Peterborough Blogs
PTBOSpotlight: DC Aluminum
/Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.
This week, we are featuring DC Aluminum. It is owned by Cameron Doak.
Located at 171A Rink Street, Unit 192, DC Aluminum is a leading exterior renovation company specializing in high-quality siding and eavestrough systems.
“With a focus on aluminum and vinyl, we provide durable, low-maintenance solutions designed to protect and beautify homes and commercial properties,” said Doak. “Our commitment to excellence ensures that every project is completed with precision, care, and attention to detail.”
The company was founded initially in Barrie. Its community was hit with a tornado which left it devastated. It took roughly a year for DC Aluminum to rebuild the subdivision and its exteriors. Ultimately, the business had relocated to Peterborough.
“We quickly became a trusted face in the community. Completing over 50 projects in the destroyed community,” explained Doak. “We moved to Peterborough about three years ago and haven't regretted it. We are looking forward to working within our new community.”
The business boasts that all of its products are 100 per cent Canadian.
“We only use Canadian-made materials,” said Doak. “All of our aluminum and siding is manufactured in Canada.”
To learn more about DC Aluminum, find it online:
Website: www.dcaluminum.ca
Facebook: DC Aluminum
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Peterborough Police Urge Community to Stay Safe During Head of the Trent Regatta
/With the Head of the Trent Regatta and homecoming this weekend, the Peterborough Police Service and Trent University urge the community to celebrate the weekend safely.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Despite no official celebrations taking place off-campus, both Trent and the Police Service are aware that many unsanctioned gatherings occur outside the campus. The two organizations have collaborated to ensure a safe weekend for all.
“We are excited for this weekend. It’s good for the community; it’s good for Trent. They are a close working partner with us,” said Staff Sergeant Mark Reesor. The weather is going to be great, and we ask that people enjoy the activities and weekend responsibly.”
He continues to state that as a result of these celebrations, there will be an increased police presence on campus and in certain areas throughout the weekend.
“We ourselves are bringing in our crowd management team, and then there will be additional paid duty offices both on-campus and off-campus,” he explained. “I think we have about four officers on campus and seven officers in addition to our crowd management team and then at night, an additional four, bringing us up to 11. We also have our auxiliary unit to support us so there will be a larger-than-normal police presence to respond appropriately and ensure everyone's safety.”
Part of the advanced planning also included meetings with neighbours and students. The Peterborough Police Auxiliary Unit has visited areas that have seen an increase in unsanctioned student activity in previous years to offer suggestions on improving property safety. Police say the feedback on this effort has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating that it was appreciated and well-received.
During large events, 9-1-1 communicators tend to receive more calls regarding noise, disturbances, mischief, property damage and impaired driving.
The Police Service ask the community to help ensure the safety of all and to call if they spot any suspicious or concerning activity.
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Peterborough Petes Comeback Bid Falls Short In Shootout Loss to Erie Otters
/The Peterborough Petes erased a two-goal deficit but could not complete the comeback in the shootout as they fell to the Erie Otters, 3-2, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.
The Petes are fourth in the East Division with a 2-2-0-1 record. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough PEtes.
The game was also the debut of Kaden McGregor, the Petes' first-overall pick in this year’s OHL Priority Selection. He was playing centre on the team’s third line.
The Otters struck first late in the opening period as the Petes' goaltender, Easton Rye, tried to clear the zone but could not. Callum Hughes scooped it for the Otters and got it to Dylan Edwards for an easy one-timer and a 1-0 lead.
Erie struck again as Tristen Trevino held the zone and passed it to Alex Misiak, alone in the slot. He beat Rye and the Otters had a 2-0 lead. Peterborough had an opportunity to get on the board with the man advantage. Yanis Lutz carried it into the zone and feinted a shot but got it to Matthew Soto who had an easy one-timed tip-in goal for a 2-1 game.
The third period had only one goal and it belonged to the Petes who struck again on the power play. James Petrovski took a slapshot at the point and was padded aside. Caden Taylor got the rebound, shot it and it was saved again. Leon Kolarik got on that rebound and hit the top shelf for a goal and tied the game, 2-2. Petrovski recorded his 100th-career OHL point with the secondary assist.
Regulation ended with overtime and with nothing settled, the game had to be decided in a shootout:
Shootout results:
PBO - Caden Taylor (No Goal)
ER - Gabriel Frasca (Goal)
PBO - Colin Fitzgerald (No Goal)
ER - McLean Agrette (Goal)
The Petes are back on the road for a Sept. 20 rematch when they face the Brantford Bulldogs for the OHL’s Friday Night Faceoff. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the TD Civic Centre.
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McDonnel Street at George Street to Experience Temporary Nightly Road Closures Starting Monday
/McDonnel Street will be temporarily closed to through traffic at George Street nightly, starting Monday and continuing until Friday, Oct. 10, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The closure will allow for road resurfacing and the installation of a commemorative crosswalk.
George Street will remain open to through traffic and may be reduced to one lane during various stages of construction. Posted detours will be in place.
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Grady's Feet Essentials to Change Hands But Keeps Business In the Family
/With over 40 years in Peterborough, Tony and Kelli Grady of Grady’s Feet Essentials are passing the business on to family, Theresa Thibadeau and Mark Walsh, effective Sept. 1 next year.
(From left to right) Tony Grady, Kelli Grady, Theresa Thibadeau and Mark Walsh. Photo courtesy of Grady’s Feet Essentials.
The announcement was made on the business's Facebook page in a post. Thibadeau is Tony’s cousin, with Walsh as her husband. Thibadeau has been working at the store for the past 12 years, serving as manager in the last three.
“Theresa brings exceptional customer service skills and strong accounting experience,” explained Kelli. “She knows what makes Grady's special and is passionate about carrying that forward as she takes over ownership along with her husband Mark.”
In 1984, Ken Grady Sr. founded Grady’s Orthopedic Service from his home, crafting custom orthotics for local customers. He opened the first Grady’s Shoes storefront in downtown Peterborough a year later.
Two yeas later, Tony started helping after school each day. He purchased the store with his wife, Kelli, in 1997 and was rebranded as Grady’s Feet Essentials. They opened a kiosk at Lansdowne Place Mall in 2000. This led to further expansion into an entire storefront on the mall’s upper level in 2005 and a major renovation with the help of a retail designer in 2011.
In 2018, they purchased the former Angela Mark boutique building at 231 King Street in Peterborough which is their current location. Until the pandemic hit, they were restoring the building and using it for storage and office space. The pandemic forced them to think creatively, establishing a curbside pickup location and a satellite store at King Street. By February 2022, Grady’s Feet Essentials had officially relocated from Lansdowne Place to their newly renovated King Street location.
With next year being Tony’s 40th year involved in the business, it marked a great way to cap off a career, according to Kelli.
“That felt like the right milestone to pass the torch and explore new adventures,” she explained. “With our daughters pursuing careers outside the footwear world, we looked for someone who could carry on the Grady's legacy - and we're thrilled to have found that with Theresa and Mark.”
Tony and Kelli are remaining in the community as they are both members of the Rotary Club of Peterborough. Kelli serves as the director of membership and club service while Tony was appointed the new president in July. There are no concrete plans on what the couple plans to do after Grady’s Feet but are ready to take on what life brings them.
“We're keeping ourselves open to new possibilities - it will be fun to try new things and see where our interests and skills take us next,” said Kelli.
During the final year under the Grady’s, they are helping Thibadeau and Walsh with the transition of ownership, who will take over in September of next year.
“We are deeply grateful to the Peterborough community for supporting our store over the years,” said Kelli. “Grady's Feet Essentials has always been more than just a store - it's been about the relationships, conversations and trust we've built with our customers. As we step into a new chapter, we're excited to see the Grady's tradition continue with Theresa and Mark. This isn't goodbye - you'll still see us around the community and cheering on Grady's.”
Ennismore Seniors Skating Remain Free After Continued Sponsorship
/The Township of Selwyn is maintaining free Seniors Skating at the Ennismore Community Centre, following the continuation of sponsorship by Swish Maintenance and Blue Diamond Window Cleaning.
Photo courtesy of teh Township of Selwyn.
Seniors Skating will be held every Monday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (except holidays) at the Ennismore Community Centre, beginning Monday until March 27.
This program is free of charge for everyone aged 55 and over.
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City of Peterborough Seeks Community Input to Shape Tourism Strategy
/The City of Peterborough is developing a tourism strategy to guide the growth of Peterborough as a competitive, sustainable and four-season destination and is seeking community input.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
Over the coming weeks and months, the community will have opportunities to participate in conversations and other engagement activities that will help shape the future of tourism in Peterborough.
The City has engaged Bannikin, an Ontario-based tourism consultancy with extensive experience in developing tourism strategies for communities and destination marketing organizations according to a press release. A proposed Tourism Strategy is expected to be presented to City Council in spring 2026. As the busy summer tourism season comes to a close for another year, this project will focus on community engagement activities, including connecting with tourism-sector businesses and the broader community.
“Tourism is vital to the City of Peterborough – it enhances quality of life, generates economic returns for businesses, and creates jobs for community members,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This new Tourism Strategy will provide a road map for collaborating on tourism development, management, and marketing.”
Meaningful community engagement is at the foundation of this tourism strategy development work and several opportunities for community participation are built into this project across fall 2025.
An online survey is now open and responses will be accepted through to the end of October. Additional information and updates, including dates and times for in-person ‘community café’ sessions, will be available in the coming weeks and will be published on the Connect Peterborough website.
An overview of engagement activities is included below:
Online Community+ Survey throughout the month of October
Virtual Key Informant Interviews throughout October
To engage selected voices from the community, including elected officials, City staff, local partners and collaborators, and leaders from Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation
Virtual Focus Groups in early to mid-November
To engage representatives of key interest groups and representatives of tourism business clusters
In-person Community Cafés in mid-November
To engage with residents, including re-engaging with those who have participated in other engagement activities like the online survey
“The City has had some incredible wins since bringing tourism service delivery in-house, including successfully landing the Women’s Major Series Lacrosse Tournament, the TELUS Cup, and securing media coverage like CP24 Breakfast,” said Brendan Wedley, Strategic Communications and Service Peterborough Director. “The new Peterborough Tourism Strategy allows for us to play to our strengths, develop opportunities, collaborate with businesses and community organizations, and ultimately, define how we position our destination for visitation and sustainable growth in 2026 and beyond.”
The development of this comprehensive, city-focused Tourism Strategy is the latest initiative undertaken by the City of Peterborough since tourism service delivery was brought ‘in-house’ at the beginning of 2025. Other initiatives undertaken by the City’s destination marketing program include several successful sports tourism bid opportunities coming to Peterborough in 2025 and 2026, media hosting including a live broadcast with CP24 Breakfast, the launch of a new year-round Visitor Centre operating out of the Peterborough Memorial Centre and a suite of digital and print marketing pieces.
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Peterborough Petes Trade Defenceman to Sudbury Wolves to Reacquire Draft Pick
/The Peterborough Petes have made their first trade since the regular season’s start, reacquiring their fifth-round pick in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection from the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for defenceman Liam Ladds, announced on Thursday morning.
Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough PEtes.
The 2007-born defenceman from Ilderton, was originally selected by the Petes in the fifth round, 88th overall, in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. He has played in 115 games over two-plus seasons for Peterborough, scoring two goals and adding 15 assists for 17 points.
“With the depth that we have on the back end right now, we’ve had to make a move to free up some space,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “I want to thank Liam for his two years with the Peterborough Petes and wish him all the best as he continues his OHL career in Sudbury.”
The Petes return home for Pride Night on Thursday to take on the Erie Otters. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
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Douro-Dummer Man Faces Impaired Driving Charges After a Dozen Alcohol Cans Were Discovered In His Vehicle
/A 45-year-old Douro-Dummer man is facing impaired charges after an incident early Wednesday morning.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
At roughly 12:05 a.m. on Wednesday, a general patrol officer spotted a vehicle being driven erratically in the Water and Hilliard Street area. The officer activated their emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop. Upon speaking with the driver, the officer noticed signs of impairment and conducted a roadside test. During a search after the arrest, officers located a dozen open alcohol cans in the vehicle.
The man was arrested and charged with:
Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs (Initial test)
Failure or Refusal to comply with Demand (Secondary test)
Driving Motor Vehicle with Open Container of Liquor
Drive Motor Vehicle, No Currently Validated Permit
Drive without proper headlights – Motor Vehicle
