Fire Breaks Out From Downtown Lakefield's Home Hardware
/A significant structural fire broke out at the Home Hardware in downtown Lakefield from Thursday.
Photo courtesy of Selwyn Fire Department.
Peterborough Blogs
List of City Services For 2025 Thanksgiving Day
/Many City of Peterborough services and facilities will operate on holiday hours or will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Monday.
Wild turkeys have their feathers shimmer from the sun. Photo by Dave Ellis.
Airport
Peterborough Regional Airport will be open regular hours, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit peterborough.ca/airport for more information.
Art Gallery of Peterborough
Art Gallery of Peterborough, 250 Crescent St., will be closed on Monday. For information about gallery exhibitions and programs visit agp.on.ca.
City Hall
City Hall offices, including Service Peterborough, Building Services, the Clerk’s Office and Provincial Offences Office will be closed on Monday. Online services are available at peterborough.ca. Fine payments can be made online at peterborough.ca/POA.
Marina
Customer service at Peterborough Marina will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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 Parking Garage, 202 King St., will be closed on Monday. Visit peterborough.ca/parking for more information, including locations.
Peterborough Museum and Archives
The Peterborough Museum and Archives at 300 Hunter St. E. will be open with extended hours over the Thanksgiving weekend, Oct. 11 to 13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A major new exhibit, Carnivorous Dinosaurs, opens Saturday, Oct. 11.
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. Information and digital resources are available online at ptbolibrary.ca.
Public Works
Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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.
The Kinsmen Civic Centre, Healthy Planet Arena, McDonnel Street Community Centre, Peterborough Memorial Centre, the Box Office and the Recreation Facility Booking office will be closed on Monday. Ticket sales are available online at memorialcentre.ca.
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 3 p.m., Oct. 11 to 13. Otter Enrichment takes place daily at 1:30 p.m.
The splash pad is closed for the season.
The Hatch Coffee Shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday.
The Miniature Train is closed for the season.
Social Services
Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed on Monday.
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, call the after-hours service at 705-926-0096.
Transit
Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on Monday. 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.
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.
Water Services
Water Services Customer Service will be closed on Monday. For after-hours emergencies including water main breaks, leaking hydrants, low water pressure, emergency water shut-offs, water quality concerns, or rental water heater issues, call 705-748-9300. For more information visit peterborough.ca/waterservices.
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Instagram Reel Goes Viral For Peterborough Humane Society; Gets Over 1.2 Million Views
/The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is going viral after an Instagram reel got 1.2 million views, which was originally posted on Sept. 20.
The video was created in collaboration with Kate Ward of SimplyStrongMBC. It takes a fun and unexpected approach to promoting pet adoption showing that adopting just one kitten can leave you ‘off balance,’ even leading to ‘back pain’ from holding only one cat. The cure is to adopt two kittens which will help you regain your balance and protect your back.
“The message may be playful, but it carries an important truth,” said Désirée Kretschmar, PHS communication and development coordinator. “Kittens thrive when they have a companion, and this video captures that in a way that makes people smile, laugh, and think about adoption."
Since being posted, the video has gained over 43,800 likes and over 280 comments.
“We’re so grateful to Kate for her creativity and partnership,” said Kretschmar. “This collaboration shows the power of humour and community in helping spread an important message: there’s always room for more love and more kittens.”
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Peterborough Woman Charged After Showing Knife to Victims During Building Altercation
/A 28-year-old Peterborough woman is facing charges after an altercation with several neighbours in her building on Wednesday evening.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
At roughly 9:30 p.m., officers were called to a residential building on Monaghan Road south of Lansdowne Street.
Officers learned there had been several run-ins between the suspect and two neighbours, including the suspect showing the victims a knife, verbally threatening them and breaking door cameras.
The woman was arrested and charged with:
Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm x2
Mischief Under $ 5,000
The accused is currently being held in custody and will appear in court on Thursday.
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Peterborough County Launches Circular County Community Hub
/To empower residents and local businesses to adopt sustainable living practices based on the principles of a circular economy, Peterborough County has developed a Circular County Community Hub on Engage Peterborough County.
October is recognized nationally as Circular Economy Month. Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.
The Hub is built around sharing, reusing, repairing and recycling. The platform connects community members with local resources to help them reduce waste, extend the life of everyday items, save money and build a greener, more resilient Peterborough County according to a press release.
The County says its current ‘take-use-dispose’ system is no longer sustainable. The project’s goal is that residents and businesses will engage in the platform and share their ideas to help offer practical, local solutions that help Peterborough County shift toward a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as
possible.
Key features of the Hub:
Interactive Share, Reuse, Repair, Recycle Map: Find local businesses and organizations that support sustainable practices, from repair shops to donation centers.
Community Engagement: Participate in forums, share ideas, and stay informed.
News Feed: Stay informed on upcoming Circular Economy events.
Trent University Names Its 2025-26 Ashley Fellow
/The Honourable Tom Mulcair PC has been named Trent University’s 46th Ashley Fellow, a prestigious annual visiting scholar who offers insight and ideas to members of the Trent community through one-on-one and group interactions.
Photo courtesy of Trent University.
Munclair has been a prominent voice in Canadian public life and former leader of the New Democratic Party.
“Trent University’s Traill College and Champlain College are thrilled to be co-hosting the Honourable Mulcair as Ashley Fellow for this academic year,” said Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of Catharine Parr Traill College. “The collegiate environment at Trent offers a rich interdisciplinary academic and social environment for this fellowship. “Traill is home to the School for the Study of Canada and the Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North, aligning with Mulcair’s knowledge of Canada. At the same time, Champlain’s founding principle of bringing together French- and English-speaking cultures provides an inviting platform for Mulcair’s roots and connections in Quebec.”
Mulcair has taught at several Quebec universities and has held many notable roles, including lawyer, provincial cabinet minister, federal parliamentarian and party leader.
Through the Ashley Fellowship, Mulcair will offer students, as well as the campus and broader community, insight into both yesterday’s and today’s political leadership, public administration, and the evolving landscape of Canadian federalism.
“I am honoured to be invited to return to Trent as the Ashley Fellow,” said Mulcair. “When I was last hosted by the School for the Study of Canada, I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet with students in a variety of different ways, which I'll be doing again during this term. That experience left a lasting impression on me, and I am enthusiastic about returning to engage once again with Trent and Peterborough’s vibrant community of learners, leaders, and changemakers.”
Mulcair will make two visits to Trent during his Ashley Fellow residency. His first visit, scheduled from Oct. 28 to 31, will feature workshops, informal student sessions and guest lectures in Politics and Canadian Studies courses.
On the evening of Oct. 29, he will deliver a public talk at Champlain College. With advanced registration, all members of the community are welcome to attend. Mulcair will return for his second visit as an Ashley Fellow March 24 to 26, highlighted by more student engagement opportunities and a special college dinner.
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Rotary Club of Peterborough Seeking Nominations For 2025 Paul Harris Fellowship
/The Rotary Club of Peterborough is seeking nominations for its prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Recognition for 2025 in honour of the founder of Rotary International in 1905.
All of the Paul Harris recipients from last year’s event. Vocational Service: Dr. Douglas Chenoweth; Youth Services: Don Barrie; Environmental Service: Mike Henry; Community Service: Gordon Bowley & Sandra (Sam) Whitmore; International Service: Laurie Heigh and Club Service: Wayne Harding Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.
According to Rotary, the Fellowship recognizes local individuals for their leadership and service contributions within our community, the surrounding area and the world at large. It is considered the highest honour Rotarians can give.
Nominations in the following categories can be completed online with the deadline next Wednesday.
Categories include:
Community Service: To recognize an individual who makes a significant leadership contribution to the advancement and betterment of the Peterborough Community.
International Service: To recognize an individual who makes a significant contribution toward to betterment of the communities in other parts of the world, and/or leadership toward work peace and understanding.
Vocational Service: To recognize an individual who uses their vocational skills consistent wit Rotary ideals toward community and/or international matters.
Youth Services: To recognize an individual who makes significant contributions toward to youth (programs, services and/or related matters).
Environmental Service: To recognize an individual who supports activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of our environment.
Club Service: To recognize a Peterborough Rotary Club member for their outstanding service and dedication.
For the first time, the Rotary Club of Peterborough and Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha will celebrate the recipients at a joint Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Dinner on Nov. 20 at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club.
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United Way Peterborough and PATH to Keep Everyone Warm With Coats For Community Campaign Launch
/In an effort to address the needs of adults for the upcoming colder weather, United Way Peterborough & District, in partnership with Peterborough Action For Tiny Homes (PATH), has launched its annual Coats for Community campaign, announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Jim Russell, United Way CEO (far left); Bev Assinck of PATH (second from left) and PATH volunteers in the coat room in preparation for cleaning and repairing before being redistributed to the public. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The campaign is an expanded version of the original Coats for Kids initiative which was started in 1986.
The Coats for Community campaign collects winter essentials—coats, boots, sleeping bags, blankets, and more-for infants, children, youth, families, seniors, and unhoused individuals across Peterborough. Items are distributed through United Way agency partners and other local organizations throughout the winter.
Donations are collected and distributed continuously throughout the season, rather than through a single-day pickup event.
Participating agencies include: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children's Foundation, YWCA, One City, Good Neighbours, New Canadians Centre, Elizabeth Fry Society, YES Shelter For Youth & Families, among others.
Last year, 2,200 coats were collected and distributed, surpassing the 1,844 in 2023. While there is no specific goal for the number of items to be collected, Beverly Assinck of PATH says the campaign aims to gather as many as possible for this year’s campaign.
“We really are asking people to dig deep, as deep as we can,” she said.
In addition to winter jackets, the campaign is also asking for donations of the following:
Extra-large boxes or bins for collection sites
Heavy-duty coat racks
Sleeping bags and blankets
Winter boots
PATH is hosting a special three-day public drop-off event from Oct. 16 to 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at their facility located at 385 Lansdowne St.
Ongoing donation hours, starting Oct. 19, run on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their facility.
The majority of the donated items are being distributed through agencies in Peterborough and the County. PATH is open for community members to pick up coats individually on the first Saturday of each month at their facility, starting on Nov. 1, with April 4 as the last date.
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City Council Acknowledges Receipt Of Intention to Demolish Portion of GE Building
/City Council has endorsed acknowledging receipt of a notice of intention to demolish a portion of General Electric’s industrial buildings at 107 Park St. N. during their meeting on Monday night.
The complex, which is currently developed with approximately 104,000 square metres (1.1 million square feet) of building area, dates back to 1891 and is a central part of Peterborough’s industrial heritage. Architecturally, the GE complex typifies late nineteenth and early-twentieth-century factory design through its integration of late Victorian design features onto the exterior of its industrial spaces. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Council states that it has no interest in pursuing heritage designation for 107 Park St. N., except for certain identified buildings. It will consult with the Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee on the appropriateness of designating these buildings and report back to Council.
On Sept. 8, property owner GEPR Energy Canada Inc., (a subsidiary of GE Vernova) gave the City a 60-day notice of its intent to demolish almost 84,500 square metres (910,000 sq/ft) of industrial building area in accordance with subsection 27(9) of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O.18 (“the Act”).
The Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) prepared on behalf of GE Vernova proposes a series of mitigation strategies to preserve heritage elements on site, including the preservation of certain buildings on the property, while also accommodating the proposed demolition. The HIA concludes that the proposed development for the site (i.e., building demolitions and retention) appropriately conserves the site’s cultural heritage value and attributes, and reflects best practice in Canadian heritage conservation. The author of the HIA, ERA Architects Inc., specializes in heritage conservation, architecture, planning and landscape and holds various professional memberships.
The General Electric Factory Complex at 107 Park St. N. is listed on the City’s Heritage Register as a property of cultural heritage value or interest. The property is not designated; it is a ‘listed’ property on the register according to the City.
After Council received the notice of intent to demolish (unless negotiated otherwise), they have until Nov. 7 to determine whether they wish to issue a notice of intention to designate the property under Part IV, subsection 29(1) of the Act; otherwise, the proposed demolition may proceed subject to applicable law.
The majority of the buildings on site have been vacant since 2018 ,except for 60 GE Vernova employees located in buildings at the southeast corner of the site along Park Street and approximately 300 BWXT employees located in buildings at the west limit of the site along Monaghan Road.
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Community Futures Peterborough Launches New Strategic Plan and Announces Two New Board Directors
/Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) has unveiled its new strategic plan for 2025–2028 and announced its two new board directors at its annual general meeting at Farmhill Weddings.
Photo courtesy of CFP.
“Our vision is clear: every entrepreneur should feel they can access free, expert advice in their own community and every business should feel they can grow and expand here,” said Wayne Harding, CFP board chair. “Our updated strategic plan ensures we are not only meeting today’s needs but preparing for the future of business in Peterborough and defining our role in how to support them.”
Since 1985, CFP’s mission provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with financing, free advisory services and partnerships to strengthen the local economy. Their new plan outlines four key priorities to ensure businesses have the tools, capital and support they need to succeed:
Increase Awareness of the Business Advisory Centre through targeted outreach and marketing so more entrepreneurs can access expert advice, training, and mentorship.
Expand Access to Flexible and Inclusive Financing Solutions by enhancing loan programs and exploring new funding models to serve diverse business needs.
Enhance and Diversify Services by developing new programs in collaboration with partners to respond to emerging trends and community priorities.
Invest in Organizational Infrastructure by strengthening internal systems, staff capacity, and governance to ensure long-term sustainability.
“Our values are the foundation of our work,” said Devon Girard, CFP executive director. “By continuing to lead with collaboration, inclusivity, and keeping a community-focused approach, we are ensuring every entrepreneur and small business has access to the expert services they need to succeed.”
In 2024, the Province selected Community Futures Peterborough to deliver the region's Small Business Enterprise Centre program (SBEC) – creating one door for businesses and entrepreneurs to access both expert business advisory and planning services, as well as flexible lending options. Delivery of this provincial program provided CFP with the opportunity to reflect on its strategic direction and set a bold vision for its future.
