More and more older residents are discovering Peterborough, which is becoming a leading
place in Canada to retire. Almost a third of Peterborough residents are 55 and older, and that’s
because the area has a lot to offer – quality housing, health services and long-term care facilities.
     Located on the Trent-Severn Waterway in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes Tourism region,
Peterborough is just a one-hour drive from family and friends in Toronto.
     There are eight long-term care facilities in the area, and about 20 retirement homes and
communities in the area.
     Construction of a new hospital is underway which will replace two smaller hospitals and
increase the number of beds from 360 to 483, are well underway. The 700,000 square-foot
four or five-storey structure is being constructed on the Peterborough Regional Health Care
Centre’s parking lot. Construction will be completed by 2007 and the hospital will serve a
population of 300,000 in four counties.
     Local home builders have learned to value the older home buyer. Recognizing this is an
active age group, they are building large, well-built homes and condos that have plenty of
amenities. They know older home buyers are looking for bungalows, and they are providing
them. These homes, with plenty of living space on one floor, encourage entertaining. They
also have plenty of basement space for children or grandchildren to come home to stay or visit.
     Peterborough area developers are also creating adult communities –with water access for
boating and swimming, nearby golf courses, walking trails, and club houses with exercise rooms, barbecues and a schedule of social activities.
     The $14 million Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre opened in 2005. The 58,000 foot
Centre is completely accessible and contains a leisure pool, hydro-therapy pool, an aquatics
centre, a triple gymnasium, a fitness centre, and space for a rock-climbing wall.
     The Peterborough YMCA is preparing to build a brand-new building which will be fully
accessible to all. Noting that older adults make up a large sector of the population, the new YM
will provide aquatic, workout areas and change rooms geared to all ages.
     Peterborough is known for its quality of life – located on the Trent Severn Waterway, with
boating, water sports and swimming at the doorstep.
     The area also offers theatre and art galleries and summer special events, such as the
Festival of Lights which presents internationally-known performers in free concerts at Little
Lake during the summer. This is also an area known for its love of sports. The OHLA Major “A”
franchise has promoted a host of players and coaches to the NHL.
     Peterborough is home to exceptional recreational spaces, the scenic Otonabee River and
the Trent-Severn Canal, quality cultural activities and unique tourist attractions, as well as a
thriving business community.