Otonabee Conservation Continues to Recommend Residents to Reduce Water Usage

Since Thursday, Otonabee Conservation recommends a 20 per cent voluntary reduction in water consumption to help ease pressure on local water supplies.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Otonobee Conservation declared a Level 2 Low Water Condition on Thursday and remains in effect for the region. 

During these dry conditions, residents and visitors are reminded that smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited in all City of Peterborough parks, sports fields, playgrounds, splashpads, wading pools and beaches (except in designated smoking areas).

These restrictions help reduce the risk of fire and support public health. It is enforced under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and the Peterborough Smoking Bylaw.

Due to arid conditions, a barbecue ban is in effect at Riverview Park and Zoo. Barbecues are not permitted anywhere on the grounds, including picnic shelters. 

Open-air burning is not permitted in the City of Peterborough. This includes any outdoor fires such as bonfires, campfires and the burning of yard waste. According to the City, these activities pose a risk to public safety and can have serious consequences, especially in densely populated areas. 

Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) approved fire bowls, fire-pit tables, and barbeques that burn propane or natural gas are examples of approved appliances that may be used. Chimineas and other wood-burning devices are not approved appliances for open-air fires. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Transit Routes Making Seasonal Changes Beginning Sunday

Peterborough Transit will implement seasonal service enhancements, including extended hours of service and increased frequency on some routes, beginning Sunday.

File Photo.

Route 5 The Parkway 

Late-night Northbound service will be reinstated on weekdays and weekends from Sunday until the end of April. Northbound Route 5 finishes at 2:30 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday and Holidays. 

Route 6 Sherbrooke 

Late-night service will be reinstated on weekdays and weekends from Sunday, until the end of April. Westbound Route 6 finishes at 3:17 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 1:17 a.m. on Sundays and Holidays. 

Route 7 Lansdowne 

Route 7 Lansdowne rush hour 7B trip at 7:20 a.m. from Willowcreek Boulevard to Fleming College will be reinstated as of Sept. 2.  

Route 7 Lansdowne and Route 9 Parkhill  

Westbound and Eastbound: morning and afternoon trips serving high schools will be reinstated starting Sept. 2.  

Route 11 Water 

Route 11 and 11A Water serving Trent University will be reinstated on Tuesday Sept. 2 and run until the end of April 2026. 

Detours and terminal construction 

Peterborough Transit will adjust its routes to accommodate construction detours as they arise. The following routes have detours in place while construction projects are underway: 

Routes 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 22 and 23 are relocated to temporary stops at the downtown Terminal due to construction. Signs are posted on-site, and the Customer Service Desk at the Transit Terminal remains open.

Route 6 Sherbrooke Eastbound detour at Hillard Street 

A temporary bus stop is located on Barnardo at the Activity Haven shelter.  

• Eastbound will travel from Water Street to Barnardo Avenue to Dumble to Hillard where it returns to regular route. 

Route 7 Lansdowne and Route 9 Parkhill at Eastbank Drive 

From Nassau Mills Road, turns right on Pioneer Road, left onto East Bank Drive and then left onto Gzowski Way, where it returns to its regular route.  

Route 9 Parkhill detour at Brealey Drive 

Temporary bus stops are located on Sherbrooke Street just east of Brealey Drive during the construction period. 

• Westbound routes will travel from Brealey Drive to Sherbrooke Street to Denure Drive to Kawartha Heights Boulevard to Cherryhill Road to Brealey Drive, where it returns to its regular route. 

• Eastbound routes will travel from Brealey Drive to Cherryhill Road to Kawartha Heights Boulevard to Denure Drive, to Sherbrooke Drive to Brealey Drive, where it returns to its regular route. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City Council Approves Zoning By-law Amendment For East City 17-Storey High-Rise

City Council has endorsed rezoning 90 Hunter St. E. which would include a 17-storey mixed-use building, during their meeting on Monday evening.

With a proposed 205 residential units, the 90 Hunter St. E. proposal would represent approximately four per cent of the City’s housing target. Photo courtesy of Raw Design Inc. and the City of Peterborough.

The rezoning involves changing its current designation from church use to include residential use.

The property is at the northwest corner of the intersection of Mark Street and Hunter Street East. Currently, Mark Street United Church occupies the property, which is subject to the Downtown Core Area Designation and partially subject to the Residential designation of the Official Plan.

The 17-storey, mixed-use building, built on the western portion of the property, would contain 205 residential apartments and 232 square metres of ground-floor commercial space. The eastern portion of the property would accommodate the retained church on a smaller lot. The zoning boundary would follow the proposed line of severance.

The property is centrally located along the primary commercial street of the East City neighbourhood. The street is currently primarily made up of low-rise commercial with three storeys or less, with many properties having large surface parking areas. Properties to the north are predominantly low-density residential.

Recent planning approvals have introduced mid- and high-rise mixed-use and residential developments to the area, including the Railyards residential-commercial mixed-use development at six storeys, the 195 Hunter St. E. development at nine storeys and the Skyline – Times Square building at 12 storeys.

According to the City, various technical studies have been submitted in support of the application, such as an urban design analysis, an environmental assessment, a heritage impact study, a noise impact study, a traffic impact study and a hydrogeological assessment.

On Nov. 27, 2023, Council pledged to support the construction of 4,700 new dwellings by 2031 as requested by the Minister on June 16, 2023. Provincially, municipal housing pledges are a key tool for ensuring the construction of 1.5 million new homes by 2031, addressing the ongoing housing supply and affordability crisis. At this time, the City is 29 per cent of the way towards the target (1,356 of 4,700 units).

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Provincial Government Investing $3,011,250 to Build More Homes In Peterborough

The Ontario government is investing $3,011,250 in water infrastructure to help build approximately 1,400 new homes in the City of Peterborough, announced beside the Maria Street bridge on Monday afternoon.

MPP Dave Smith (left) and Mayor Jeff Leal (right) before the media beside the Maria Street Bridge on Ashburnham Road. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Funding is being delivered through the province’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), a stream of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“Our government is committed to building a stronger, more prosperous Peterborough, and this investment is a clear demonstration of that commitment,” he said. “By providing the foundational infrastructure to enable 1,400 new homes, we are not only addressing our housing supply needs but also stimulating economic growth and creating jobs right here at home. This is about building a community where future generations can live, work, and thrive.”

The City of Peterborough will use the funding for the Eastern Trunk Sani-Sewer project, which is intended to serve the Liftlock growth area. According to Mayor Jeff Leal, the project aims to improve water and wastewater infrastructure to support the city's growth and housing development goals.

“The Eastern Trunk Sani-Sewer project will ensure that we have the critical infrastructure in place for sustainable growth as we continue to meet our housing targets,” said Leal. “This funding is a vital step toward building a thriving, resilient community where families can put down roots and businesses can grow.”

The MHIP includes investments in housing and community-enabling infrastructure that will help municipalities deliver the core infrastructure needed, such as roads and water systems, to lay the foundation for new homes in communities across the province, according to the Ontario Government.

This round of funding brings the total number of homes enabled in Ontario through the MHIP to about 800,000.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

List of City Services During Labour Day Monday 2025

On Labour Day Monday, many City of Peterborough services and facilities will operate on holiday hours or will be closed.

File Photo.

City Hall 

City Hall offices, including Service Peterborough, Building Services and the Clerk’s Office will be closed on Monday, September 1. Online services are available at peterborough.ca. 

Waste collection and facilities 

There are no changes to the curbside waste collection schedule. 

The City/County Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. will be closed. 

The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. will be closed. The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot’s normal operating hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Transit 

Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on Monday, September 1. The Customer Service desk will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit peterborough.ca/transit for details or call Transit Customer Service at 705-745-0525. 

Airport 

Peterborough Regional Airport will be open regular hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit peterborough.ca/airport for more information. 

Art Gallery of Peterborough 

Art Gallery of Peterborough at 250 Crescent St. will be closed on the Labour Day Holiday. For information about gallery exhibitions and programs visit agp.on.ca. 

Peterborough Public Library 

The Peterborough Public Library,345 Aylmer St. N., and the Miskin Law Community Complex branch, 271 Lansdowne St. W., will be closed on Monday, September 1. Information and digital resources are available online at ptbolibrary.ca.  

Peterborough Museum and Archives 

The Peterborough Museum and Archives at 300 Hunter St. E., will be open noon to 5 p.m. on the Labour Day Holiday. Information on exhibits and events is online at peterborough.ca/museum. 

Recreation facilities and arenas 

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre at 775 Brealey Dr. and the Miskin Law Community Complex at 271 Lansdowne St. W. will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, September 1. 

The Kinsmen Civic Centre, Healthy Planet Arena, McDonnel Street Community Centre and the Recreation Facility Booking office will be closed. Ticket sales are available online at memorialcentre.ca.

Beaches, splash pads and wading pools  

Splash pads in City parks are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The splash pad at the Riverview Park and Zoo is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

The lifeguard program at Beavermead Park has ended, the beach is unsupervised. City wading pools are closed for the season. 

Marina  

Customer service at Peterborough Marina will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

Riverview Park and Zoo 

The Riverview Park and Zoo is open from 8:30 a.m. to dusk. Guest Services is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Otter Enrichment takes place at 1:30 p.m. The splash pad at the Zoo will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

The Hatch Coffee Shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The Miniature Train is closed for the season for construction work on the Water Street dam. 

There is a barbeque ban in effect for all Zoo and Park areas until further notice, including picnic shelter rentals.

Parking Services 

Parking in City-operated parking garages, surface lots and on-street parking spaces is free on holidays. The Parking Services office located in the King Street Parkade will be closed on the Labour Day Holiday. Visit peterborough.ca/parking to find more information, including locations. 

Provincial Offences office  

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on Monday, September 1 and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2.  Fine payments can be made online at peterborough.ca/POA.  

Social Services  

Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed on Monday, September 1. Beginning Tuesday, September 2, Social Services will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

City-operated child care centres will be closed.  

Emergency shelter services remain open: to access emergency shelter services outside of regular business hours or on holidays, please call After Hours service at 705-926-0096.  

Public Works

Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada® Gives Peterborough First Responders Equipment Grant

Peterborough Fire Services has been named a 2024 grant recipient by Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada®, receiving $35,956 to increase lifesaving capabilities in Peterborough.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada has awarded 369 grants to public safety organizations since 2015. Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

The grant was used to purchase Paratech Lifting Bags for the department.

“We are grateful to the Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs® in Peterborough for awarding us this grant,” said Chris Snetsinger, Peterborough Fire Services, Fire Chief. “The new Paratech Lifting Bags will fulfill a critical need within our department and allow our first responders to safely lift and stabilize extremely heavy objects during rescue operations, improving our ability to quickly free trapped victims and enhance community safety during emergencies.”  

This grant is one of 18 Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada grants awarded to public safety organizations during the most recent grant cycle. The 18 grants will provide lifesaving equipment valued at more than $504,000 across Canada.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Red Dress Community Art Installation Relocated and Extended to City Hall

The City of Peterborough has relocated and extended the Red Dress community art installation to the City Hall lobby, announced on Monday. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Created in recognition of Red Dress Day, Canada’s National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, the Red Dress installation invites the public to pause, reflect and bear witness to the lives lost and the voices that continue to call for justice.

Each piece of red fabric, yarn, or beading in the dress was contributed by members of the community, making it not only a symbol of loss but also of solidarity and shared responsibility. 

The collaborative art installation originated at the Peterborough Public Library in May.

“Bringing the installation to City Hall ensures it remains visible in the heart of our civic space,” said Councillors Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk in a joint statement. “It is a reminder that remembrance and reconciliation are not passive acts. They require presence, dialogue, and continued effort from all of us.” 

“This installation holds space for grief and remembrance, but also for learning and collective action. By moving the dress to City Hall, we are continuing to centre the importance of truth-telling and inviting all residents to take part in this journey,” said Shelley Knott, Indigenous Relations Advisor with the City. “The Red Dress is a reminder of the disproportionate violence faced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, a crisis rooted in colonialism and systemic inequity. According to Statistics Canada, more than 63 per cent of Indigenous women in Canada have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime.” 

Visitors can view the installation at City Hall, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are also invited to engage in learning, allyship, and advocacy.  

According to a press release, the City encourages all community members to: 

• Learn more about the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+ and its final report.   

• Support Indigenous-led organizations doing front-line and advocacy work 

• Attend public events, smudges, and ceremonies 

• Reflect on how to foster safety and accountability in the community 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Fall Recreation Program Registration Has Opened

Registration for fall recreation programs with the City of Peterborough is currently open.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Classes include fitness, judo, Taekwondo or partaking in one of the City’s skating or tennis programs. Children’s dance classes and registered pickleball, birthday party packages and personal training programs are also available.

Information on aquatic programs can be found at peterborough.ca/swim.  

Registration for all programming can be done online, in person at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre or by calling 705-742-0050 ext. 2201. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City of Peterborough Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day On Aug. 31

The City of Peterborough joins communities across the world in remembering the thousands of lives lost to drug overdose on International Overdose Awareness Day, which takes place on Aug. 31.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, reduce stigma and remember the friends, family, and community members we’ve lost,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The overdose crisis doesn’t just shatter families; it fractures our entire community.”

Moms Stop the Harm and Peterborough Aids Resource Network will hold a flag-raising ceremony on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at City Hall. A purple flag will be raised in memory of those lost to drug poisoning and in recognition of the grief carried by their loved ones.

A Community Memorial and Awareness Event will be held at Confederation Square, across the street from City Hall, on Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City Council Approves Recommendation to Make Physician Recruitment Program Regular

The Council approved an update on the City's physician recruitment pilot program and recommended making it a regular, ongoing program starting in 2026 during their Monday meeting.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to City Council, the recruitment and retention of family physicians in Peterborough is a critical issue for the community, which is highlighted in the City’s Strategic Plan as high-performing healthcare systems support community wellbeing and drive economic growth.

Analysis included in the report highlights that over 13,000 additional patients risk becoming unattached if aging physicians retire without replacements.

During the current pilot project, the following have started practicing in the community as of May 2025:

• Six new Family Health Organization (FHO) physicians, keeping approximately 8,000 patients from becoming unattached

• One independent practice physician from the United Kingdom, who has rostered over 2,200 patients

• Three Community Health Centre (CHC) physicians who are looking after vulnerable sector patients, and they will add more once clinic construction is complete

Council endorsed converting the internal physician recruitment pilot program to a permanent program. This would establish a permanent in-house physician recruitment program, ensuring a sustained and coordinated municipal approach. The program will work closely with partners, including the Peterborough Ontario Health Team, Family Physician Think Tank and PRHC, to design and implement a strategic work plan.

The program includes a multi-pronged physician recruitment and retention strategy, including continued financial incentives, refinement of the Whole of Village incentive program, and enhanced participation in international recruitment efforts through partnerships such as the Eastern Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance (EOPRA).

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.