Helping kids who experience a concussion to recover safely and “stay supported every step of the way” is one aim of an upcoming educational event in Peterborough for parents, teachers, coaches, and healthcare professionals.
Peterborough Athletic Concussion Awareness (PACA) and the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) are hosting the first-ever Peterborough Concussion Summit from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28 at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough.
Presented by Gowland, Boriss Injury Lawyers, with financial support from the Ontario Brain Institute, the event is an important one for the Peterborough community, according to PACA project manager Ryan Sutton.
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“When a concussion happens, families are often left feeling uncertain and overwhelmed,” Sutton told kawarthaNOW. “Parents wonder what to do or how long their child should stay home, athletes feel frustrated by being sidelined, and teachers and coaches struggle with how to support recovery.”
“The Peterborough Concussion Summit is about giving our community clarity and confidence, with the tools to recognize, manage, and prevent concussions while helping young people return to school, sport, and daily life safely.”
Described in a media release as a dynamic half-day educational event, the summit is designed to bring together educators, healthcare professionals, coaches, parents, athletes, and students for meaningful conversations and practical learning around concussion management and recovery.
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The summit includes expert-led presentations, aimed at helping participants gain access to the latest research, treatment strategies, and real-world approaches for supporting students and athletes through concussion recovery, whether symptoms are new or persistent, organizers noted.
“The Peterborough Concussion Summit is about practical, evidence-informed tools that schools and sport can use the very next day, so kids recover safer and stay supported every step of the way,” Sutton said.
“We are bringing teachers, coaches, parents, and healthcare providers into the same room to move concussion care from confusion to coordination.”
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The summit will feature a keynote address, followed by three panel discussions. The first panel will focus on the “Return-To-Learn” protocol. The second panel will zero in on the “Return-To-Play” protocol, and the third panel will focus on fostering stronger connections between classrooms, sports and health care.
Each panel will be moderated by Peterborough family physician Dr. Steph Dallaire. Along with working with concussion patients, Dallaire’s perspective as both a coach and parent to children active in sports will help connect all the topics of focus for the day, according to the release.
Registration for the summit is $24 for adults and $14 for students (includes venue fees), with lunch and snacks are included as part of registration. Doors open at 11 a.m.
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All proceeds from the event will be directed to the GPHSF Concussion Fund and used to support further concussion education and awareness opportunities. GPHSF, a non-profit foundation, is the primary funder of the PACA program and has been backing concussion-related programming for health care providers and the public in the Peterborough area for more than 15 years.
PACA was formed in April 2019 with the goal of increasing awareness while taking a community approach, “setting a new standard for communities who aim to tackle concussions.” The community-led team aims to increase concussion awareness by working under its four pillars: recognize, remove, manage, prevent.
As part of its eight-play 2025-26 season, New Stages Theatre will be restaging "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre from December 10 to 14, 2025. Pictured is the cast from the original 2023 production (Megan Murphy, Brad Brackenridge, Kerry Griffin, M. John Kennedy, Ordena Stephens-Thompson, and musical director Gabriel Vaillant), all of whom will be reprising their roles, as will director Mark Wallace. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
Single tickets are now on sale for New Stages Theatre’s 2025-26 season of contemporary professional theatre, featuring eight plays from comedy to music to drama — including the return of an acclaimed family-friendly holiday show — all staged at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough from September to June.
“Putting together a season that has a mix of contemporary pieces is one of our main focuses,” says artistic director Mark Wallace. “We will always look for a holiday show that we can do, and we want to have a good mix of playwrights of different genders, and diverse experiences and perspectives.”
“We want to make sure we cover a lot of different themes and issues through the year, and not just end up with one kind of season. There’s a lot of mixing and matching to find the right mix of comedies, dramas, and a little bit of music.”
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In curating this season’s line-up, New Stages has responded to a subscriber survey that found audiences were interested in seeing more comedic productions. While three of the plays this season are indeed comedies, Wallace assures they are still multi-faceted, offering light-hearted moments while also addressing serious topics.
“We need to make people laugh and we need to have lighter stuff, but we can’t avoid that there are some tougher, challenging things going on in the world and we want to confront those as well, and our audience tends to really appreciate that about us,” he says.
“We want to make you laugh and we want to make you think. What our subscribers are really passionate about is that we bring these award-winning contemporary plays that are being talked about that otherwise wouldn’t get programmed here. And, of course, we bring in professional actors from out of town to do it, along with some of our own best professional actors.”
Kicking off New Stages Theatre’s 2025-26 season, Jonathan Wilson will present a staged reading of his deeply personal solo show “A Public Display of Affection,” about being a queer youth in Toronto. The production is being presented at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in partnership with Ptbo-Nogo Pride on September 20, 2025 during Pride Week. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
This mix of comedy and reflection is present right from the start of the season with a staged reading of A Public Display of Affection, written and performed by Jonathan Wilson. Presented at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 20 during Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week, this deeply personal solo show excavates the lives, loves, and landmarks of Wilson’s queer youth on the streets of Toronto.
Wallace says the story — which mixes history, comedy, and poignant reflection in equal measure — is “a love letter to the LGBTQ+ community” that explores the AIDS crisis and how things have changed over time.
“It’s heart-wrenching at times, but it is very much a special piece — a confessional, a true testimony,” says Wallace. “I think everyone in this community will appreciate it, especially because we know that Toronto scene as well, living so close.”
The production is being staged in partnership with Ptbo Nogo Pride. The show is restricted to audiences aged 16 and up, as it contains strong language, including homophobic slurs, and discussion of mature and violent themes.
“This was a big hit in Toronto, sold out show after show, and he’s going to come up here and just do the show for one night,” says Wallace, who anticipates the Peterborough show will be a sell-out as well. “We’re thrilled to have that happen.”
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At 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 9, New Stages will present Footnote to Freedom, written and performed by Peterborough’s own Beau Dixon with his brother Lance Dixon. The show is a new musical about the life of their grandfather, George Dixon, who served in the No. 2 Construction Battalion — Canada’s first and only segregated Black battalion in World War I.
The musical is a workshop presentation of the Brand New Stages Festival, which New Stages first presented in February 2023 as a week-long showcase of new, emerging, and re-emerging theatre. This year, New Stages is spreading the productions throughout the season, although most of festival will still take place in Feburary.
“We wanted to keep this idea (of Brand New Stages) during the season, but it doesn’t have to be only one week — especially since subscribers might miss it if they’re away for the week,” says Wallace.
“We want to keep that idea of development and having new plays come to life and having opportunities to interact with audiences, without it being limited to one week. We’ll keep that festival vibe in February, but the spirit of it will start to be seen throughout the year.”
New Stages Theatre is presenting a Brand New Stages Festival workshop production of “Footnote to Freedom” on November 9, 2025. Written and performed by Peterborough’s own Beau Dixon with his brother Lance Dixon, the show is a musical about the life of their grandfather George Dixon (front, second from left), who served in the No. 2 Construction Battalion — Canada’s first and only segregated Black battalion in World War I. (Photo courtesy of Mary Beth Sunderland)
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By popular demand, New Stages will be bringing back their 2023 holiday hit It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, adapted from the film by Joe Landry, from Wednesday, December 10 to Sunday, December 14, with four evening performances at 7 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday and two matinee performances at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Directed once again by Wallace, the show will see the return of the original cast from the 2023 production, including Megan Murphy, Brad Brackenridge, Kerry Griffin, M. John Kennedy, Ordena Stephens-Thompson, and music director Gabriel Vaillant.
“We heard so many positive things and we decided to bring it back,” Wallace says. “Because it was our first year doing a holiday show, it wasn’t as well attended as A Christmas Carol Comedy.”
Brad Brackenridge and Kerry Griffin are among the original cast who will be returning to the Market Hall stage for New Stages Theatre’s restaging of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” from December 10 to 14, 2025. Megan Murphy, M. John Kennedy, Ordena Stephens-Thompson, and musical director Gabriel Vaillant will also be reprising their roles, with . New Stages artistic director Mark Wallace also returning as director. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
That irreverent take on Charles Dickens’ classic tale, presented last December, starred Linda Kash as Scrooge and Kerry Griffin as every other character. It featured an audience holiday sing-along before the show and the Market Hall lobby was turned into a Christmas market.
Wallace notes that many audience members have said they appreciate the “lift in the season” from a holiday show, and restaging It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play so more people can see it is a way to do that.
“It’s going to be so fun to revisit this piece,” Wallace says. “What we try to do with these holiday shows is bring joy. It’s not just for people who celebrate Christmas. It brings the feeling of generosity and joy that is so needed in the world.”
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New Stages will kick off the new year at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 24 with a staged reading of Women of the Fur Trade, a comedy by Frances Koncan that shows an alternative side to the typically male-centred history of the Canadian fur trade and historical figures like Louis Riel.
Set in “18 hundred and something-something,” the satirical story is told from the perspective of three women: an Ojibwe, a Métis, and a British settler. The twist is that they all speak in 21st-century slang.
February and March will see two Brand New Stages Festival events, with the first set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 26 when New Stages presents a staged reading of The Cull, written by Michele Riml and Michael St. John Smith and directed by Peter Pasyk.
First produced by Vancouver’s Arts Club Theatre, the powerful drama is now entering a new stage of development. It follows a group of old friends who gather at a luxurious home to celebrate one couple’s 25th wedding anniversary as wildfires burn in the B.C. mountains. After a business offer uncovers a secret, the friendships of the tight-knit group are tested.
Actor and playwright Steve Ross, whose acclaimed semi-autobiographical comedic drama “12 Dinners” will be presented as a staged reading by New Stages Theatre on March 1, 2026, with New Stages founder and former artistic director Randy Read directing. (Photo: Trish Lindstrom)
The second Brand New Stages Festival event will see New Stages founder and former artistic director Randy Read direct a staged reading of 12 Dinners by Stratford Festival actor and playwright Steve Ross at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.
Previously produced at Stratford’s Here for Now Festival and this season with Talk is Free Theatre in Toronto and Barrie, the acclaimed semi-autobiographical comedic drama is about a series of meals Ross shares with his parents over a period of several months.
Other events of the Brand New Stages Festival will be announced leading up to February, though they will not be included within subscriber packages.
After a break in April, the New Stages season continues on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday May 3 with a staged reading of Paul and Linda Plan a Threesome by Jane Cooper Ford.
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Wallace promises the play to be as entertaining as it sounds — especially with Peterborough’s own Linda Kash among the confirmed cast.
“It’s about a successful, serious couple living in a fancy neighbourhood,” he says. “Their marriage is stale so they try and spice it up by having a threesome — but they advertise for it on Kijiji and things don’t go as planned.”
A sold-out and held-over hit at Stratford’s Here for Now Festival in 2024, there will be an evening performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday. The play is both very funny and very inappropriate for younger audiences with its strong and explicit language and mature themes.
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New Stages will wrap up its 2025-26 season at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 14 with a staged reading of Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage, the Pulitzer-winning playwright of Sweat (which New Stages presented as a staged reading in 2023). Though Nottage is known for dramas, Clyde’s is a new comedy about a truck-stop sandwich joint that employs people who are just out of incarceration.
“We hear about their lives as they’re re-assimilating and trying to get out of the system, but they also get inspired by the pursuit of making a perfect sandwich,” says Wallace. “It’s quite funny and it’s a very diverse cast, so I’m excited to bring that show here.”
For the 2025-26 season, all shows at the Market Hall will have reserved seating, where subscribers and individual ticket holders can select their preferred seating. Wallace notes that very few subscription packages are still available and individual tickets are already selling fast.
“I know that some people in Peterborough leave their ticket-buying decisions to the last minute, and it may not be wise to do that this year with some of these shows,” says Wallace.
New Stages Theatre’s artistic director Mark Wallace announced the 2025-26 season to a packed house at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on June 14, 2025 after the final production of the 2024-25 season. Based on feedback from a subscriber survey, the new season includes more comedic productions. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
New Stages offers a premium subscription package which includes priority access to all eight shows for $210 including taxes and venue fees, or a flex pack with the choice of six shows for $175 all-in. In addition to the cost savings, subscriber benefits include being able to transfer tickets to others if you are unable to make it to a show.
Single ticket prices range from $25 to $40 depending on the show, with a lower-priced “welcome rate” available at each show for those who need it. New Stages is also offering a higher-priced “pay it forward” option, for those who can afford it, to help cover the cost of the welcome rate.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be media sponsor of New Stages Theatre Company’s 2025-26 season.
The story has been updated to reflect that the full original cast from the 2023 production of “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” will be returning for the 2025 remount.
Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region — and update it throughout the week as conditions change.
As of Tuesday, August 26 at 12 p.m., the following beaches are unsafe for swimming:
Douro North Park in Douro-Dummer
Lakefield Park in Lakefield
Beach Park in Bobcaygeon
Crowe Bridge Park in Trent Hills
In addition, as of July 3, Peterborough Public Health has received multiple reports of residents experiencing swimmer’s itch, a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to infection with certain parasites of birds and mammals, after swimming at White’s Beach in Trent Lakes. For more information and precautions, visit the Swimmer’s Itch page on the health unit’s website.
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Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in the City and County of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Northumberland County, and Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.
As of 2025, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health provides weekly testing results for only six designated public beaches in Hastings County and Prince Edward County. It no longer regularly samples another 13 beaches due to historically low occurrence of high bacteria levels.
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger’s Cove in Peterborough’s East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Important note
The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.
You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.
City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)
Beavermead Park (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough) – sample date 25 August – SAFE
Rogers Cove (131 Maria Street, Peterborough) – sample date 25 August – SAFE
Peterborough County Beaches (sampled weekly)
Buckhorn Beach (12 John Street, Buckhorn) – sample date 20 August – SAFE
Crowe’s Line Beach (240 Crowe’s Line Road, Trent Lakes) – sample date 19 August – SAFE
Douro North Park (251 Douro Second Line, Township of Douro-Dummer) – sample date 25 August – UNSAFE
Ennismore Waterfront Park (1053 Ennis Road, Ennismore) – sample date 18 August – SAFE
Curve Lake Henrys Gumming (107 Chemong Street S, Curve Lake) – sample date 19 August – SAFE
Hiawatha Park (1 Lakeshore Road, Hiawatha) – sample date 25 August – SAFE
Jones Beach (908 Jones Beach Road, Bridgenorth) – sample date 25 August – SAFE
Lakefield Park (100 Hague Boulevard, Lakefield) – sample date 25 August – UNSAFE
Curve Lake Lime Kiln Park (70 Whetung Street E, Curve Lake) – sample date 19 August – SAFE
Sandy Beach (1221 Lakehurst Road, Buckhorn) – sample date 21 August – SAFE
Selwyn Beach Conservation Area (2251 Birch Island Road, Selwyn) – sample date 20 August – SAFE
Squirrel Creek Conservation Area (2445 Wallace Point Road, South Monaghan) – sample date 25 August – SAFE
Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (289 Caves Road, Warsaw) – sample date 25 August – SAFE
Peterborough County Beaches (sampled monthly)
Belmont Lake Beach (376 Mile of Memories Road, Belmont) – sample date 21 August – SAFE
Chandos Beach (2821 County Road 620, Apsley) – sample date 14 August – SAFE
Kasshabog Lake (431 Peninsula Road, Havelock) – sample date 14 August – SAFE
Quarry Bay Beach (1986 Northey’s Bay Road, Woodview) – sample date 14 August – SAFE
White’s Beach (26 Clearview Drive, Trent Lakes) – sample date 19 July – SAFE
Note: As of July 3, the health unit has received multiple reports of residents experiencing swimmer’s itch after swimming at this location.
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City of Kawartha Lakes
Results updated August 21.
Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – UNSAFE
Lions Park – Coboconk Moderate -Risk
Birch Point – Fenelon Falls – SAFE
Blanchards Road Beach – Bexley – SAFE
Bond Street – Fenelon Falls – SAFE
Burnt River Beach – Somerville – SAFE
Centennial Beach – Verulam – SAFE
Centennial Verulam Parkette – SAFE
Centennial Park West – Eldon – SAFE
Four Mile Lake Public Beach – Somerville – SAFE
Head Lake Beach – Laxton – SAFE
Norland Bathing Area – Laxton – SAFE
Omemee Beach – Emily/ Omemee – SAFE
Riverview Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – SAFE
Sturgeon Point Beach – Fenelon Falls – SAFE
Valentia/ Sandbar Beach – Valentia – SAFE
Verulam Recreational Park – Verulam – SAFE
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Haliburton County
Results updated August 21st.
Bissett Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Forsters Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Rotary Park Main – Minden Hills – SAFE
Rotary Park Lagoon – Minden Hills – SAFE
Horseshoe Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Glamour Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Gooderham Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Paudash Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Twelve Mile Lake Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Wilbermere Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Dorset Parkette – Algonquin Highlands – SAFE
Elvin Johnson Park – Algonquin Highlands – SAFE
Rotary Beach – Head Lake – Dysart et al – SAFE
Rotary Head Lake Beach Lagoon – Dysart et al – SAFE
Sandy Point Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Sandy Cove Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Slipper Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Eagle Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Pine Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Haliburton Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Northumberland County
Results updated August 21st.
Crowe Bridge Park – Trent Hills – UNSAFE
Hastings Waterfront South – Trent Hills – SAFE
Hastings Waterfront North – Trent Hills – SAFE
Caldwell Street Beach – Port Hope Low-risk
East Beach – Port Hope – SAFE
Cobourg Victoria Park Beach – Northumberland – SAFE
Wicklow Beach – Alnwick-Haldimand – SAFE
West Beach – Port Hope – SAFE
Sandy Bay Public Beach – Alnwick-Haldimand – SAFE
Little Lake – Cramahe – SAFE
Hastings County and Prince Edward County
Note: Updated results for the week of August 22 are not available. The results from last week are shown below. Swimmers are encouraged to monitor weather and water quality factors regardless of beach posting status.
Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project (HHHDP) steering committee members Sean Pennylegion, Jessica Slade, Lauren Hunter, Barrie Martin, and Carol Moffatt in front of part of a textile collection by local artist Wendy Wood at The Link in Haliburton. To help promote greater civic engagement in the 2026 municipal election and beyond, the grassroots community group is hosting a four-part "Voices & Votes" speaker series with the first two events this fall. (Photo: HHHDP)
When the time comes once again for Haliburton County residents to head to the polls next fall to choose their local politicians, a grassroots community group is hoping to inspire a higher voter turnout in the Haliburton Highlands.
That’s one goal of the steering committee behind the new Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project (HHHDP). The group of community members is working to create a home-grown initiative to strengthen local democracy and promote higher levels of civic engagement.
Through a series of events beginning in the fall, the HHHDP steering committee is aiming to encourage and prepare residents to get involved in their community and make a positive difference, both inside and outside of local politics, according to a media release.
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Steering committee member Lauren Hunter shared more details with kawarthaNOW about the impetus behind the new initiative.
“In the last municipal election, our community, like so many across Ontario, saw a number of council positions acclaimed rather than elected,” Hunter said.
“In fact, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario has documented that acclamations are on the rise. While we have still benefited from strong local representation, we think it’s important that voters have choice during local elections and that collectively, we do our part to help give people the tools, knowledge, and encouragement they need to get more involved in growing and governing our community.”
The four-part “Voices & Votes” speaker series hosted by the Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project (HHHDP) begins with two events on September 16 and October 7, 2025. (Graphic: HHHDP)
The HHHDP will launch this fall with the first two information sessions of a four-part series called “Voices & Votes.”
The first session, called “Partnership in Action: Community + Council,” will feature Jessica Slade from Civics with Slade sharing information about how government works and how people can contribute to community development by working with local governments to make positive change. She’ll highlight local success stories. The session is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16 at the Haliburton Legion at 719 Mountain St. in Haliburton.
The second session, called “Finding Your Why: The Big Picture,” will feature former Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Barry Devolin and former Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef speaking to why people should get involved in running for office, supporting a political campaign, or being an informed community member. This session runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7 at the Lloyd Watson Community Centre at 2249 Loop Rd. in Wilberforce.
The final two sessions — “Behind the Scenes of Municipal Leadership” and “Understanding Campaigns: How Success Happens” — will take place in the spring.
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All the sessions will be free, non-partisan, and open to everyone. Community members can choose to attend one or more of the sessions, and the steering committee is working to ensure the sessions are recorded for those who can’t attend in person.
“Community organizations and municipal governments benefit when more people, especially younger folks and those who haven’t traditionally been involved, become active participants around committee and council tables,” Hunter said in a statement.
“We know that local democracies are under strain, that fewer people are voting and running for office, and that it’s harder to build connections and community. This project is one way we can try to change that here at home in the Highlands.”
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HHHDP is hoping to “make waves” through the initiative and stimulate local democracy.
“Of course, we hope to see more people from all walks of life seeking office in the next municipal election,” Hunter said. “But even more importantly, we want to spark conversations about the importance of a healthy local democracy and help break down some of the barriers to access local politics.”
She added that the group would also like to see more people “getting involved in making positive change in our community” by supporting an election campaign for municipal office, voting in municipal elections, and getting involved in local grassroots organizations.
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“When we lower the barriers to participation — when we give people the tools, the knowledge, and the encouragement — they don’t just get involved, they lead,” said Slade, who is also a member of the HHHDP steering committee, in a statement. “And that helps build a stronger, more resilient Haliburton Highlands. With municipal elections coming up in the fall of 2026, we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to get involved.”
The other members of the HHHDP steering committee are Sean Pennylegion, Barrie Martin, and Carol Moffatt. HHHDP is a project of the Haliburton County Community Co-operative. It is financially supported by the Haliburton County Development Corporation (Local Initiatives Program) and the “Telling Our Stories Speaker Series.”
For more information and to register for the first two sessions, visit hhhdp.ca.
A 21-year-old Woodville man is facing a second degree murder charge after a person was found dead in a Kirkfield home early Thursday morning (August 21).
At around 4:10 a.m. on Thursday, Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were called to a Richmond Street West residence where they found a dead person.
Later Thursday morning, police issued a media release to report they were investigating a suspicious death, noting that preliminary information suggested it was an isolated incident with no signs of a broader threat.
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On Friday, police issued a second release stating that, as a result of the investigation, they had arrested Samuel Connors, 21, of Woodville and charged him with second degree murder.
The accused man is scheduled to appear in court in Lindsay on Friday.
Police are not releasing the name of the victim, and have provided no information about the victim’s cause of death, gender or age, or whether the victim had any connection with the accused man.
The giant mural created by artist Sharon Pearsall at Five Counties Children's Centre in Peterborough has left a lasting impression for children and families. Completed in 1981 when Sharon was finishing high school, the 25-foot wide by 13-foot high mural has stood the test of time over 44 years, putting smiles on those who see it. (Photo: Five Counties Children's Centre)
Every month, Five Counties Children’s Centre provides a story about the work of the charitable organization. This month’s story is by Bill Eekhof, Communications Coordinator, Five Counties Children’s Centre.
Sharon Pearsall’s artistic flair doesn’t rub off, and that’s good for children and families who have enjoyed her handiwork for decades at Five Counties Children’s Centre.
The indelible impression that Sharon painted on the north-facing wall of the gym at Five Counties’ location in Peterborough is still very much evident.
Her giant mural — approximately 25-feet wide and 13-feet high — featuring a mix of rainbows, giraffes, cats, children, bubbles, and fun is as bright and vivid as it was on the day she completed it in July 1981.
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“Having the opportunity to do this mural, it was kind of groundbreaking because you get the tap on the shoulder that you’ve been selected to do it,” says Sharon, a now-retired teacher who, in the summer of 1981, had just graduated from Adam Scott Collegiate in Peterborough.
“It’s affirming, because you feel you’re making the right choices in life.”
Back in 1981, before she got the “tug” to go into teaching as a career, Sharon had her sights set on pursuing art studies at OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design) in Toronto. To allow her to continue doing art that summer, Zoltan Temesy — her art teacher from Adam Scott at the time — arranged for her to do the mural project at Five Counties.
VIDEO: Sharon’s Story – Leaving a Lasting Impression
The aim was to give Sharon a chance to work on a large ‘canvas’ to create a scene that exuded welcome and fun for child clients using the treatment space at Five Counties. The mural also coincided with 1981 being designated as the International Year of the Disabled Person by the United Nations.
For Sharon, creating the mural design first involved researching what Five Counties did and who it served, so as to create something that was appropriate for the gym wall. It also meant channelling her own inner child.
“I put myself into the zone of being a child again, seeing what a child would like to see, what activities a child would enjoy in this gymnasium,” she says. “And I opened it up so it would be indoor and outdoor activities. Just my cartooning, love for drawing and colour, and going big. Painting big.”
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Giraffes and cats are among the many whimsical animals found in the mural — no surprise given Sharon’s love for them. Children of different abilities, cultures, walks of life, and personalities also appear throughout it.
While the gym wall provided plenty of space to create, it also posed its challenges. Teetering atop a ladder propped on two tables to paint the faces on giraffes may not have been the safest way to do things, Sharon admits, but it worked out in the end.
“The real treat for me was when some of the kids would come in to watch me paint,” Sharon notes.
Artist Sharon Pearsall displays the concept drawing she used to map out the giant mural that she created as a high school student on the gym wall at Five Counties Children’s Centre in Peterborough in 1981. The mix of rainbows, giraffes, cats, children, bubbles and fun that are infused into the actual artwork are evident in the design. (Photo: Five Counties Children’s Centre)
Forty-four years on, the giant mural has proven its durability — and worth — for both parties.
“This was a great opportunity for me to showcase my talents, work with the community, and give back,” says Sharon.
For kids, families and visitors to Five Counties, Sharon’s landmark (or wall mark) creation still resonates and brings countless smiles to those who see it.
Five Counties Children’s Centre is marking 50 years in 2025 of supporting children and families in Peterborough, Northumberland County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County. Find out more at www.fivecounties.on.ca/50years/.
The 2025-26 Board of Directors of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough (from left to right, back and front): Membership Director Victoria McAuley, Program Director Ashley Bonner, Program Director Tina Thornton, Director at Large Victoria Shaoling Wang, Publicity Director Tiffany Daskewich, Social Director Tiffany Alton, Treasurer Cindy Koshowski, Past President Katelyn Kemp, President Adeilah Dahlke, Tech Director Jessica Erickson, and Secretary Akshana Katoch. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)
According to Peterborough entrepreneur Adeilah Dahlke, you can never have too many friends. That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits that female professionals will find when they sign up to be a member of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN).
“I’ve made some really incredible friends through the WBN, and I know a lot of people have had that experience,” Dahlke says. “You’re building professional connections, but you’re also building those friendships too, and that’s why a lot of people keep coming back.”
Dahlke, who is the founder of Jigsaw Organizing Solutions, will be returning as the president of the inclusive networking group for the second year in a row when the 2025-26 season kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3 at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene — the first of 10 in-person meetings during the season.
Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) President Adeilah Dahlke, Past President Katelyn Kemp, and Tech Director Jessica Erickson connect during a board meeting ahead of the 2025-26 season, which kicks off with a speed networking event at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene on September 3, 2025. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)
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Called “Spark & Switch,” the kick-off meeting will feature a speed networking event that aims to connect members with as many others as possible, highlighting the season’s theme of “Sparking Community and Connections.”
“I really wanted to continue with Collaboration over Competition,” says Dahlke, referring to the theme of the 2024-25 season. “Whether it’s a community of people in the same industry, or whether it’s just multiple people coming together to create something, we want people to feel like they’re part of a community, and connected and close with each other.”
“Through the programming we have this year, you’ll get to know people quite quickly and hear their stories, hear their struggles, and really connect with one another,” she adds.
Adeilah Dahlke, founder of Jigsaw Organizing Solutions, is returning as the president of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) for the 2025-26 season. She joined the WBN as a member in 2022 because she wanted to make personal and professional connections after relocating her business from Waterloo to Peterborough. (Photo: Laura De Souza / LD Photography)
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The strong personal and business connections that women form at WBN is one of the main reasons Dahlke wanted to become a member of the organization when she joined in 2022. At the time, she had just moved her family and her business from Waterloo to Peterborough.
“I immediately found connections at WBN,” she recalls. “Everybody was really friendly and inviting and it was a really interesting mix of different businesses. It was really beneficial to get immersed in that and see what was available in Peterborough. I loved it immediately. I loved the group of women and found those connections really early on.”
As a Trained Professional Organizer, Dahlke says forming these connections was essential for growing her business and her clientele, given how personal the business of decluttering someone’s home can be.
“Social media is great, but it is so hard for people to get to know you enough and trust you enough to refer people to you,” she says. “When you’re meeting in person, you’re genuinely actually getting to know them on an intimate level. You’re having dinner with them and you’re seeing how they interact with other people. It’s a cool way of getting to know them.”
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) is an inclusive organization open to professional women from all walks of life and working in all industries. With monthly events, the organization provides members the opportunity to connect with like-minded women, building personal and professional relationships and pitching their businesses through a variety of options. (Photo courtesy of WBN)
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Even beyond building her client list, being a part of WBN was essential for Dahlke to build a support system with fellow professionals where she could talk about business challenges and solutions — especially since she works alone.
“If you’re a solopreneur you spend so much time by yourself, so it’s really great to be able to connect with people and just chat about work and personal stuff,” she says. “It can be hard to make new friends as an adult, so when you throw yourself into a situation where you’re surrounded by 70-plus like-minded women you have so many options to choose from.”
WBN also ensures new members feel welcome by offering to pair them up with a senior member who will act as a mentor throughout the season. What’s more, the dinner tables during the monthly meetings are limited to four to six people with assigned seating that changes monthly, making it easy for members to connect one-on-one with others.
“Everyone there is awesome, so you want to meet them,” Dahlke says. “People really connect when they’re eating food, and it creates a sense of comfort that is different and more relaxed than having to walk around and chat with people.”
In addition to building personal and professional connections, members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) have many opportunities to promote their businesses, including sponsoring a monthly meeting, donating a door prize to speak at an event, adding their events to WBN’s public events calendar, and setting up a vendor booth at a monthly meeting. (Photo courtesy of WBN)
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To help members promote their businesses, WBN provides the opportunity at each monthly meeting for members to purchase an affordable vendor table, where they can then spend time before the event talking and connecting with other WBN members and their guests. With WBN’s passport program, members are encouraged to visit as many vendor tables as they can for the chance to win a prize.
“You’re guaranteed to get eyes on your business,” Dahlke says.
There are also many other opportunities for members to promote their businesses at WBN. They can sponsor a meeting to get a spot in the WBN newsletter and have their business showcased throughout the event. They can donate a door prize to speak at an event, or pay $2 to enter a draw for the chance to speak about their business or acknowledge another member’s business during a meeting. They can also add their events to WBN’s public events calendar.
Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) board members Adeilah Dahlke, Katelyn Kemp, Jessica Erickson, Cindy Koshowski, Victoria McAuley, and Akshana Katoch during a recent meeting ahead of the 2025-26 season, which has the theme “Sparking Community and Connections.” New this year, the organization will select a local nonprofit organization to support during each member meeting, providing a way for members to learn about the work of community organizations while also making an collective impact. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)
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New this year, instead of hosting in-person spotlight events, WBN is offering members the option to purchase a virtual spotlight for each member meeting, with ad space within the WBN newsletter.
“Maybe you have a sale going or maybe you just want to display your logo, but it gets sent out to all members so you have a lot of eyes looking at it every month,” Dahlke says. “There are lots of different options to get your face and business name out there.”
While WBN continues to support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s programs and services for women affected by gender-based violence through its annual fundraising holiday gala, this season WBN is expanding its support of local charitable organizations. Each month, the WBN board will choose a local charity and collect donations at the monthly member meeting.
“Members had mentioned previously that they would love to see more opportunities to volunteer and help out,” Dahlke says. “It’s going to be a really fun way to learn about different nonprofits and charities, but also just to help out the community in a way that’s super easy. It’s a way that we can each contribute and make a pretty big impact.”
During the 2024-25 season, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) presented a cheque for $5,632.35 to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, representing the proceeds raised by WBN members during the organization’s annual holiday gala. For the 2025-26 season, WBN will also be selecting a local charity to support at each member meeting. (Photo: YWCA Peterborough Haliburton / Facebook)
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In addition to annual WBN events such as the holiday gala and Galantine’s Day event, there will be new initiatives during the 2025-26 season at all-new venues throughout the year, including an inaugural International Women’s Day event in March. The WBN board is also looking at ways to expand the Member of the Year Award program to acknowledge even more members.
“It’ll be a way for all members to get recognized and appreciated for their contributions and their efforts throughout the year,” says Dahlke.
Those who want to experience a WBN meeting before committing to membership can sign up as a guest. WBN members are also encouraged to bring guests to meetings — the more guests a member brings to meetings throughout the season, the more entries they will get in a draw to win a gift prize at the end of the year.
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) is an inclusive group of professional women where, through monthly meetings, members can build personal and professional connections, network, and promote their businesses and organizations in a welcoming and supportive social environment. (Photo courtesy of WBN)
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With so much to gain from both the business and personal connections, Dahlke says there’s no reason not to join the WBN.
“You’re building connections, networking, and you’re working on your business during that time, but you get to do it in a casual way where you get to have some good food and drink some wine,” she says. “It’s a nice balance and doesn’t always feel like work.”
“And if you want to get your name out there, build your business, and have brand recognition, it’s an amazing opportunity.”
For more information on the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough or to join, visit wbnptbo.ca. You can also connect with WBN on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
Ohio-born country-folk singer-songwriter Joe Wunderle performs with a full band at Jethro's Bar + Stage in downtown Peterborough on Saturday night as part of his "Here To Stay" Tour. (Photo: Louis Haas)
Every Thursday, kawarthaNOW publishes live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that musicians provide directly or that venues post on their websites or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, August 21 to Wednesday, August 27.
If you’re a musician or venue owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).
7-10pm - Jazz & Blues Night ft. Carling Stephen & Rob Phillips
Friday, August 22
5-8pm - Victoria Yeh & Mike Graham; 9pm-12am - Night Howlers
Saturday, August 23
5-8pm - Rocky Islander; 9pm-12am - High Waters Band
Sunday, August 24
4-7pm - Tex Mudslide
Monday, August 25
7-10pm - Crash & Burn 20th Anniversary w/ Rick & Gailie, Charlie Horse, Don McBride & The Unlikely Heroes, Dennis O'Toole and Old Soul, Mike MacCurdy & Friends ft Maggie Sabyan
Tuesday, August 26
6-10pm - Open mic w/ Johann Burkhardt
Coming Soon
Friday, August 29 5-8pm - Chris Devlin; 9pm-12am - Jay Diem Band
Saturday, August 30 5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 9pm-12am - HBH (Chris Hiney, Al Black, JP Hovercraft)
Sunday, August 31 4-7pm - Dennis O'Toole & Old Soul (Michael O'Toole, Bryan Landry, Jim Leslie)
The Blue Room Coboconk
6666 Highway 35, Coboconk
613-553-4699
Saturday, August 23
7pm - Meagan Ballantyne
Bonnie View Inn Dockside Patio
2713 Kashagawigamog Lake Rd., Haliburton
800-461-0347
Wednesday, August 27
5-8pm - Carl Dixon
Boshkung Social - Boshkung Brewing Co.
20 Water St., Minden
705-809-0512
Saturday, August 23
3pm - Beach Patio Party w/ Van Hillert
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Boston Pizza Lindsay
435 Kent St. W., Lindsay
705-328-0008
Thursday, August 21
8-11pm - Open mic and karaoke
Friday, August 22
8-11pm - Derrick Seed
Burleigh Falls Inn
4791 Highway 28, Burleigh Falls
(705) 654-3441
Coming Soon
Sunday, August 31 4-7pm - Corn Roast w/ Michelle Prins ($25 adults, $15 children 4-10, free for children under 4)
Capers Tap House
28 Bridge St. W., Campbellford
(705) 653-5262
Friday, August 22
7-10pm - Scott & Cindy
Claymore Pub & Table
95 King St. W., Cobourg
905-372-5231
Thursday, August 21
7-10pm - Karaoke Night w/ Crazy Ray
Coach & Horses Pub
16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006
Thursday, August 21
9pm-1am - Karaoke w/ DJ Ross
Saturday, August 23
2-5pm - Live music TBA; 10pm-2am - Karaoke w/ DJ Ross
The Cow & Sow Eatery
38 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-5111
Saturday, August 23
7-10pm - Country Josh
Crook & Coffer
231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
705-876-0505
Thursday, August 21
7-9:30pm - The OG Open Stage w/ Diamond Dave (originals only, no covers)
Friday, August 22
8:30pm - Karaoke
Saturday, August 23
2:30-4:30pm - Kate Kelly; 7:30-10:30pm - Joan Lamore
Dominion Hotel
113 Main St., Minden
(705) 286-6954
Saturday, August 23
7pm - Country Barn Dance w/ Gord Kidd & Friends ($10)
A rendering of TVM Group's proposed 17-storey residential-commercial building at 90 Hunter Street East beside Mark Street United Church in Peterborough's East City, which includes a four-storey parking garage. If approved by the city, the building would be the tallest in Peterborough to date. (Graphic: RAW Design Inc.)
City of Peterborough staff are recommending that city council approve a zoning by-law amendment that would allow a 17-storey mixed-use development to be built in Peterborough’s East City.
A report from Blair Nelson, the city’s commissioner of infrastructure, planning and growth management, will be presented at a public meeting during city council’s general committee meeting on Monday (August 25).
The proposed development, which would be built at 90 Hunter Street East just west of the Mark Street United Church on a site of around 3,350 square metres (less than one acre), would be the tallest building ever constructed in Peterborough. It would have 205 market-rent apartments with 201 parking spaces.
“It is the opinion of staff that the proposed amendment is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement and conforms to the City’s Official Plan,” the report reads.
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Toronto-based developer TVM Group acquired the property where the building would be constructed from the board of trustees of Mark Street United Church is exchange for four rental condominium units in TVM Group’s nearby East City Condos development valued at $2 million, as well as the construction of a new hall on the north side of the church building at no cost to Mark Street United Church.
Originally, TVM Group was proposing a 10-storey mixed-use building at the location and, in June 2024, a consultant hired by TVM Group held an open house about that proposal. No additional open houses were held prior to or after TVM Group submitted a proposal to the city for a 17-storey building.
According to the city staff report, although council has approved an official plan that included a 10-storey height limit in the downtown core area designation, provincial approval of the plan in April 2023 was rescinded by Bill 150, the Planning Statue Law Amendment Act. In May 2024, the Get It Done Act updated municipal official plans that had ministerial approval rescinded by Bill 150.
“Through this process, the City chose to accept a modification from the Minister that removed building height limit policies in the Downtown Core Area Official Plan designation,” the report states.
The city communicated this information to the developer, who then submitted a revised application to the city for a 17-storey building in April this year. Also in April, council adopted a resolution directing staff to expedite an official plan amendment to remove building height restrictions and angular plane requirements from the official plan.
“Although the requested Official Plan Amendment has not yet been brought forward, staff are able to implement the direction of Council in its review of current development applications as angular planes were one item in a toolbox to evaluate development compatibility,” the report states.
The developer made a third application in May to address issues identified by city staff with the revised application.
A rendering of TVM Group’s proposed 17-storey residential-commercial building at 90 Hunter Street East beside Mark Street United Church in Peterborough’s East City, with the inset image a rendering of the originally proposed 10-storey building. (Graphics: RAW Design Inc.)
As for community concerns about the appropriateness of a 17-storey high-rise in a mainly residential neighbourhood, the city staff report concludes that the proposal meets the definition of “compatible development.”
Although the city staff report notes that the official plan defines compatible development as “development that enhances the character of the surrounding community without causing any undue, adverse impacts on adjacent properties,” it also states that compatible does not mean “the same as, or even similar to existing development in the vicinity.”
“It is staff’s opinion that the application, and all supporting material has struck an appropriate balance between compatibility and sameness,” the report states.
The staff opinion on compatibility appears to be based on comparing the 17-storey building proposal to the original 10-storey building proposal, rather than the 17-storey building proposal on its own merits.
“Compared to the initial 10-storey building that was contemplated by the applicant, the current 17-storey building provides greater building setbacks from the adjacent low-rise residential properties to the north allowing for greater landscaping opportunities.”
“Further, the revised proposal removes massing (i.e. building height) from the rear of the building and moves it towards the street. This reduces the visual impact to the adjacent low-rise residential uses while also reducing the effect of shadowing on the closest neighbours — the shadow of a taller and narrower building moves across the ground faster than one of a shorter and wider building.”
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The report notes the proposed parking structure in the building would include 48 visitor parking spaces on the main level that “will be made available to the public.”
“Without a municipal parking facility in East City, a privately run public parking facility will address a current infrastructure gap in the area,” the report states.
According to the report, the recommended zoning by-law amendment would establish site-specific regulations to reflect a proposed new parcel that would accommodate the church and a new multi-purpose room to be built on the north side of the church, replacing the space that would be demolished to accommodate the proposed mixed-use building.
“The new multi-purpose room for the church will result in a modern space that can be made available for use by community groups as well as the church patrons,” the report notes.
As for the official plan’s requirement that developments “be sited so as to minimize their effect on neighbouring low-rise residential land uses particularly with regard to privacy, traffic generation, and reduction of sunlight” and that “The visual impact of each project will be carefully considered,” the report reiterates that “A taller building on a smaller footprint will result in less shadow impact on adjacent properties, as the shadow passes by faster.”
While the report notes the city’s official plan has a 45-degree angular plane requirement to minimize shadow impacts and provide a gradual transition between taller buildings and lower-density neighbourhoods, and that the proposed building “does encroach into the 45-degree angular plane,” the report states that council directed staff in April “to remove that evaluation tool from the Official Plan.”
“It is the opinion of staff that the current concept plan contemplates sufficient building setbacks adjacent to the low-rise residential areas to the north which would accommodate for a range of landscaping treatments which is another way to address compatibility … It is the opinion of staff that the proposed development and recommended zoning by-law amendment conforms to the policy direction on compatibility.”
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The report notes the community concerns that were raised at the June 2024 open house for the original 10-storey proposal, which included building height and density and the potential impacts to neighbourhood character, traffic impacts and pedestrian safety, adequacy of municipal services, noise and privacy impacts, and housing affordability.
“The above concerns from the public were generally re-iterated, with additional emphasis, following the Zoning By-law application submission which included the revised 17-storey proposal. Concerns regarding the change in plans, in principle, were also expressed.”
The report provides a “general summary of how public concerns have been addressed,” which are included verbatim below.
The height and density proposed is consistent with the City’s Official Plan direction for the Downtown Core Area, which includes Hunter Street East.
Staff and agencies have reviewed the materials submitted in support of the Zoning By-law Amendment application and are satisfied that the amendment request can be supported. The technical matters relating to the proposed development can be appropriately addressed as part of Site Plan Approval.
Capacity issues were not identified in municipal infrastructure, including the water, sanitary sewer and transportation network.
According to the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, there is capacity in the system to accommodate the anticipated number of students generated by a development of this nature. The Peterborough-Victoria-Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board and Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir did not provide comment on this application.
Additional parking spaces have been provided, above what is required by the Zoning By-law. The applicant is proposing to make the additional parking spaces available to the public to mitigate off-site impacts.
Privacy matters will continue to be considered and mitigated to the extent possible during site plan review. Features such as privacy fencing and landscaping will be part of that review. The proposed development has enhanced the building setbacks adjacent to existing low-rise residential development to accommodate a wider range of landscaping or other buffering solutions.
Site lighting will be reviewed to ensure adequate on-site safety is provided without negatively impacting abutting properties or roadways. This will be reviewed as part of the site plan approval application.
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The summary does not mention responses to concerns related to potential impacts to neighbourhood character, noise impacts, housing affordability, or traffic impacts and pedestrian safety, although the report earlier mentions that a traffic impact study was submitted.
“City Transportation staff agreed with the report’s conclusion that the proposed development would not cause a traffic hazard in the area,” the report states.
The report describes the financial benefits to the city of approving the proposal, noting that it would generate around $9 million in development charges and over $360,000 in education development charges, with additional development charge revenue from the proposed addition to the church.
The report also states that the church property currently generates no municipal tax revenue as a place of worship and estimates that the development would have an assessed value of around $32.6 million, generating around $510,000 in annual municipal tax revenue.
The public meeting on the zoning by-law amendment for 90 Hunter Street East is the 11th item on the agenda for city council’s general committee meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. on August 25 following a closed session at 4:45 p.m. Council meetings are streamed live at www.peterborough.ca.
This story has been updated to clarify that the June 2024 event about the original 10-storey proposal was an open house rather than a formal community consultation.
After a months-long campaign, Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) has reached its fundraising goal and is moving forward to purchase a 435-acre ecologically significant private property which is bordered on three sides by Kawartha Highlands Signature Site, a popular destination for locals and visitors to the region. Over 450 people have donated to protect what KLT is calling the Kawartha Highlands South property. (Photo: Thom Unrau / KLT)
More than 450 people have shown they care about protecting their local environment by donating to help Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) purchase and preserve an ecologically significant property in the Municipality of Trent Lakes in Peterborough County.
The non-profit land conservation organization advised its donors on Monday (August 18) that it has committed to buying the 435-acre private property which KLT is calling Kawartha Highlands South, adjacent to the provincially owned Kawartha Highlands Signature Site.
KLT reached its fundraising goal to purchase the property after a months-long campaign, with a closing date now set for the fall.
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“Our donors, volunteers, and supporters passionately support ambitious conservation projects like this one time and time again, making immediate and lasting differences for nature,” KLT communications manager Dani Couture told kawarthaNOW when asked about the significance of the community’s support.
“Next year, KLT will celebrate 25 years of protecting nature in the Kawarthas for future generations. Some of the people who walked KLT’s trails and spent time at our protected lands this summer may not even have been born when the organization was founded in 2001. To me, it’s a testament to the vision and passion our supporters, past and present, have for both nature and the community at large.”
Bordering the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site, a popular destination for locals and visitors to the region, Kawartha Highlands South features granite rock barrens, expansive forests, wetlands, and natural shoreline along 1.2 kilometres of the Mississauga River.
The 435-acre Kawartha Highlands South property is bounded on three sides by the southern end of Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. (Image: Kawartha Land Trust)
Back in March, KLT learned the property had been listed for public sale by a family that has owned and cared for the land for decades. The owners accepted an offer from KLT with a deadline of May 15, which the owners later extended to July 16 and then to August 31 to allow KLT additional time to raise the necessary funds to purchase the property.
KLT’s goal was to raise $1.6 million through donors and funders, with $1.5 million going towards the land purchase and an additional $100,000 going towards project-related costs and KLT’s stewardship fund to ensure the property will be cared for in perpetuity.
If KLT was unable to raise the remaining funds by the August 31 deadline, the property would have gone back on the market. As of July 19, KLT was only $75,000 shy of its goal.
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“The community’s generous donations allowed KLT to move confidently ahead to finalize the purchase agreement to protect the Kawartha Highlands South property forever,” said KLT executive director John Kintare in a media release.
“The closing date for the property is October 15, and we are working to finalize the remaining funding details and look forward to formally announcing them once we have officially taken possession of this remarkable property this fall.”
KLT said the protection of these natural lands not only ensures the permanent care of sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitats, but it also preserves natural connectivity in the region, which is “critical,” given the increased fragmentation of wildlife habitat in southern Ontario.
Kawartha Land Trust intends to create three to five kilometres of public access community footpaths on the 435-acre Kawartha Highlands South property, with the potential to connect the trails to existing ones in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. (Image: Kawartha Land Trust)
“Every iconic natural view and plant and wildlife species that you associate with the Kawarthas is present on this property,” said KLT land stewardship manager Hayden Wilson. “It contains a truly exceptional diversity of habitats that are emblematic of the rock barrens and highlands of the northern end of the Kawarthas.”
According to KLT, more than 100 species of birds and larger mammals like black bears, moose, and fishers have been observed on the property, including at least 12 species at risk.
Almost 70 acres of the property is comprised of wetlands, which provide denning, nesting, and foraging habitat for numerous species, including river otters, turtles, wading birds, waterfowl, and others.
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“We’re deeply thankful for the tremendous community support on this conservation project,” Kintare emphasized. “And soon, the community will be able to visit and enjoy the land that they helped protect as KLT is committed to creating hiking trails for the community to enjoy. It’s an incredible win for nature and for the community.”
After the property closes, KLT says it will begin work with its stewardship team to determine the trail routes and the date of public access.
“Walking over ridges and meandering the wetland edges of this stunning place is the next step in our relationship with the land,” said Wilson. “The scale, opportunity, and levels of discovery we have in store is truly exciting and we’re looking forward to bringing the community along as we thoughtfully plan community access.”
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Since being founded in 2001 by a group of passionate conservation-minded citizens, KLT has protected 44 properties across the Kawarthas comprising more than 8,100 acres.
Seven properties are open to the public and feature more than 50 kilometres of KLT-managed footpaths that thousands of people visit every year to connect with nature.
Kawartha Land Trust is one of dozens of land trusts across Ontario working with the community to protect natural and working lands in their respective regions.
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