Community Services coordinates 16 facilities and numerous programs through five divisions: Arts and Culture, Library Services, Fire Services, Recreation and Park Services, and Social Services. The Community Services Department also administers the Community Grants Portfolio as well as coordinating a number of Special Events and Projects. 

The 2024 budget includes structural changes in three former divisions. The former Arenas Division has been dissolved and its functions now amalgamated into the Recreation and Park Services Division and the Arts and Culture Division. The Peterborough Memorial Centre events function has been moved into Arts and Culture for better alignment as a cultural centre. All of the remaining functions of the former Arenas Division are now included in the Recreation budget. In addition, the Parks function has been moved to the Recreation and Park Services Division from the Public Works Division. The Heritage activities have been moved to the Planning, Development & Urban Design division in the Infrastructure, Planning and Growth Management Department. Fire Services has moved to Community Services from the CAO Department.

Highlights

The Community Service Grants program provides funding to non-profit, community-based organizations that deliver direct programs, services, or activities that improve the quality of life for residents. The grants support activities in the areas of social services and health, arts, culture, heritage, recreation, and the environment. These activities can range from small special events to operations for larger organizations. 

In 2024 the Peterborough Folk Festival Service Grant was increased to recognize the effect of Infrastructure changes in Nichols Oval Park. 

Community Development Program

The Community Development Program (CDP) continues to improve the well-being of residents in the City and County
through building capacity, developing policy and the delivery of projects, information, referrals, and support to enhance social development and fill service gaps.

Implementation funding of $50,000 for the Community Safety and Well-being Plan is being drawn from the Social Services Reserve for 2024.

The 2023 Diversity Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) budget was used to fund internal and community-based DEI projects. Work included the planning, delivery, and analysis of a City Employee Survey; delivered DEI training sessions and Instagram Live conversations. The 2024 DEI Budget will support the City’s DEI Plan and the development of an equity tool to facilitate its implementation. In 2023 the DEI program was moved to the People and Culture Division however the budget remains in the CDP. 

$257,000 remains in the CDP budget but is being reallocated from the Drop-in/Meal Program to the homelessness program at the Trinity Centre. Implementation of the Age-friendly Peterborough Plan continues with projects and programs that engage, educate, and inform older adults on issues that are important to their health and wellbeing. A new Age-friendly Plan was adopted by Council in 2023.

The Homemakers program assists low-income seniors and others with housekeeping services to allow them to remain in
their homes if possible. This program is an 80/20 cost share between the Province/City and County. Funding support is being provided to the Ontario 211 ($22,807) and Kawartha Food Share Food security programs ($22,193) on a 50/50 City/County cost share. Funding to Community Care Peterborough ($22,637) and the New Canadians Centre ($15,006) is paid 100% by the City. This funding is reviewed on an annual basis.

2024 Overview

Community Services Administration
Description2024 recommended
Expenditures $2,642,105
Revenues (Waste Water Reserve Fund) $423,957
Net requirement $2,218,148
Community Development Program
Description2024 recommended
Expenditures $943,797
Revenues $374,577
Net requirement $467,233
The full budget information is available in the Draft 2024 Budget book.