Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services Newsletter

Welcome to the July & August Edition of the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services Newsletter!

Summer is here, bringing sunshine, outdoor adventures, and endless opportunities to stay active, creative, and connected. July and August are packed with exciting programs, events, and experiences for all ages across Peterborough.

Celebrate Canada Day with community festivities! enjoy a day at the beach, cool off at a splash pad or wading pool, and take part in National Drowning Prevention Week as we promote water safety and fun in and around the water July 20 to 26.

Stay active with fitness classes, drop-in programs, swimming, sports, and family recreation opportunities at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre and facilities across the city.

Looking for something creative? Visit the Art Gallery of Peterborough for exhibitions, camps, and family programs, discover local history and hands-on activities at the Peterborough Museum & Archives, or enjoy free summer concerts and family-friendly experiences at Riverview Park & Zoo.

Inside this newsletter, you'll find information on summer registration dates, memberships, facility hours, community events, camps, cultural programs, sports, aquatics, and much more to help you make the most of the season.

In this Newsletter:

• Facility Holiday Hours
• Facility Maintenance & Closures 
• Membership and Discount Opportunities
• Registration Dates
• Fitness
• Community Events
• Elevate Peterborough
• Peterborough Memorial Centre - Upcoming Events
• Art Gallery of Peterborough
• Riverview Park & Zoo
• Aquatics
• Child and Family
• Sport and Skate
• Peterborough Museum and Archives

Facility Holiday Hours

Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre Facility Reminder:

Summer Hours (June 29 to September 1):

Monday to Sunday: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Facility Maintenance & Closures

Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre Gym’s B & C will be closed: 

June 18 to June 30, 2026

Thank you for your patience during this maintenance period. Members and participants can continue to enjoy many of our other amenities, including drop-in swims, fitness classes, and recreational sports. Check our live drop-in schedule for current program availability.

Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre September Maintenance and Closure Schedule 

• Fitness Floor & Aerobic Studio Closure: Friday, September 4
• Full Facility Closure: September 5 and 6
• Aquatic Centre Closure: September 5 to 18

Please plan your visits accordingly and watch for updates regarding alternative program options during these closure periods.

PSWC Memberships and Discount Opportunities

Registration Dates

Ready, Set, Register!

Whether you're making a splash in the pool this summer or planning your fall activities, mark these important registration dates on your calendar.

Programs for Fall Recreation and Aquatics will be available for viewing beginning August 17.

Please note that September 2 public registration for Fall Recreation and Aquatics registration includes programs offered through Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre, Peterborough Museum & Archives, and Riverview Park & Zoo.

Fitness

Registration is open and on-going

Recreation, Parks & Cultural Services continues to offer a variety of drop-in classes at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre and many other City facilities. Did you know that you don't have to be a member of the Wellness Centre to participate? Anyone can choose to register into a class that best meets their unique needs. Types of classes include:

• HIIT & Strength Conditioning
• Yoga
• Cardio Endurance
• Combo & Gentle Aqua Fitness
• Spin Circuit & more!

Check out one of our many specialty group fitness programs. Register today for Line Dancing, Zumba, Qigong or Hatha Yoga. Caregivers, stay social with one of our many Baby and Me programs.

Did you know the City of Peterborough offers therapeutic programs such as TIME (Together in Movement and Exercise), Chair Fitness, Gentle Aqua Fitness. Group fitness programs are offered for all levels, abilities and stages of rehabilitation. One-on-one training is also available.

Personal Training

Not sure where to start with reaching your fitness goals? Let one of our certified, friendly personal trainers develop a program for you and get you started in a supported and fun environment. Contact us today.

Community Events

Canada Day Festivities:

Wednesday, July 1st

The City of Peterborough invites you to Roll, Stroll, and Celebrate - a joyful, inclusive, and accessible Canada Day event that brings our community together. Canada Day is a time to reflect, connect, and celebrate the diverse cultures, histories, and stories that shape Peterborough. Here’s how we’re celebrating in 2026:

• June 30: Family Movie Night – Kick off the Canada Day celebrations ag Quaker Foods City Square with a free, family-friendly movie under the stars!
• July 1: Join us at City Hall for opening remarks and a children’s decorated bike contest, a parade down George Street will begin at 10 a.m., festivities in Del Crary Park, Musicfest and fireworks..

Visit the Canada day page for more details.

For a full list of events please look at our Community Events Calendar!

Elevate Peterborough

Are you planning an event or festival that brings visitors to Peterborough? Elevate Peterborough is a program that aims to enhance event experiences that encourage overnight stays, drive economic impact, and build the city’s profile as a premier

tourism destination. Peterborough Tourism, the City’s tourism service delivery and marketing program, is now accepting applications from event and festival organizers. The Elevate Peterborough pilot program will run for the remainder of 2026, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for upcoming events. Applications must be submitted 120 days prior to the event's start date. Information about the program, eligibility, criteria, and guidelines can be found at ptbotourism.ca/elevate.

Peterborough Memorial Centre Upcoming Events

Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny, October 25, 2026

Rivalry Night: the Battle of Ontario, November 6, 2026

Dean Brody and the Reklaws: Hometown Heroes Tour, November 21, 2026

Riverview Park & Zoo

Registration is open and on-going

With 55 acres of urban forest, parks and trails, 25 animal habitats, and Peterborough’s largest playground, there’s lots to see, do and learn!

Riverview Park and Zoo is located at 1300 Water Street North in Peterborough, Ontario, along the Otonabee River. The main entrance is at the intersection of Water Street and Carnegie Avenue and is accessible by both car and public transit.

Exhibits, workshops, educational programs, and camps are all offered at the Riverview Park and Zoo.

 Visit the Riverview Park & Zoo Website!

Zoo Hours of Operations

Join us daily at 2:30 p.m. for Meet the Keeper!

Register today for the annual Fun Run and Walk on September 26, 2026 Support your Zoo by registering today for the Kiwanis Lemonade Stand Day.

Concerts at the Zoo

Sunday Summer Concerts in the gazebo are returning to the Riverview Park and Zoo. This free bi-weekly event features local musicians and groups performing every other Sunday beginning May 24. Concerts take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in an outdoor setting, weather permitting. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket and a shade umbrella.

Check out this summer’s line up:

• June 28: Wylie Harold and Radio Flyer
• July 5: Peterborough Concert Band
• July 19: Jazz Junction
• August 2: EC Swing
• August 16: Lizeh Basciano
• August 30: Knightshift

View here for more information.

Aquatics

Swim to Survive: 

The majority of people who drown had no intention of going into the water. For swimmers and non-swimmers alike, immersion is sudden, unexpected and often silent. For this reason, the Society believes that in Canada’s water-rich environment, basic swimming and the ability to survive is a required life skill.

The Swim to Survive and Swim to Survive+ programs were developed as survival skills training programs based on drowning research and the Ontario Coroner’s recommendation for programs to help elementary school children learn basic swimming and water safety skills. Swim to Survive is not a replacement for swimming lessons, and no previous swimming experience or skill is needed to participate.

Child & Family

Peterborough Recreation offers a handful of fun, family-friendly activities for varying age groups. It’s never too late to register as prorated fees are offered. Register, get ready and set to be active this summer. Come to play!

Sport & Skate

Registration: Open and On-going

Did you know Peterborough Recreation offers skating programs year-round? Learn to Skate programs are available for varying ages at the Miskin Law Community Complex. We also offer drop-in public skates, Family Stick & Puck, and pay-as-you-play shinny programs for varying ages. Learn to Skate and Drop-In Skate Programs.

Instructional Sport Programs & Camps

It’s a perfect time to learn a new skill or sport. Working with local sports organizations, we offer instructional sports camps for ages 4 to 14 all summer. Learn the basics and develop skills playing soccer, tennis, rugby, lacrosse, basketball, or even try skateboarding!

For adults and youth, register for one of our outdoor Learn to Play Pickleball sessions at the new Bonnerworth Pickleball Courts, or visit the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre to play drop-in sports available daily in our gyms. We offer drop-in pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and badminton. Check out the schedule today.

Girls at Bat:

With support from the Jays Care Foundation, Girls At Bat is an introductory-level baseball program that provides opportunities for girls to learn and play sport amongst a resilient and inclusive community. The program changes the game for girls by focusing on four key pillars: connection, courage, leadership, and love of sport. Participants are provided with equipment and Jays gear. No experience required, and subsidies are available.