Learning and Contributing
Lifelong learning promotes learning for fun and a way to promote healthy aging and staying engaged in your community. You can stay active by participating in recreation or culture programs, or volunteering.
AFP supports annual events like the Seniors Showcase and the Summit on Aging that provide connections to local service organizations and learning opportunities. You can also get involved in your local library, community/culture centre, and social group.
You can also visit Peterborough Seniors Service Directory for more recreation, fitness and arts/culture resources.
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.
- 705-745-5382
Asphodel-Norwood Public Library
- Westwood Branch 705-768-2548
- Norwood Branch 705-639-2228
- Bridgenorth 705-292-5065
- Ennismore 705-292-8022
- Lakefield 705-652-8623
- Apsley 705-656-4333
- Woodview Branch 705-654-1071
- Millbrook Branch 705-932-2919
- Bruce Johnston Branch 705-741-1253
Curve Lake First Nation Public Library
- 705-657-3217
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 Healthy Planet Arena 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 partners developed a Be Prepared Workbook that prompts older adults to gather information needed in an emergency and prepares them for a change in health or circumstance. The Workbook includes information, checklists, reflective questions, discussion topics with family and friends, and where to go for additional resources. There are five chapters:
- Emergency Preparedness;
- Personal Safety Planning;
- Next Step Housing;
- Advanced Care Planning; and
- Final Wishes.
In 2022, AFP received funding from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility to develop the Be Prepared program, print the workbooks, and deliver free workshops in the community. From June to November, our facilitators conducted almost 40 workshops and distributed 500 workbooks.
The PDF of the Be Prepared Workbook is available by request and is posted on the Age-friendly Communities Ontario website under the Communication and Information section. The project was highlighted at the Age-friendly Communities Ontario, Inspiring Inclusive Communities in Ontario: Moving age-friendly insights into action conference in 2022. Find a recording of the presentation under the Conference Day 3 Recordings and Resources.
Events
Seniors Showcase
Thank you to the Showcase Exhibitors, Presenters, Volunteers, and 800 participants who helped make this a successful event this year!
If you attended the event and are interested in providing feedback to help improve the event for next year, you can fill out our survey.
If you missed a workshop and would like to see the presentation, send a request with the name of the presentation to afpadmin@peterborough.ca. The list of available presentations are:
- Choosing a Contractor
- Connecting You to Programs and Services
- Empowering Independence The Vital Role of PSWs in Home Care
- Shall I Stay or Shall I Go
- Unleashing the Power of Exercise
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 Greater Peterborough 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.
January 15, 2025 - Setting Goals for a Better You
Do you feel you need to simplify your life or need some motivation to be a better you? Changes to your household, lifestyle, finances, health, or personal life can provide the energy boost you need. We’ll review what’s holding you back, strategize what you can change, discuss the results and set goals to help you concentrate your efforts and motivate you for success.
Contact Us
City Hall
500 George St. N.
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R9
Phone: 705-742-7777
Toll Free: 1-855-738-3755
Email Us