The City of Peterborough is receiving over $2.1 million in federal funding for infrastructure improvements to help protect Peterborough residents and property from flooding.

The federal funding, announced Friday (January 13) by Whitby MP Ryan Turnbull on behalf of federal infrastructure minister Dominic LeBlanc and Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal, will support the city’s $5.44 million project to increase capacity of the Armour Road sanitary sewer, complete storm sewer upgrades, and rehabilitate the Curtis Creek channel.

“Flooding disasters impact municipalities across Ontario and climate change is expected to only bring more flooding,” MP Turnbull says in a media release. “Projects like this help to protect our communities from damage during flooding events — safeguarding homes, businesses, and residents.”

The federal funding comes from the Government of Canada’s Disaster and Mitigation Adaptation Fund, launched in 2018 with an initial investment of $2 billion to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and droughts. In 2021, the Government of Canada invested an additional $1.375 billion to the fund.

The city’s Curtis Creek project, by rehabilitating the creek’s shoreline and by completing sanitary and storm sewer upgrades, will improve the waterway’s health while reducing overland flooding, sanitary sewer back-ups, and basement flooding in nearby areas. According to the Government of Canada, every dollar that is invested in adapting and preparing for climate related disasters returns $13 to $15 in benefits.

“Infrastructure improvements are essential as the City of Peterborough continues to mitigate impacts of climate change,” says Mayor Leal. “Thank you to the Government of Canada for contributing to the city’s investment in the Curtis Creek project which will reduce flooding for area residents and businesses, protecting against property damage, and more importantly, protecting the safety and well-being of our residents.”

The Peterborough Petes, along with Scotiabank and Sport A Rainbow, have announced Pride Night will take place on Saturday (January 14) during the Petes’ home game against the Niagara IceDogs, which begins at 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

“The Petes strive to create an inclusive and safe space for all to enjoy a hockey game,” reads a media release. “The Petes will wear specially designed Pride jerseys in support of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Those will then be auctioned off during the game with all proceeds in support of Sport A Rainbow. The jersey auction will take place in the PMC Lobby, and will end immediately following the final whistle of the game.”

Sport A Rainbow was founded by Rose Powers, who has dedicated her life to developing and promoting female hockey. She began playing hockey in 1979, involved with the Peterborough Girls Hockey Association as a player, coach, and president, and was inducted into the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Sport A Rainbow encourages all coaches, athletes, and sports organizations to take the pledge to be supportive, respectful and kind to one other despite our differences, and to speak up against hateful speech and actions in any sport.

“I’m so looking forward to Saturday’s game,” Powers says. “I think that visibility is so important and I love that the Petes are willing to stand up and make change. I hope that everybody comes out to see what the Petes have done to make this an important and Prideful night. Thank you also to Scotiabank who has stepped up as leaders in our community to ensure the night goes smoothly and everyone’s included.”

Saturday night’s game is being presented by Scotiabank.

“We believe that Canada’s game should be for all Canadians,” says Scotiabank branch manager and mutual funds representative Charlyne MacDonald. “Scotiabank is committed to supporting community hockey teams, associations, and organizations across the country.”

“Through our Hockey For All sponsorship program, we are helping fund organizations aligned with supporting Scotiabank’s mission of making hockey more diverse, inclusive, and accessible for all. Scotiabank is proud to help open up the game of hockey to all Canadians, to realize a better future for hockey.”

Limited single tickets are still available for Saturday’s game, available in person at the Peterborough Memorial Centre’s box office at 151 Lansdowne Street West, by calling 705-743-3561, or online at tickets.memorialcentre.ca.

Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings and winter weather travel advisories for the Kawarthas region beginning Thursday night (January 12).

Snowfall warnings are in effect for northern Peterborough County and Hastings Highlands (a snowfall warning for Haliburton County has been ended). A winter weather travel advisory is in effect for southern Kawartha Lakes, southern Peterborough County, and Northumberland County.

For northern Peterborough County and Hastings Highlands, periods of light snow may mix with freezing drizzle at times into early Thursday evening. Snow will become heavy at times in the evening before tapering to light snow Friday afternoon. Snowfall with total amounts near 15 cm is expected for northern Peterborough County, with an additional 5 cm possible in Hastings Highlands.

For southern Kawartha Lakes, southern Peterborough County, and Northumberland County, rain beginning early Thursday evening will transition to snow later in the evening or overnight, with snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 cm expected. The transition from rain to snow will occur latest for locations near to Lake Ontario where snowfall amounts will be toward the low end of the range.

Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.

This story has been updated with the latest forecast information from Environment Canada.

January is a wonderful time to reflect on the past and share our hopes and intentions for the year.

In our previous article, GreenUP rang in the season by sharing Green Wishes for our community from our staff.

This week, we are featuring the thoughtful reflections of eight local business leaders who have committed to greening their operations as members of Green Economy Peterborough.

For 2023, we asked this keen group of leaders what their Green Wishes were for their sector, the business community, or our community. Here is what they said

Dan Stanford of Cabinetree

“My Green Wish for 2023 is for consumers to be more conscious of the emissions cost to deliver their purchases to them from around the world.

Purchasing locally, when possible, can reduce emissions and support our community.”

Dylan Radcliffe of Engage Engineering

“My Green Wish for the new year is for organizations and industry to begin to consider their impacts on global biodiversity. Biodiversity often comes second to climate change objectives for businesses but is critically important for long-term sustainability.

With the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration well underway, and the completion of the COP 15 UN Biodiversity Conference held in Montreal last month, we need to reflect on how our businesses actions impact biodiversity both locally and globally. I look forward to reflecting on how our company can make a difference over the coming year and making changes for the better! I hope you will join me.”

Angella and Verne Windrem of Green Street

“Our Green Street Green Wish for 2023 is for the promotion of more bike-centred infrastructure in our community. We all know it’s better for the environment, but the local economy benefits as well, since cyclists have a tendency to spend their dollars at local establishments.

Study after study has shown that cycling and a vibrant bike culture makes for a healthier and happier population. When it comes to choosing between a bike and a car, our personal choice is pretty obvious. We built a whole business around it! An electric bike makes that choice even more accessible to a wider range of people.

We would love to see more strides taken on a systemic level to make cycling easier and more accessible for everyone. Many initiatives are already well underway in our community. Our wish is to see that great work continue to grow and blossom.”

Adeilah Dahlke of Jigsaw Organizing Solutions

“My Green Wish for 2023 for my industry is that professional organizers start to think critically about the way that they are helping clients to declutter and organize.

By donating and using specialty recycling programs as much as possible, and also reusing storage containers rather than purchasing brand new plastic products, we can really make an impact!”

The staff team at Lett Architects

“Let’s actively participate in Canada’s efforts to preserve 30 per cent of our land and water resources by 2030 by reducing the overall environmental impact of our buildings by 30 per cent.

Let’s prioritize environmental protection in our work, every day.

Let’s design buildings that are more compact and at least 30% more efficient in their use of land and resources so that we can minimize their impact on surrounding ecosystems and harness the energy potential of our sites.

Let’s remind ourselves that energy, water, and material resources sustain us, are beautiful, are limited, and must be protected.”

The Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Committee at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

“Our Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Committee’s Green Wish for 2023 is directed at our members. Through our unique relationship with them, we have an opportunity to educate, assist, and inspire 1,000+ people to protect and sustain the land, water, and wildlife around us. Imagine the great impact we could have if we all — both individually and collectively — engaged in sustainable practice!

So, our Green Wish is that our members take time in 2023 to learn more about protecting our environment, then take action, and communicate with loved ones and those — like our political representatives and other local leaders — who have the ability to push for positive change, on the importance of protecting the health and prosperity of the future we all share!”

The staff team at Trent Health in Motion

“Our Green Wish for the healthcare industry is to take leadership in environmental sustainability, recognizing that our health is directly impacted by the health of our environment.

Some great steps those in healthcare can take are to join a Green Economy Hub in their area, and to promote active transportation. Walking, cycling, and running are great ways to keep our bodies and environments healthy.

Trent Health in Motion is a proud Green Economy Leader and we participate in Shifting Gears each May to challenge ourselves to take active transportation as much as possible. We’ve also joined B!KE, the Peterborough Community Bike Shop, with a corporate membership so that our staff can access support to keep their bikes running smoothly which can be a great form of active transportation.”

The staff team at Wild Rock Outfitters

“Wild Rock’s 2023 Green Wish for the outdoor industry is decreased air travel — of people and products.

We love bikes and hikes just for fun, but we also love reducing our carbon footprint! Ontario is pretty amazing. We hope you continue to Go Out and Play close to home this year.

See you on the trails!”

GreenUP’s wish for our local green economy leaders

“We wish these business leaders all the best in their efforts to support our planet and become more efficient and resilient organizations.”

Green Economy Peterborough is a GreenUP program that connects and supports business members to reduce their organization’s environmental footprint.

For more information on Green Economy Peterborough, visit greeneconomypeterborough.ca, where you can sign up for our e-newsletter or book an appointment.

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm watch with significant snowfall for the northern Kawarthas region beginning Thursday night (January 12).

The winter storm watch is in effect for northern Peterborough County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.

Snow falling across the area will intensify Thursday evening and will continue into Friday afternoon, tapering off late Friday.

Snowfall amounts of 15 to 30 cm are possible, although uncertainty remains regarding the track of the Colorado low responsible for this snowfall.

Snow will be heavy at times, with reduced visibility and rapidly accumulating snow resulting in difficult travel conditions. Avoid travel if possible.

For Northumberland County, Environment Canada has also issued a special weather statement calling for significant rainfall Thursday night.

Light showers and drizzle will give way to rain, heavy at times, late Thursday afternoon and then change to snow by Friday morning.

Rainfall amounts of 15 to 30 mm are expected, although considerable uncertainty remains regarding the track of the Colorado low responsible for this rainfall. Should the track of this low change, rainfall amounts could also change.

This story has been updated with a significant weather statement for Northumberland County.

Ashburnham Realty’s new residential and commercial development on Hunter Street East in Peterborough’s East City is moving along, with construction on the development’s first and largest building now completed and work on the second building now underway.

“It is really starting to take shape now and will create a very cool hub in East City,” Ashburnham Realty owner Paul Bennett tells kawarthaNOW in an email.

The first building in the development, called “The Railyard,” is a six-storey building at 127 Hunter Street East with 40 one and two-bedroom apartments and two commercial tenants on the main floor. Construction is complete, with interior and exterior finishing to be done.

Bennett says he hopes to see the first residential tenants move into The Railyard in late spring. The two commercial spaces have already been leased, with those tenants preparing to renovate their spaces.

“There is a ton of interest and it is getting a lot of excitement,” says Bennett, a native of East City, adding that Ashburnham Realty is now accepting residential applications for The Railyard at www.ashburnhamrealty.com.

The name of The Railyard, located on the south side of Hunter Street East across from Ashburnham Ale House and just east of the Rotary Greenway Trail, is a nod to the rich history of the former Ashburnham Village. The Rotary Greenway Trail was built on the railbed of the Cobourg and Peterborough Railway, which was constructed in the early 1850s and operated between 1854 and 1860 (it was later used for other rail lines).

One of the first railway lines to be built in central Ontario, it included a railway station serving as the northern terminus of the Cobourg and Peterborough Railway. When the Prince of Wales (Queen Victoria’s eldest son, later King Edward VII) visited Peterborough in September 1860, he arrived at the Ashburnham railway station.

That railway station was near the current location of the development’s second building, which faces Hunter Street East on the west side of the Rotary Greenway Trail. It was once the office of McCarthy and Johnston Fuels and later housed a restaurant, The Main Ingredient Too, and most recently a law office, with residential apartments on the second floor.

That building was demolished earlier this week, and will be replaced with a new building containing 12 residential units and a commercial tenant on the main floor. Construction on the second building is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

The original plan for the development also called for two additional buildings with 41 residential units to be constructed on the east side of the Rotary Greenway Trail, between Hunter Street East and Robinson Street to the south, previously used as overflow parking lots for the former St. Joseph’s Hospital on Rogers Street.

However, Bennett says there will now be only one building in that location.

“We are just in the planning stages of this final building and it will be just residential,” he says.

All three buildings in the development are being designed by Lett Architects Inc. of Peterborough.

As part of the new development, Ashburnham Realty will also be enhancing the section of the Rotary Greenway Trail that runs between Robinson Street and Hunter Street East.

The trail will be straightened where it currently bends to meets Hunter Street East and trail lighting will be added (similar to the section just north of the development between Hunter Street East and Douro Street) along with landscaping.

“The trail is going to be really nice,” Bennett says

Two Lindsay men were arrested and are facing multiple charges after Kawartha Lakes police executed a search warrant at a Lindsay home on Tuesday (January 10).

As a result of the search warrant, police located and seized around 82 grams of fentanyl, five grams of methamphetamine, and 122 grams of cocaine.

They also seized over $1,500 in Canadian currency.

As a result of the police investigation, 33-year-old Sean Fisher of Lindsay and 39-year-old Matthew Taylor of Lindsay were arrested.

The two men have been charged with possession of a Schedule 1 substance for purposes of trafficking (fentanyl), possession of a Schedule 1 substance for purposes of trafficking (crystal methamphetamine), possession of a Schedule 1 substance for purposes of trafficking (cocaine), possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and failing to comply with probation.

Both accused men are being held in custody for a bail hearing and will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay.