City Council Meeting Overview Package for March 13, 2026

Peterborough, ON – City Council approved the following item during its meeting on Friday, March 13, 2026:

• That Council delegate authority to the City Clerk to impose conditions and establish alternate routes in relation to Council’s approval of the temporary road closure for the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run Road Closure.

Council’s direction is specific to the 5K Run and Walk on Sunday, March 15, 2026; the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is proceeding as planned.

During the General Committee meeting on March 13, City Staff presented potential alternate routes for the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run that has been planned for George Street between Lansdowne Street West and McDonnel Street.

Alternate routes for the 5K Run and Walk include an option that would use the Rotary Greenway Trail and an option that would use Nicholls Oval Park.

Council heard from City Staff and the Peterborough Police Chief regarding concerns related to the planned route for the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run on George Street, including:

• Safety concerns due to the race going in both directions on George Street with participants going north on George Street from Lansdowne Street West to McDonnel Street before returning to Lansdowne Street travelling south on George Street, which would require a full road closure to prevent vehicles from crossing George Street at intersections and driveways to homes and businesses, instead of a rolling road closure that had been proposed in the application;
• The ability to provide the necessary number of police officers to provide officers at every intersection, which would be needed for a full road closure on George Street between Lansdowne Street West and McDonnel Street;
• Allowing emergency services to cross George Street in case of an emergency; and
• Businesses along the section of George Street not having access to their businesses by vehicle for the duration of the full road closure.

On Friday, March 6, 2026, the City denied the road closure for the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run and Walk. City Council decided on Monday, March 9, 2026 to overrule the City’s decision on the application and instead authorized the temporary road closure for the 5K Run and Walk on George Street. Council held a Special Council Meeting on March 13, deciding to authorize the City Clerk to establish alternate routes for the 5K Run and Walk.

Council meetings are livestreamed at peterborough.ca/WatchCouncil. Agendas and recordings of meetings are posted at peterborough.ca/agendas.