Traffic Interruptions Expected At Kirkfield Lift Lock Until Friday Evening For Repairs

Parks Canada advises the public to expect traffic interruptions at the Kirkfield Lift Lock until Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

THE KIRKFIELD LIFT LOCK IS LOCATED A FEW KILOMETRES NORTH OF THE VILLAGE OF KIRKFIELD. PHOTO COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA.

A crane will be on-site to support the final repairs at the Kirkfield Lift Lock before the navigation season.

“We expect to be able to maintain both lanes of traffic flow on Kirkfield Road (County Road 6), although traffic controls, including flaggers and signage, will be in place as needed,” according to a press release statement.

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Partial Lane Closure For Kirkfield Lift Lock; Traffic Interruptions Expected

Expect traffic interruptions at the Kirkfield Lift Lock as there is a partial lane closure until Friday at 5 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The closure on Kirkfield Road (County Road 6) is required to facilitate crane access to support the necessary repairs. Traffic controls including flaggers and signage will be in place as needed.

Parks Canada thanks area residents and visitors for their patience and understanding.

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Runner's Life Seeking Skaters To Make World's Longest Conga Line At Peterborough Lift Lock

Runner’s Life Ltd is calling all skaters in the area to create the world’s longest Conga line along the Lift Lock canal on Feb. 4.

File Photo.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Skaters of all skill levels are invited to participate. For every skater participating, a dollar will be donated to ComPassion Project.

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Partial Lane Closure At Kirkfield Lift Lock For Repairs Scheduled For Tuesday Until Saturday

The Kirkfield Lift Lock (Highway 503) will experience traffic interruptions from a lane closure starting from Tuesday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m. according to Parks Canada.

THE KIRKFIELD LIFT LOCK IS LOCATED A FEW KILOMETRES NORTH OF THE VILLAGE OF KIRKFIELD. PHOTO COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA.

The closure facilitates crane access, supporting the Kirkfield Lift Lock Urgent Repair project according to Parks Canada. Traffic controls, including flaggers and signage, will be in place as necessary.

The pedestrian walking path from the south side to the washrooms through the road-level walkway will be unavailable during this period.

While repairs progress, Parks Canada advises boaters that single chamber lockages remain in place, operating on demand and taking approximately 60 minutes per transfer.

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Fifth-Annual Lock & Paddle Hits Peterborough Lift Lock This Saturday

Parks Canada’s fifth-annual Lock & Paddle event is welcoming back paddlers and spectators at the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada this Saturday at 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

This year’s theme ‘Lift Your Spirits,’ invites paddlers and attendees to show us what makes them happy! Paddlers get to experience going down the Lift Locks and paddling through the canal. This free all-ages event invites anyone to decorate their vessel, wear a costume or have fun.

To participate, registrants can go apply online.

Beginners or those with accessibility needs can enter the waterway at the Visitor Centre on-site at the event. Canoes can be launched at the following places:

• Beavermead Campground - 2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough (Five-minute paddle to Lock 20)

• Rogers Cove - 131 Maria Street, Peterborough (Five-minute paddle to Lock 20)

• Millennium Park - 130 King Street, Peterborough (20-minute paddle to Lock 20)

• Del Crary Park - 100 George Street, Peterborough (35-minute paddle to Lock 20)

• Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre - 353 Hunter Street East, Peterborough (Drop-off only)

There is no parking available at the Peterborough Lift Lock or Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre (except for vehicles with Handicapped Accessible signage). A paddle craft drop-off option is available at the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre.

Parking options nearby

• Trent-Severn Waterway Headquarters (2155 Ashburnham Dr.)

• Eastgate Memorial Park (2150 Ashburnham Dr.)

• Beavermead Campground (2011 Ashburnham Dr.)

• Rogers Cove (131 Maria St.)

This is a smoke-free and alcohol-free event that will happen rain or shine.  

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Jim Carrey Spotted In Peterborough While Scouting Filming Locations For Ace Ventura 3

UPDATE: 12:20 p.m. 01/04/23

APRIL FOOLS! Did we get you? Jim Carrey was sighted at Peterborough Airport in 2014. It is said that he has property in the Buckhorn area.

Renowned actor Jim Carrey was recently spotted in Peterborough and several other local spots, scouting potential filming locations for his next movie, Ace Ventura 3.

Twitter Photo.

The Newmarket native has had ties to Peterborough, owning a cottage in the Bancroft area and spending several days there in between shoots.

He reached out to fellow Canadian actress Linda Kash at Market Hall (best known for her role as the Philadelphia Cream Cheese angel) to collaborate and help find potential filming spots in town.

“Both of us were big in the 90s and I don’t know how we never had the chance to work together,” explained Kash. “When he called me and asked for my help, I couldn’t say no. I’ve always loved watching him and was a big inspiration to me when I was starting my acting career.”

A movie poster teaser of Ace Ventura 3. A sequel for the series’s third incarnation ahs been 18 years in the making.

Carrey’s movie series, ‘Ace Ventura’ is reputable for its plot of the title character of a pet detective rescuing captive or missing animals.

One spot Kash recommended was the Riverview Park and Zoo as Carrey was brainstorming ideas for exotic animals to be missing in his upcoming film, according to Cathy Mitchell, zoo program supervisor.

“Jim was discussing ideas of what animals we could showcase for his upcoming film,” she explained. “We made suggestions of our beloved otters, Hazard the lynx and several other animals but he was particularly fond of Pablo, our 10-year-old Capybara. We’re incredibly honoured that our beautiful Pablo could become a movie star in the near future.”

Pablo celebrated his 10th birthdya on Valentine’s day. Photo courtesy of Riverview Park & Zoo.

The Peterborough Memorial Centre was in the presence of Carrey as the Peterborough Petes’s mascot Roger was discussed as a potential ‘missing animal’ for the third movie. This would follow in the footsteps of the first movie as it used ‘Snowflake,’ an actual dolphin that was kidnapped while being the Miami Dolphins’ mascot in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

“Roger has been an incredible and iconic mascot for the Peterborough Petes for the past 12 years,” said Adam King, Petes director of marketing. “To potentially see him on a big stage with an actor as famous as Jim Carrey would be wonderful for the Petes organization and Peterborough.

Peterborough Petes Mascot Roger, caught by surprise at the Canada Day Parade last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Kash recommended Peterborough Lift Lock as another filming location for the movie. Carrey said the unique structure could be a perfect spot as a climax scene for the movie as a ‘final showdown’ according to Chad Buchner, Ontario Waterways manager of canal operations.

“With the way the Lift Lock was built and how it operates, Jim told me that there are several angles he could go with filming scenes here,” he explained. “We could have someone falling from atop the Lift Lock, get trapped underneath the water or a boat chase scene along the Trent-Severn Waterway. The possibilities are practically endless.”

File Photo.

A projected date has not yet been released for Carrey’s third movie in the series.

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Kirkfield Lift Lock Repairs Contracted; Projected Completion For This Year's Navigation Season

Parks Canada has awarded a contract for the Kirkfield Lift Lock to undergo repairs since suffering a mechanical failure on Sept. 2 that resulted in its closure for the rest of 2022.

The Kirkfield Lift Lock is located a few kilometres north of the Village of Kirkfield. Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The Lift Lock is scheduled to be fully operational by the beginning of this year’s navigation season according to Parks Canada.

The scope of work will include: 

• Repairs to the structural, mechanical and electrical components.

• System improvements to increase safety controls and access improvements to critical system components.

• Backup system improvements to minimize impacts on future maintenance activities.

The Kirkfield Lift Lock is the second-highest hydraulic lift lock in the world with a lift of 15 metres (49 ft). The Kirkfield lock is at the highest point along the waterway at 256.20 m (840.5 ft.) above sea level.

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Geotechnical Investigations By Parks Canada At Peterborough Lift Lock Underway This Month

Parks Canada is undertaking geotechnical investigations within the canal between Lock 20 – Ashburnham and Lock 21 –Peterborough Lift Lock. Work began on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

These investigations will help inform the design of potential future rehabilitation work on the Peterborough Earth Dams.

This work will be weather dependent and is expected to conclude at the end of March. The public is asked to stay clear of the work area.

Over the past few years, Parks Canada has made a historic investment to rehabilitate earth dams along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site in the City of Peterborough. This rehabilitation has included work on Thompsons Bay Earth Dam, Curtis Creek Earth Dams and Hurdons Earth Dam.

These rehabilitated earth dams, which function as water retaining structures along the canal, also provide scenic waterside recreational trails for the public to enjoy while protecting visitors, residents and property.

The Government of Canada is investing over $615 million to support infrastructure work on the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site as part of the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada.

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Back-To-Back Champion to Bring Stanley Cup Back to Peterborough

After winning back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in his first two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Peterborough’s Mitchell Stephens will bring the prestigious trophy to Peterborough next Wednesday.

Stephens winning his second consecutive Stanley Cup at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, FL. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

“It’s going to be amazing to see my family and my friends celebrating it with me,” said Stephens. “My parents weren’t able to come down to either event. It’s going to be an amazing feeling for my dad to hold the Stanley Cup.”

Stephens will ride in a boat starting at the Peterborough Lift Lock at 5:30 p.m. He will descend the historic landmark with hockey’s most coveted trophy. The public is encouraged to spectate at the canal with parking and designated viewing areas on Ashburnham Drive to watch the water parade. Additional parking is available at the Lift Lock Visitor Centre on Hunter Street.

The boat will make its way through the Trent Severn Waterway to Little Lake and finish at the Fred Anderson Stage in Del Crary Park at roughly 6:30 p.m.

A route map of the Stanley Cup water parade starting at the Lift Lock and going down the Trent Severn Waterway. File Photo.

The 24-year old was unable to bring the cup home after his first win due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each winning member is allowed one day with the trophy where players typically bring it back to their respective hometowns. He had the cup for the day in Tampa Bay but understood why he could not bring it back to Peterborough.

“We understood it was challenging circumstances last year with COVID,” explained Stephens. “But to win it again and have the chance to celebrate in our hometowns like a normal year definitely made it sweeter.”

Stephens winning his first Stanley Cup championship in Edmonton in his rookie year during the 2019-20 NHL season. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

Stephens had played minor hockey in Peterborough for years before he played for the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League from 2011-2013 in the U15 and U16 age groups.

From 2014-2017, the hometown champion has played in two World Juniors and two World Junior U18 Championships winning a gold, silver and bronze medal.

Stephens as a member of the Peterborough Petes before playing minor Peewee hockey in Toronto. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

In 2013, he was drafted eighth overall by the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection draft where he played for four years.

He was drafted 33rd overall in the second round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015 and was sent to play with the Syracuse Crunch, the team’s American Hockey League farm team.

Stephens has scored a total of eight goals in his four World Junior appearences. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

Stephens scored his first goal on Dec. 28, 2019, against Montréal Canadiens’ Carey Price— who Tampa Bay beat in Stephens’s second cup win — after his rebound shot bounced off Artturi Lehkonen.

Entering his third NHL season, Stephens was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on July 30.

“The Lift Lock is a staple of Peterborough. It’s been recognizable. For me to do that, to bring the community together and celebrate one of the greatest trophies in sports,” reflected Stephens. “It’s an exciting opportunity for me to show the young athletes in Peterborough that I grew up playing minor hockey and I achieved this. The most important thing is to share it with my friends and family to the people who supported me during the highs and lows and show my gratitude.“

A reminder to everyone attending that all COVID-19 protocols are in effect, exercise caution and to maintain social distancing while viewing the event.

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