City Council Approves Information Report On Peterborough Transit Rollout

City council has approved an information report on the rollout of the Youth Transit Pass Program for 2025 and 2026 during their meeting on Monday night.

File Photo.

The Youth Transit Pass Program aims to increase ridership, improve access and education, and support long-term transit use among young residents of Peterborough. According to Council, although youth aged 13–18 currently represent a small share of total ridership, they hold significant potential to help shift travel behaviour, increase transit use, and build a culture of sustainable mobility within the community.

Key program components include:

• complimentary transit access for youth aged 13-18 during evenings, weekends, and summer months;

• annual registration with structured pass distribution and orientation;

• education-focused program design to support independent, confident transit use; and

• phased pilot implementation through 2025 and 2026, followed by an annual program delivery and evaluation.

The program model aligns with current transit operations and supports future growth by targeting off-peak periods for initial implementation. This approach allows Peterborough Transit to build capacity, manage resources effectively, and evaluate program impacts without overextending the system. Over time, the program will expand and adapt alongside service enhancements, allowing for data-driven adjustments and continuous community engagement.

Draft Implementation Timeline:

• Fall 2025 - During this phase, stakeholder engagement (e.g., school boards, student transportation services, youth organizations, families, and Transit staff) will be prioritized to further develop program specifics and arrive at the final program model and delivery methods. Consultations will also take place with the transit pass provider to identify appropriate systems for registration and data tracking. Additionally, a comprehensive communications plan will be developed to support program awareness and rollout.

• Winter 2025 - The focus will shift to developing the operational aspects of the program. This includes creating registration processes and forms, as well as orientation materials and scheduling procedures. Communications materials will also be prepared, and the evaluation plan will be finalized to ensure effective monitoring and assessment.

• Spring 2026 - Final testing of processes and systems will take place to ensure everything is functioning as intended. Internal staff will receive training to support the successful delivery of the program. Promotional materials will be distributed, and registration and orientation will begin for youth aged 13 to 14 (Intermediate Students).

• Summer/fall 2026 – Phased expansion of registration and orientation to youth aged 15 to 18 (Secondary Students) will be completed to fully roll out the program to youth aged 13-18 in Year One. Tracking and evaluation of the pilot year begins to assess program delivery and impact. 

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Wedgewood Park Gets Urban Forestry Makeover With Over 500 Trees Planted By Volunteers

Over 500 trees were planted by over 100 volunteers and community partners at Wedgewood Park on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Located at 1535 Fairmount Blvd., the tree planting initiative, which saw 515 native tree species cultivated around the park. This is part of the Trees 4 Peterborough initiative.

“Trees 4 Peterborough has made a tremendous difference in strengthening our urban forest and creating greener, healthier spaces across our city,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, Trees 4 Peterborough Founder. “Saturday's tree planting at Wedgewood Park is another wonderful example of how this program brings people together to make improvements in our neighbourhoods.”

Earlier this summer, approximately 250 Ash trees were removed from Wedgewood Park due to Emerald Ash Borer infestation.   

Donations to Saturday’s event include the following:     

• $10,000 from RBC  

• $5,000 from The Excelsior Group  

• $2,500 from Super 8 Peterborough  

• Equipment from Merrett Home Hardware  

• Lunch provided by East Side Mario’s   

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Peterborough Teen Awarded $500 Swim Ontario Student Athlete Scholarship For Swimming

Junior competitive swimmer Olivia Jones of the Peterborough Swim Club has been recognized with the $500 Swim Ontario Dan Taylor Student Athlete Scholarship, presented at the Swim Ontario Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon on at the Airport Marriott Hotel in Toronto on Saturday.

Olivia Jones (left) and Coach Kent Crockower (right) with the Award. Photo courtesy of Christina Jones.

A student at St. Peter Catholic Secondary School, Jones has maintained a GPA of 4.0. She began swimming competitively at the age of 10, when she joined the Trent Torpedoes Swim Club (now known as the Peterborough Swim Club).  Olivia recently earned a 10th-place finish in the 800-meter Freestyle event at the Ontario Swimming Championships and an eighth-place finish in the one-kilometre event at the Ontario Open Water Championships this past summer. 

“Swimming has taught me discipline, time management, and perseverance,” she said. “I’m honoured to receive this scholarship, and feel motivated to keep pushing toward new goals- both at school, and in the pool.” 

Photo courtesy of Christina Jones.

Team Aquatic Supplies collaborates with Swim Ontario to fund the $500 scholarships, awarded to outstanding student-athlete swimmers across the province.

Each year, only 12 student-athletes across Ontario—one male and one female from each Swim Ontario region— are selected for the scholarship. Recipients are chosen for their combination of academic achievement and swimming excellence, reflecting the late Dan Taylor’s belief that the sport of swimming builds good habits, confidence, discipline, and leadership.

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Section of Aylmer Street Temporarily Closed to Traffic Starting Monday

A section of Aylmer Street between Lake Street and Westcott Street will be temporarily closed to through traffic starting Monday until Oct. 3, for underground sewer replacement.  

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The following detours will be in place for vehicles and pedestrians: 

• Northbound traffic on Aylmer Street will detour west on Romaine Street, north on Park Street and east on Rink Street, continuing back to Aylmer Street. 

• Southbound traffic on Aylmer Street will detour east on Rink Street, south on George Street and west on Romaine Street, continuing back to Aylmer Street. 

• One sidewalk on the east or west side of Aylmer Street will remain open to pedestrians when servicing work impacts sidewalks. 

Access for local traffic in the construction area will be maintained. 

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Two Peterborough Residents Arrested On Drug Possession Charges

Two Peterborough residents are facing charges after an off-duty officer spotted a person wanted on a warrant on Friday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 5:10 p.m., officers were dispatched to a parking lot in the area of Murray Street and Bethune Street regarding a suspicious vehicle.  They recognized the driver as being wanted on a warrant for failing to stop for police and careless driving.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident and a female passenger was also taken into custody.

During a search after arrest, officers seized:

• 4.4 grams – Fentanyl

• 36.9 grams – Cocaine

• 17.6 grams – Crystal Methamphetamine

• 4.2 grams – Crack Cocaine

• A rifle

• Drug paraphernalia

• Cell phones

A 33-year-old Peterborough man was arrested on the warrant and further charged with:

• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking- Other Drugs

A weapons prohibition order currently binds the accused.

The accused was held in custody and appeared in Weekend and Statutory Holiday (WASH) court on Saturday.

A 28-year-old Peterborough woman was arrested and charged with:

• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance - Methamphetamine

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 28.

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Peterborough Petes Fall In First Road Game of the Season to Brantford Bulldogs

It was not how the Peterborough Petes wanted to start their first road game as they lost 5-1 to the Brantford Bulldogs at the TD Civic Centre on Saturday night.

Photo courtesy of Casey Bruton and the Brantford Bulldogs

The Bulldogs struck first just 2:05 into the game, taking advantage of an odd-man rush. Tommy Karmiris opted to take the shot and scored for a 1-0 game. The Petes tried to clear the defensive zone but Cooper Dennis held the line, fed it to Caleb Malhotra and scored his first career OHL goal to make it 2-0.

Peterborough found the scoreboard late in the period as Yanis Lutz earned his first OHL goal, shooting from outside the faceoff circle, hitting a Bulldog’s skate before finding the back of the net. Francis Parish and Matthew Perreault assisted on the play to make it 2-1 late in the first. On the next faceoff, Brantford got back in the offensive zone and Vladimir Dravecky took a point shot, found its way through traffic and scored to restore the two-goal lead, 3-1. The Bulldogs were not done yet as they added a last-minute tally thanks to Luca Testa. He forced a turnover in his own zone, went off to the races and scored to make it 4-1 after the first period.

With no goals in the second stanza, the lone period’s goal belonged to Brantford and Aiden 'O’Donnell. Dennis took a point shot and Petes goaltender, Easton Rye made the same but a battle for the rebound gave O’Donnell the score and the eventual final of 5-1.

Following the game, Peterborough reassigned 2009-born forward Kieran Raynor to the Haliburton County Huskies of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

“Playing with Haliburton is going to give Kieran the opportunity to get ice time and develop,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “We’ll continue to monitor his progress with the Huskies throughout the season.”

The Petes return home to host the Soo Greyhounds for the first and only time this season at the Peterborough Memorial Centre this Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Transit Buses Returns to Transit Terminal Starting Monday

Peterborough Transit routes will resume dropping off and picking up transit users at the Peterborough Transit Terminal, located at 190 Simcoe St., starting Monday,

File Photo.

The following routes will arrive and depart from the Transit terminal: 

• Route 2 Chemong southbound (Terminal to Lansdowne Place): Bay 3

• Route 2 Chemong northbound (Terminal to Trent University – Bata): Bay 4

• Route 4 Weller eastbound (Terminal to Peterborough Museum): Bay 1

• Route 5 Parkway (Terminal to Fleming): Bay 2

• Route 6 Sherbrooke eastbound: Bay 1 (Terminal to Trent University – Bata)

• Route 23 Red Community Bus: Bay 2 

Transit Ambassadors will be on site at the terminal to assist customers with the transition.

Three street-side boarding stops along Simcoe Street, which were activated last week, will continue to be used for Route 11 Water, Route 10 Technology, Route 12 Otonabee, Community Bus 22, Route 4 Weller (westbound) and Route 6 Sherbrooke (westbound). Buses at these locations stop at the next available position for passenger pickup, rather than at fixed bays. The Route number will be displayed on the front of the bus.

Bus stops were temporarily relocated outside the Terminal due to construction and upgrades to the Transit Terminal.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Faubert HVAC, Cancer Takedown, Hair By Fusion and New Canadians Centre

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Kyle Faubert has been building up his own HVAC business.

He has worked in the field for more than 13 years, specializing in heat pumps, propane and natural gas furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, geothermal, and custom HVAC work. He has even taught at Fleming College part-time for 7 years. He started Faubert HVAC to provide honest, quality HVAC service in a positive work environment. They offer maintenance, repair and installation services. Find out more at fauberthvac.com.

The 4th Annual Cancer Takedown is back at the Flato Academy Theatre in Lindsay on Nov. 4 and Market Hall Performance Centre in Peterborough on Nov. 5.

The event is an uplifting evening of song, story, and solidarity featuring musicians Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr, The Weber Brothers, and more. It’s not just a fundraiser, but also a spirit-raiser for anyone touched by cancer. The event is co-founded by Rick and Amy Kemp.

A big shout out to Sherri Lee of Hair by Fusion.

She got her Red Seal Endorsement, the highest level of licensing available, allowing her to work anywhere in the country as well as the ability to do some work with skilled trades. Sherri not only puts her skills to use with her customers, but she invests in training others and taking on apprentices. This achievement coincides with Hair by Fusion celebrating 18 years in business. Congratulations Sherri!

Are you a business leader or organization that wants to build a more welcoming and inclusive community?

The New Canadians Centre are launching the Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Workplace Inclusion Charter. The launch event is October 9 from 11 am to 3pm at the NCC building at 221 Romaine Street. The Charter is a new toolkit designed to help you create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. The event includes a panel of employers talking about their workplace inclusion initiative, information on getting involved, and a hands-on session with practical, actionable strategies. Reach out to the New Canadians Centre for more information.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.

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Peterborough Petes Name Boston Pizza As Official Road Game Watch Party Location for 2025-26

The Peterborough Petes have named Boston Pizza as the Official Road Game Watch Party location for all of the team’s away games for the 2025-26 season.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Both Boston Pizza locations at 1164 Chemong Rd and 821 Rye St are hosting watch parties on various nights, covering every Petes road game throughout the 2025-26 season.

Watch parties feature door prizes and giveaways, including signed memorabilia by the Petes players. There will also be visits from the team mascot, Roger, throughout the season.

The first Watch Party is Saturday at the Chemong Road location, when the Petes take on the Brantford Bulldogs at the TD Civic Centre at 7 p.m.

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Provincial Offences Act Office Relocating to City Hall On Oct. 1

The Provincial Offences Act office, responsible for processing Provincial Offences Act fines, tickets, forms, trials, and resolution meetings, will relocate to City Hall, effective Oct. 1. 

File Photo.

The current location at 99 Simcoe St. will be permanently closed as of 4:30 p.m. on September 29.

To facilitate the relocation, the office will be closed on Sept. 30. The new location at City Hall will open at 8:30 a.m. The Provincial Offences Act counter for inquiries and payments will be located on the first floor of the north wing, Carnegie Annex of City Hall, next to the Plan-Build customer service counter.  

Those seeking the Provincial Offences Act Office are asked to use the door facing George Street at the north end of the building, closest to the intersection of McDonnel and George Streets. For accessible entry, the door between the north wing and the main City Hall entrance will lead customers to an elevator, providing access to the first floor of the north wing. 

The Provincial Offences Act counter is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is closed on statutory holidays. It can be reached by phone at 705-742-7777, ext. 2099 or by email at poacourt@peterborough.ca.

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