Peterborough Petes Lending Support To First Nations Hockey Equipment Drive For Indigenous Youth

The Peterborough hockey community is being urged to donate new or used hockey equipment to the First Nations Hockey Equipment Drive, which is coming to Total Construction Management (169 Lansdowne St. E.) in Peterborough on Saturday, December 5th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Any families with hockey equipment can visit the donation drive-thru, which is COVID-safe (please remain in your vehicles throughout). 

• Who: First Nations Hockey Equipment Drive & the Peterborough hockey community

• What: COVID-safe hockey equipment donation drive-thru 

• Where: Total Construction Management (169 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough)

• When: Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 9am to 12pm

• Why: To collect and donate over 700 sets of equipment to Indigenous Youth

The Petes will be on hand to lend their support to the Drive, which has a goal of collecting 700 bags of equipment for Indigenous Youth in the province.

Requested equipment donations include skates, elbow pads, shin pads, shoulder pads, helmets, pants, sticks, bags, and goalie equipment.

Please note there is not a need for undergarments, jerseys, socks, jocks/jills, or neck guards.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Canadian Canoe Museum Identifies Johnson Park As Preferred New Build Site

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) has announced that it has identified Johnson Park, the City-owned property at 2077 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough, as the preferred site for the building of its new canoe museum.

Johnson Park is situated on Little Lake, north of Beavermead Park and south of the Parks Canada-Trent Severn Waterway head offices. As part of the overall due diligence exploration and feasibility studies, environmental assessment and testing is scheduled to soon take place on the property, with test results expected to be available by the end of the year.

“The Canadian Canoe Museum is extremely hopeful that the Johnson Park location will emerge as a viable site for the new museum build project,” says Carolyn Hyslop, executive director, The Canadian Canoe Museum. “We are bolstered by the support of the City of Peterborough and the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) who are involved in the feasibility exploration.”

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

Since May of this year, CCM has been engaged in a proactive site selection process, reviewing multiple alternative sites throughout Peterborough’s waterfront in order to identify a new site where it will construct its museum.

The museum’s board of directors struck a Pivot Task Force to manage the project who in turn enlisted the help of XBMC Consulting and Lett Architects Inc to lead the Site Feasibility Study.

Notwithstanding the pandemic operating environment, the new build is expected to be shovel-ready by the end of 2021.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Otonabee Conservation & TD Collaborate To Plant Trees At The Brock Mission In Peterborough

More than 300 native trees and shrubs are being planted at the Brock Mission this week. The grounds at the newly built Brock Mission men’s shelter at 217 Murray Street is being planted with serviceberry, eastern redbud, tulip tree, red oak, white pine, honeylocust, fragrant sumac, and chokeberry.  

TD provided generous funding for this planting project as part of their commitment to supporting communities most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19.

“The benefits of planting trees are widely known,” says Dan Marinigh, CAO at Otonabee Conservation. “Being surrounded by trees can help mitigate stress, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance mental health. We are pleased to collaborate with TD and the Brock Mission to add this greenspace in support of some of our community’s most vulnerable people.”

Bill McNabb, Executive Director of Brock Mission, stands next to a garden bed planted with fragrant sumac and spring flurry serviceberry at the build site for the new Brock Mission men’s shelter (Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

"Too often the plan for greenspace in a project like ours gets eliminated due to financial pressures, so we are very grateful to Otonabee Conservation and TD for reaching out and ensuring that this integral part of our project is a reality,” says Bill McNabb from Brock Mission. “We are excited to be able to offer a safe outdoor space for our residents that will be filled with native trees and shrubs.”

For more information about Otonabee Conservation’s fall planting events, please visit otonabeeconservation.com.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Donation Of Birdfeeders Made To Residents Of Hospice Peterborough To Bring Them Extra Comfort

In a heartwarming show of community collaboration, the Peterborough Field Naturalists, led by member King Baker, and local business The Avant Garden Shop came together to donate multiple birdfeeders and a pole to Hospice Peterborough to bring extra comfort to local residents.

The bird feeders, which seed was carefully chosen to support native species through the winter, were placed in the residence garden at Hospice Peterborough. A hummingbird feeder will be added in the spring.

King Baker from Peterborough Field Naturalists hanging one of the feeders.

The addition of bird feeders is normalizing, and will bring joy to the private residence gardens at Hospice. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that it's often the little pleasures such as watching birds that enriches our lives.

“The residents, their families, and even staff are going to receive such a healing distraction seeing the birds flit around outside their windows—especially in the upcoming months,” says Alison Casey, Manager of Development at Hospice.

Group (left to right): The Avant Garden Shop Owners Clayton and Brenda Ibey, King Baker, and Martin Parker (Peterborough Field Naturalists Member)

The Peterborough Field Naturalists uses part of their annual income to fund projects chosen by members and approved by their board. King Baker, who was the driving force behind the donation, says he thought of Hospice Peterborough for this gift because of the meaningful nature of the work and how he believed it would truly make a difference to those who would watch the birds from their rooms.

Hospice Peterborough provides vital support to individuals and families who are at the end of life, facing a life-threatening illness, or grieving. If you or someone you know could benefit from their support, go to hospicepeterborough.org or call 705-742-4042.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

It's Going To Be A Balmy November Weekend

The clocks went back recently for Daylight Saving Time, and it’s like the seasons are going in reverse as well.

Indeed, downright balmy temperatures are in store for us starting later this week and continuing through until Monday (November 9th)…

Mother Nature is on crack this month.@Ptbo_Canada @caleybedore pic.twitter.com/NMJf34ZmA7

— Jay Callaghan (@caltek79) November 2, 2020

This weekend might be the perfect time to put away your Halloween decorations—and great time to get some of your holiday decorations out.



Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Petes Shortened 40-Game Season Set To Begin Early February

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has announced an updated timeline on its return to play plan for the 2020-21 season as it continues to work with government and health agencies to finalize outstanding matters that help ensure the health and safety of all members of the OHL community.

“We remain committed to providing our players with a safe, first-class development experience as they pursue their professional and academic goals, and we look forward to the planned opening of our regular season on Thursday, February 4th,” says OHL Commissioner David Branch.

Under the new timelines, OHL Training Camps including the Petes are scheduled to commence on Saturday, January 23rd in preparation for the 2020-21 Regular Season that will feature a 40-game schedule running from Thursday, February 4th through Saturday, May 8th.

Teams will play primarily against opponents in their geographic region in an effort to reduce travel in consideration of the health and safety of all players and staff. Details concerning the structure of team alignment will be made available upon release of the 2020-21 OHL Regular Season schedule.

A total of eight teams will qualify for the 2021 OHL Playoffs in pursuit of the J. Ross Robertson Cup that gets underway on Tuesday, May 11th. The OHL Playoffs will consist of three rounds, the first being a best-of-five opening round, followed by two best-of-seven formats to crown a League champion by no later than Monday, June 14th. The 2021 Memorial Cup presented by Kia is scheduled to begin Thursday, June 17th in either Oshawa or Sault Ste. Marie.

Go Petes Go.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough’s Eastgate Memorial Park COVID-19 Testing Site Relocating Back To Northcrest Arena For Testing Inside

The COVID-19 testing centre currently located at Eastgate Memorial Park will relocate to Northcrest Arena at 100 Marina Blvd. effective Monday, October 26th to accommodate colder weather through the fall and winter seasons.

Once relocated, this site will no longer offer drive-through testing; individuals with appointments will be asked to come inside the arena for their test.

Operating hours will continue to be 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and testing is available by appointment only. The final day of operations at Eastgate Memorial Park will be on Friday, October 23.

The link to the booking tool is available through the PRHC website and on the Peterborough Public Health website. If you are looking to book an appointment for the Northcrest Arena site, you must meet at least one of the following screening criteria: 

• You are showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 

• Peterborough Public Health has informed you that you have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19

• You have received a notification through the COVID-19 Alert App 

• You are part of an outbreak investigation as informed by Peterborough Public Health

• You are required to be tested routinely, such as staff at long-term care and retirement homes

• You are planning an indoor visit with a loved one at a long-term care home

• You are a traveler without symptoms and require a test to confirm you do not have COVID-19 before travelling internationally

• You have been advised by a medical professional that testing is required prior to a procedure

• You are required to be tested before admission to a congregate setting or other facility
  

HOW IT WORKS WHEN ARRIVING AT NORTHCREST ARENA FOR TESTING

-> Arrive inside the main entrance at Northcrest Arena five minutes in advance of your booked appointment. 

-> Clean your hands as you enter the arena and wear a mask inside at all times except when you are being tested. Please also keep a physical distance of two metres between yourself and other people. Remember to bring your Ontario Health Card and driver’s licence with you.

-> With the new, appointment-based system in place, traffic issues are not expected to be a concern as the COVID-19 testing service returns to the Northcrest site.

You can access your test results online using your Ontario Health Card number at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/  or by calling your healthcare provider.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

City Of Kawartha Lakes And Peterborough County Enter Into Shared Service Agreement For Chief Of Paramedics

Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County Councils recently received presentations in their closed sessions by their Paramedic Services Review Team which consists of senior staff and the Chiefs of both Paramedic services.

The Team has collaborated on a Review to understand how the two services could work together for greater efficiencies. The Review is in line with the Provincial mandate to look at synergies of operations. It was also prompted by the forthcoming retirement of Chief Rafton, the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Chief.

Kawartha Lakes is currently undertaking a paramedic service 10-year resource and facilities master plan and with the need for paramedic chief expertise, have chosen to enter into a shared service agreement with Peterborough County. This agreement will see Randy Mellow, Chief, Peterborough County-City Paramedics, take on a dual leadership role within both services while further review and the master plan is completed. Both Councils have granted approval to execute a Chief Shared Service agreement.

Chief Mellow and Chief Rafton

“Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County-City Paramedic Services have enjoyed a long history of collaboration that has positioned our teams well to examine and establish strategies of efficiency and modernization to meet the evolving role of paramedicine in Ontario,” says Randy Mellow, Chief, Peterborough County-City Paramedics.

“I’m very pleased to have an opportunity to serve in a coordinating role with two incredibly talented Paramedic Service Leadership Teams under the direction of visionary municipal leadership as we seek opportunities to meet the specific needs of the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes areas.”

Both Councils have directed the Review Team to explore a detailed analysis of additional opportunities including shared efficiencies of purchasing, human resources, facilities and specialized fleet such as a bariatric transport ambulance. Pending the review, a recommendation for any additional shared service agreements will be brought forward to the Councils in 2021.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough’s Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Centre First In Province To Use Handheld Devices For Lab Automation

Peterborough’s drive-through COVID-19 testing centre is the first in the province to implement new handheld devices to digitize COVID-19 lab requisitions—an important step forward in improving the quality and performance of end-to-end testing for patients, care providers and labs.

Working with Ontario Health, Peterborough County/City Paramedics, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and the City of Peterborough have partnered to introduce handheld technology and barcoded labels for all COVID-19 tests done at the centre. Staff can now collect a patient’s information by scanning their health card and driver’s license, capturing everything required for a digital lab requisition. 

Photo courtesy PRHC

The drive-through testing centre implemented the handheld devices on Wednesday, September 2nd, and in the first five days of use, 1523 people were scanned.

The benefits of the handheld devices include: 

• More complete and higher-quality data when capturing patient information

• Faster processing and easier matching of the requisition to the test

• More legible requisitions, making it easier for laboratory staff to process each test

The testing clinic is now located at Northcrest Arena. Operating hours continue to be 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Mom Of 3 Celebrates $150,000 Win With The Bigger Spin Instant Game

Congrats to Faria Mohamed of Peterborough, who won $150,000 playing THE BIGGER SPIN INSTANT game.

"I felt bad about accidentally touching all the tickets on the display, so I bought all of them," laughs Faria, a 53-year-old mother of three. “When I won instantly, I was so excited and jumped around!”

The freelance hairdresser and cleaner plans to pay some bills and think about purchasing a house. "We will make the most of this money and make every dollar count," says Faria. "This is the most wonderful feeling in the world.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Pioneer on the Run on Lansdowne Street in Peterborough.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.