I can’t speak to the future of the Ex but at this point, there isn’t going to be one for the foreseeable future.
https://kawarthanow.com/2023/09/26/after-135-years-at-morrow-park-the-peterborough-agricultural-society-and-peterborough-exhibition-will-need-to-find-a-new-home/
This is the correct answer ∆∆ above, but here's a few more details.
They ripped up Morrow Park where the PtboEx used to be held so they could build a new hockey rink & pool & library all in one building 😒 anybody else see the flaws there?
Construction is almost complete now, but they only left 1 baseball diamond standing of what used to be 4 by the time they carved out then paved the parking lot.
Dumbest part, the YMCA is a block up just past the other side of Lansdowne, and the Mem centre is across the field parallel, they however Closed the Dela Fosse library down Park South a couple years back. All of these amenities of the new building already existed together within a 3 block radius.
😒 Who the F thought this was a good idea?
We lost the Peterborough Ex, that building Won't help me in any way. I don't even Like hockey 😒 all they did was take away the fair grounds in my opinion, as mentioned all of the amenities in the building Already Exist in the nearby neighbourhood. Waste of a good chunk of land. I want my fair foods and rides back 😫
Well unfortunately we don’t actually know what the community wants because the project was rushed through at this location without any community consultation. It was massively over budget because it fell through at both a Trent and a Fleming location first, so they just went ahead at this park without really asking anybody.
A park which was donated to the city with the stipulation that it remain a park and not be developed, I might add. Figured it was cheaper and easier to just use your taxes to pay for the lawsuit I guess.
So saying “it’s about what the community wants” and implying that the community wants a hockey arena is equally as irrelevant, but actually more unfounded.
Pickeballers are getting their 16 world class courts all in one spot, that are sure to be the thing to put Peterborough on the map.
Just like the monorail did for shelbyville and ogdonville back in the day!
Not even. At least you remember the monorail. The pickleball courts will be used frequently for at max 2 years, likely being demoed for luxury apartments or something within a few years. It's all a grift.
Like a 2nd building with a pool within 2 blocks?
Or an extra hockey rink ON THE SAME BLOCK?
How is That beneficial over green space and a fair ground?
The library is the Only Addition because the nearby one is now Fontaines Source for sports on Park St. S. De La Fosse Library was closed a few years ago.
I think they should've left the park. 🤷.
The barren field that's empty 51 weeks a year is more useful? Really? The library in it alone is an amazing use of the space after that part of the city lost its library a few years back. There's a large residential area super close by and they're getting their library services back. Especially when you're looking at low income families, access to library programs and services are really important and making families walk 40+ minutes each way with small children across Lansdowne is anything but accessible.
Don't forget the hockey though! Lots and lots of hockey! Shiny and brand new hockey place.
We already have lots of hockey places but those ones are too old for the Hockey Parents to let their kids do the hockey in. They must have new hockey places with new ice. Shiny new hockey places for the Hockey Parents and Hockey Kids.
Hey, and now that the Hockey People got their blessed Hockey Palace it's the Pickleball People's turn to hose the public for millions in free money.
Phase 1 is in progress. 2 ice pads. The pool and library are in phase 2.
Ymca is private. The mem center is old and only has a single pad.
This town being the sports town that it is host many tournaments for hockey as well as lacrosse where these pads get used and those folks use our hotels and restaurants.
Not sure how many baseball tournaments we've had at those fields.
Yes local rec people used them, but I am sure someone at the city check the utilization of the existing fields and determined we could do without those ones (I hope someone is looking at that stuff)
Haven't seen any post here that baseball teams are finding double booked ball diamonds in town since the construction started.
Mem centre and twin pad can’t be compared. One is a multi event arena with the capacity to hold thousands, the other is a twin pad with a sub 1000 seating capacity
Mem center is only at some capacity when the Pete's, Lakers, or a concert or some sort is happening. The twin pads will get used by all the other sports teams
Sitting in the mem center for a u7 lax practice with 15 kids on the floor at 12 parents in the stands is a little strange . But I am happy they are using it.
But this is a old barn and eventually a new one will be required.
There was so much discussion about needing to find a replacement for the mem centre, when the twin pad was discussed many people were complacent because they expected this to be the replacement. Then they realized it’s a low capacity minor league twin pad and we still have to replace mem centre in the near future.
The twin pad was pushed through because they couldn’t use northcrest, and iirc the second phase might have been side lined. I have to go digging for my source.
I would have thought a new 6000 person arena would have been part of this. Especially with how close it is to the mem center and would of kept it going without many issues for parking, but was not the case.
Maybe phase 3 will be a new rink tied to this somehow.
What is with the empty land across from home depot ? Besides a dump truck being there for advertising I don't see anything happening there either.
It was being considered to become a historical site and got torn down before it was nominated and given any protection, if I remember correctly. They heard it was going to be brought up for protection and knocked it down before it actually could be recommended, which left them technically in the clear.
Your faith in our city councilors doing due diligence is laughable.
None of this was thought through. Just another way for taxpayer money to go out to another construction firm and keep the wealthy entertained. We have enough sport tourism to keep everyone going. It didn't need to be escalated.
The amount of low income housing that could have come from the $100m to build it is nothing but a wasted opportunity.
I just legit will NEVER go to the new building, no benefits for me. so it feels like a waste, I want to go to the PTBO EX, not to some rookie hockey game. But now that's been taken away. 😥
Well say you will NEVER go to it may be a stretch. They will have a pool and a library and you may need to use a washroom when you are in the area.
Who knows maybe they will have a cool event happening inside that is not sports related.
The Millbrook fair is happening this weekend. You can go check that out. Pretty much every weekend there is a fair happening somewhere in Ontario.
Personally I never attended the ptbo ex. But I'd assume it's like all the others. I am not a fan of those rides. Especially for the cost, wonderland is the same money and has way better rides (yes it's 1.5 hours away)
Too each their own. Some will use the new facility and enjoy it. Some won't even notice the ex is not around anymore.
As well I am sure there is other locations in town that can hold the ptbo ex. Beavermead park has a huge area that could be used (yes it's soccer fields - but for a weekend they can be used as the ex) or somewhere else in town that I may not be familiar with.
In contrast I would NEVER go to the EX and I personally don't know anyone who went to the EX more than once, it was expensive and not very good. Norwood and Lindsay have way better local fairs that we go to that showcase more rural living along with rides and a parade. So my kids and I are more likely to use or attend events at the new building than what was there before.
Also the Memorial Centre serves a different use, its old and also in the works to be replaced and moved from that location. There won't be two arenas a block apart forever. Hopefully the Memorial Centre replacement ends up more downtown and draws people to the downtown.
Projects and change will never satisfy everyone, those that did use the fields or go the EX will be upset but those that play or attend hockey games, go skating, swimming, attend shows/events, or use the community center will be happy.
The EX or another fair could be set up somewhere else. This didn't have to be the end for it so it's sad it's gone for those who did like it. The Toronto EX is something else we go to as well, it's actually not bad to get too if you go by Go Train from Oshawa. Great rides, games, food, and vendors and admission is free if you attend another event of the Exhibition grounds such as football, soccer, or a concert that day, and kids also ride free on the train.
Fyi, we are not a hockey family. My kid does play baseball and plays across different other fields across town, both public and school fields so the loss of that field could have affected him but they seem to always have somewhere to play anyways.
The city does need to invest in the future and has a long way to go and hasn't made the right decisions every time. But part of the future is giving the youth and young adults things to do other than drugs and crime. Athletics, sports, and recreation are just as necessary as roads and infrastructure to a healthy and vibrant community. And yes we absolutely need to fix the roads and housing too, I definitely don't dispute that.
Controversial opinion…Peterborough Ex was mid. In its heyday it was better but the last few years were underwhelming. Woohoo, the Zipper ride. I’d rather just go to Millbrook or wait for Norwood if I felt like a fair.
And the midway was setup in the mem centre parking lot. the field hadn't been used for years. Since they had the grandstand there.
It folded because of attendance and economics, not because of the space.
Lots of dumb information here.
it’s now has a roman colosseum vibe to it where the homeless battle it out to the deth for a spot in the tiny house community. Turn out is great and the snacks during the battles are a must try. I recommend a cuppa the old sock coffee and a pigeon skewers.
I can’t speak to the future of the Ex but at this point, there isn’t going to be one for the foreseeable future. https://kawarthanow.com/2023/09/26/after-135-years-at-morrow-park-the-peterborough-agricultural-society-and-peterborough-exhibition-will-need-to-find-a-new-home/
This is the correct answer ∆∆ above, but here's a few more details. They ripped up Morrow Park where the PtboEx used to be held so they could build a new hockey rink & pool & library all in one building 😒 anybody else see the flaws there? Construction is almost complete now, but they only left 1 baseball diamond standing of what used to be 4 by the time they carved out then paved the parking lot. Dumbest part, the YMCA is a block up just past the other side of Lansdowne, and the Mem centre is across the field parallel, they however Closed the Dela Fosse library down Park South a couple years back. All of these amenities of the new building already existed together within a 3 block radius. 😒 Who the F thought this was a good idea?
Sorry but the new building will be used so much more than the fields were.
We lost the Peterborough Ex, that building Won't help me in any way. I don't even Like hockey 😒 all they did was take away the fair grounds in my opinion, as mentioned all of the amenities in the building Already Exist in the nearby neighbourhood. Waste of a good chunk of land. I want my fair foods and rides back 😫
It’s not all about YOU so it’s quite irrelevant that YOU don’t like hockey. It’s about the community and everyone else’s needs.
Well unfortunately we don’t actually know what the community wants because the project was rushed through at this location without any community consultation. It was massively over budget because it fell through at both a Trent and a Fleming location first, so they just went ahead at this park without really asking anybody. A park which was donated to the city with the stipulation that it remain a park and not be developed, I might add. Figured it was cheaper and easier to just use your taxes to pay for the lawsuit I guess. So saying “it’s about what the community wants” and implying that the community wants a hockey arena is equally as irrelevant, but actually more unfounded.
What about the people who prefer pickleball to hockey. Where was the outrage for the hockey arena
Pickeballers are getting their 16 world class courts all in one spot, that are sure to be the thing to put Peterborough on the map. Just like the monorail did for shelbyville and ogdonville back in the day!
Not even. At least you remember the monorail. The pickleball courts will be used frequently for at max 2 years, likely being demoed for luxury apartments or something within a few years. It's all a grift.
Like a 2nd building with a pool within 2 blocks? Or an extra hockey rink ON THE SAME BLOCK? How is That beneficial over green space and a fair ground? The library is the Only Addition because the nearby one is now Fontaines Source for sports on Park St. S. De La Fosse Library was closed a few years ago. I think they should've left the park. 🤷.
The barren field that's empty 51 weeks a year is more useful? Really? The library in it alone is an amazing use of the space after that part of the city lost its library a few years back. There's a large residential area super close by and they're getting their library services back. Especially when you're looking at low income families, access to library programs and services are really important and making families walk 40+ minutes each way with small children across Lansdowne is anything but accessible.
Don't forget the hockey though! Lots and lots of hockey! Shiny and brand new hockey place. We already have lots of hockey places but those ones are too old for the Hockey Parents to let their kids do the hockey in. They must have new hockey places with new ice. Shiny new hockey places for the Hockey Parents and Hockey Kids. Hey, and now that the Hockey People got their blessed Hockey Palace it's the Pickleball People's turn to hose the public for millions in free money.
We lost an arena in the north end where the new state of the art fire station is now located.
Phase 1 is in progress. 2 ice pads. The pool and library are in phase 2. Ymca is private. The mem center is old and only has a single pad. This town being the sports town that it is host many tournaments for hockey as well as lacrosse where these pads get used and those folks use our hotels and restaurants. Not sure how many baseball tournaments we've had at those fields. Yes local rec people used them, but I am sure someone at the city check the utilization of the existing fields and determined we could do without those ones (I hope someone is looking at that stuff) Haven't seen any post here that baseball teams are finding double booked ball diamonds in town since the construction started.
Mem centre and twin pad can’t be compared. One is a multi event arena with the capacity to hold thousands, the other is a twin pad with a sub 1000 seating capacity
Mem center is only at some capacity when the Pete's, Lakers, or a concert or some sort is happening. The twin pads will get used by all the other sports teams Sitting in the mem center for a u7 lax practice with 15 kids on the floor at 12 parents in the stands is a little strange . But I am happy they are using it. But this is a old barn and eventually a new one will be required.
There was so much discussion about needing to find a replacement for the mem centre, when the twin pad was discussed many people were complacent because they expected this to be the replacement. Then they realized it’s a low capacity minor league twin pad and we still have to replace mem centre in the near future. The twin pad was pushed through because they couldn’t use northcrest, and iirc the second phase might have been side lined. I have to go digging for my source.
Not side lined but there is no approved plan for phase 2
I would have thought a new 6000 person arena would have been part of this. Especially with how close it is to the mem center and would of kept it going without many issues for parking, but was not the case. Maybe phase 3 will be a new rink tied to this somehow. What is with the empty land across from home depot ? Besides a dump truck being there for advertising I don't see anything happening there either.
It was a historical site that got torn down illegally
It was being considered to become a historical site and got torn down before it was nominated and given any protection, if I remember correctly. They heard it was going to be brought up for protection and knocked it down before it actually could be recommended, which left them technically in the clear.
Council could have stopped it and they voted not to protect it, by 1 vote.
Your faith in our city councilors doing due diligence is laughable. None of this was thought through. Just another way for taxpayer money to go out to another construction firm and keep the wealthy entertained. We have enough sport tourism to keep everyone going. It didn't need to be escalated. The amount of low income housing that could have come from the $100m to build it is nothing but a wasted opportunity.
It wouldn't be city council looking at that. There is city staff that do this work. Might be your neighbour.
I just legit will NEVER go to the new building, no benefits for me. so it feels like a waste, I want to go to the PTBO EX, not to some rookie hockey game. But now that's been taken away. 😥
Well say you will NEVER go to it may be a stretch. They will have a pool and a library and you may need to use a washroom when you are in the area. Who knows maybe they will have a cool event happening inside that is not sports related. The Millbrook fair is happening this weekend. You can go check that out. Pretty much every weekend there is a fair happening somewhere in Ontario. Personally I never attended the ptbo ex. But I'd assume it's like all the others. I am not a fan of those rides. Especially for the cost, wonderland is the same money and has way better rides (yes it's 1.5 hours away) Too each their own. Some will use the new facility and enjoy it. Some won't even notice the ex is not around anymore. As well I am sure there is other locations in town that can hold the ptbo ex. Beavermead park has a huge area that could be used (yes it's soccer fields - but for a weekend they can be used as the ex) or somewhere else in town that I may not be familiar with.
I do not drive, so local is important to me. But thank you for these extra ideas.
>They will have a pool and a library Oh buddy, it's endearing you think that's actually going to happen.
Eventually something will happen. My guess is they will build a new mem center here as well
In contrast I would NEVER go to the EX and I personally don't know anyone who went to the EX more than once, it was expensive and not very good. Norwood and Lindsay have way better local fairs that we go to that showcase more rural living along with rides and a parade. So my kids and I are more likely to use or attend events at the new building than what was there before. Also the Memorial Centre serves a different use, its old and also in the works to be replaced and moved from that location. There won't be two arenas a block apart forever. Hopefully the Memorial Centre replacement ends up more downtown and draws people to the downtown. Projects and change will never satisfy everyone, those that did use the fields or go the EX will be upset but those that play or attend hockey games, go skating, swimming, attend shows/events, or use the community center will be happy. The EX or another fair could be set up somewhere else. This didn't have to be the end for it so it's sad it's gone for those who did like it. The Toronto EX is something else we go to as well, it's actually not bad to get too if you go by Go Train from Oshawa. Great rides, games, food, and vendors and admission is free if you attend another event of the Exhibition grounds such as football, soccer, or a concert that day, and kids also ride free on the train. Fyi, we are not a hockey family. My kid does play baseball and plays across different other fields across town, both public and school fields so the loss of that field could have affected him but they seem to always have somewhere to play anyways. The city does need to invest in the future and has a long way to go and hasn't made the right decisions every time. But part of the future is giving the youth and young adults things to do other than drugs and crime. Athletics, sports, and recreation are just as necessary as roads and infrastructure to a healthy and vibrant community. And yes we absolutely need to fix the roads and housing too, I definitely don't dispute that.
I wholly agree with this comment, excellent input good person!
I've said this since the beginning - Phase 2 will end up being deferred and ultimately never completed.
Hopefully not.
Didn't you hear? We have pickleball now!
Controversial opinion…Peterborough Ex was mid. In its heyday it was better but the last few years were underwhelming. Woohoo, the Zipper ride. I’d rather just go to Millbrook or wait for Norwood if I felt like a fair.
And the midway was setup in the mem centre parking lot. the field hadn't been used for years. Since they had the grandstand there. It folded because of attendance and economics, not because of the space. Lots of dumb information here.
it’s now has a roman colosseum vibe to it where the homeless battle it out to the deth for a spot in the tiny house community. Turn out is great and the snacks during the battles are a must try. I recommend a cuppa the old sock coffee and a pigeon skewers.
I think it's dead.