Learning and Contributing

Learning doesn’t stop—it can be fun at any age. Trying new things can help you stay healthy, feel good, and stay connected with others. You might enjoy a class, a cultural program, or giving back through volunteering.

AFP hosts special events each year, like the Seniors Showcase and the Summit on Aging. These are great places to meet people, discover local services, and find activities you enjoy.

You can also join programs at your local library, community or cultural centre, or a social group. It’s a great way to stay active and make new friends.

For even more ideas, visit the Peterborough Seniors Service Directory You’ll find programs for recreation, fitness, and arts and culture—all close to home.

Learning and contributing resources

Lifelong Learning

The greater Peterborough area offers many opportunities for lifelong learning, including continuing education classes, public lectures/workshops and a public library. Continuing education classes can be found at the following locations:

• Trent University
• Fleming College
• Community Training and Development Centre
• Art School of Peterborough
• Outdoor Education Centre

Public lectures

Public lectures and workshops covering a wide range of topics are offered by Trent University. Visit Trent's Public Calendar of Events.

The Trent Centre for Aging & Society gathers faculty, students, staff, and community stakeholders to build meaningful dialogue that challenges entrenched ideas about aging, old age and older people. Visit the Trent Centre for Aging & Society webpage to learn more.

Local libraries

You can visit your local library to view upcoming events, books, audiobooks and learning tools. 

Peterborough Public Library

• 705-745-5382

Asphodel-Norwood Public Library

• Westwood Branch 705-768-2548
• Norwood Branch 705-639-2228

Selwyn Public Library

• Bridgenorth 705-292-5065
• Ennismore 705-292-8022
• Lakefield 705-652-8623

North Kawartha Library

• Apsley 705-656-4333
• Woodview Branch 705-654-1071

Cavan Monaghan Libraries

• Millbrook Branch 705-932-2919
• Bruce Johnston Branch 705-741-1253

Curve Lake First Nation Public Library

• 705-657-3217

Trent Lakes Public Library

• Buckhorn Public Library 705-657-3695
• Cavendish Public Library 705-657-1192

Recreation

Through play, culture, arts, leisure learning, sport, and travel, you can gain physical skills, develop social connections, foster creativity, and stimulate your mind. 

Opportunities for Recreation and Culture

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre offers special Senior rates on their memberships. Many aquatic and fitness programs, socials, and special events offered at the Centre are geared towards older adults. The Centre offers a triple gymnasium, leisure pool, therapy pool, multi purpose rooms and is also completely accessible.

775 Brealey Dr., Peterborough

705-742-0050

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Museum and Archives offers three galleries that feature exhibitions on the history and development of the Peterborough area and one gallery that houses special and touring exhibitions. Adult programs are offered for adults of all ages. Volunteer opportunities are available for adults. The Museum offers barrier-free access, a gift shop, picnic facilities, parking and a scenic location.

Ashburnham Memorial Park, Museum Drive, 300 Hunter St. E., PO Box 143, Peterborough

705-743-5180

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough offers a Seniors Art Afternoon, which provides an interpretive tour of the exhibitions with a guide. Relax with refreshments and social time in the Gallery Reading Room. Reservations required. Seniors workshops are also available as well as volunteer opportunities in Visitor Services, Exhibition Installations, Education Programs and much more.

250 Crescent St., Peterborough

705-743-9179

Peterborough Public Library

Peterborough Public Library is pleased to provide home delivery services to residents who are unable to come to the library for individuals who are:

• physically disabled
• advanced in age
• suffering from a long-term illness
• temporarily ill
• residing in a nursing home
• residing in a retirement residence
• confined to home due to an accident

Regular and Large Print books are available. A library card discount is offered for non-city resident seniors and there is no charge for city residents.

345 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough

705-745-5382 ext. 2340 or 2350

Healthy Planet Arena (formerly Evinrude Centre)

The Miskin Law Community Complex offers Seniors Skating 3-4 days per week from August to March.

911 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough

705-742-7777 ext. 2577

Peterborough YMCA

The YMCA offers a seniors rate on memberships for anyone over the age of 60. Programs are designed to help individuals, regardless of age, to develop in body, mind and spirit. The YMCA also features 2 squash courts. This facility is wheelchair accessible with ramps into both the small and large pools.

123 Aylmer St. S., Peterborough

705-748-9622

Trent Athletics Centre - Community Membership

Seniors and all of those with age-related health care issues will benefit significantly from Trent's renewed community programming as well as state-of-the-art new features at the Trent Athletics Centre, including a therapy tank and therapy clinic. At Trent, this important and growing community group will discover the merits of maintaining an active lifestyle at any age.

1600 West Bank Dr., Peterborough

705-748-1011

Peterborough Parks and Trails

The City of Peterborough has plentiful parkland and trails with more than 100 parks and sports fields. Whether you're looking for a place to walk or cycle, get together with friends or family, relax next to a lake or a playground for children, we likely have just the park or trail for you. Visit our Staying Mobile page for more information and resources on cycling and walking.

Be Prepared Workshops

Age-friendly Peterborough and its partners created the Be Prepared Workbook to help older adults get ready for emergencies and plan for changes in health or life. It guides you to gather important information and think ahead, so you feel more confident and in control.

The workbook is easy to use and includes tips, checklists, questions to think about, and ideas to talk over with family and friends. It also points you to helpful local resources. It is divided into five sections:

• Emergency Preparedness
• Personal Safety Planning
• Next Step Housing
• Advance Care Planning
• Final Wishes

The program is now being updated for the third time. This new version includes lessons learned from recent community emergencies, like the 2022 Derecho and the 2025 Ice Storm. It also adds more information about frauds and scams, elder abuse, and intimate partner violence.  AFP is aiming to begin offering these workshops again in September 2026.  Join our Newsletter mailing list to keep up to date with workshops like Be Prepared - offered in our region.

In 2022, AFP received funding from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility to launch the program, print the workbooks, and offer free workshops. Between June and November, facilitators led nearly 40 workshops and shared 500 workbooks with people in the community.  

Events

Seniors Showcase - June 17, 2026

The Seniors Showcase is an annual event where we bring together over 100 business and organizations to promote their products and services related to aging. We also host many workshops on topics important to aging. At past events workshop topics have included: being good to your brain; Tai Chi; medical assistance in dying; depression and anxiety; decluttering; and chair yoga to name a few.

The event takes place every June at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre in partnership with the  Peterborough Kawartha Chamber of Commerce.  

Summit on Aging

The Summit on Aging is our bi-annual one-day conference that provides an educational experience addressing issue related to aging. Past Summits have focused on topics including: Be Prepared; dementia; healthcare and technology; mental well-being; housing; and medical assisted in dying.

Living and Aging Well Workshop Series

The Peterborough Public Library and AFP have partnered to plan Living and Aging Well, a monthly workshop series. Each month community experts present practical information to support healthy aging and long-term planning. After the presentation, stay for the social and refreshments and chat with the presenters and other participants.