Peterborough Region Just Received Its First Supply of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) are pleased to share that the first local supply of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been received.

The supply was delivered to PRHC on Monday morning (January 25th) and administration of the vaccine to long-term care home (LTCH) residents is set to begin on Tuesday (January 26). In alignment with provincial strategy, PRHC and PPH will work together to support the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. The first 500 doses of the vaccine are to be administered to long-term care home residents.

Photo courtesy PRHC

in this community. LTCHs and Retirement Homes deemed high-risk have been prioritized in the province as the population with highest risk for COVID-19 related complications. It is for this reason that LTCHs will be the first to receive the vaccine in Peterborough. There are no high-risk retirement homes in Peterborough.

Logistical planning for phase 1 of the vaccine rollout began in late December 2020. PPH and PRHC in collaboration with various other community groups are continuing this planning to expand immunization as supply allows. Communication on further expansion of COVID-19 immunization in Peterborough will be released as plans become finalized, according to Peterborough Public Health.

Learn more about Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination program and the rollout of the vaccine locally by visiting peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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Peterborough Petes Collect Over 500 Pairs Of Socks For Local Organizations

The Peterborough Petes “SOCK-it to Covid-19” campaign successfully raised 539 pairs of socks, 36 pairs of gloves, 21 toques, and $420 in financial donations. Donations will be allocated between the YES Shelter for Youth and Families, Kawartha Foodshare, YWCA, Heads Up for Inclusion and SOCKS Peterborough.

Led by General Manager Mike Oke, Head Coach Rob Wilson, Associate Coach Andrew Verner, Assistant Coaches Derrick Walser and Patrick O’Connor, Video Coach Noah Bucholtz and Strength Coaches, Josh Gillam and Broedie Bikhof, this 20 day initiative that began on Saturday, December 5th and closed on Thursday, December 24th saw incredible support and engagement from the Peterborough community. 

Photo courtesy Peterborough Petes

During the 20 day campaign, fans made donations at a variety of partner locations, including the Petes Store at the Memorial Centre, Petes Pop-Up Store at Lansdowne Place Mall, Hybrid Fitness, and at the Head Up for Inclusion office located in the Peterborough Chamber Building. 

“Peterborough’s generous community spirit was exhibited throughout the ‘SOCK-it to COVID-19’ campaign,” says Mike Oke. “Our annual Teddy Bear Toss game has always been a huge success and it was incredible to see that sort of energy transferred towards this new initiative.”

There is an ongoing need for socks and given the current circumstances, these shelters and groups are seeing an increased demand. Donated socks will be distributed to the partner shelters, and financial donations will be used to purchase winter items, like socks, gloves, mitts, and scarves.

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Here Is A Update On City Services During Enhanced Provincewide Shutdown

Here’s a media release from the City of Peterborough regarding how city services are impacted during latest shutdown…

With the provincewide shutdown extended until at least February 11th, 2021, City services and facility operations will continue to be adjusted to reflect direction by the Province to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The City encourages residents to connect online through peterborough.ca or use phone services whenever possible to reduce the physical traffic through municipal facilities as a way to follow the public health guidance on physical distancing.

Even as the City takes action to encourage and support physical distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, critical municipal services are continuing. Services such as emergency services, public works, transit, and wastewater treatment, continue uninterrupted with adjustments for the safety of the community and employees.

Photo courtesy City of Peterborough

New decisions may be made affecting municipal services and facilities as the situation continues to evolve. For an up-to-date list of affected municipal services and facilities, please visit peterborough.ca/covid19. Subscribe to receive updates directly to your email inbox at peterborough.ca/subscribe.

Arena Division

All ice rental bookings until at least February 11, 2021 have been cancelled. A full refund or credit for cancelled dates will be applied. An update will be provided closer to re-opening when details are available. Staff are available by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 2577 or by email at arenadivisionbookings@peterborough.ca.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough remains closed during the provincewide shutdown.

Planning and Building Services

Planning applications can be submitted and will continue to be processed. Hard copies of planning application materials can be dropped off at the North Wing of City Hall in the Building Services drop-off location.

Building Services is providing a modified pick-up and drop-off service from its location in the North Wing of City Hall. Residents are encouraged to access services online or by phone 705-742-7777 ext. 1892 whenever possible. Visit peterborough.ca/building for information, forms and the application process.

Child Care Centres

Licensed centre based and home child care can remain open. Families are encouraged to contact their current licensed child care provider to confirm access to care.

To support the families of school-aged children, the City of Peterborough is implementing the Province’s emergency child care plan for school-aged children of essential services workers as identified by the Province, at no cost to eligible families. Emergency child care services for children of JK/SK and school age (3.8 years -12 years) are available for eligible essential service workers in the City and County of Peterborough.

City Hall

City Hall is closed to the public until at least February 11, 2021 respecting the provincewide shutdown. The City will monitor provincial direction on the shutdown and will provide updates on re-opening for in-person services as they become available.

City staff will to be available during regular business hours by phone or email. If you do not know the individual or department you are trying to reach, please call 705-742-7777 or email cityptbo@peterborough.ca. Please understand that it may take longer to reply to messages depending on call and email volumes.

City Council

City Council meetings are being held electronically and livestreamed online at peterborough.ca/watchcouncil.  

Community Services

Community Services, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Public Art and the Heritage Preservation Office is available by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or by email at communityservices@peterborough.ca.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum and Archives remains closed during the provincewide shutdown. Please visit their website at peterborough.ca/museum for updates.

Peterborough Public Library

Peterborough Public Library is providing curbside pickup service during the provincewide shutdown. Access to the Main Branch of the Library is for pickup services only and there is a limit of 5 people at a time. Public washrooms are open during pick-up hours, with a limit of 1 person at a time per washroom. The DelaFosse branch remains closed currently. Further details are available online at ptbolibrary.ca.

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre is closed until at least February 11. An update will be provided closer to re-opening when details are available. Wellness Centre Memberships have been placed on an automatic hold beginning December 26, 2020.  For questions related to Recreation Division and Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, staff can be reached by calling 705-742-7777 x 2201 or by email at sportandwellnesscentre@peterborough.ca throughout the closure.

Provincial Offences Act Court

The court administration service counter will be closed for in-person service until at least February 11, 2021. Service inquiries and payments can be made by phone 705-742-7777 ext. 2099 or online at peterborough.ca/POA.

Public Operations Centre (Public Works)

The Public Operations Centre (Public Works) administration office at 791 Webber Ave. remains closed to the public. Public Works can be reached for urgent matters at 705-745-1386. This line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For non-urgent matters, you may email pubworks@peterborough.ca, or use the online Report an Issue form at peterborough.ca.

Social Services

Public access to the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be limited to 2 people at a time. Clients are required to wear a face covering and stay in authorized areas only. Social Services client appointments will be done over the phone whenever possible. Current clients are encouraged to contact their case worker for further information and are encouraged to register for online services through MyBenefits. The local phone number is 705-748-8830 or 1-855-738-3755.

Clients who have bank accounts are encouraged to contact their case workers about signing up for direct deposit.

All applications for Ontario Works or Emergency Assistance will be done online or over the phone, when possible, to minimize face-to-face interaction, following the public health guidance related to social distancing. Applications for other services such as Child Care fee subsidy and Housing Access Peterborough will also be completed over the phone.

Emergency shelter services will continue to operate as normal, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. Individuals can call the shelters directly or the Social Services office during regular business hours. For emergency shelter services during evenings and weekends individuals can call 705-926-0096.

Transit

Peterborough Transit will continue to operate as currently scheduled. Face covering and physical distancing is required. Visit peterborough.ca/transit for service details.

Customer service at the terminal will remain open with only one customer permitted into the facility at a time. A face covering must be worn at all times.

Waste Management

Garbage and recycling collection will continue as normally scheduled. To protect workers, please ensure that all personal items and personal protective equipment are properly bagged in the garbage.

The Peterborough City/County Landfill will remain open, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Face coverings and physical distancing are required.

The Recycling Depot and Household Hazardous Waste Depot on Pido Road will remain open, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. More information is online at peterborough.ca/waste.

Outdoor amenities

Most outdoor amenities, such as parks, trails, and sport fields, are permitted to remain open under the Province’s shutdown order with certain conditions in place, such as maintaining physical distancing with anyone not from your household and prohibiting social gatherings of more than five people.

For some amenities, capacities have been set based on consultation with Peterborough Public Health to ensure sufficient spacing for physical distancing. Capacities for outdoor neighbourhood rinks have been posted at each rink.

Making Payments to the City

People are encouraged to make use of the numerous methods available when doing financial interactions with the City and avoid using cash.

Property taxes can be paid like any other bill through online or telephone banking using the 15-digit roll number as the account number. Cheques can be mailed to the Tax Office, City Hall, 500 George St. N., Peterborough, ON., K9H 3R9, or placed in the secure drop box located by the steps at the front doors of City Hall. The City offers preauthorized payment plans by completing an online form that’s available at peterborough.ca.

The City does not directly accept credit cards as a payment method for property taxes; however, people can use online bill payment services such as PaySimply, Plastiq or Paytm to pay property taxes online using a credit card. The listed payment services are not affiliates or partners of the City; they may apply service charges and there may be restrictions on the type of credit cards accepted.

For parking tickets, payments can be made online through peterborough.ca, over the phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1865 or by cheque submitted through mail or using the drop box outside City Hall.

Miscellaneous invoice payments can be made over the phone at 705-742-7777 ext 1865. Cheques can also be mailed or placed in the secure drop box located at the front doors of City Hall along with the invoice payment stub.

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Peterborough Is No. 12 Growth City In Canada According To U-Haul

Peterborough is the No. 12 growth city in Canada, according to U-Haul data analyzing migration patterns from 2020. People coming to the area in one-way U-Haul trucks increased 7% during the past year, while departures only rose 2% from 2019, according to a media release from U-Haul.

Arrivals accounted for 52.6% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in Peterborough during 2020 to make it the No. 12 city for netting do-it-yourself movers. Peterborough ranked No. 18 on the growth list for 2019.

Photo courtesy U-Haul

U-Haul growth cities are calculated by the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks (i.e. moving vans ranging in size from 10 to 26 feet) arriving in a city versus departing from that city in a calendar year.

Migration trends data is compiled from more than 2 million one-way U-Haul truck sharing transactions that occur annually in Canada and the U.S. While U-Haul migration trends do not correlate directly to population or economic growth, the company’s growth data is an effective gauge of how well cities are attracting and maintaining residents.

North Bay, Ont., is the No. 1 Canadian growth city for 2020. North Vancouver, Kingston, Belleville and the Barrie/Orillia corridor round out the Top 5, with 10 of the Top 15 growth areas being in Ontario.

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Meet Corbin, Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s New Year Baby

On Friday, January 1, 2021 at 12:44 a.m., parents Ashley Merlin and Alex Zilney welcomed their son Corbin Alexander Zilney into the world. 

The baby boy was safely delivered at PRHC in the wee hours of New Year’s Day, weighing seven pounds. Mother and baby are doing well and the parents are overjoyed with the new addition to their family.  

Corbin Alexander Zilney

“The care at PRHC has been wonderful, both on the antenatal side and here on [inpatient unit] A6,” says Ashley. “There are of course some differences delivering now than with my other three children because of COVID-19 protocols, but the team has done a great job of making us feel very comfortable.” 

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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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100 Women Peterborough Raises Vital Funds For Community Counselling & Resource Centre

The 100 Women Peterborough group came together for their last virtual meeting of 2020 on Tuesday (December 15th) to raise funds for an organization in need.

Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) was chosen by majority vote to receive the funds, and 100 Women Peterborough is anticipating the total donation to be upwards of $5,000 based on feedback from the membership. 

During COVID-19, the Community Counselling and Resource Centre, like so many businesses and charities, quickly pivoted to ensure the safety of clients and staff. In March, the organization moved to providing services virtually while preparing to re-open for limited in-person appointments for those who need them. They now provide a blend of in-person and virtual supports and expect this to continue throughout the coming months.

Photo of 100 Women Peterborough Zoom meet courtesy 100 Women Peterborough

“No one expects to end up in a situation they can’t solve,” says Kirsten Armbrust, Executive Director of CCRC. “Job losses, trauma, grief, family or health problems can happen to anyone and sometimes you need help to navigate that. CCRC offers counselling for personal issues and also support around housing and personal finance to get through those difficult times and find a better way forward.”

“There have been many costs associated with providing safe, confidential services during COVID, both virtually and in-person,” says Armbrust. “These costs were not anticipated and while we have been lucky to have received some funding from other sources to off-set these in the short term, we have been concerned with the ongoing costs as the pandemic continues. The money from the 100 Women will go a long way in helping us continue to provide these services on an ongoing basis.”

Also presenting to the group on the call were Community Living and PRHC Foundation. “Many charities are unable to pursue their traditional fundraising efforts and campaigns because of COVID-19,” says Alyssa Stewart of 100 Women Peterborough. “It is so important for us to support them right now so that they can continue to support our community.” 

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Petes Very Merry Christmas Brought Joy To Thousands Across Peterborough

The Petes Very Merry Christmas drive-by presented by Subway delivered countless smiles on faces across the City of Peterborough on Saturday, December 12th.

Santa Claus, Roger, the Petes business and hockey operations staff, and volunteers took part in spreading cheer in the drive-by during these unprecedented times we’re in. 

The Petes Very Merry Christmas floats, powered by Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre and the Very Merry team, departed the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) at 1 p.m. to an escort by the Peterborough Police Service.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Petes

The route included a variety of residential areas across the city such as the north end, south end, east city, the west city, and downtown before concluding at the PMC at 10 p.m. 

Over the nine hour drive-by, thousands of Peterborough citizens had the opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind, maroon and white hockey themed float, a float donned in Peterborough Petes alumni banners, and a Christmas decorated float featuring Santa Claus and the Petes Mascot, Roger.  

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Brand New Rental Apartments In East City Available At Old St.Josephs Hospital Site

Developer/property manager The TVM GROUP has announced the completion of its latest luxury rental apartment building, located at 365 Armour Road in East City at the old St.Josephs Hospital site.

Project-named 365 Armour Road, it features 27 brand new luxury suites ranging in size from 776 square feet to 1190 square feet in one and two bedroom configurations.

Photo courtesy TVM Group

Residents at 365 Armour Road can enjoy the following: high ceilings, spacious layouts, stainless steel appliances, engineered hardwood flooring, individually controlled climate control, in-suite laundry, high-speed internet, and a premium security system.

Photo courtesy TVM Group

365 Armour Road is the 4th Phase of TVM Group’s master-planned residential redevelopment. Suites at 365 Armour Road are available for reservation now, with occupancy starting in early 2021. One, 2, or 3-year lease terms are available.

For more info on available units, click here.

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Devastating Fire At Sayers Foods Grocery Store In Apsley

The small, close-knit community of Apsley northeast of Peterborough is left reeling after a major fire at Sayers Foods Grocery Store on Burleigh Street that destroyed the local business, which is relied on by locals and cottagers alike.

Photo via Sayers Foods Facebook page

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, as the North Kawartha Fire Department worked tirelessly overnight battling the blaze.

Road closures are in place on Burleigh Street in the village of Apsley as the @NorthKawartha Fire Department continues to battle the fire that began last night at Sayer's Foods. @PtboCounty #PtboOPP ^ja pic.twitter.com/8vnd2ukzmB

— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) December 5, 2020

“The fire department is organized, well trained and professional. Our family can't thank them enough,” Sayers Foods posted on their Facebook page.

Photo via Sayers Foods Facebook page

Generations of customers have been going there and employed there, as it is a staple—the heart—of the community. The Sayers family are incredibly generous with charities and giving back, even more so during Covid.

“The store has been a backbone to the community for as long as we can remember… and have been there for the community through thick and thin. Time to give back and help in any way we can,” said a commenter on Facebook.

“We've shopped at this location for over 40 years, through many changes—we are praying for a full recovery and rebuilding,” said one cottager on Facebook.

“You have worked tirelessly to assist the community for so many years including this year of COVID where you've accommodated everyone’s needs,” added another commenter.

Photo via Sayers Foods Facebook page

Many people, businesses and organizations are reacting to the devastating news on Twitter as well…

One of our distributors, Sayers Foods has had a very bad fire overnight. We will all need to help them get back in business as soon as possible.

— rockyridgewater (@rockyridgewater) December 5, 2020

This is terrible. We just had our County Food Drive with @DaveSmithPtbo at Sayers last weekend & their owners & staff were so incredibly generous.
Keeping everyone in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Apsley residence, if you need help with food, please reach out to us! https://t.co/whtmSpzTIC

— Kawartha Food Share (@Kaw_FoodShare) December 5, 2020

Awful news out of Apsley this morning. Sayers Food is a staple of the community and this is just devastating. If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that we're stronger together. I know we will all come together to support everyone affected. https://t.co/UO9ZeSGYZR

— Maryam Monsef (@MaryamMonsef) December 5, 2020

Developing Story: We’ll post more details when we get them.

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