc.
MYWALLAPP
Ninichef Education Labs, Inc.
Parham PKM
Reziland
Salleo
Sanostrategy Corporation
Storetune Fashion Retail, Inc.
Yadag Technologies, Inc.
Upon completing LevelUP, participating businesses will be prepared to market test and scale their business with a realistic go-to-market strategy and investor pitch.
The second 2025 cohort will begin on Aug. 6 and will be offered free of charge to participants. The Innovation Cluster encourages all growth-stage technology companies that have achieved MVP or are deploying it to apply by July 15.
Eligibility Requirements:
Open to entrepreneurs in sectors such as Clean Tech, Healthcare Tech, AgTech, and Digital IT.
Must be an innovation-driven business with a MVP and a team committed to growth and collaboration.
Must be a company based in Ontario.
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Peterborough Petes Sign American Goaltender to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
/The Peterborough Petes has signed American goaltender Dylan Lee-Stack to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, announced Monday.
Photo courtesy of Kenneth andersen and the Peterborough Petes.
