Kawartha Lakes residents who rely on the mobile app Pingstreet to keep apprised of all-things municipal will need to adapt new habits in 2024.
Pingstreet is no longer available for download and, as of January 6, 2024, the municipality said it will not have access to technical support from the developer.
Residents currently use the location-based app as a way to stay informed about local news, current events, and waste collection.
“If you already have the application on your mobile device, you will be able to use it until June 7, 2024,” the municipality stated in a news release. “After this date, the application will be taken offline.”
According to the news release, the app is being discontinued because the developer has decided the product is at the end of its life.
“They came to this decision based on market demand and evolving mobile app technology requirements,” the municipality noted.
Pingstreet was developed by Waterloo-based eSolutionsGroup, which has also developed many municipal websites in Ontario, including the City of Kawartha Lakes website. eSolutionsGroup was acquired by Australian-based multinational technical professional services firm GHD in 2014 and began operating under the GHD Digital brand last year.
“We know that our mobile app is an important way for residents to get the information they need,” states the news release. “The municipality is re-tendering its four websites in 2024, at which time we will explore our options for a new mobile app.”
In the meantime, Kawartha Lakes said it will use other communication channels to provide residents with relevant information. Residents can visit the municipality’s website at www.kawarthalakes.ca to subscribe for news updates via email, and can check for updates on the municipality’s social media sites.
Kawartha Lakes also encourages residents to check its website for municipal information that used to be available through Pingstreet, including important waste updates. Information about waste collection, recycling, and landfills locations and hours are also available in the 2024 Municipal Calendar.
The municipality also uses the separate mobile Recycle Coach app, which is available on the web as well as from the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app provides a personalized waste and recycling schedule, notifications about collection changes and more, as well as a “what goes where” tool for sorting waste and recycling.
For event information, the municipality suggests Pingstreet users visit the events calendar on the website, where residents can also subscribe for email updates about different types of events.
