Council for Persons with Disabilities Seeking Participants for Disability Recreation Research

The Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) is looking for people to participate in research on disability recreation announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of CPD.

The study helps CPD understand improvements for recreational programming for anyone with disabilities and create inclusive and integrated programs aimed at persons of all abilities in Peterborough according to a press release. 

This study and the programming to follow are funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

During the study, CPD wants anyone with backgrounds including being disabled, able-bodied and marginalized to participate in an in-person focus group. For those who would like to participate but cannot attend the focus group, there is a survey available online.

The study will take place on Aug. 10 between noon and 1:00 p.m. at Venture North, 270 George St. N.  

For more information or to join the study please e-mail Felicity Phillips, CPD recreation coordinator at felicity.phillips@pcpd.ca.

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Here's The Shiny Findings From A New Report On The Economic Impact Of The Shining Waters Railway

This morning in Peterborough, the Shining Waters Railway group revealed the results of an economic impact study commissioned to explore the local economic feasibility of restoring Peterborough-Toronto commuter rail service and upgrading the existing track. The line would run 120 kilometres with a total of eight stations between the Peterpatch and Toronto's Union Station.

Among the projected conservative estimates, according to the report:

• Nearly 2000 jobs to be created and $531 million in economic output ($433 million in Ontario) due to capital investment in upgrading track, constructing bridges, and refurbishing rolling stock. Most of the difference would occur in New Brunswick where rail cars will be refurbished.

• An additional 110 jobs and $13 million per year in economic output due to operation of the commuter rail line.

• More than $12 million in tax collections for the province and $4 million for the federal government.

• Nearly $13 million a year in travel time savings and travel cost savings, $0.6 million a year in environmental savings from new and diverted riders of the service and $11 million in 2031 in accident related costs.

• If full Phase 1 & 2 operation begins by mid 2015, the economic impact between now and 2020 is approximately $700 million – combination of construction and operation related impacts and ongoing travel savings.

According to the report, these estimates "do not consider the likely impact of increased rail freight service, non-commuter related travel (tourism, for example), development around the stations, and possible attraction of new business to the region. These estimates do not consider economic activity from alternative ways in which public funds might have been used."

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