Nominations Are Open For 2024 Civic Awards Nominations

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Nominations for the City of Peterborough 2024 Civic Awards will be open until April 11 at 4:30 p.m., announced on Wednesday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

The Civic Awards recognize those who had a positive impact in the City of Peterborough through sports, arts, culture or volunteer work.

“The Civic Awards are an opportunity to celebrate those who give their time, energy and passion to make Peterborough a better place. I encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate those efforts by nominating deserving individuals and groups,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

Nominations are being accepted for the following categories:

  • Adult Athlete of the Year

  • Athletic Award of Merit

  • Community Betterment

  • Cultural Betterment

  • Environmental Stewardship

  • Holnbeck Award

  • Junior Athlete of the Year

  • Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Mayor’s Youth Award

  • Senior Athlete of the Year

  • Volunteer of the Year

  • Youth Volunteer of the Year

Nominees must be a resident and/or a property owner in the City. Those living outside the city can be recognized if they are part of a city group or team and receive an award. Holnbeck Award nominees can be residents of either the City or County of Peterborough. All nominees must be volunteers.

Applications are available online or paper copies can be obtained at the Clerk's Office at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

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New Canadians Centre Seeking New Board Members

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The New Canadians Centre (NCC) is looking for board directors to join the governance team to fill three positions.

NCC began in 1979 when a group of volunteers committed to supporting refugees fleeing Vietnam. The NCC serves more than 2,000 newcomer clients annually. File Photo.

The positions are for two-year terms and board members may serve three consecutive two-year terms.

The NCC is asking that community members give five to ten hours per month to apply. They are looking for those with well-rounded governance experience and with a specific background in facilities management, capital campaigns, and/or IT/cybersecurity.

The information package and application form can be found online. The deadline for applications is at 5 p.m. on Feb. 23.

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Peterborough Agricultural Society to Continue With New Board of Directors

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After being in jeopardy of being disbanded, the Peterborough Agricultural Society (PAS) is continuing to serve the community after a newly elected board of directors during their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of PAS.

The 180-year-old organization, with its new board, is planning to revitalize the Society and charting a sustainable path forward with 12 new members and three associate board members, according to Louise Dobbin, PAS general manager.

“We’re excited to take on this important responsibility and look forward to working with the community to continue the Society’s legacy,” said Louise Dobbin, general manager. “Our focus will be on strengthening agricultural education, fostering partnerships, and reimagining the future of the Peterborough Agricultural Society.”

The new Board invites the community to get involved as they develop plans for the year ahead.

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Photos: Miskin Law Community Complex Officially Opens to Public

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The City of Peterborough has officially opened the new Miskin Law Community Complex and welcomed the community to explore the new facility, participate in activities and celebrate a new Indigenous public art installation on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The grand opening of the new complex at Lansdowne and Park Streets includes free public skating, a yoga class, opportunities to view the art installation and a chance to try out the indoor walking track.

The 121,500-square-foot facility features a twin-pad arena, an indoor walking track, multi-purpose spaces and leasable office space. A Peterborough Public Library branch is set to open on Feb. 1 as a replacement for the De La Fosse branch.

“Today, we celebrate a moment more than a decade in the making. The opening of the Miskin Law Community Complex is the result of the cumulative effort and dedication of City staff, community supporters, and past and present City councils,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This facility provides dynamic spaces like the twin-pad arena and walking track to help people be active, while also serving as a source for inspiration with a new library branch and public art installation.”

The ground-breaking ceremony of the $68.5-million facility began on Dec 8, 2022. However, construction began earlier that year in August.

The Miskin Law Community Complex’s gounrdbreaking ceremony on Dec. 8, 2022.

The building boasts reduced carbon emissions during construction by reducing concrete usage, optimizing building envelope materials and strategically using glazing according to the City. Operating emissions were reduced by nearly 40 per cent through features like LED lighting, a water-loop heat pump system with heat recovery from the ice plant, electric ice resurfacers and ventilation heat recovery systems.

The indoor walking track allows individuals of all ages and abilities to stay active. Meanwhile, a new public art installation builds awareness of Indigenous cultures, heritage and sport said the City.

Vanessa Dion Fletcher, an Indigenous artist, created a focal-point art installation in the floor-to-ceiling windows at the main entrance’s two-storey atrium. Supported by sculptor and fabricator Matthew Walker, the work Resonant Harmony features three hoops painted with the visual texture, patterns and colours of quillwork. The installation offers insight into Indigenous teachings, the ethos of sport and its role in fostering relationships.

The development of the City’s newest community complex received significant funding from the federal government and local corporate sponsors, totalling more than $9.4 million.

The project was bolstered with more than $8.4 million from the Canada Community-Building Fund.

In Ontario, the Canada Community-Building Fund is administered by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario twice annually to 443 municipalities with funding allocated per capita. Local corporate sponsors were important supporters of the project and contributed a cumulative total of $1 million to the project’s budget.

These sponsors include:

  • Miskin Law: Secured overall naming rights for the complex for the next 10 years

  • Canadian Hockey Enterprises: Secured naming rights for the south arena pad and has agreed to utilize lease space in the building for its operations

  • Russelle Toyota: Secured naming rights for the north arena pad

The ice pads and indoor walking track in the Miskin Law Community Complex are now accessible for Peterborough residents and visitors.

Programming includes Learn to Skate programming, parent and tot instructional lessons, and private skating lessons. All ages drop-in public skating will be available on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., and youth shinny hockey will run on Tuesday evenings from 6:15 p.m. to 7:05 p.m.

Miskin will also be the location for two upcoming hockey tournaments in January, including the Steve Richey Tournament of Champions and the Peterborough Hockey Association Tournament.

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City of Peterborough Discontinues Maintenance On Canal Due to Budgeting; Final Deliberations In Early February

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As part of its 2025 Budget deliberations, the City of Peterborough is not maintaining a skating rink at the Peterborough Lift Lock and may remove that service as a cost-cutting measure.

File Photo.

With the canal property of Parks Canada, the City does not decide on public access to the property, according to a press release. Parks Canada has, in the past, installed steps for public access to the ice surface of the canal at the City’s request.

The City estimates an annual cost of $100,000 for maintenance, which includes activities such as regularly flooding the ice surface to create a smooth rink, snow clearing with snow clearing machines, and testing ice thickness.

The green flag was posted for safe skating on the canal beneath the Lift Lock for the following number of days for each of the past few seasons based on weather and ice conditions: 2021-2022 season, 12 days; 2022-2023 season, four days; 2023-2024 season, one day.

The City also operates an outdoor skating rink at Quaker Foods City Square on Charlotte Street. It administers a neighbourhood park rink program provided by volunteers who maintain rinks at neighbourhood parks.

City Council will continue its 2025 Budget deliberations on Jan. 20 with final approval of the 2025 Budget anticipated on Feb. 3.

The Draft 2025 Budget reflects an eight per cent all-inclusive property tax increase for 2025. City Council has indicated it would like options to reduce the all-inclusive property tax increase to seven per cent.

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Peterborough Agricultural Society May Close Due to Lack of Board Members

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The Peterborough Agricultural Society (PAS) is in jeopardy of closing as it requires volunteers to join its Board of Directors or face permanent stoppage in operations announced on Thursday.


Founded in 1844, the Peterborough Agricultural Society was known for running the Peterborough Exhibition. Photo courtesy of PAS.

PAS is holding its Annual General Membership meeting on Jan.15 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52, 1550 Lansdowne St. W. to determine the 180-year-old organization’s future.

The current Board has announced its decision to step down at the end of this term following ongoing challenges. This includes relocating after losing access to Morrow Park last year.

“This is a critical moment for the Peterborough Agricultural Society,” said Louise Dobbin, PAS general manager. “The current Board has faced numerous challenges and we are calling on the community to rally behind us. Without enough committed individuals to lead, the organization cannot continue and we risk losing this historic Society for good.”

The Board seeks volunteers with governance, finance, strategic planning, event management, communications and agriculture skills to help guide the organization forward. Board members must reside within Peterborough County or the City of Peterborough and commit to attending ten meetings a year.

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David Tuan Bui's Top 10 Photos of 2024

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Every time I do this yearly article, I always say I’m not the best photographer in town but I always grow with every year.

But what can I say differently about this year?

It’s not a hobby that I pursue but I have started to take it a little more seriously as the years go on and I even have that approach when I take personal photos.

Again, this craft can take years to master and with my lived experiences as my only teacher for now, I have to make do with my ability and let it flourish over time.

It is nice to see that more professional organizations are using my photos for commercial, professional or social media use like Kawartha Food Share and Rotary Club of Peterborough, to name a few.

There could have been plenty of other photos that could have made the list; I took a ton, so I’m bound to have missed what would have been a great one for the list.

Here are my top ten photos that I have taken for PTBOCanada in no particular order:

Vanessa Oake Hogan (left) with her sister Renée Oake shortly after the latter did 146 laps in the swimming lane. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Somehow, the Carl Oake Rotary Swim always seems to crack the top 10.

The 38th edition held by the Rotary Club continues to be at the YMCA of Central East Ontario, raising money for Easter Seals and various Rotary projects.

Typically, like any professional photographer, you take multiple shots and then take the best one. Somehow, for this shot, I was preoccupied with something else at the event and rushed to sneak in one quick picture. Thankfully, that one shot was all I needed.

director Celeste Scopelites marvels at the piece, “Comfort, Eyes That Speak” by Don Kwan. pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

To celebrate the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s 50th anniversary, they have launched their event lineup to commemorate the gallery’s founding in 1974.

Celeste Scopelites, AGP director had this really intriguing expression as she was looking at Don Kwan’s piece, ‘Comfort, Eyes That Speak.”

Art always some underlying tones, meanings or messages and I thought this picture kind of captures the mystery and marvel behind the piece.

(From left to right) The Growdens Tara, Teddy, Dan and Ambassador Sawyer sharing a moment as the 52nd Easter Seals Telethon Kicks Off. Sawyer is returning as a regional ambassador after being announced as a new one last year. She was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the 15th chromosome. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Growden family have always been ambassadors for the Easter Seals Telethon. Sawyer Grace Growden has Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the 15th chromosome. She uses a wheelchair and a walker to help with her mobility.

With the launch of the 52nd year, it’s no secret that the program has helped benefit families like the Growdens and the event is a reminder of how much of an impact the Telethon makes every year.

(From left to right) Easton Howard, 12; Savannah Amos, 12; Mona Abokhashref, 12 and Zoey Tremblay, 12 were one of 180 Kenner students crunching into apples at Kenner’s auditorium. As one trivia question asked at the assembly, Macintosh is Canada’s national apple. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Grade 7 and 8 students from Kenner Intermediate School students and staff crunched into apples in sync at the ‘Great Big Crunch’ to highlight the need for sustainably funded school food programs across Canada.

I could hear the snap and crunch of every apple as I took this shot of these Kenner students. The students had fun with the event (or were happy to be out of class), and the smiling faces of the crunch were there.

Down With Webster guitarist Patrick Gillett (left) with vocalist Cameron Hunter (right) pumping up the Peterborough Musicfest crowd with "One In a Million." All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Toronto-based band Down With Webster brought their rap-rock musical stylings to a packed Del Crary Park for Peterborough Musicfest, keeping the crowd riled up throughout the concert.

This concert was definitely more high-energy than your typical Peterborough Musicfest event. There was a long of jumping, loud sing-alongs and Down With Webster knew how to keep the audience flowing with energy.

I credit the lighting on the stage to make this shot look way cooler than it should have been.

Samantha Hernandez with her children Micah (left) and Isaiah (right) enjoying the facilities of Peterborough child and family centre. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The Peterborough Child and Family Centres got a technological infrastructure upgrade after an Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Fund of $23,800.

However, the photo shows the happiness of Samantha Hernandez and her two children. I used this facility several times when my daughter was just a newborn so I understand how vital this facility is to Peterborough.

Daxton Whitmore, 8, Havelock Hawks left winger gets a signature from Petes forward Quinn Binnie during the team’s last practice before their last home game. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

What was an up-and-down season for the Peterborough Petes, they had their final practice before their final home game of the season in Havelock.

The kids certainly had fun as the Petes skated with the Havelock Hawks after the practice. Hawks left winger Daxton Whitmore looked like he was having a surreal moment when then-Pete Quinn Binnie signed a stick for him. That expression says it all!

(From left to right) Carrie Truman, Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation executive director; Tammy Thompson, Case Worker at Peterborough Bigs; Ava McQuade, 9, Little Sister and Robert Gauvreau of Gauvreau CPA. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Gauvreau CPA, for three straight years, has provided backpacks for children as they head back to school.

The children receiving the backpacks are affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough (Peterborough Bigs) and Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation.

This picture always makes me smile; seeing kids get a head start, the community rallying for a good cause, and just being caught in a sea of backpacks looks cool for the camera. Every time I cover this story, it seems to be my angle of choice.

Nick Pellerin tosses a netful of trout into the Lift Lock to prepare for the fishing derby. Photo by David Tuan bui.

One event we are always invited to witness is the fish being thrown into the Canal to kick off the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Under the Lock Fishing Derby.

Just seeing a ton of fish fly through the air before they hit the water is always a cool sight to see and capturing a shot of them mid-air is quite the spectacle.

We have been assured that the fish are not harmed when thrown into the water in this matter.

Ivana Braithwaite, 4, gets a Merry Christmas and holiday cheer from Santa as Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation launches its Santa’s Sleigh program for 2025. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

I always have a soft spot for children. I became a father a year and a half ago so whatever I can to benefit my daughter and to make her smile, I’m all for it.

With that said, the joy of four-year-old Ivana Braithwaite hugging Santa during the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation 2024 Santa’s Sleigh Program really tugged a few heartstrings for me.

The program has the community take a child’s Christmas gift wish from a tree, purchase the gift and then drop it off in Santa’s Sleigh.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Rename 'Breakfast Cup' To Honour Dedicated Program Volunteer; $6,000 Donation to Five Counties From Golf Fundraiser

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The Rotary Club of Peterborough has renamed its friendly competition of its morning meal program the ‘Breakfast Cup’ to the ’Koeslag Cup’ to honour one of its late dedicated volunteers, Peter Koeslag, announced on Monday morning.

The Koeslag family as part of the newly named ‘Koeslag Cup’ with this year’s winner. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made at the Northminster United Church during a club’s meeting, including a $9,000 donation to Five Counties Children’s Centre. The proceeds were raised from the Club’s ‘Fore For Kids’ golf tournament held on Sept. 26 at Bellmere Winds Golf Resort in Keene.

The Koeslag Cup was a Prince of Wales school breakfast program that started in 1994 with Rotarians Isadore Black and Dr. Garry Humphries. Rotarians and local volunteers would be in teams to prepare delicious and nutritious meals daily for Prince of Wales Students.

Koeslag has been known to make a challenge among the volunteers to see which group could create the most exciting breakfast menus for kids during the last weeks of school before the Christmas holidays and summer break.

“He enjoyed seeing the smile on people's faces, he didn't do it for money, he just did it because he loved doing that,” said Paul Koeslag, Peter’s son. “Part of it was because when he was younger, he didn't have those opportunities. Dad just loved helping people.”

The Rotary Club of Peterborough, which meets at noon two Mondays per month, is one of four clubs in the area and one of over 46,000 clubs, with 1.4 million members around the world. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

He created a special trophy that would be awarded twice yearly to the winning team, as judged by students and school staff.

“Peter was very active in the school program,” explained Kein Seim, Rotary president. “Between him and a couple other ones that have been it for 30 years, they've been instrumental in bringing it along. From pretty meagre beginnings to a full kitchen and full breakfasts, Peter himself is very handy. If we needed something, he would make it.”

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Local Restaurant Owner Continues Holiday Spirit of Giving Free Meals To Anyone In Need On Christmas Day

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The Original Spaghetti House Pizzeria owner, Ilir Sino, keeps his holiday-giving spirit going as he plans to give our free hot meals for Christmas Day to anyone in need.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ILIR SINO.

He typically offers free hot meals during Easter and Christmas and has given away meals during this year’s Thanksgiving.

Meals will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spaghetti House, 512 George St. S.

Sino announced on his Facebook that he is inviting Peterborough and the surrounding area to grab a meal on Saturday.

Sino has a history of philanthropy. In November 2022, he donated $1,500 to Alternatives Community Program Services Peterborough. He has also donated to local sports teams and other charities.

He opened his production facility, Sino’s Fine Foods, located at 597 Monaghan Rd. in the summer of 2022. The business produces his sauces, dressings, soups, oven-ready dinners and more.

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City's Dance the Boro Project Selected For My Main Street Community Activator Initiative

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The City of Peterborough’s Dance the Boro project was selected for the My Main Street Community Activator initiative and received support to make enhancements to Quaker Foods City Square and offer free community dance classes in downtown Peterborough.

File Photo.

Dance the Boro, held Friday evenings and Saturday mornings from Sept. 27 to Oct. 19 at Quaker Foods City Square, encouraged the community to come downtown for an hour of fun, dance and connection.

“Bringing people downtown for fun, interactive events like Dance the Boro transforms public spaces into shared spaces where residents of all ages can connect, move and celebrate community,” said Alex Bierk and Joy Lachica, Town Ward Councillors in a joint statement. “These experiences are what make our city thrive and our downtown shine.”

Support from My Main Street was used to make permanent enhancements at Quaker Foods City Square. Improvements included a portable stage, benches, planters, removable bollards, bike racks, and outdoor speakers, all designed to enrich the visitor experience while driving traffic to main streets and contributing to the community's economic vitality.

My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods that will enhance the overall quality of life for residents while promoting sustainable and inclusive community development.

"Dance the Boro demonstrates the power of community-driven initiatives that breathe new life into our downtown spaces,” said Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director. “We're proud to support free events like these that provide opportunities for people of all ages to experience what makes our downtown a unique and inviting gathering place for all.”

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