City of Peterborough Opens Registration For Spring and Summer Recreation Programs
/The City of Peterborough has opened registration for spring and summer recreation programs this week.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
Peterborough Blogs
City Hosting Public Information Session for Riverside Park and East City Bowl Upgrades
/The City of Peterborough is inviting residents to learn more about proposed upgrades to Riverside Park and East City Bowl at a public information session at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre April 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
City staff are available to answer questions about the project. Residents can provide feedback on what amenities they want to see in the proposed revitalization of the park.
Riverside Park and East City Bowl ball diamonds, located at 325 Burnham St., require repairs to address areas of deterioration.
Riverside Park was identified as a priority project by the City following input from local baseball groups. The wood fence, bullpen, batting cage, irrigation, scorekeepers tower and lighting were identified as areas needing improvement.
Phase 1 work includes replacing the outfield wall and scorekeeper’s tower and providing irrigation at Riverside Park.
Phase 2 work, subject to budget approval, includes replacing the bleachers and scorekeeper’s booth, new dugouts, irrigation and a new lighting system at East City Bowl.
“These proposed upgrades to Riverside Park and East City Bowl will address areas of deterioration in our existing sports diamonds and will ensure the park continues to meet the needs of Peterborough residents. We encourage residents and park user groups to share their insights and perspectives during this community engagement process,” said Community Services (excluding homelessness) co-Chairs Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk in a statement.
“Riverside Park and East City Bowl is an East City gem. Investing in and repairing these facilities will ensure this valued space will continue to serve our community for years to come, and help support the local athletes, families and the many residents who gather to enjoy the park,” said Ashburnham Ward Councillors Keith Riel and Gary Baldwin in a joint statement.
A public survey is available online. Hard copies of the survey are available at City Hall, 500 George St. N. The survey will be open until 11:59 p.m. on APril 11.
Residents with questions or concerns can also call 705-742-7777 ext.1829.
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Water Services Transitioning to the City of Peterborough Starting April 1
/City water services, currently provided by the Peterborough Utilities Commission on behalf of the City, will transition to a directly operated service by the City of Peterborough beginning April 1.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The City says there will be no immediate changes for customers.
Customer billing will remain the same at this time, with no changes required by customers for April 1. Customers will continue to receive water services bills from Peterborough Utilities for a period after April 1.
Notice will be provided to customers before any future change to billing.
Customer service contact information will also remain the same after April 1.
The same Water Services team of employees that currently delivers high-quality water services and responsive customer service today as part of Peterborough Utilities will continue to deliver the service as they integrate into the City of Peterborough organization.
Water Services customer service can be reached at 705-748-6900, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
City Council decided to streamline the governance structure related to the delivery of water services by transferring responsibility for that service delivery from Peterborough Utilities Commission, a local board of the City, to a directly operated model.
Council gave direction in June 2024 to proceed with the transfer to the City of water assets and operations, information technology assets and operations of the Riverview Park and Zoo.
Peterborough’s Riverview Park and Zoo will continue to be a publicly owned and operated facility, with Riverview Park and Zoo employees providing the same excellent care for animals and welcoming experience that has made the Park and Zoo an attraction for residents and visitors.
A review of water and wastewater services, including both the sanitary and stormwater networks, in 2021-22, recommended the services be directly operated by the City to create operational efficiencies and align with City Council’s existing responsibility and accountability for water services.
In December 2023, City Council approved a motion to support in principle the transfer of the water operations to the City, with added stipulations that staff report back to Council in 2024 with further details on the transfer and that no current International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers employees be displaced as a result of the transition.
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Wastewater Plant Gets Brief Secondary Treatment Bypass Due to High Water Flows; Residents Asked to Reduce Water Intake
/Residents are asked to reduce water intake after significantly increased volumes of water entered the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant that briefly caused a bypass of the secondary treatment process at the facility early Monday morning.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant fully treated 105,751 cubic metres of sewage on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The extra water came from melting snow and rainfall, according to the City.
The secondary treatment bypass was experienced from about 3:30 a.m. to 3:50 am. Less than 50 cubic metres of partially treated effluent was discharged into the Otonabee River.
The discharge had received primary treatment, which includes full screening, primary treatment and UV disinfection.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant resumed full treatment operations at 3:50 a.m.; however, it continues to monitor a high volume of water flowing through the plant due to current conditions.
Residents are asked to reduce water consumption by taking short showers instead of baths, limiting or delaying loads of laundry and turning off taps while brushing teeth and doing dishes.
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Road Closures In Effect For Sunday's 25th St. Patrick's Day Parade
/Road closures, parking restrictions and Peterborough Transit detours will be in place during the St. Patrick’s Day parade starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough St. Patrick's Day Parade.
To allow for staging and procession of the parade, the following road closures will be in place starting at 12:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.:
Dublin Street between Aylmer Street and Water Street
London Street between Aylmer Street and Water Street
McDonnel Street between Aylmer Street and Water Street
Murray Street between Aylmer Street and Water Street
George Street from Parkhill Road West (south side of intersection) to Brock Street
The parade will travel south on George Street beginning at McDonnel Street. During the parade, a rolling road closure will be in place along George Street from Brock Street to McGill Street. All road closures are expected to be over by 4 p.m.
‘No Parking’ signs will be posted in advance of the road closures.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to park in the following downtown locations:
King Street Parkade at 202 King St.
Simcoe Street parking garage at 190 Simcoe St.
Chambers Lot at 184 Hunter St.
Reid Lot at 350 Reid St.
Del Crary Lot at 100 George St. N.
Downie Lot at 336 Downie St.
Parking in municipal lots and parking garages is free on weekends.
Parking enforcement will start on Sunday morning once signage is in place. Parking contrary to posted signage during a road closure event may result in a $35 penalty notice and towing. Any vehicles not moved from the street in the parade staging area and route may be towed to the Eastgate Memorial Park parking lot, 2150 Ashburnham Dr., to make space for the float assembly and procession.
The following transit routes will have detours during the closure period: Route 2 Chemong, Route 4 Weller, Route 6 Sherbrooke, Route 7 Lansdowne, Route 9 Parkhill, Community Bus 22 (Blue) and Community Bus 23 (Red).
Route 2 Chemong
During the rolling road closure at 2 p.m.:
Southbound from Terminal: route follows Simcoe Street to Aylmer Street to Romaine Street to Park Street to Braidwood Avenue to Lock Street.
Northbound from Lansdowne Street at Borden Avenue follows the regular route to Lock Street to Braidwood Avenue to Park Street to Romaine Street to Aylmer Street to Simcoe Street.
Route 4 Weller
During the rolling road closure, westbound will follow a regular route to the terminal only. Eastbound will travel to the bus stop at Simcoe at Water Streets. Customers will walk east to catch the bus at the Simcoe and Water streets stop. An extra driver will cover the east side of the route for the 2:23 p.m. trip
Route 6 Sherbrooke
Southbound from Trent from 12:30 p.m. to about 3:30 p.m. follows the regular route on George Street to Parkhill Road, west on Parkhill to Reid Street and follows Route 2 to the terminal.
Northbound from Terminal during the rolling road closure at 2 p.m. follows Route 2 to Reid Street at Parkhill Road, travelling east on Parkhill to Water Street where it resumes its regular route
Route 7 Lansdowne
During the rolling road closure at 2 p.m.:
Westbound follows its regular route to Lock Street, left on Lock Street and taking Braidwood to Park Street to Lansdowne Street, where it returns to the regular route
Eastbound follows the regular route to Park Street, right on Park Street and taking Braidwood to Lock Street to Lansdowne Street, where it returns to the regular route
Route 9 Parkhill
From 12:30 p.m. to about 3:30 p.m.
Westbound from Trent: Regular route to George Street at Parkhill Road, continuing along Parkhill Road to the regular route
Eastbound from Fleming: Regular route to Parkhill at Reid, continuing along Parkhill Road to the regular route
Route 22 Blue Community Bus
From 12:30 p.m. until about 3:30 p.m., Route 22 will follow the regular route to George at Parkhill, travel west on Parkhill Road to Reid Street, where it will follow Route 2 Chemong to the terminal.
Route 23 Red Community Bus
From 12:30 p.m. until about 3:30 p.m., Route 23 will travel eastbound on McDonnel Street to Reid Street, where it will follow Route 2 Chemong to the terminal. The 3 p.m. trip departing from the Transit terminal will detour along Aylmer Street to Romaine Street to Park Street, where it resumes its regular route.
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Patio Permit Applications Open For the 2025 Season
/Applications are now open for the City of Peterborough’s annual patio program for the 2025 season.
In February 2025, City Council approved maintaining the current insurance requirements for Downtown Patio Program participants at $2 million Commercial General Liability, except for patios licenced to serve alcohol, which would be required to have $5 million Commercial General Liability. File Photo.
The patio program creates the opportunity for more patio and pedestrian space in the City’s Central Area.
The program includes:
Allowing businesses on George, Water and Charlotte streets to use on-street parking spaces for additional outdoor business/patio space.
Maintaining the existing two-vehicle travel lanes and cycling lanes on George and Water Streets.
Reducing Hunter Street West to a one-lane, one-way street to expand pedestrian space and available patio areas.
Maintaining Charlotte Street as a two-way, two-lane street while allowing for patios in on-street parking spaces through the patio permit process.
The use of decorative fencing and planters to delineate between the new pedestrian areas, expanded/on-street patios and vehicular traffic lanes.
The program has been expanded to allow businesses in East City along Hunter Street East to operate a patio on a portion of the city sidewalks.
A non-refundable $400 Application fee.
Patio licences are required for all individuals, partnerships or corporations that want to place a patio on City-owned property.
To apply for a patio licence, visit the City’s Application, Licences and Permits webpage online. Applicants can submit an application, permit fee and supporting documents through the City’s website.
There will be reduced speed limits on streets with patios. Parking spaces, loading zones and designated waste pick-up areas may be adjusted once patio locations have been confirmed with participating businesses.
Patio licence holders must put in place feasible measures to reduce physical barriers, respecting the accessibility needs of individuals. Business owners and patrons may contact the City with suggested modifications to the patio layouts that would improve accessibility. Where feasible, the City will work with licence holders to make requested improvements.
To have a patio licence ready for the Victoria Day long weekend, completed applications should be submitted by April 1. The last day to apply for a patio licence for the 2024 Patio Season is May 30.
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City of Peterborough Releases List of Activities For March Break
/The City of Peterborough’s Recreation and Parks Services division is hosting various events encouraging residents to stay active and spend time with friends and family during March Break.
Photo by David Tuan bui.
Michelle Ferreri, Peterborough-Kawartha MP. is hosting free public swimming at the Sport and Wellness Centre on Friday, from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
“Peterborough—Kawartha is built on strong families and an incredible sense of community. That’s why I’m thrilled to invite everyone to the 3rd Annual March Break Family Fun Swim,” said Ferreri. “This free swim is a great way to kick off March Break while staying active and enjoying time together at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre. Events like this bring us closer as a community, and I’m so proud to host this fun-filled evening for families across our riding. There’s no registration, no cost—just bring your swimsuits, smiles, and energy. I look forward to seeing you and your family there.”
A free public skate takes place at the Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W., from noon to 1:50 p.m. on the CHE Pad on Thursday thanks to World’s Finest Chocolate.
“World’s Finest Chocolate is proud to sponsor a free Community Skate at the Miskin Law Community Complex, where we're bringing the community together over the March Break with free hot chocolate, delicious chocolate samples, and fun on the ice,” said Jennifer King, Director, Canadian Business, World’s Finest Chocolate. “While our Campbellford Outlet may be closed, our fundraising business is stronger than ever, helping schools, teams, and community groups raise the important funds they need.”
Other March Break activities are as follows:
Public Skating at the Miskin Law Community Complex
Cost $5.25/person
Monday, March 10, 11 a.m. – 12:50 p.m., CHE Pad
Tuesday, March 11, noon – 1:50 p.m., CHE Pad
Thursday, March 13, noon – 1:50 p.m. CHE Pad – Free Skate sponsored by World’s Finest Chocolate
Friday, March 14, 11 a.m. – 12:50 p.m., CHE Pad
Saturday, March 15, Family Skate, 9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m., Family Stick and Puck 10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Sunday March 16, Public Skating, 3 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
Swimming at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre
Cost $5.25/person
Monday, March 10 to Friday March 14, 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 14, 6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Saturday, March 8 and 15, and Sunday, March 9 and 16, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre hosts drop-in sports from Monday, March 10 to Friday, March 14. Cost is $5.25 per person.
Pickleball, 6:15 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Basketball, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
There are still spaces left in the March Break Camp at the Sport and Wellness Centre. Geared toward children between the ages of four and 11, the camp provides a full day of activities including swimming, games and crafts. Registration for the event can be done online.
Registration for the City’s spring and summer swimming (spring session only), recreational and sport programs opens at 7 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, for Sport and Wellness Centre members and at 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 19 for members of the public.
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City of Peterborough Celebrating International Women's Day This Saturday
/The City of Peterborough is celebrating International Women’s Day this Saturday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
A rally organized by Kawartha World Issues Centre and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre is taking place outside City Hall beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Mayor Jeff Leal will proclaim March 8 International Women’s Day in the City of Peterborough. Speakers and performances will include Janet McCue, Mshkiki Gitigaan Kwe, Ziysah and the Raging Grannies.
“On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible contributions of women and girls to the social, economic, cultural, and political fabric of our community,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.. “In Peterborough, women have been at the heart of our progress—leading businesses, driving innovation, advocating for change, and strengthening our city in countless ways. There is no doubt that more work needs to be done.”
“As a woman who has lived and volunteered in Peterborough since I was a child, I can tell you that initiatives that welcome women volunteers or are led by women tend to be successful, create community plus help develop important connections and friendships.” said Lesley Parnell, City Councillor. Today we celebrate our Women who contribute so much to our lives. And thank you to everyone who supports and encourages these women in many ways.”
The rally will be followed by a march to Peterborough Public Library for a community event from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Registration for the community event is strongly encouraged.
“One of the most powerful ways to move gender equality ahead is to support and elevate women-focused initiatives and support organizations and individuals who are making a difference in the lives of girls and women-because when we uplift women, we strengthen and uplift our entire community,” said Leal. “Today we not only recognize the achievements of women and girls in Peterborough, but we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we can help break down barriers and create meaningful opportunities for women and girls everywhere.”
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Construction Nears Completion on Peterborough’s New Affordable Housing Building On Monaghan Road
/Construction is approaching completion on the City of Peterborough’s new affordable housing building at 681 Monaghan Rd.
The project received $18.9 million in federal funding through the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI3), $40,000 from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Seed Funding program, $1,684,286 through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI), with the City of Peterborough contributing $4 million. City Council decided in February 2023 to use a special one-time dividend from City of Peterborough Holdings Inc. to support its funding for this project. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The six-storey building comprises 53 units including 37 one-bedroom, 11 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom units. The ground floor features amenity space and utilities.
The dwelling prioritizes housing for vulnerable populations in Peterborough.
Residents are set to start moving into the building in April. This will be a staged process and the City is assisting with the relocation. Some residents are transitioning into Monaghan Road from transitional housing, thereby freeing up those units for other individuals in need of transitional housing.
“681 Monaghan Rd. is a significant step forward in addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in our community,” said Myor Jeff Leal. “This project not only provides safe and stable homes for vulnerable residents but also creates a positive ripple effect, freeing up much-needed emergency housing. We are grateful for the collaboration between all levels of government in making this a reality.”
“This building is about more than just bricks and mortar—it’s about dignity, stability, and opportunity for a wide spectrum of residents. With support from all levels of government, we’re taking meaningful steps to address affordable housing needs in Peterborough. This building will make a lasting difference in the lives of many,” said Councillor Alex Bierk and Councillor Lesley Parnell in a joint statement.
A grand opening celebration for the housing complex will occur this spring.
Construction on 681 Monaghan Rd. began in fall 2023.
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Peterborough County/City Paramedics to Implement New 9-1-1 System
/Paramedic services throughout Southeastern Ontario, including Peterborough County/City Paramedics, are introducing a new system for 9-1-1 emergency calls that will take effect on March 26, announced on Wednesday.
Photo by David Tuan bui.
