Kinsmen Club of Peterborough Donates $6,000 to Riverview Park and Zoo For Accessible Playground

The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough has donated $6,000 to support the accessible playground project at Riverview Park and Zoo in a cheque presentation on Monday morning.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The proceeds were from the 2025 Father’s Day Classic Car Show and Fundraiser. 

The accessible playground project focuses on improving access, reducing steep slopes and enhancing play opportunities for visitors of all abilities. These upgrades include widened pathways between play areas for people using strollers and mobility devices, new surfaces throughout the playground to make getting around easier, and relaxing, shady spaces with great sightlines to make it more comfortable for visitors and their caregivers.

Riverview Park and Zoo, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Peterborough, is raising $1.5 million through Project ROAR, a community-driven campaign to support the development of a fully accessible and inclusive playground. 

“The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough’s contribution is helping advance efforts to improve accessibility and play opportunities at Riverview Park and Zoo,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Through Project ROAR, and with support from community partners and donors, this work is moving forward to create a more accessible playground that better supports residents and visitors. Donations raised through community events like the Father’s Day Classic Car Show hosted by the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough continue to play an important role in this progress.” 

Project ROAR is dedicated to transforming the Riverview Park and Zoo playground into an inclusive space for all. Donations can be made online or by visiting the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s website.

The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough is hosting the Father’s Day Classic Car Show and Fundraiser again on June 21 at Riverview Park and Zoo, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event features live music, a BBQ, a prize table and a 50/50 draw. Admission is by donation. A rain date has been scheduled for June 28. 

Those wishing to participate in the Classic Car Show must register their vehicle. 

Registration can be completed online or by contacting Barry Craft at 705-292-5171 or bcraft@nexicom.net. Advanced online registration is open. The fee to register is $10. Participants can also register vehicles at the gate on the day of the event, beginning at 8 a.m. The registration fee at the gate is $15. 

All vehicle entries must be model year 1999 or older. 

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring YMCA, Lakefield College School and Summer Company Program

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…

The 2026 YMCA Peterborough Pickleball Tournament is gearing up to be a great way to spend May 9.

Cheering on and watching local realtors Wade Hamblin and Shaun Pearce gather their teams to face off in the quest to win the Golden Pickle, all for the benefit of the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, will be amusing. Every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential: to live healthier, happier lives today and grow into productive adults in the future, and these team captains, with their teams of local businesspeople, are raising the bar to ensure the Strong Kids are supported. Let’s see if Team Pearce can hold on to the pickle for another year.

To find out more, or make your donation to support your favourites, visit www.ymcaofceo.ca/events.

A big shout out to the students from Lakefield College School who are giving their time at The Selwyn Public Library as part of the Tech Help Program.

They are there, by appointment only, on Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m., offering assistance with different tech topics - from email management to accessing books on apps. A great way to increase anyone’s tech abilities.

For more information, reach out to Amy Rosborough at arosborough@mypubliclibrary.ca.

The Summer Company Program offers grants of up to $3,000 to start a business in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County.

The program provides students (ages 15 to 29) with grant dollars, business skills development, training, advice, and mentoring. Youth in this community can be their own boss this summer, while building valuable skills for their future. Students eager to take initiative and interested in learning how to run a business can apply today to the Summer Company Program and if successful, will be guided every step of the way from developing a business plan and budget to marketing strategies to launch their business.

Take a look under programs at www.communityfutures.Peterborough.ca to learn more.

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 brenda@pkchamber.ca.

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12-Year Old Boy Lands Grand Prize Fish 'Walter' At 37th Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby

It only took roughly 30 minutes for 12-year-old Jonny Patterson to land the grand prize of $1,000 by catching ‘Walter’ at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) 37th Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby on Saturday.

Last year saw a record-breaking 2,380 anglers register. Photo courtesy of OFAH.

Walter was caught just before noon on Saturday during the youth derby for those aged 15 and under.

According to an OFAH’s Facebook post, three of the top five prizes have already been claimed as of Sunday. ‘Gordon’ and ‘Opie’ are the two remaining grand prize fish, worth $500 and a guided fishing trip for three in Algonquin Park with Opeongo Lake and Beyond Guide Service, respectively.

The all-ages event began on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and continues until May 3.

Youth registration is $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional child registered at the same time. Registration includes instant prizes during the Youth Derby and entry into the All Ages Derby.

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Peterborough Butterfly Run Sets Records On 10th Anniversary

Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF), in partnership with Partners In Pregnancy Clinic (PIPC), has broken its fundraising record for the tenth-annual Peterborough Butterfly Run, raising over $97,000 and counting at Millennium Park on Sunday.

Since 2017, the event has supported families and individuals who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child or are unable to conceive. Photo courtesy of Harrison Perkins and the GPHSF.

The event had over 1,400 people registered in the 1K Memorial Walk, 1K Kids Fun Run and 5K Run/Walk.  The 5K Run/Walk record was also set with 840 participants.

The top three individual fundraisers are Lori Brock, Baldeep Paul and Alex Lloyd. The top three fundraising teams are ‘Angels’ by Our Side,’ ‘Team Jess and Angeline Dalliday’ and Friends of Frederick.

According to Ashley Weir and Kori Zwarych, co-chairs of the Peterborough Butterfly Run Executive Committee, over 1,000 bereavement kits have been made and distributed throughout the community. 

Funds from the run will support the Compassionate Care Symposium at Peterborough Regional Health Centre in June, an educational opportunity for clinicians in our area to learn how to better support Perinatal Bereavement Care. 

The Committee says they are working to hold more bereavement retreats and to expand the support available in our area. Money will also continue to be reinvested in the Peterborough Butterfly Run to ensure future events.

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Peterborough Woman Arrested After Intentionally Striking Vehicle With Her Own Then Fleeing

A 19-year-old Peterborough woman is facing various charges including assault and mischief after a vehicular incident on Saturday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 9:30 p.m., officers were made aware of a two-vehicle collision on Raymond Street. Officers said that one of the vehicles was struck on purpose by the second vehicle. The second vehicle fled the area following the collision. The occupants of both vehicles were known to each other.

During the investigation, officers located the driver of the second vehicle at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Sunday near Parkhill Road and George Street.

The woman was charged with:

• Assault with A Weapon

• Mischief - destroys or damages property

• Dangerous operation

• Fail to remain

• Failure to Comply with Release Order - Other than to attend court

• Owner operate a motor vehicle without insurance

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

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Peterborough Foundation Grant Application Deadline For Local Charities Is This Friday

The deadline for local charities to apply for the next round of Peterborough Foundation grants is this Friday.

The Peterborough Foundation was incorporated in 1953 from the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Magie. The Foundation has distributed over $2,000,000 from an original capital base of just under $1,000,000.

According to Shirl Delarue, Peterborough Foundation Chair, charities, large and small, are welcome to submit a grant application for capital projects.

“It’s very user-friendly to apply for a grant from the Peterborough Foundation,” said Delarue. “We like to keep it simple for organizations, especially smaller grassroots charities.”

The most recent grants last December totalled over $28,000 and included the following charities:

• Achieve Charity - $2,000 for Accessibility Equipment

• Community Counselling & Resource Centre - $9,327 for Computers and IT Upgrades

• Heads up for Inclusion - $3,000 for Strategic Planning

• Kawartha Children’s Aid - $1,900 for Santa Claus Fund Sleigh Signage

• P.A.T.H. - $4,482 for Washer and Dryer

• Peterborough Symphony - $4946 for Computer Hardware/Software Upgrades

• Watersheds Canada - $3,000 for Backpacks and Learning Materials

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Safe Moves Peterborough: Creating Safer Streets through the Transportation Safety Program

A 15-year Transportation Safety Program (TSP) is being developed as a step towards making streets safer in the City of Peterborough. 

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Building on previous initiatives such as the Transportation Master Plan, Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy, speed limit reductions and Active School Travel programs, the TSP will provide a clear, long-term approach to road safety across the community in a proactive and sustainable way, according to Mayor Jeff Leal. 

“This program is about making our streets safer for everyone in Peterborough,” he said. “It will allow us to look closely at where safety concerns exist and work to reduce serious collisions. It’s about making everyday travel safer, whether you’re walking, cycling, driving, or taking transit.” 

The TSP aims to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by creating safer roads that help prevent harm. It focuses on shared responsibility between everyone who uses the roadways, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and those who design and manage the city’s roads. 

The success of the TSP relies on meaningful input from the community. Feedback helps ensure that the program reflects the experiences of people who live, work and travel in Peterborough. 

How to share feedback: 

• Visit the project page: Residents can provide input on their experiences with road user safety and identify high-risk locations through a mapping tool and survey available on the project page, connectptbo.ca/safemovesptbo.  
  Paper copies of the survey are available at the Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer Street N. and at City Hall, 500 George Street N. The survey closes on Friday, June 5. 

• Public Information Centres: Two Public Information Centres (PICs) will be hosted in June. The PICs will provide an opportunity to learn more about road safety risks and challenges. Attendees can share feedback and recommendations on the TSP. More details on the upcoming PICs will be shared when they become available.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $1.7 Million to Support Public Transit In City and County of Peterborough

Through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program, the Ontario Government has invested $1,773,769 for the City of Peterborough and the County to better support public transit, announced at the Peterborough Transit Garage on Friday afternoon.

Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP (left); Sherry Senis, Selwyn Mayor (middle) and Jeff Leal, Peterborough mayor (right) at the Peterborough Transit Garage on Townsend Road in Peterborough. The Ontario Government is investing nearly $380 million through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program to support public transit in 107 municipalities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City of Peterborough is receiving $1,732,762, while Peterborough County is getting $41,007. Under the ‘Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act’ in 2013, two cents per litre of the Gas Tax helped fund public transit, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“By providing these essential Gas Tax funds, we are empowering the City and County of Peterborough to enhance their transit networks, drive ridership and support the long-term growth of our region,” he explained. “This investment ensures that as our community expands, our residents have the reliable, accessible and efficient transportation they need to connect with jobs, local services and one another.”

The funding is to help public transit initiatives such as expanding service hours, increasing routes, purchasing new vehicles and improving accessibility while increasing transit ridership. While the funds are for the operational and capital side of Peterborough Transit, Mayor Jeff Leal said there are several ventures to seek as transportation evolves in the City.

“There are new technologies and vessels out there that save fuel and we want to be on the forefront of that,” he said.

Leal also mentioned that the $1.7 million provides the City with the possibility to extend its public transit reach into the County.

“It gives us the opportunities; that we have the link with Selwyn and we do get inquiries from Havelock, Norwood and Peterborough Regional Airport to extend that transit reach,” he explained. “It allows us to look at other transit options in actually servicing communities beyond the borders of the City of Peterborough. We do want to look at this area as a region and what we can do to have the City of Peterborough be that transit hub to help our fellow citizens of Peterborough County.”

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Beloved Peterborough Coach Passes Away Suddenly At Age 64

The Peterborough sports community has mourned the loss of coach John Welsh, who passed away suddenly at age 64 on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of KMFL Peterborough.

Welsh was active in the sports world for several decades. He coached in the Kinsmen Minor Football League (KMFL) for 45 years, was the founding president of the Peterborough Hockey Association for 25 years and coached the St. Peter’s Secondary School Saints Senior football team.

The KMFL released this statement regarding Welsh’s passing:

“John had a heart of gold. He cared deeply, and he showed it in the way he treated everyone—especially his players, who he loved like family. Whether it was a word of encouragement, a quiet check-in, or simply being there when someone needed support, John was someone you could always count on. And if you ever watched John on the sidelines, you saw the joy in his face watching his players play. There was pride in every moment, in every rep, in every success they achieved. Their growth and happiness meant everything to him.”

Brian Junkin of the Peterborough Wolverines, who worked with Welsh, also released a statement on behalf of the organization:

“Football is Family. Unfortunately, we lost a prominent member of our family last night. It saddens me to inform you that longtime Wolverines and KMFL Coach John Welsh has passed away. John devoted over 45 years of his life to coaching youth in multiple sports, but especially football. This is a generational loss to the Peterborough Football Community. Some of our coaching staff were actually coached by John as children and have now had their own kids coached by John. He spent thousands of hours coaching thousands of kids in high school, house league and rep ball.

On a personal note, it was John Welsh that gave me my first opportunity to coach football some 23 years ago and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to coach under him for 16 years in the KMFL. He will be greatly missed.”

Welsh leaves behind his wife Vicki; his children Sarah and Jonathon and his grandchildren Lila-Jane, William and Margaret. He is a brother to Jim and Bill; brother-in-law to Nancy and an uncle to several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Highland Park Funeral Centre on May 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the funeral service to start immediately after. Words of remembrance will be shared at 1 p.m., followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the KMFL John Welsh Financial Grant, which can be made by emailing fundraising@kmfl.ca.

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Fleming College Celebrate Phoenix Athletes With 53rd Varsity Awards Banquet

Over 130 student-athletes from Fleming College celebrated another athletic season and recognized exceptional players at the 53rd Annual Phoenix Varsity Awards Banquet on April 10.

Nicole Roy (left) and Thomas Kitchen (right) winning Women’s and Men’s Athlete of the year respectively and other high-honour awards at the banquet. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The special highlighted team, following their historic double-gold national championship win this season, were the Men’s and Women’s Loggersports teams. The Loggersports program took home the Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Female All-Around Athlete of the Year, All-Academic and Coach of the Year awards.

The 2025-2026 Fleming Phoenix varsity athlete awards were presented to:

Eric O’Rourke Memorial All-Around Athlete: Presented to a male and female athlete who performed at a high level while demonstrating leadership, commitment, and dedication.

• Nicole Roy – Women’s Loggersports

• Ryan Clarke – Men's Volleyball and Men’s Soccer

Jack Barley Memorial Athlete of the Year: Presented to a male and female athlete who performed exceptional achievements within their sport while maintaining academic eligibility.

• Nicole Roy – Women's Loggersports

• Thomas Kitchen – Men's Loggersports

Rachel Spearing Award: Presented to a women’s rugby player who demonstrated heart, spirit, sportsmanship, and dedication on the field.

• Sara Petersen – Women's Rugby Sevens

Kris Starr and Adam Evans Awards: Presented to a loggersports athlete who shows heart, spirit, dedication, and love of the sport.

• Kris Starr Award: Sayre Hart – Loggersports

• Adam Evans Award: Jacob Ricker – Loggersports

All-Academic Award: Presented to the athlete with the highest academic average who achieved a balance in their sport and in academics.

• Sarah Porter – Women’s Loggersports

Fred Batley Coach of the Year Award: Presented to a coach driven by the passion they have for their sport, who goes above and beyond to create a positive atmosphere, and ensure their student-athletes have the best possible experience.

• Al Cavers – Loggersports

OCAA Academic and Athletic Excellence Award: Presented to OCAA athletes who achieve an honours GPA at their college, as well as receiving an OCAA honours award.

• Ashley Smith – Women's Rugby Sevens

Most Valuable Player Award: Recognized by their respective team for significant contribution to their team’s success.

• Ashley Smith – Women’s Rugby Sevens

• Emma Radley – Women’s Soccer

• Ryan Clarke – Men’s Soccer

• Mattea Miller-Evans - Women’s Loggersports

• Thomas Kitchen – Men’s Loggersports

• Owen Wisman – Men’s Basketball

• Samantha de Koning – Women’s Volleyball

• Calvin Dekok – Men’s Volleyball

Rookie of the Year Award: Recognized by their respective team for outstanding skills and positive integration with the team.

• Charlotte Murray – Women’s Rugby Sevens

• Claire Deschatelets – Women’s Soccer

• Aidan Sproule – Men’s Soccer

• Morgan Specht – Women’s Loggersports

• Lyndon Jarbeau – Men’s Loggersports

• Nathan Walters – Sundararajah – Men’s Basketball

• Guinevere Hallock – Women’s Volleyball

• Jordan Flynn – Men’s Volleyball

There were 30 student athletes were awarded for achieving an honours-level grade point average (GPA) while balancing the demands of varsity-level competition.

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