Splash Pads Throughout the City of Peterborough Now Open

As warmer weather hits Peterborough, all of the City’s splash pads have opened for the season.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Splash pads include multiple interactive elements, such as spray tunnels, tipping pots and water willows.

Most splash pads are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The splash pad at Riverview Park and Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.  

The following are the City’s splash pad locations:

• Rogers Cove, 131 Maria St.

• Nicholls Oval Park, 725 Armour Rd.

• King Edward Park, 455 George St. S.

• Turner Park, corner of Chamberlain and High streets

• Hamilton Park, 575 Bonaccord St. 

• Barnardo Park, Barnardo Avenue (north of Sunset Boulevard). 

• Kinsmen Park, 1 Kinsmen Way 

• Vallyemore Park, 338 Spillsbury Dr.

• Riverview Park and Zoo, 1300 Water St. 

• A water feature also exists at Quaker Foods City Square (215 Charlotte St.)

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Peterborough Police Invite Public to Its 2026 Community Open House On June 6

The Peterborough Police Service is hosting a Community Open House on June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their headquarters, announced on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Visitors can learn about traffic, ERT, forensics, K9, the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, Mobile Crisis Intervention, policing/civilian careers and more.

The event also has a tour of the police station, K9 and motorcycle demonstrations.

All are welcome with no admission fee to the open house.

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Comedy, Drama and Music Take Centre Stage in Peterborough Theatre Guild’s New Season

By Scott Arnold

Comedy, drama, music and family fun are all taking centre stage as the Peterborough Theatre Guild rolls out a six-show season designed to entertain, challenge and connect audiences.

Photo provided by the peterborough theatre guild — artwork by Taylor Polley

The Peterborough Theatre Guild has announced its 2026–2027 season, featuring a mix of psychological drama, historical storytelling, family-friendly productions, contemporary themes and musical comedy.

The six-show lineup begins in September and carries audiences through spring 2027 with a season built around strong storytelling and community-focused theatre.

The season opens with Venus in Fur by David Ives from Sept. 18 to Oct. 3. Directed by Lisa Dixon, the acclaimed two-person production follows an audition that turns into a tense and unpredictable battle of power and manipulation.

Next up is Bluebirds from Oct. 30 to Nov. 14. Directed by Bea Quarrie, the First World War drama follows three Canadian nurses overseas and explores friendship, resilience and stories often left out of history.

The holiday production arrives in December with Which Witch is Which? running Dec. 4 to 13. Directed by Kevin O’Neill with music and lyrics by Monica Palmer, the family musical promises magic, humour and audience participation.

The laughs continue in the new year with Noises Off from Jan. 22 to Feb. 6. Widely considered one of theatre’s classic farces, the production follows a show spiralling into complete backstage chaos.

Instantaneous Blue takes the stage Feb. 26 to March 13. Directed by David Geene, the Canadian drama explores family, caregiving and dementia through the lens of a young couple navigating profound life changes.

The season wraps up with Nunsense: The Mega-Musical Version from April 16 to May 2, delivering audience interaction, music and comedy to close out the year.

Tickets and season subscriptions go on sale July 1 through the Peterborough Theatre Guild website and box office.

The Guild says the season reflects its continued commitment to creating engaging and accessible live theatre experiences in the community.

The season is presented with support from Platinum Sponsor The Medical Centre Hearing Services, while PTBOCanada joins KawarthaNOW as a media sponsor for the 2026–2027 season.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Community Members Honoured at 2025 Civic Awards

The City of Peterborough recognized individuals and groups whose volunteer efforts, achievements, and contributions strengthened the community and enhanced residents’ quality of life at the 2025 Civic Awards, held at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough,

“The Civic Awards recognize the outstanding individuals and groups whose contributions and achievements have made a meaningful difference in our community,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.  “Through their volunteer efforts, dedication, and commitment to others, this year’s recipients have helped enrich the lives of residents across Peterborough. On behalf of City Council and the community, I extend congratulations and appreciation to all of the 2025 Civic Award recipients for the positive impact they have made.”

Civic Award recipients are first nominated by community members and each nomination is reviewed by a Citizen Appointment Selection Working Group. A list of candidates is then brought to City Council for consideration.  

Civic Award recipients are as follows: 

Community Betterment 

• Community Care Peterborough Visiting and Social Safety Volunteers

• Jan Williams-Stephen

• Alan Cavell

• Dr. Cam Crawford

• Tiffany Arcari

• Phillip Jolicoeur

• Makaya Dafoe

Cultural Betterment 

• Peterborough Folk Festival 2025 Board of Directors: Rob Davis, Megan Wells, Rebecca Schillemat, Chad Hogan, Carol Lawless, Tanye Nye, Lyn Giles, Emma Macdonald, Jennifer Jaruczek and Teresa Mycroft

• Peterborough Musicfest Volunteers: Lynda Motschenbacher, Marilyn Philpot, Matthew Cabanlig, Sharon Smith, Lucy Ferrill, Michael Shearer and Tracy Beverley

Athletic Award of Merit 

• Braxtin Howard

• Peterborough U8 Tigers Baseball: Weston Perrin, Lucas Nelson, Easton Condon, Louis Curry, Reed Tivy, Chase Massie, Camden Raftis, Declan Manol, Asher Young, Reign Mercer, Henry Helleman and Jackson Pyke

• Kawartha U9 Girls Lacrosse: Sienna Adams, Kinsley Briffett, Jocelyn Brioux, Carly Clark, Grace Crawford, Layla Doherty, Addie Harrald, Chloe Hunt, Nev McCormick, Olivia Oakley, Emma O’Halloran, Rylan Tully, and Perry White

• Anna Christensen  

• Reed Chamberlain  

Environmental Stewardship/Sustainability 

• Steve Paul

Mayor’s Youth Award 

• Natalie Keys

Holnbeck Award 

• Andrea Dodsworth 

Junior Athlete of the Year 

• Matthew Kathiravelu

Adult Athlete of the Year 

• Karl Allen

Senior Athlete of the Year 

• Scott Wasson

Youth Volunteer of the Year 

• Jenisha Sanjit Arora

Volunteer of the Year 

• Mary Jane Smith

Lifetime Achievement Award 

• The Late Paul Wilson

• Kathy Hiltz

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City of Peterborough Seeking Feedback On Downtown Parking Experience

The City of Peterborough is asking for residents' feedback regarding downtown parking with a survey available online.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Parking meters, payment options, the HotSpot app, signage, enforcement and overall ease of use for downtown parking are elements being considered.

According to the City, public feedback is needed to better understand user experience and identify opportunities to improve convenience and accessibility for everyone who parks downtown. 

The survey will remain open until June 26 at 11:59 p.m. 

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Lacrosse Day for Our Champions Bringing Free Turf Time, Fundraising and Stories From Legends

By Scott Arnold

Young lacrosse players will have a chance to hit the turf for free while supporting a pair of local causes during a special event at the Peterborough Memorial Centre this weekend.

Dylan hawken, longtime laker volunteer (photo by Scott arnold)

Boro Boys Seasonal Lacrosse is inviting players from the Peterborough Minor Lacrosse Association to take part in a free hour of lacrosse on Saturday, May 30 as part of Lacrosse Day for Our Champions 2.

Players are asked to bring a helmet, gloves and a stick. Organizers have space for 25 players per session with time slots running from 9 am to 1 pm. The 9 am session has already filled, while spots remain available at 10 am, 11 am and noon on a first come, first served basis.

Although participation is free, organizers are encouraging donations to Kawartha Food Share or contributions to the fundraiser supporting Special Olympics Peterborough and Unified Champion Schools.

Participants who attend will receive a swag bag and a gold medal. Activities in the Memorial Centre lobby will also include a bake sale, raffle prizes and silent auction items.

The day will continue with a Legends and Alumni lacrosse game at 4:30 pm before wrapping up with Storytime by the Legends at Sticks Sports Pub at 7 pm.

The evening event will feature several well-known names from Peterborough lacrosse history, with stories and memories centred around decades of championship success.

Organizers say the day is all about champions supporting champions while raising funds and celebrating the local lacrosse community.

Anyone looking to get involved can contact Ernie Ellement by email at mr_ellement@hotmail.com or at 705-927-2370

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Peterborough Folk Festival Looking for Volunteers to Join Communications Committee

By Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Folk Festival is putting out the call for volunteers as organizers look to add more helping hands behind the scenes ahead of this year’s event.

Photo via Facebook @PtboFolkFestival

The entirely volunteer-run community festival is seeking people interested in supporting its Communications Committee in several areas.

Current opportunities include graphic design, website design, and writing newsletters and media releases.

Festival organizers say experience in those areas is preferred, while familiarity with programs such as Photoshop and Squarespace would be considered an asset.

The Peterborough Folk Festival relies heavily on volunteers to help bring the annual event to life and organizers say joining the communications team offers a chance to contribute while playing a role in one of the community’s longstanding summer traditions.

Anyone interested in getting involved or learning more can email communications@peterboroughfolkfest.com.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Peterborough Public Library Offering Job Search Workshops

By Scott Arnold

Anyone looking for a new job, considering a career change or unsure where to begin may find some help at the Peterborough Public Library with a pair of upcoming workshops focused on today’s job market.

Photo via Facebook @PtboLibrary

The library is promoting two programs aimed at helping job seekers build confidence and develop practical skills as they navigate employment opportunities.

The first is Networking That Gets You Hired, a two-part series running Wednesday, May 27 and June 3 at 6 pm. The sessions will focus on strengthening networking skills and building connections that can help during a job search.

A second workshop, Finding Work That Works for You, takes place Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 pm and is geared toward people trying to determine what type of work may be the right fit.

According to the library, both programs are designed to provide practical advice, real-world guidance and strategies participants can put to use right away.

Registration is available through the library’s website and organizers are encouraging anyone currently searching for work to sign up.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Race 4 Sawyer Grace Golf Tournament Still Looking for Players

By Scott Arnold

There’s still time to hit the links and support a local cause as organizers of the seventh annual Race 4 Sawyer Grace Charity Golf Tournament continue filling spots ahead of this weekend’s event.

Growden family — Dan, Sawyer Grace and Tara (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The tournament takes place Saturday, May 30 at The Quarry Golf Club in Ennismore in support of Sawyer Grace and the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics Canada, also known as FAST Canada.

Organizers say golfers do not need to register as a full foursome to take part. Individual players and smaller groups are still welcome to sign up, with room remaining on the course.

Registration is $200 per person or $800 for a foursome and includes golf, a cart and dinner. Check-in begins at noon with a shotgun start set for 1 pm.

The event supports FAST Canada and ongoing fundraising efforts tied to Sawyer Grace's journey with Angelman Syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder that affects roughly one in every 15,000 people worldwide.

Sawyer was diagnosed shortly after her first birthday. Her family says the diagnosis came with difficult news and uncertainty about what the future might hold. Since then, they’ve continued fundraising while pushing forward through therapy and support.

There have also been milestones worth celebrating along the way. In sharing Sawyer’s story, her family noted that after a great deal of hard work and therapy, she is now walking short distances on her own.

Those interested in taking part can still register while space remains available. You can find more information by emailing Race4SawyerGrace@gmail.com.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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PHOTOS: YWCA's Walk a Mile In Their Shoes Event Marches Through Downtown For Awareness For Gender-Based Violence

To raise awareness and funds for gender-based violence, the YWCA held its annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes and marched through Downtown Peterborough on Friday afternoon.

Roughly 70 people marched down George Street to raise awareness of domestic violence while raising funds for its life-saving programs. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly 70 people joined in the downtown march. It started at Confederation Square and circuited back after turning onto King and Water Street.

“It takes a community to end violence against women; it takes all of us,” said Kim Dolan, YWCA executive director.

Groups or individuals could sign up and raise funds for the YWCA prior to the march. While a final tally has yet to be released, the top team had raised over $4,400, while the top individual had raised just under $1,700 at the time of publication. The funding supports the YWCA’s Journey of Care which covers its signature programs and services offered.

“(it covers) The shelter —which is open 24 hours a day, — supportive counselling, transitional housing support, our family court support program and a hub on Mondays that a lot of organizations participate in,” said Dolan.

While most of the march was composed of women, several men were part of the downtown walk, sporting red high heels in solidarity with the cause.

“The men who are here today are representative of a larger group of men who understand that violence against women are happening and largely men who are responsible for that violence,” explained Dolan.

Donations are currently being accepted and can be made online.

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