Enbridge Gas Invests In Selwyn Fire Department to Support Firefighter Training

An investment from Enbridge Gas Inc. is helping the Selwyn Fire Department to support firefighter training, announced at Selwyn Fire Hall 1 in Bridgenorth on Thursday.

(from left to right) Ron Black, Selwyn Township Deputy Mayor; Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township Mayor; Gord Jopling, Selwyn Fire Department Fire Chief; Jeff Braithwaite, GTA East Supervisor Operations, Enbridge Gas; Mary Coulas, Ennismore Ward Councillor and Brian Henry, Smith Ward Councillor. Since the launch of Safe Community Project Assist in 2012, 369 grants have been provided to Ontario fire departments for additional firefighter training. Photo courtesy of Selwyn Township.

The investment helps the Fire Department purchase firefighting training materials through Safe Community Project Assist–a program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC). It supplements existing training for Ontario volunteer and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge Gas operates.

“At Enbridge, safety is at the centre of everything we do and a value we live by,” says Jeff Braithwaite, GTA East Supervisor Operations, Enbridge Gas. “We are committed to providing emergency response training support to Ontario firefighters so they can continually learn, improve, and protect the vibrant and healthy communities they call home.”

This year’s $125,000 investment from Enbridge Gas will be shared by 25 Ontario fire departments, including Selwyn Fire Department. The funds will be used to purchase educational materials to assist in training firefighters in life-saving techniques.

“Fire departments train every single day and that’s why it’s important for them to have access to the right materials to keep their members and the public safe. Safe Community Project Assist helps departments afford some of these training tools and improves the ongoing learning that occurs across Ontario,” says John McBeth, Acting Ontario Fire Marshal and Acting Chair of the FMPFSC.

“We are very grateful to Enbridge Gas and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council for supporting Selwyn Fire Department with these training materials. Proper training has always been very important to our responders, and these men and women strive to advance their knowledge and training to be the best they can be for our community,” said Fire Chief Gord Jopling. “As province-wide mandatory certification rapidly approaches, the need for training materials for our volunteer firefighters is more important than ever.”

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Senior Skating Returns to Selwyn Township

Senior skating will take place in Lakefield and Ennismore starting next week.

File photo

Selwyn Township has announced the return of senior skating every Monday from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Ennismore Community Centre and every Tuesday and Friday from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre.

The skate is open to anyone aged 55+.

Selwyn Township also announced this year’s sponsors for the events.

The Regency of Lakefield will sponsor the Lakefield skates, covering the admission fees for the season, while Swish Maintenance and Blue Diamond Window Cleaning are teaming up to sponsor skating at the Ennismore rink, which is also free.

Senior skating starts next week and runs until the end of March 2025.

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Peterborough County Family Recognized For Sports Volunteer Efforts With Commemorative Plaque

Township Council, Staff and community members gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the Wilford Family plaque at the Douglas Sports Centre Ball Diamond in Lakefield on Thursday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough County.

This plaque has been installed to acknowledge the Wilford family (Jim, Yvonne and children Jessica and her husband Shawn, and Jimmy) for contributing to youth sports in our community.

“What stands out about the Wilford family is their deep commitment to the members of our community. They haven’t just supported our sports programs—they’ve helped build them,” said Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township Mayor. “Whether through countless volunteer hours, coaching, organizing, or contributing to the construction and maintenance of our ball diamonds, the Wilford’s have poured their hearts into making sure our kids have the opportunities and facilities they need to thrive and play.”

The Township of Selwyn would again like to thank the Wilford family for their commitment to our community.

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Selwyn Township to Unveil Plaque to Honour Family's Dedication to Youth Sports Next Thursday

To honour the Wilford family for their contributions to youth sports, Selwyn Township is unveiling a plaque at Douglas Sports Centre Ball Diamond in Lakefield next Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Google Maps Screenshot

Selwyn Township Mayor Sherry Senis, local dignitaries, and Township representatives will attend to speak about the plaque.

Jim and Yvonne along with their children Jessica and Jimmy, have contributed to local sports programs such as Lakefield and District Minor Hockey, the Lakefield Jr. C Chiefs and Lakefield Minor Ball according to a press release.

The family has also volunteered their time to contribute to the construction and maintenance of local ball diamonds.

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Lakefield's Trent Canal Bridge Closed to One Lane For Repairs On Tuesday

The Trent Canal Bridge in Lakefield/Township of Selwyn will be closed to one lane on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for repairs.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough County.

The closure is to finalize repairs to the expansion joint located on the west side of the Trent Canal Bridge to complete surface asphalt repairs prior to the end of August.

Traffic flagging operations will be in effect for the duration of the repairs.

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New Electric Vehicle Chargers Opens In Selwyn Township

Selwyn Township has made itself a little greener as they have introduced its new electric vehicle chargers at the municipal office on Tuesday morning.

(From left to right) Emilie Fargeout, Senior Project Manager for Earth Day Canada; Shilpi Singh, Aviva Canada Assistant Vice President of Sustainability; Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township Mayor; Ron Black, Deputy Mayor; Biran Henry, Smith Ward Councillor; John Boyko, Lakefield Ward Councillor and Ennismore Ward Councillor Mary Coulas. Photo courtesy of Selwyn Township.

The announcement was made with Township members, Aviva Canada and Earth Day Canada representatives.

In November, the Township installed six electric vehicle chargers at four locations. These include the Township Municipal Office, Ennismore Community Centre, Bridgenorth Library, and the River Den in Lakefield.

The new chargers help expand access to public charging in Selwyn Township which supports a transition to electric vehicles and reduces greenhouse gas emissions according to Mayor Sherry Senis.

“Today, we're not just launching new electric vehicle chargers; we're plugging into a sustainable future for Selwyn Township,” she said. These chargers mark our commitment to driving change, empowering our community to embrace clean transportation and steer towards a greener horizon.”

The installation of the new electric vehicle chargers was funded through Aviva Canada’s Charged for Change program in partnership with Earth Day Canada.

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Selwyn Township Receives $60,000 Grant For Installation of Accessible Kayak and Canoe Docks

In an effort to improve recreation accessibility, Selwyn Township has received $60,000 through the Inclusive Community Grants Program to install accessible kayak and canoe docking systems announced at The River Den in Lakefield on Thursday afternoon.

Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township mayor (left); Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility (middle) and Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP (right). Cho hade made three appearances in Peterborough City and County during his visit that including Peterborough, Lakefield and Havelock. pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

The announcement was made by Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP; Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden and Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township mayor.

The installations are part of the ‘Creating an Inclusive Waterfront in Lakefield’ project which aims to improve the enjoyment of water-based activities for older adults and anyone with limited mobility.

They will be installed at Lakefield Beach and Isabel Morris Park and are expected to be completed by early spring of this year.

The installations provide barrier-free access to recreational water activities along the Otonabee River.

“Our government proudly supports Selwyn Township in removing barriers to recreation through the Inclusive Community Grant,” said Cho. “Both projects will help people of all abilities stay active and close to home so they can continue to live healthy and independent lives.”

“There remain considerable barriers to participation in recreation and cultural activities for people with disabilities,” said Senis. “This is also true for seniors, people with limited mobility, and/or health-related issues. To achieve inclusivity for all, parks and recreation services must be accessible to residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.”

“Those with disabilities and limited mobility are often faced with obstacles or unwelcoming environments when they try to use outdoor spaces,” said Dave Smith. “This funding will allow individuals to have access to waterfront that will enable them to enjoy activities with their friends and families for years to come.”

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2024 PolarFest Running at Full Force For Selwyn Township

Winter has never been more fun for Selwyn Township, as the 2024 PolarFest is in full swing for three days, beginning this Friday and ending Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Selwyn Township.

The Opening Ceremony and Fireworks begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Chemong Lodge. At 6:45 p.m., fireworks will be set off on Chemong Lake.

The Causeway is the host site for the Guns and Hoses Charity Hockey Game. Local police and fire service members will face off at 8 p.m. at the Ennismore Community Centre. The fundraiser aims to beat last year’s mark of $2,000 in food and money for the Bridgenorth and Lakefield Food Banks by bringing a non-perishable food item or cash donation.

On Saturday, the Lakefield Ice Sculpture Competition is back at Cenotaph Park. Ice carvings are going on display, created by professional chefs. Festival goers can vote for their favourite cultures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Top Carver is being crowned at The Loon at 5 p.m. Take a ride back in time as Chemong Lodge is hosting its third-annual 80’s Retro Apres Ski Party with a booze luge, DJ, ice bar and prizes for those best dressed from noon to 4 p.m..

On Sunday, the Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield (BEL) Rotary Polar Plunge begins at 2 p.m. on the Ennismore side of the Causeway. This year’s theme features ‘Barbie’ costumes.

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Selwyn Lifts Significant Weather Event From Friday

After reviewing Environment Canada weather reports and current conditions, the Township of Selwyn’s Significant Weather Event has been lifted, announced on Monday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Significant Weather Event was declared on Friday due to the impending winter storm.

The Township says that the weather has subsided enough that it can meet their required maintenance objective timelines.

Drivers and pedestrians are reminded to use caution while navigating in winter weather conditions. Selwyn assures that their Public Works crew are continuing with regular winter maintenance activities.

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Selwyn Declares Significant Weather Event With Impending Winter Storm

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for Friday as conditions continue, announced by the Township of Selwyn.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The township urges those to consider postponing nonessential travel until conditions improve. Poor weather conditions may contribute to transportation delays.

The Township of Selwyn is declaring a significant weather event, as per Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 366/18 section 16.9; which amended O. Reg. 239/02.

As per Regulation 366/18, an Ontario Municipality may declare a significant weather event when a weather hazard is approaching or occurring and can potentially pose a significant danger to users of the roadways over which they have authority.

This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives until the municipality declares that the significant weather event has ended. In each case, during a declared significant weather event, the standard for addressing winter maintenance is to monitor the weather and deploy resources to address the issue starting from when the municipality deems it appropriate. When the municipality has declared the event has ended, the standard timelines for winter maintenance activities will begin.

The Township of Selwyn wishes to note that the declaration of a significant weather event is not a notice of a reduced level of service. The declaration is to notify the residents of the Township that due to the current forecasted conditions, caution is to be exercised when travelling on Township maintained roads, and it may take longer than usual to bring the conditions of the roads back to a state of repair.

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