Photos: Nagasaki Commemoration Lantern Ceremony at Little Lake

The Peterborough Peace Council hosted its annual Hiroshima and Nagasaki Commemoration Ceremony at Little Lake on Tuesday evening.

Traditionally the lanterns have been released towards the fountain however this year’s strong winds sent them along the shoreline. Photo by Luke Best.

“It’s important to remember exactly what happened,” said Gianne Broughton, a Peterborough Peace Council member.

The commemoration began with Broughton acknowledging the 77th anniversary of the dropping of an atomic bomb on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan by the U.S Military.

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Peterborough Peace Council member Sheila Nabigon-Howlett then shared how Canada has not yet signed the UN Nuclear Ban Treaty and called for the end of nuclear tech.

“This is an opportunity to look at the globe and see what is happening. It’s not pretty,” she said.

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

An open invitation was offered if anyone would like to speak their mind, about the past or about the future. Two speeches were made after an open mic invitation was offered to speak their mind, about the past or about the future, followed by a song.

Peterborough Peace Council and supporters were invited to release paper lanterns into the water after the sun had set. This Japanese custom is a gesture of respect for those who have died and gives participants a moment to think about their ancestors and loved ones.

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

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Peterborough Peace Council To Host Annual Lantern Vigil On Anniversary Of The Bombings Of Hiroshima And Nagasaki

The Peterborough Peace Council will host their annual Hiroshima and Nagasaki Commemoration Ceremony at Little Lake on August 9, the 77th anniversary of the dropping of an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan by the U.S Military.

Lanterns at Hiroshima Commemoration event in 2018. Photo by Gianne Broughton.

The Peterborough Peace Council was formed in 2014 in hopes to foster compassionate non-violent direct action & conflict resolution through information sharing.

“We are a network that helps each other to build peace in our community, and worldwide,” said Gianne Broughton, council member.

One a month the group hosts a vigil at the corner of McDonnell Street and George Street. Broughton says that sometimes there is a theme for the vigil, like the war in Ukraine or housing and homelessness crisis in Peterborough, but other times the vigil is simply to promote peace.

Commemorating the tragedies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki has been happening for years, but Broughton says the Peterborough Peace Council has been hosting their event for six or seven years.

The event is meant to show solidarity to those affected and to support the UN Nuclear Ban Treaty, which Canada has not signed.

“This night gives people a chance to really feel the terribleness of nuclear weapons,” said Broughton. “We also talk about what can be done instead.”

Broughton highlighted non-violent strategies like diplomacy, ending exploitation and following treaties that are already enacted.

Broughton notes that this years event may be more poignant that other years, because of what is happening in Ukraine.

“Nuclear annihilation is a real threat with the war in Ukraine,” she said. “People need hope, we need to do something.”

The commemoration will begin at 7:45 p.m. near the T-Wharf on Little Lake. Lanterns will be launched at 8:30.

Before lanterns are launched Michael Ketemer will provide music on his Hammer Harp. A keynote speaker will address the crowd, followed by ‘open sharing time’ for attendees that wish to speak.

Those that attend are welcome to create and bring their own lanterns, though there will be some available there. Attendees are also asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

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Little Lake Makes Big Splashes Again With Centennial Fountain Turned On For a Full Season

Little Lake has come alive again as the Centennial Fountain has turned on for the season on Thursday morning.

Daryl Stevenson, City of Peterborough’s wastewater treatment manager turning on the Centennial Fountain by a tablet. The iconic fountain is considered one of the highest jet fountains in the country, shooting up to 76 metres in the air. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The fountain had different schedules for the past two years. This year, it runs on a full schedule this year from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. until Oct. 10.

“Two years ago, the fountain was off for the entire year,” said Daryl Stevenson, City of Peterborough’s wastewater treatment manager. “Last year, Council decided to run the fountain from slightly reduced hours but we're looking forward to a good season again this year.”

The fountain will have nightly LED light shows. It plays a part in several major events that take place near it according to Stevenson.

"It's part of Little Lake, whether it's part of the Dragon Boat Festival or any of the concerts going on at night," he explained. "It's iconic, it's beautiful, it's one of the largest fountains in Canada and people just love coming to see it."

The Centennial Fountain was installed through a donation by General Electric Canada in 1967 to mark the Canadian Centennial celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation.

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Little Lake To Be Renamed "Big Lake" to Create Better Optics for Peterborough

UPDATE: Happy April Fool’s Day!!

———————

While Little Lake is synonymous with Peterborough like Market Hall, Quaker Oats and the Memorial Centre, sources tell PTBOCanada that there are serious discussions happening behind closed doors regarding a name change to “Big Lake”.

Photo by David Tuan Bui

Attracting more tourists to provide city revenue and giving Peterborough a “big city” feel are some reasons for the change according to the unnamed source.

“Little Lake makes us look small but ‘Big Lake’ reflects the direction the city is going in right now — we’re growing and we have the best amenities including this gorgeous lake,” the source tells us. “When people are attending Musicfest from all over Canada and the world, do we want them to think, ‘Little Lake or Big Lake?'"

Photo by David Tuan Bui

There is no doubt Little Lake has a rich history and name. Adam Scott built a sawmill and grist-mill in 1818 on the south edge of the lake and the settlement of Scott’s Plains would eventually become Peterborough.

The Electric City is moving into a bold new era of innovation, fresh ideas and momentum as it is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada. It is why name change advocates say now is the time to call it Big Lake.

PTBOCanada reached out to City Hall but they refused to comment at this time, "We’ve got bigger fish to fry than to comment on that," a staffer told us.

Photo by David Tuan Bui

PTBOCanada editor David Tuan Bui did report seeing a small group of people standing on the deck of The Lighthouse Lounge & Grill overlooking the marina holding. He claims to see them holding renderings of a marketing design that featured the name “BIG LAKE” in all-caps.

“I was taking a walk in beautiful Del Crary Park where I noticed something was going on at the upper deck,” said Bui. “Out of nowhere, I saw the words and thought this would be big news!”

In the Legend of the rendering, it also said “PTBO Fountain”, making us wonder if they are considering changing the name of Centennial Fountain as well.

“Listen, I can neither deny nor confirm the existence of those renderings, but what I can tell you is that Centennial Fountain is the highest jet fountain in Canada,” the source says. "Imagine having the highest jet fountain on Big Lake as opposed to Little Lake? They work well together, especially when combined with boaters and tourists who travel up to the alpha Historic Lift Lock. Big Lake just works better overall.”

Photo by David Tuan Bui

PTBOCanada did an informal poll regarding the possible name change at Del Crary Park and 33% of respondents (we polled three people) did not think it was the worst idea.

“It’s great to be nostalgic about the past, but we have to push forward,” said one respondent. “I mean, it’s not like we’re changing the name of the city, right? It’s a lake. And it actually does look pretty big if you think about it.”

The other two respondents thought it was a bad idea. “If they change the name to Big Lake, I’m moving to Oshawa,” laughed one. “Little Lake foreva!” said the other respondee. “Put that on a Tee!!”

What do you think of a possible name change? Go to our Facebook page and weigh in...

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Canadian Canoe Museum Confirms Viability Of Johnson Park On Shores Of Little Lake For New Museum Build

The Canadian Canoe Museum has announced that Johnson Park, the City-owned property situated on Little Lake—north of Beavermead Park and south of the Parks Canada-Trent Severn Waterway head offices—has been deemed viable for the building of its new canoe museum.

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

This confirmation clears the way for moving to the next phase of feasibility activities and determining next steps with the City of Peterborough.

“We are thrilled that recently concluded due diligence explorations, environmental assessments, testing and feasibility studies have substantiated the Johnson Park location as a viable site for the building of the new world-class canoe museum,” says Carolyn Hyslop, executive director, The Canadian Canoe Museum.

Land image graphic courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum

“The museum will now enter the next phase of feasibility and validation activities,” adds Hyslop. “This process will help us fine tune budget and overall costs, design and the project schedule with a view to being shovel-ready by the end of 2021.”

Leading with environmental stewardship in mind, the new museum will be built on a flat portion of the property, away from the floodplain, on the open land along Ashburnham Drive. This will preserve the existing trail, shoreline and natural waterfront.

To assist CCM with the realization of a new creative vision suitable to a fresh waterfront site, the new museum will be designed by local, award-winning Lett Architects Inc. With experience in completing cultural projects for nationally recognized institutions, Lett will bring a strong collaborative and engaging approach to the project.

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

“In a year that has brought every manner of exceptional challenges to us all, we are delighted to close out 2020 with positive and hopeful news,” adds Hsylop. “Having found a viable site for this extraordinary project that will see the new museum situated on the shores of Peterborough’s Little Lake—what a terrific kick off to 2021!”

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Developer Paul Bennett On His Vision For Taking Back The Waterfront (Including A 100 Unit Condo Building He's Proposing)

As part of his vision to “take the waterfront back and make it part of the public realm”, Peterborough developer Paul Bennett has a dream to build a 100-unit high-end condo development for Crescent Street on Little Lake near the Art Gallery of Peterborough. He’ll soon be submitting his plans (the building is designed by Lett Architects) to the city for approval.

In this guest post below for PTBOCanada, Bennett—President of Ashburnham Realty, one of the Co-Founders of VentureNorth and interim chairman of the DBIA—writes about his vision for the waterfront and this proposed waterfront property (for years, he’s been buying up enough properties along there to make this happen)…

Lett Architect rendering of condo unit proposed for Little Lake

This project has been many years in the making, and I think it will be a real catalyst to help our City develop in a positive way. We have a very large list of people who are interested in living close to the core in high quality suites/residences. 

This is very exciting for us as we strongly believe in a more urbanized Peterborough that promotes a healthy, active and fun lifestyle. Peterborough is a very special community that we love, and we are looking forward to celebrating this idea of community more with this project and another one we have coming up next year in East City.     

Our waterfront is truly one of Peterborough’s greatest features and up until now it has lacked the attention it deserves. The vision for this project started 12 years ago and aims to take the waterfront back and make it a community asset by eliminating all traffic and creating trails, landscaped areas, art installations and gathering nodes along the Trans Canada trail.  

Larger Cities like Chicago showed proactive and smart planning by keeping the waterfront public and their City has greatly benefited from this vision. We have that same opportunity here—especially once the City is able to complete the full trail loop over into East City.

This coupled with the potential of a Del Crary park rejuvenation and a new world class Art Gallery makes the Little Lake area an amazing location for increased residential density. Our goal is to make Peterborough the best place in Canada to live and we feel this project will help us take a step in this direction.   

The Crescent St building itself will be approximately 100 suites (depending on the final mix of suites and whether clients decide to combine suites). They will be both private residences and luxury rental suites, and there will be a mix of many styles of suites (townhomes, lofts, penthouses, etc.).  

The building will have amenities that will make it Peterborough’s first true luxury community that will cater to those in our community that are looking for high end suites, beautiful views, walkable central location and building services that have yet to be offered in Peterborough. Our City is in drastic need of housing across all spectrums. This building looks to satisfy one of the markets that we see a large demand for.

We do, however, need to find solutions to the apartment affordability issue. We are working with a local housing provider to create a cool affordable project close to the core. We hope to announce this project and timing before Christmas. 

We are all members of this community and we need to find ways to help this City grow in a positive way that includes finding options across the whole housing spectrum. We hope that our upcoming projects will help address many of the areas of the demand.  

Below is a quote from Michael Gallant, who designed the property for us. I think it does a great job of capturing the initial vision I went to Lett Architects with years ago…

"Peterborough is changing. The Ashburnham Crescent street development is responding to the growing desire for housing options that cater to a more urban lifestyle in a central location. The design is inspired by its proximity to Little Lake, with plans to reclaim a section of Crescent street to provide new public park space, trail connections, and the potential to naturalize the shoreline. Many of the units are designed to encourage a relationship with its surroundings, embracing what’s best about Peterborough: its community, its waterfront, and its central area.”

—guest post by Paul Bennett for PTBOCanada

Learn more about Bennett’s vision for Peterborough, the downtown and smart, sustainable growth in this interview he conducted on our show PTBOCanada earlier this year…

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A Local Company Wants To Build A Water Park On Little Lake

Peterborough couple Jason and Niki Pulchinski have a dream: to construct a water park on Little Lake in this city they love.

Their Peterborough-based company At The Lake Distributing Inc.—which sells water toys and docks, and has installed water parks across the country—wants to construct a quarter million dollar inflatable water park on Little Lake.

Here is a 3D rendering ATL Distributing provided to PTBOCanada of a possible location on Little Lake...

Little Lake rendering

The Pulchinski's company has a proven track record: They have installed water parks (see pics below) at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario; Camp Qwanoes in Crofton, British Columbia; Clevelands House Resort in Minett, Ontario; Sunshine House Boats in Cranbrook, British Columbia and an upcoming one at Railyard Wake Park in Mount Albert, Ontario this summer.

Deerhurst Resort Splash Zone

Camp Qwanoes Park

Clevelands House Resort

These parks really add a wow factor to any place that installs one, and this is what ATL Distributing wants to bring to Peterborough—thinking it could be great for locals but also an awesome tourist attraction being near the Trent Severn Waterway and Lift Lock for boaters coming through from all parts.

It could help put Peterborough on the map even more.

Rendering of Rail Yard Aquapark

ATL want to pay the city to put up this water park (they are open to different locations but suggested one near Del Crary Park and the Art Gallery of Peterborough—see rendering at top of post), and incur all the costs associated with running it (insurance, security, and everything else involved in the running of this park).

It would be run by ATL and it would create at least six well paid jobs, the company tells PTBOCanada. Safety is top of mind: There would be lifeguards, and lifejackets would be required wear. They also would partner with local businesses, kids camps and kids charities to get people downtown.

Water park 3D rendering courtesy ATL Distributing

"Bringing a water park to Peterborough is really for the attraction of people to our beautiful downtown and Del Crary Park by Little Lake," ATL says.
 
Jason has reached out to the City of Peterborough and is hoping to get a meeting to present an elaborate proposal to them of how their company can work with the muncipality on the project. Without their blessing, the water park will not happen.

In the meantime, Jason and Niki will continue to dream big, believing this project could create a huge splash here. They hope to someday see kids and adults from Peterborough and beyond creating family memories at this water park on Little Lake in the Kawarthas.

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Check Out This Great Video Of Centennial Fountain On Little Lake

We're so lucky to have The Centennial Fountain at Little Lake in Peterborough, which is the highest jet fountain in Canada.

Installed in 1967, the water shoots up 76m (250 feet).

And it creates beautiful rainbows...

Doug Logan from Fine Homes Photo filmed this great video of the fountain (screengrabs from it are pictured above). Watch it below...

September 9, 2016

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Amazing Historical Video Of The Construction Of The Little Lake Fountain

This film below on the design and construction of the Centennial Fountain in Little Lake via Chex Daily is some of the best historical footage you'll ever watch.

The fountain, installed in 1967, is the highest jet fountain in Canada. This is ingenuity at its finest.

Watch this video below...

Post by Chex Daily.

[via CHEX Daily on Facebook]

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This Is An Absolutely Stunning Fall Image Of Little Lake

Linda McIlwain tweeted this image to us of the Little Lake fountain with East City as a backdrop, and it's magical. It's like a painting. Yes, we so totally dig it. And there's even a little rainbow in there.

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