Demolition Begins for Planned 17-Storey East City Development

By Scott Arnold

Demolition is underway at 90 Hunter St. E., where the church's former community hall is being removed to make way for a controversial 17-storey mixed-use development approved by Peterborough City Council last summer.

Demolition is underway at 90 Hunter St. E. as the former community hall on the Mark Street United Church property is removed to prepare for the approved 17-storey mixed-use development. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The project will include a 17-storey building with 205 apartment units and ground-floor commercial space. Mark Street United Church will remain on the property as part of the approved development.

The proposal was controversial during the approval process, with many East City residents voicing concerns about the height and scale of the building and its impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.

The approved development will be constructed on part of the Mark Street United Church property, while the original church building remains in place. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The next phase of the 90 Hunter St. E. project has begun, with demolition work making way for a future building featuring 205 apartment units and ground-floor commercial space. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The project at Hunter Street East and Mark Street has been the subject of community discussion, with concerns raised during the approval process about the building’s height and scale. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

Nearly a year after Peterborough City Council approved the rezoning application, demolition marks the first visible step toward the planned 17-storey East City development. (Photo by Scott Arnold)

Demolition work continues at 90 Hunter St. E. as the site moves toward construction of a new mixed-use building that will add 205 residential units to East City. (rendering courtesy tvm group)

Council approved the rezoning for the project in August 2025. The development will add 205 new housing units, contributing toward the city's provincially assigned housing target.

With demolition now underway, the project has reached its first visible stage as the site is prepared for construction.

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

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Gauvreau Accounting's Fifth Annual 'Gear Up For Good' to Give Children Across Canada 300 Stuffed Backpacks For Back to School

For the fifth year in a row, Gauvreau Accounting, Tax, Law & Advisory is giving kids across Canada a head start for back-to-school with its Gear Up for Good campaign, providing 300 fully stocked backpacks to children in need, announced on Thursday.

Bob Gauvreau, Gauvreau Accounting CEO (right) with staff; members of Big Brothers, Big Sisters Peterborough; Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation and more with backpacks to be stuffed and ready for donation for children getting ready to get back to school. Since the campaign began, the community has helped provide over 600 fully stocked backpacks to children and families. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s campaign aims to send 200 backpacks for children in Ontario and 100 for children in Manitoba. The backpacks in Ontario are for children affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters Peterborough and Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation.

“Every child deserves to feel prepared and excited when they walk into their first day of school,” said Bob Gauvreau, CEO of Gauvreau Accounting, Tax, Law & Advisory. “Gear Up for Good is about more than backpacks- it’s really about bringing businesses, employees, and community members together to make a meaningful difference for families who need support.”

Gauvreau Accounting invites local businesses, organizations and community members to help by donating backpacks, school supplies, healthy snacks, water bottles, lunch pails, children’s haircuts or salon/barber services or financial contributions to help purchase needed items.

@ptbo_canada For the fifth year in a row, Gauvreau Accounting, Tax, Law & Advisory is giving kids across Canada a head start for back-to-school with its Gear Up for Good campaign, providing 300 fully stocked backpacks to children in need. #fyp #news #ptbocanada #journalism #backtoschool ♬ Reflections on 52nd - AGM3

“Community partnerships are what make this campaign possible,” said Gauvreau. “Whether it’s a fully stocked backpack, a haircut before the first day of school, or a donation of supplies, every single contribution helps set a child up for success- gives them confidence to start the school year.”

The campaign runs from July 23 to Aug. 12. Donations can be made through its webpage or donations can be dropped off at 150 King Street, Suite 100 W, by Aug. 12 at noon. Backpacks will be distributed on Aug. 18.

“The more that we can pack in here for these kids and their families, the more it supports their success throughout the years,” said Gauvreau.

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Grateful Dead Fans Invited to Free Evening of Live Music at GreenUP Ecology Park

By Scott Arnold

Local musician Joseph Bencic is inviting Grateful Dead fans to GreenUP Ecology Park later this month for a free evening of live music featuring more than 30 songs by the legendary band.

local musician Joseph Bencic is inviting the community to a free performance where he will be playing over 30 grateful Dead songs, with guitar and vocals, on Friday July 31st starting at 6pm At the GreenUp ecology park Eco Shelter (photo by scott arnold)

The informal performance is set for Friday, July 31, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Eco Shelter in GreenUP Ecology Park.

Bencic says there is no admission fee and people are welcome to stop by for a few songs or stay for the entire performance.

The evening will feature two sets. The first, running from 6 p.m. until approximately 7:15 p.m., will include a variety of Grateful Dead songs.

The second set will recognize International Blues Music Day, with Bencic performing blues covers as well as Grateful Dead songs that include the word "blues" in their title. Audience members will also have the opportunity to request songs during the second set.

Parking is available at Beavermead Park. Visitors can access GreenUP Ecology Park from the entrance at the far end of the Beavermead parking lot near Ashburnham Drive and Marsdale Drive.

Those attending are encouraged to bring a chair if desired, as only a limited number of picnic tables are available at the Eco Shelter.

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

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Casting Call Looking for Community Members to Join Movie Shoot in Peterborough this Sunday

By Scott Arnold

Treblecock Studio is inviting community members to take part in a casting call this Sunday for The Ballad of Weatherman Wayne, with filming taking place at The Theatre on King in Peterborough.

The comedy parody is set in an alternate universe and features a cast of local actors. For Sunday’s filming, the production is looking for people to take part as a congregation for a major finale scene involving the honourable Pastor Biscuit (photo by scott arnold)

Looking for a unique way to be part of a film project? This weekend could be your chance to step in front of the camera.

Treblecock Studio is holding a casting call on Sunday, July 26, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Theatre on King, located at 171 King St. in Peterborough.

The casting call is open to everyone, and those attending are encouraged to bring their most creative attire. According to the production team, that can include costumes, casual clothing, or something a little more unusual, as long as it is not X-rated.

The project, The Ballad of Weatherman Wayne, is described as a comedy parody set in an alternate universe featuring local actors. For Sunday’s casting call, the production is looking for people to take part as a congregation for a major finale scene involving the honourable Pastor Biscuit.

The production team says several scenes will be filmed between noon and 4 p.m., with the project expected to have an R rating due to strong language.

Anyone looking for more information about the casting call or requiring additional details can contact Treblecock Studio at info@treblecock.ca.

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

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City of Peterborough's Canada Day Fireworks Rescheduled For Aug. 1

The fireworks show initially scheduled for Canada Day has been rescheduled to Aug. 1 for approximately 9:30 p.m. at Del Crary Park, announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

The fireworks start following the Peterborough Musicfest concert.  

Temporary road closures will be in effect for the fireworks.

The following streets will be closed from noon to 10:30 p.m.:

• Perry Street from the east side of George Street to the west side of Crescent Street  

• Lake Street from the east side of George Street to the west side of Crescent Street  

• Crescent Street from the north side of Romaine Street to the south side of Perry Street  

• Lock Street from the north side of Romaine Street to the south side of Crescent Street  

Local traffic will still be permitted to access the areas within the road closures. 

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OLG Makes First-Quarter Payment of Over $710,000 to The City of Peterborough

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made its first-quarter payment of $715,551 to the City of Peterborough for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough, announced on Wednesday.

Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2.4 billion in non-tax gaming revenue. File Photo.

The fourth quarter ran from April 1 to June 30. Peterborough has received $18,461,887 since the Shorelines opened in October 2018.

These payments to host communities are based on a formula consistently applied across all gaming sites in Ontario using a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site, as stated in a press release. 

“OLG sharing these gaming revenues directly with Peterborough allows our community to invest in the local priorities that matter most to residents,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “From boosting community services to maintaining local infrastructure, these quarterly host payments from Shorelines Casino Peterborough are a key part of protecting and enhancing the critical services our families rely on every day.”

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Peterborough Man Charged After Drawing a Knife On Another Person In a Parking Lot

A 44-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges after reportedly drawing a knife on a man in a parking lot on Wednesday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 10:40 p.m., officers were called after a man reported having a knife pulled on him by an unknown male in a parking lot in the Romaine Street and Park Street North area. The suspect also verbally threatened the victim before leaving the area. The victim was not injured. The suspect was not located at the time.

At approximately 2 a.m. on Thursday, officers on general patrol in the area of Park Street and Romaine Street located a man matching the description given to police in connection with the earlier incident and took him into custody. During a search after arrest, officers located and seized a small folding knife.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Assault with A Weapon

• Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm

• Possession of weapon for Dangerous Purpose

The accused is being held in custody and appeared in court on Thursday.

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Peterborough Lakers Bringing Toonie Dog Night Back for Tonight's Retro Night Game Against Cobourg

By Scott Arnold

After setting a Peterborough Memorial Centre record earlier this season, the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers are bringing back Toonie Dog Night for tonight’s Retro Night game set to take place at 8pm against the Cobourg Kodiaks.

craig meredith set the individual record during the lakers inaugural toonie dog night last month, eating 18 hot dogs. he says although he will be attending tonight’s game, he’ll be taking it easy on the dogs as he wants to give somebody else a shot at the title.

Fans snapped up 924 hot dogs during the team's first-ever Toonie Dog Night on June 4th, setting a new record for the most hot dogs sold during a lacrosse game at the PMC.

Now, the promotion returns on Thursday, July 23rd, as the Lakers host Retro Night presented by Lansdowne Place.

This time, the team has set its sights even higher. The goal is to sell 1,386 hot dogs, a number chosen to honour the 1986 Lansdowne Place Maulers, who will be recognized during the evening's festivities.

The original promotion drew long concession lineups and created a lively atmosphere throughout the game, with fans taking advantage of the $2 hot dog special while cheering on the Lakers.

The team also recognized the support of Maple Leaf Foods, Levy Canada, The Real Canadian Superstore and the City of Peterborough for helping make the promotion possible.

The fifth place Lakers (7-7) will host the third place Cobourg Kodiaks (9-7) for tonight’s Retro Night game, with tickets for the game are available through the Peterborough Memorial Centre Box Office or online via Ticketmaster.

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

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Find Your Fleming Day Offers Future Students a Closer Look at Campus

By Scott Arnold

Anyone considering Fleming College, or preparing to begin their studies, will have a chance to explore the Sutherland Campus during Find Your Fleming Day on July 30th.

Find Your Fleming Day visitors will have an opportunity to experience the Sutherland Campus community first-hand, explore Fleming’s in-demand academic programs, learn about bursaries and entrance scholarships, and take guided campus tours of Fleming’s state-of-the-art facilities (photo courtesy of fleming college)

The free event will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Fleming College's Sutherland Campus in Peterborough and is designed for both students who have already received an offer of admission and those still exploring their post-secondary options for 2026 or 2027.

Visitors will be able to tour the campus, learn more about Fleming's academic programs, explore student services, and get information about bursaries and entrance scholarships. Guided tours will showcase the college's facilities, while members of the Student Recruitment Team will be available to answer questions and help prospective students apply or accept their offers.

As an added incentive, the first 25 people who apply to a 2026 or 2027 program during the event will have their application fee waived. Students who accept an existing offer of admission at the event will also be entered into a draw to win a Fleming hoodie.

Prospective students, applicants and their families are encouraged to register online in advance before attending.

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

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Jr. C Lakers Set for Meredith Cup Semifinal Series Beginning at Home on Saturday

By Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Jr. C Lakers will begin their Meredith Cup semifinal series this weekend when they host the Cornwall Celtics at Healthy Planet Arena.

The peterborough jr. c Lakers won the central division championship friday night in whitby. they will play cornwall in the semifinals, with game one set for SAturday at 8:30pm at the healthy planet arena (photo courtesy of the jr. c lakers, via christine liu)

After capturing the Central Division championship with an 8-7 win over the Whitby Warriors on Friday night, the Lakers will now turn their attention to the best-of-five semifinal series against Cornwall.

Game 1 is set for Saturday, July 25 at 8:30 pm at Healthy Planet Arena, with Game 2 scheduled for Sunday, July 26 at 8 pm in Peterborough. The start time for Game 2 could be adjusted to 7:30 pm.

The series then shifts to Cornwall for the remainder of the schedule. If necessary, Game 4 will be played Saturday, August 1 at 5 pm, following Game 3 on Friday, July 31 at 8:30 pm. If the series reaches a deciding Game 5, it will be played Sunday, August 2 at 2 pm in Cornwall.

The Lakers are now just one series win away from another appearance in the Meredith Cup final as they continue their pursuit of a third straight league championship.

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

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