A rendering of Ashburnham Realty's proposed 17-storey apartment building to be located on Crescent Street in Peterborough, from EcoVue Consulting's notice of an open house about the proposed development to be held on September 23, 2025. The rendering includes what the notice describes as "the potential new location of the Art Gallery of Peterborough." (Graphic via EcoVue Consulting)
Less than two weeks after Peterborough city council approved a zoning by-law amendment to allow TVM Group to build a 17-storey high-rise on Hunter Street in East City, Ashburnham Realty is now proposing a 17-storey high-rise on Crescent Street behind the Art Gallery of Peterborough.
Both proposed buildings, which would be the tallest so far in Peterborough, follow changes to the city’s official plan made in 2023 and in 2024 by the Ontario government that removed the maximum height limitation for buildings in the downtown core area designation, and in advance of a proposed city-wide Community Planning Permit System that would replace the existing zoning by-law and could obligate developers to include affordable housing.
Although an application by Ashburnham Realty for an official plan amendment and a zoning by-law amendment for a 15-storey building is currently posted on the City of Peterborough’s website, a notice of a September 23rd public open house from EcoVue Consulting — the same consultant hired by TVM Group — states that Ashburnham Realty is now proposing a 17-storey building for the location.
Advertisement - content continues below
Ashburnham Realty originally announced in 2018 that it was planning a 12-storey development of luxury condos and rental apartments at the location, after purchasing a number of properties along Crescent Street and Lake Street.
In April 2025, that plan changed to the one posted on the city’s website, which proposes a 15-storey apartment building with 218 units and 231 parking spaces in a parking structure.
Nine existing properties located along Crescent Street, Lake Street, and George Street would be included in the development: 195, 199, 203, 215, and 223 Crescent Street, 131 and 137 Lake Street, and 362 George Street South.
Renderings of the original 2018 plan for a 12-storey luxury condo and rental apartment development on Crescent Street in Peterborough and the 2025 plan for a 15-storey apartment building at the location. (Graphics via Ashburnham Realty and Unity Design Studio)
In the notice for the open house, EcoVue Consulting states that Ashburnham Realty is now proposing a 17-storey mixed-use building with 231 rental apartment units and commercial space on a portion of the ground floor.
The notice also states that a portion of the second and third floor could be used “as the potential new location of the Art Gallery of Peterborough.”
The Art Gallery of Peterborough, located at 250 Crescent Street, is also the location for the drop-in open house, which takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday (September 23).
Advertisement - content continues below
The location of the proposed Crescent Street high-rise apartment building. (Graphic via EcoVue Consulting)
“The developer’s consulting team will be on hand to answer questions,” the notice states.
“There will be no formal presentation, and attendees may come and go as they please. Any member of the public may attend.”
The notice also indicates applications under the Planning Act for the proposed development as well as necessary technical reports have been submitted to the City of Peterborough, and that a statutory public meeting under the Planning Act at general committee will be held at a later date.
An OPP helicopter joined a large-scale Peterborough police search that began September 15, 2025 for a 34-year-old man wanted in connection with non-violent crimes. (Photo: Peterborough Police Service)
Peterborough police have arrested a 34-year-old man who was the subject of a large-scale search that began Tuesday afternoon (September 16) and involved the emergency response team, canine unit, and an OPP helicopter.
The OPP helicopter was seen and heard flying in circles over East City for several hours Tuesday afternoon, prompting questions and concerns on social media from area residents.
Police issued a media release late Tuesday afternoon indicating they were searching for the man in the area of Maniece Avenue and Ashburnham Drive. The man was described as white, 6’2″, with brown short hair, brown eyes, and a heavier build, and last seen wearing only socks and dark-coloured boxer shorts.
Advertisement - content continues below
According to a media release issued late Wednesday morning, police say they located and arrested the man at around 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Police noted the man was wanted in connection with non-violent crimes, prompting additional questions on social media as to the reason for the investment of so many police resources to locate him.
Municipality of Port Hope councillor Claire Holloway Wadhwani has been appointed to the Green Municipal Fund Council as Ontario's municipal representative. (Photo: Municipality of Port Hope)
A Municipality of Port Hope councillor hopes to advance environmental efforts in tangible ways and make new connections through her participation on the national Green Municipal Fund Council.
Councillor Claire Holloway Wadhwani has been appointed to the council as Ontario’s municipal representative.
The Green Municipal Fund is a program of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), an advocacy group representing over 2,000 Canadian municipalities. The fund invests in innovative and effective environmental initiatives across the country including sustainable municipal buildings, community energy systems, municipal fleet electrification, organic waste-to-energy, net-zero transformation, and community buildings retrofit.
Advertisement - content continues below
“I’m looking forward to getting to work with and learn from colleagues from municipalities across the country, along with those representing federal departments and industry,” Holloway Wadhwani told kawarthaNOW.
“While I will not be able to vote on any applications coming from my home community, I believe this will be an incredible opportunity to broaden my knowledge about what other communities like ours are doing to address climate change and advance sustainability — whether through sustainable housing, retrofitting community buildings, investing in active transportation infrastructure, or embracing nature-based solutions in public spaces.”
The councillor stated in a media release she’s “proud to bring the perspective of smaller communities like ours to the table. I look forward to sharing what I learn through this role to advancing our goals here in Port Hope and to supporting projects that strengthen resilience, equity, and quality of life for all Canadians.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Members of the Green Municipal Fund Council represent a broad spectrum of expertise, with one-third being Government of Canada representatives, one-third being elected municipal officials appointed by FCM’s board of directors, and one-third being external members representing the public, private, academic, and environmental sectors.
Members help shape policies and programs that advance climate resilience and sustainability in communities of all sizes, according to the release.
Holloway Wadhwani said she took part in “a rigorous application, interview, and reference check process, which included a reference from (Municipality of Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky) about my work here in Port Hope. I was notified towards the end of August that I was selected.”
Her appointment was in response to a call for municipal councillors with a background in sustainability and climate action. The Green Municipal Fund was specifically looking for a representative from Ontario.
“This is a proud moment for our community,” Hankivsky said in the release.
Advertisement - content continues below
Holloway Wadhwani’s appointment to the Green Municipal Fund Council “highlights the leadership and innovation happening in Port Hope and ensures our community’s voice is represented on a national stage. The insights gained through this role will directly support our local sustainability goals and reinforce our commitment to building a resilient and thriving future,” Hankivsky said.
Holloway Wadhwani is serving her first term on Port Hope council. She chairs the municipality’s environmental advisory committee, through which she championed the development of Port Hope’s first Community Climate Action Plan and is working with staff and residents to lead its implementation.
She also serves as the board chair of Community Power Northumberland, a renewable energy co-op advancing community-owned sustainability projects and public engagement, the release noted. With more than 15 years of experience as a consultant to non-governmental organizations and international organizations, she supports initiatives “grounded in equity, environmental sustainability, and community-led development.”
Advertisement - content continues below
The councillor is heading to Ottawa this week for her first in-person council meeting.
“It’s an exciting time at the Green Municipal Fund as they have just announced a significant investment in municipal housing projects using green technologies and working towards net zero builds and are expanding their focus on community engagement, adaptation, and resilience as core strategies to complement infrastructure initiatives,” Holloway Wadhwani said.
“I look forward to bringing home inspiration, connections, and tangible ideas that we can use to strengthen our resilience as a community and incorporate sustainability thinking throughout our municipal operations.”
Located in the Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen in Peterborough County, Kawartha Ethanol is a leading producer of fuel-grade ethanol and premium alcohol products that it distributes to companies across Canada. As Canadian businesses look for local suppliers to avoid tariffs, the company's dedication to producing in and distributing within Canada has led to an increase in its fuel-grade ethanol sales. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Ethanol)
With the shifting trade economy driving Canadians to support local, businesses that manufacture and sell within the country are being rewarded. That has been proven locally with the success of Kawartha Ethanol, a company that has made major waves in The Kawarthas.
Under its parent company Drain Bros, owned by Darryl Drain, Kawartha Ethanol is a leading producer of fuel-grade ethanol and high-quality alcohol products located in the Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, one of eight townships in Peterborough County. The parent company, which is the leading provider of aggregates, asphalt, and professional site construction services in the Kawarthas, was founded in 1971 and employs a team of more than 400 employees across several associated companies.
Kawartha Ethanol began construction of its plant just east of Havelock in 2007 and began producing environmentally friendly fuel-grade ethanol by 2010. The ethanol is sold and distributed through major oil and fuel companies in Ontario and Quebec, including many local businesses.
In 2020, Kawartha Ethanol expanded the plant and, in 2022, began producing high-quality alcohol and grain natural spirit (GNS), which is now marketed under the Kawartha Premium Alcohols brand. This high-quality alcohol is shipped around the world, though the majority of sales are within Canada.
To optimize efficiency and ensure consistency in the product, Kawartha Ethanol controls all aspects of the production process. Corn is grown both directly through Kawartha Ethanol and acquired through an affiliated company, St. Lawrence Grains & Farm Supply Ltd. in Stouffville, which is a fully licensed grain elevator and dealer that sources corn from several local farms.
Kawartha Ethanol is a fuel-grade ethanol and premium alcohol producer under its parent company Drain Bros, which own a number of companies and employs more than 400 people. There are currently 46 people employed at Kawartha Ethanol alone, who all reside within an hour of the plant located just east of Havelock. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Ethanol)
For many years, Kawartha Ethanol has also worked closely with Siemens Canada in Peterborough to leverage their cutting-edge automation, instrumentation, and digitalization technologies. The company works with several other local contractors and vendors for maintenance, supplies, spare parts, and third-party testing.
Kawartha Ethanol also works alongside local farmers by selling all co-products of the distillation process, especially the wet and dry distiller grains that stay in The Kawarthas to provide a high source of protein to livestock.
With so many aspects to the business, Kawartha Ethanol provides employment to many local residents in The Kawarthas. Currently there are 46 employees within the company who each reside within an hour of the plant.
By partnering with local suppliers and customers, Kawartha Ethanol is in the unique position of benefiting from trade tariffs. As Canadian companies look locally to avoid import duties, Kawartha Ethanol has gained more customers across the country who are seeking to acquire locally produced ethanol. This gain proves the success that can be achieved when businesses grow in partnership with their local community.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.
Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
Drag performer Sahira the Djinn, Public Energy managing director Eva Fisher, and Public Energy programming director Kate Alton at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on September 16, 2025 during an announcement of the contemporary performance arts presenter's 2025-26 season. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
As Public Energy Performing Arts in Peterborough readies to open its 32nd season on September 25, it’s difficult not to be excited for programming director Kate Alton.
Named to that position in the wake of Bill Kimball’s retirement last season — he had led Public Energy since founding the contemporary performance arts presenter in 1994 as Peterborough New Dance — Alton is embarking on her first full season in that role.
Alton, an award-winning dancer, choreographer, and multi-disciplinary theatre creator, is well past the big-shoes-to-fill phase. She is now fully in charge of programming and, based on what the 2025-26 season holds, is well on her way to making her own mark.
Advertisement - content continues below
Alton, joined by Public Energy managing director Eva Fisher, revealed details of Public Energy’s upcoming season on Tuesday (September 16) at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough. The launch also featured a performance by drag performer Sahira The Djinn.
From September to April, Public Energy is presenting six main stage performance works, four at the Market Hall, one at the Nozhem First Peoples Performance Space at Trent University, and one at the Art Gallery of Peterborough in downtown Peterborough. The titles and descriptions for all six shows are listed at the end of this story.
Ticket prices for each show are flexible to accommodate all income levels, with pay-what-you-can and sliding scale pricing starting as low as $10. Visit publicenergy.ca to order tickets.
A promotional photo for “Finding Home: A Salmon Journey Upstream”. (Photo: Kathryn Hanson)
In addition to the six main stage shows, Public Energy is presenting children’s programming on Friday, May 8 at Queen Mary Public School in Peterborough in the form of Finding Home: A Salmon Journey Upstream, courtesy of Theatre Direct and the Animacy Theatre Collective. Created and performed by Alexandra Simpson and Morgan Brie Johnson, the Dora award-winning play features puppetry, clown, and live music as it explores friendship, growing up, and the annual salmon run.
And a new initiative called Rough Cuts will be presented at The Theatre On King in downtown Peterborough at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 24 and again in March on a date to be determined. It will see local artists present excerpts of in-progress works of any genre — from readings to dance to circus to songs — in a “low-tech, low stakes environment.” The program will also include a slot for one out-of-town artist to foster creative exchange.
Asked by kawarthaNOW about the process that leads to the putting together a season of performances, Alton said “A puzzle is a good analogy.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
“I think of puzzles when I create a new dance piece as well, or a new theatre piece or anything I do,” Alton explained. “How do all the elements that I have work together to create a whole that is cohesive and easy to interpret?”
“There are so many factors. We’re trying to space out our shows in a way that makes sense for our capacity to market appropriately, given our limited number of employees — which is Eva and me. Then there’s the shows you want, versus the shows that are available to tour in the time frame that fits into your specific schedule, and marketing and capacity needs.”
“Then there’s our budget. While we would love to present shows on as grand a scale as Murmuration (last season’s closing performance at the Memorial Centre) every year, we have to plan around our funding limitations. And then there are the needs of the artists and the shows in terms of our technical capacity.”
Kate Alton, programming director of Public Energy Performing Arts in Peterborough, speaks about the 2025-26 season lineup for the contemporary performance arts presenter at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on September 16, 2025, with a poster of Public Energy’s 2025-26 sponsors in the background. An award-winning dancer, choreographer, and multi-disciplinary theatre creator, Alton assumed responsibility for programming for Public Energy following founder Bill Kimball’s retirement last season. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Not lost on Alton are two things: that she’s fortunate to be where she is after moving to Peterborough three years ago to be closer to family, and that Peterborough’s cultural landscape is blessed to have Public Energy.
“I hoped I would be able to play a meaningful role in the local arts community, which I saw as really dynamic, engaging and interesting,” said Alton, adding that her position at Public Energy is “so perfect for me.”
“I didn’t know — at this stage of my life and with my history with Public Energy and as an artist in Canada — that all of my needs and desires at this stage of my career could be met by a position that existed right here in Peterborough.”
“Bill was remarkable in being able to do this here. Not every small city can create and sustain an organization like this … the number of artists that have come through here, the people whose careers started here — including my independent career that began here because Bill was the first presenter to present my work outside of Toronto. I receive a lot of submissions from artists, those at the beginning of their careers and those tremendously well established, wanting to perform here.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
A member of Toronto Dance Theatre from 1989 to 1995, Alton toured nationally and internationally before founding Overall Dance in 1998 to showcase her choreography as well as to commission work by leading creators.
Tributes that have come her way include four Dora Mavor Moore Awards for The Four Horsemen Project she co-created with Ross Manson. In 2001, Peterborough New Dance presented an early version of that piece before it went on tour.
In her new role at Public Energy, Alton says connections made will serve her well and, by extension, Public Energy.
“In terms of artists approaching me, even if it’s an artist I don’t know, if I know the person they’re working with, or I know the institution they trained at, or I know other people that they performed with, I can have a great idea of what the quality of the work might be. There are so many connections on so many levels that I’m able to bring to this position.”
Eva Fisher, managing director of Public Energy Performing Arts in Peterborough, describes one of the upcoming performances in the 2025-26 season lineup for the contemporary performance arts presenter at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on September 16, 2025. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
A new season, meanwhile, isn’t possible without sponsors.
To that end, V Formation, Jo Pillon (Royal LePage Frank Realty), Hi Ho Silver, Vandermeulen Plumbing, WE Design Group, and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough have stepped up, with kawarthaNOW returning as a long-time media sponsor.
Add to that government operating grants. Still, like many cultural event providers, Public Energy is never assured of the next operating dollar.
That, says Fisher, requires flexibility and a willingness to adapt to changing audience needs and wants.
“I think to be sustainable you have to embrace change and embrace the new,” Fisher points out. “That’s something Public Energy has done through the years.”
“We began as Peterborough New Dance, which was exclusively a dance presenter, and moved into a broader performing arts space. Continually learning, continually looking for new things, and embracing new things in our work should, we hope, keep us resilient.”
“I think something that makes us strong is people love their performing arts … there’s a need for that. I think that need will continue in Peterborough.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Public Energy’s 2025-26 Season
YEBO – Pulga Muchochoma
Thursday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. (Market Hall Performing Arts Centre)
Mozambican-Canadian dancer and /choreographer Pulga Muchochoma of Pulga Dance. (Photo: Allison Caroline Smith)
A compelling double bill by acclaimed Mozambican-Canadian dancer and choreographer Pulga Muchochoma of Pulga Dance. NGOMA, a solo show rooted in Pulga’s ancestral lineage, takes its name from the Chuabo word for drum and poses the question “Is the drum I danced to in my mother’s womb the same beat I follow in the world as a dancer?” INKOSI, meaning king in Zulu, is a stirring ensemble work for five performers inspired by the experiences of Nelson Mandela. It explores the brutal realities of Mandela’s time in prison, and honours his unwavering perseverance, resilience, and vision for a just South Africa. (Note: Muchochoma will also be teaching an all-levels Afro Fusion Dance Class at the New Canadians Centre from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 22.)
who will save the night sky? – Phillip Geller
Sunday, November 9 (Nozhem First Peoples Performance Space at Trent University)
Philip Geller performing in “who will save the night sky?” (Photo: Kate Dalton)
Curated by Indigenous Performance Initiatives and presented in partnership with Nozhem First Peoples Performance Space, who will save the night sky? blends bouffon, clown, storytelling, and spectacle. This interactive solo performance by Philip Geller reminds us of the importance of our relationship to the stars and sky world. Note: the time of the performance will be announced at a later date.
Bijuriya – Gabriel Dharmoo
Tuesday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. (Market Hall Performing Arts Centre)
Gabriel Dharmoo performing in “Bijuriya”. (Photo: Jonathan Goulet)
Bijuriya is a jubilant exploration of Gabriel Dharmoo’s hybrid identity as both a composer/experimental vocalist and a charismatic drag artist. Constantly code switching between drag performance, original songs, and the porous space between singing and lip-syncing, this multi-faceted celebration of South Asian heritage and contemporary queer identity is set to an eclectic score.
Rinse – Amrita Hepi with Mish Grigor
Wednesday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m. (Market Hall Performing Arts Centre)
Amrita Hepi performing in “Rinse”. (Photo: Zan Wimberley)
Known for her fearless and inventive approach, Amrita Hepi explores the idea of beginnings with a mix of dance, storytelling, and satire. Created in collaboration with theatre-maker Mish Grigor and produced by Performing Lines, Rinse features a witty, irreverent monologue that reimagines an origin story through personal narrative. The performance touches on themes of art, feminism, desire, pop culture, and colonial history, all framed within a striking minimalist set of icy blue and white.
the village trilogy/Matryoshka Crush – Laura Taler
Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. (Art Gallery of Peterborough)
A still from Laura Taler’s 1995 film “the village trilogy”. (Photo: Laura Taler)
Romanian-born Canadian Laura Taler made her first film the village trilogy in 1995. Heralded by Dance International Magazine as marking the beginning of the dance film boom in Canada, it alludes to the millions of people uprooted through emigration over the past century, capturing a time and place that is beyond our grasp, but not beyond our memory. Presented in partnership with the Art Gallery of Peterborough, Taler will screen the village trilogy alongside her most recent film Matryoshka Crush, in which poison, exorcism, gender trouble, song, and dance intermingle in a darkly funny and disturbing tale of intense yearning.
Donnie and Me and the CBC – Chris Earle
Thursday, April 16 and Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. (Market Hall Performing Arts Centre)
Chris Earle in a promotional photo for “Donnie and Me and the CBC”. (Photo: John Scully)
In Montreal in 1974, an 11-year-old’s fiercely unconventional mother, Donnie, ditched the family TV. From that moment on, the radio was always tuned to CBC. In his funny and touching new solo show directed by Shari Hollett, acclaimed writer-actor and Second City alum Chris Earle shares the story of his ferociously loving mom and the quintessentially Canadian soundtrack to their sometimes turbulent relationship. The result is a touching, hilarious show about love, listening, and growing up in the 1970s.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a long-time media sponsor of Public Energy Performing Arts.
Local businessman Lucas Cleveland was elected Mayor of Cobourg in October 2022. (Photo: Town of Cobourg)
The Town of Cobourg’s mayor is offering to share his chair with a young person — for a day anyway — as part of a contest this fall aimed at stimulating interest in local leadership and public service.
Mayor Lucas Cleveland is inviting Cobourg children and teens in grades 7 to 10 to apply for the “Mayor for the Day” contest, with applications being accepted now until Friday, October 17.
The contest is returning to the municipality as part of a “local government week” initiative, according to a media release, and is an opportunity for young people to submit an idea to council on how to make Cobourg a better place in which to live.
Advertisement - content continues below
“I am excited to bring back the Mayor for the Day contest and look forward to reviewing all the submissions,” Cleveland shared with kawarthaNOW.
“One of my reasons for running to be mayor was to engage different demographics of residents and this contest is a great opportunity to help youth learn how local government works and how they can make a difference in our community. It’s also a wonderful way to inspire future leaders and encourage an interest in public service.”
Students who live in the Town of Cobourg are encouraged to apply. Applicants can choose to submit written responses or provide a video.
Advertisement - content continues below
Cleveland himself will review all the entries and select the winner.
The winner of the contest will receive a tour of the municipal facilities, spend time with the mayor, and attend official meetings — including the chance to open a council meeting on Wednesday, October 29.
The winner will also be recognized with a temporary ceremonial street name placed on Second Street for a one-week period. In addition, the winner can also arrange for the mayor to visit their class and answer questions on municipal government. Lunch will be provided.
Advertisement - content continues below
Application forms are available online at www.cobourg.ca/MayorForTheDay or can be picked up at the customer service desk at Victoria Hall, which is located at 55 King St. W. For questions or to submit a video, email htodd@cobourg.ca.
“I look forward to welcoming the contest winner to Town Hall and visiting their classroom,” Cleveland said. “These conversations will bring fresh perspectives and inspire meaningful dialogue about the future of our community,” he added.
Cleveland is the 48th mayor of the Town of Cobourg. He moved to Cobourg from Alberta in 2016 and subsequently opened The Market & Smør, a “zero food waste” green grocer business at 39 King Street East. Cleveland was elected mayor in October 2022 with no previous political experience.
Ontario's Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden announced $6.3 million in funding to Curve Lake First Nation for a new multi-season outdoor arena on September 15, 2025. Also pictured left to right are Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation parliamentary assistant Will Bouma, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Curve Lake First Nation chief Laurie Hockaday, and Curve Lake First Nation deputy chief Jeffrey Jacobs. (Photo: Office of Neil Lumsden / Facebook)
The Ontario government is providing $6.3 million to Curve Lake First Nation for the construction of a new multi-season outdoor arena.
Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden announced the funding at a media conference at Curve Lake First Nation on Monday morning (September 15), as part of a series of recent announcements of funding for projects under the province’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF).
Other attendees at the announcement included Curve Lake First Nation chief Laurie Hockaday, deputy chief Jeffrey Jacobs, council members, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, and Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma, who is the parliamentary assistant to Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Greg Rickford.
Advertisement - content continues below
To be designed for year-round use, the new arena would feature a covered and refrigerated ice surface for activities like hockey and figure skating during winter and would be used for activities including lacrosse and ball hockey in the warmer months, and would include change rooms and accessible washrooms.
As a central community hub, the arena would also be used for community programs and events, after-school activities, skill-building workshops, seasonal markets, cultural gatherings, and youth leagues.
“Our government is proud to support the construction of the new arena in Curve Lake First Nation, which will create more opportunities for children, seniors. and families to stay active and connected within their community,” Lumsden said in a media release. “With new access to year-round programming, this investment will increase participation in sport and recreation, create local jobs, and build stronger community connections.”
Advertisement - content continues below
No details were provided in the media release about the total cost of the arena or when construction is expected to begin and be completed.
The $200-million CSRIF is an application-based program for municipalities, Indigenous communities, and non-profit organizations that are repairing and rehabilitating existing sport and recreation facilities and spaces or building new or transformative sport and recreation infrastructure.
Recently announced funding for other CSRIF projects include $10 million for the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre in the Municipality of Clarington, $3.2 million for a goalball court at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s Lake Joseph Centre in Muskoka and upgrades to the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Children and Youth Camp in Burk’s Falls, $10 million for a new 15-acre Family Recreation Area in Vaughan. $7.7 million for an aquatic centre in Uxbridge, and $11 million for the South End Community Centre and the Lyon Outdoor Pool Rehabilitation Project in Guelph.
The Canadian Canoe Museum launched its "Music in the Museum" concert series on May 24, 2025 with a performance by Juno award-winning roots musician Old Man Luedecke in the museum's atrium. Toronto-based indie-folk group Great Lake Swimmers will be performing as a trio at the museum on December 6, 2025. (Photo: The Canadian Canoe Museum)
Canadian indie-folk group Great Lake Swimmers will be performing at The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough on Saturday, December 6.
The concert is part of the “Music in The Museum” series featuring Canadian musicians, launched this past May with a performance by award-winning roots musician Old Man Luedecke.
The ongoing concert series is held in the museum’s atrium, where the Silver Bean Cafe is located, with the mass timber and wood panelling providing rich acoustics for the performers and the audience.
Advertisement - content continues below
Led by singer-songwriter Tony Dekker, the Great Lake Swimmers has earned critical acclaim and a devoted fan base since releasing their self-titled debut album in 2003.
The Toronto-based group is known for their distinctive sound blending Americana and atmospheric influences, along with poetic lyrics, lush harmonies, and acoustic arrangements.
Nominated twice for Juno Awards and shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, Great Lake Swimmers has released eight studio albums, with their ninth studio album Caught Light set for release in October.
VIDEO: “One More Dance Around the Sun” – Great Lake Swimmers
Currently performing live as a trio, the group is touring across Canada and the northeastern U.S. this fall in support of the new album.
General admission tickets for the December 6th concert at The Canadian Canoe Museum are $60 and are available online at www.canoemuseumstore.ca/products/music-in-the-museum-great-lake-swimmers. Proceeds from the Music in The Museum series help to subsidize the museum’s youth backcountry canoeing program.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with beer and wine available for debit or credit purchase. Drinks are permitted during the performance, which begins at 7 p.m.
Northumberland County has hired veteran recruiter Paula Mason as its first physician recruitment specialist and has also launched a formal doctor recruitment advisory committee. (Photo courtesy of Northumberland County)
With the shortage of family doctors being one of Northumberland County’s “most pressing” issues, the county announced on Friday (September 12) that it has hired its first-ever physician recruitment specialist and has formally launched a related advisory committee.
The county is hoping to make headway when it comes to the growing local shortage of family doctors with the hiring of veteran recruiter Paula Mason and establishing the new physician recruitment advisory committee. These initiatives are part of a two-year Northumberland County-led pilot project to improve access to primary healthcare for residents across all seven municipalities of the county.
“Council has heard clearly from residents and partners that the shortage of family doctors is one of the most pressing issues facing our community,” said county warden Brian Ostrander in a statement.
“With (Mason’s) expertise and the launch of the new advisory committee, this pilot represents a united county-wide approach, bringing healthcare partners, community members, business leaders, and municipalities together to find solutions that will strengthen access to primary care for all Northumberland residents.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Since 2018, Mason has served as manager of physician recruitment and retention for Docs by the Bay, a physician recruitment organization serving the Municipality of Brighton and the City of Quinte West.
She has a reputation for creating strong networks and achieving results in physician attraction and retention. With more than 30 years of client service expertise across healthcare, retail, and banking, she is known as a skilled communicator and collaborative leader, a media release noted.
A long-standing member of the Canadian Society of Physician Recruitment, she served two years as chair of its board of directors and, in 2023, received the organization’s lifetime achievement award. She is currently vice-chair of the Eastern Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance.
Advertisement - content continues below
“I’m excited to join Northumberland County as physician recruitment specialist and to lead the effort to attract and retain exceptional physicians for our communities,” Mason told kawarthaNOW. “Northumberland is a wonderful place to live and practise, and I look forward to working with our healthcare partners to help meet local healthcare needs.”
Mason will lead the design and implementation of a recruitment action plan, working closely with health sector partners and local communities to attract and retain physicians to Northumberland, the county said.
Mason will also facilitate the doctor recruitment advisory committee, which will be charged with providing strategic guidance and co-ordination to support the county’s recruitment efforts.
Advertisement - content continues below
The committee comprises the members listed below who represent healthcare provider, municipal, community, and business perspectives, with the goal of ensuring that physician recruitment efforts reflect both community health needs and the economic importance of primary care access.
Ed Gannon, executive director, Lakeview Family Health Team – OHT-N Collaboration Council
Delayne Donald, executive director, Trent Hills Family Health Team – OHT-N Collaboration Council
Dr. Michelle Cohen, primary care physician, Lakeview Family Health Team – OHT-N Primary Care Network
Dr. Michelle Long, primary care physician, Ganaraska Family Health Organization – OHT-N Primary Care Network
Councillor Greg Booth from the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
Councillor Anne Butwell from the Municipality of Brighton
Councillor Randy Barber from the Town of Cobourg
Spencer Cobourn of the Township of Cramahe
Robert Gibson from the Township of Hamilton
Councillor Les Andrews for the Municipality of Port Hope
Councillor Daniel Giddings from the Municipality of Trent Hills
Olinda Casimiro, executive director, Art Gallery of Northumberland
Robert Seguin, managing partner, Thrive Partnership Group, Inc.
Advertisement - content continues below
The Ontario Medical Association estimates there are 2.5 million people in the province who are without a family doctor. In Northumberland County, more than 8,000 residents do not have a primary care provider and this number could rise to more than 20,000 by 2026, according to information from the county.
“Hiring Paula and launching the advisory committee are important first steps,” said Glenn Dees, Northumberland County director of health and human services.
“This pilot project is about collaboration — aligning efforts to ensure Northumberland is recognized as a place where physicians want to practise and families can count on reliable access to primary care.”
Dees spoke with kawarthaNOW earlier this year about the physician shortage.
As another strategy aimed at increasing access to primary care, the county reopened in 2024 the Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic in Port Hope, in partnership with the Community Health Centres of Northumberland. The initiative is a one-year pilot project, and Dees said the county would evaluate the feasibility of providing the walk-in clinic services on a permanent basis.
Mason will begin her role with Northumberland County next Monday (September 22). Meanwhile, the physician recruitment advisory committee will hold its first meeting in October.
Rose Terry, Manager of the Business Advisory Centre and Corporate Communications at Community Futures Peterborough, leads growth-stage business entrepreneurs during the first workshop in SOAR, a free training program launched by Community Futures Peterborough and supported by Scotiabank. Over the course of four months and four different cohort programs, successful applicants will learn through expert-led workshops, have access to one-on-one consultations, and learn from other local business owners. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Over the next four months, growth-stage businesses will be soaring to new heights with the guidance, support, and community gained through a new cohort training program from Community Futures Peterborough (CFP).
Delivered by CFP’s Business Advisory Centre and supported by Scotiabank, SOAR is a free, limited-capacity series designed to help established businesses expand and scale operations.
Over four months and across four cohort programs, participants will gain valuable training in critical areas of business development through expert-led workshops, one-on-one consultations, and network building.
Share on Bluesky
“This program was built on the success Community Futures Peterborough has already had supporting growth-stage businesses through initiatives like ScaleUP,” says Rose Terry, Manager of the Business Advisory Centre and Corporate Communications.
“We recognized the continued need for more programs dedicated to those in the growth, expansion, and scaling phase. This new program was built to meet that demand and help established businesses take their next big leap. We have a lot of existing businesses in both the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County that need support at the next level to get them to where they want to be.”
SOAR offers exactly that, and applications are available to businesses within the city and county of Peterborough, including Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation. To be eligible, applicants must have a proven business model, be actively selling their products, and ideally have had their registered business for a minimum of three years. Applicants with clear goals for growth will benefit the most from the SOAR program.
“We’ve been operating the Business Advisory Centre for over a year now and there are no shortage of businesses and people who continue to lean on us for expert business advisory in different areas of their operations,” says Terry. “We continue to see demand from our businesses for specific support to get to that next level of growth.”
Each monthly program in the series will have limited entry and businesses can apply to one, all four, or as many as they feel will bring value to their scaling goals.
Participants in the first cohort of the SOAR training series for growth-stage businesses, delivered through Community Futures Peterborough’s Business Advisory Centre and supported by Scotiabank. Led by seasoned experts, the workshops for the first program, “Marketing Mastery and Pitch Perfect” take place on Thursdays throughout September at Peterborough’s Venture North Building and will explore critical areas of branding for growth and mastering pitching. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Share on Bluesky
“Anyone who has ever entered the world of small business knows how much of their time, energy, and resources are spent on making the business succeed,” says Nolan Frazer, Ontario Central East Business Banking Team Lead at Scotiabank.
“Having an accessible program like SOAR, with customized program areas for entrepreneurs, allows them to receive the valuable insights and guidance to help their business develop and grow, without using their time to find resources to do so. This is incredibly valuable to business owners of all stages.”
Except for the final program that will be held at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre, each expert-led workshop will take place at Peterborough’s Venture North building.
Thanks to “Team PTBO” and its connected ecosystem, participants will not only benefit from one-on-one consultations with Terry, they will also have access to a free six-month trial membership with the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce and receive a conditional pre-approved microloan up to $20,000 from CFP.
Photographer Kayla Le Franc is one of the leaders of the “Marketing Mastery and Pitch Perfect” workshops being held during September as part of Community Futures Peterborough’s SOAR program, along with marketing strategist Rose Terry, digital marketing expert Kat Tepylo Murphy, confidence coach and speaker Erika Eileen, and video producer Kait Howell. (Photo: Brooke Schaal)
Share on Bluesky
The first SOAR cohort, made up of participants coming from a range of industries, has already begun the September workshops for the “Marketing Mastery and Pitch Perfect” program. The participants are learning to build compelling brands and marketing strategies, master pitching, and have access to complimentary branded photography and videography sessions, through a sponsorship from the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA).
“Downtown Peterborough is home to many resilient and innovative entrepreneurs,” says DBIA executive director Nour Mazloum. “We are proud to support Community Futures Peterborough’s SOAR program that will help businesses with their next chapter of growth while showcasing their energy, vibrancy, and creativity through this cohort. I am excited to see their stories unfold and proud to champion programs and initiatives that give local businesses the tools they need to scale and thrive in our beautiful community.”
Held on Thursdays throughout September, the “Marketing Mastery and Pitch Perfect” workshops are led by marketing strategist Rose Terry, digital marketing expert Kat Tepylo Murphy, confidence coach and speaker Erika Eileen, video producer Kait Howell, and photographer Kayla Le Franc.
Jason Fiorotto, a professor at Fleming College who has held several senior-level positions, is a marketing leader with more than 25 years of experience working with companies ranging from equity-backed 50-person start-ups to Fortune 50 brands. Fiorotto will be leading three workshops in the “Business Development, Networking & Sales Accelerator” October cohort of the SOAR series for growth-stage businesses delivered by Community Futures Peterborough, its Business Advisory Centre, and Scotiabank. (Photo courtesy of Jason Fiorotto)
Share on Bluesky
The October program, “Business Development, Networking & Sales Accelerator,” will include three workshops led by Jason Fiorotto, a successful marketing leader with more than 25 years of experience with companies ranging from equity-backed 50-person start-ups to Fortune 50 global brands. Successful applicants will learn practical approaches and strategies that drive revenue growth, from learning to strengthen networking skills and building a business development pipeline to closing deals with confidence.
“We’ve built this series to ensure each participant walks away with the tools to not only survive, but to thrive, today and well into the future,” says Fiorotto.
“We’ll tackle the topics fundamental to continued business success, including a deep understanding of your market and your ideal customer, the truly special value your business offers them, and how to efficiently and effectively build your business development and sales function to create customers for life.”
Applications for the October cohort close on September 17.
Michael Riseley, CPA and partner at Holmes Riseley CPAs and Tax Advisors, and Nicole Truman, lawyer and partner at Fox Law, will lead a November workshop on business transition, whether through sale, purchase, or succession, as part of Community Future Peterborough’s SOAR program. (Photos: Holmes Riseley CPAs and Tax Advisors and Peterborough and Fox Law)
In November, companies looking to expand to new provinces or across borders can master market entry and the necessary digital tools, while learning to optimize their e-commerce presence. Workshops in the “Business Expansion & E-Commerce” program will be led by the Regional Office of the Trade Commissioner Service, e-commerce and Shopify expert Brendan Quigley, and patent professional Marcelo Sarkis. Applications for the expansion series are open until October 17.
The final program will focus on the transition of a business, whether through sale, purchase, or succession. Michael Riseley, CPA and partner at Holmes Riseley CPAs and Tax Advisors, and Nicole Truman, lawyer and partner at Fox Law, will lead the first workshop, while the second workshop in the series will feature a panel of entrepreneurs and business owners who have experience selling, acquiring, and succession planning. Applications for the final program are open until November 17.
“We have heavy-hitting experts coming and the participants of SOAR are going to get a lot of actionable learnings from it,” says Terry. “The entrepreneurs get to have this expert advice and support entirely for free, which is a great opportunity that Scotiabank has allowed us to do through their sponsorship.”
Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) executive director Nour Mazloum (right) speaks with Rose Terry, Manager of the Business Advisory Centre and Corporate Communications at Community Futures Peterborough. The first SOAR cohort has already begun the September workshops for the “Marketing Mastery and Pitch Perfect” program, where they are learning to build compelling brands and marketing strategies, master pitching, and have access to complimentary branded photography and videography sessions, through a sponsorship from the Peterborough DBIA. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Share on Bluesky
For Scotiabank’s part, Frazer says partnering to deliver the program not only supports the company’s value in being “community-focused,” but supports the economic growth of the community as a whole.
“It goes without saying that small business is the lifeblood of the Canadian economy, which is especially true at a local level,” he says. “Encouraging and supporting local businesses to grow in our community has positive impacts related to local employment opportunity, increased ability for businesses to align locally rather than outsourcing opportunities, and ensuring Peterborough is recognized as a community where businesses can not only survive but thrive as their own network, together.”
Terry says this network is strengthened not only through the participants’ connections to the experts, but also in their connection to one another.
“It can be extremely challenging to grow a business, so to be able to talk to other entrepreneurs who have either had the experience or are currently in the trenches allows them to have a community they can lean on, which is really important,” she says. “A huge part of each of the SOAR program is ensuring that all the businesses get to know each other and can work with one another. It’s all about building community as well.”
Marketing strategist Rose Terry, who is also Manager of the Business Advisory Centre and Corporate Communications at Community Futures Peterborough, leads a workshop in the first of the SOAR series programs, “Marketing Mastery and Pitch Perfect”, in September. The program is the first in a series of high-impact programs designed to support existing businesses in their growth stage. Other critical topic areas include branding, closing sales, e-commerce growth, and succession planning. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Share on Bluesky
Between the ecosystem of business leaders and the support from CFP, participating businesses in the first cohort are already seeing the value of SOAR and the potential for their business growth.
“Being part of the SOAR program means having a strong network of support within our own community,” says Theresa Thibadeau, manager at Grady’s Feet Essentials, a participant in the primary cohort.
“It’s incredible to know that local experts and organizations are investing their time and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. It gives me the confidence to move forward knowing I’m supported by a community of entrepreneurs and leaders who want to see us thrive.”
Digital marketing expert Kat Tepylo Murphy leads a workshop in the first of the SOAR series programs, “Marketing Mastery and Pitch Perfect”, in September. Other workshops in the program are led by marketing strategist Rose Terry, confidence coach and speaker Erika Eileen, video producer Kait Howell, and photographer Kayla Le Franc. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Share on Bluesky
For his part, Frazer is excited to see the business growth that comes out of businesses participating in the program, highlighting the “amazing work” of CFP on a day-by-day basis and the results it will wield in the community.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to have such a great partner on this initiative,” he says. “As a community we are so lucky to have this leadership in place for Community Futures Peterborough. I truly cannot wait to follow the businesses that have been selected to participate in the SOAR program.”
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Community Futures Peterborough. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
