Our rezoning application has been passed by City Council!
736 Maryland has passed rezoning!
We welcome feedback and ideas. Send email to outreach@kawarthacommons.ca.
NEW READERS who are asking “What is cohousing? What are KCC’s goals? What will the building and site be like?” “How can I find out more?” will find lots of general information on our website: https://kawarthacommons.ca/
This and subsequent newsletters will have three main sections.
1. UPDATE ON THE SITE, THE BUILDING AND FUNDING APPLICATIONS
2. GETTING TO KNOW OUR PETERBOROUGH: What Peterborough area has to offer you.
3. OTHER KCC NEWS (including “What has attracted me to cohousing”, part of a series by members)
1. UPDATE ON THE SITE AND THE BUILDING
Updates on the City and construction funding
For the last several months, KCC's major focus has been rezoning our property with Peterborough City, and working towards applications to government funding agencies for financial support for a rental co-op. The City’s Planning Department was finally happy enough with our application to recommend it go to City Council for approval, but with a “Hold” on the dewatering issue to be considered at the Site Plan stage. We were concerned that the Hold could hurt our chances for government funding, so argued that it should be removed. City Council agreed with us and passed the rezoning application unanimously without the Hold!
Happy KCC members after City Council passes our rezoning application
Applications for federal construction funding ground to a halt during the federal election, but the recent budget promises $13 billion for Build Canada Homes to invest in new housing. This includes a recommitment to the CMHC Co-op Housing Development Program, co-designed with the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. Overall, it is the largest investment supporting the co-op housing sector in the last 30 years. However, this program requires a minimum of 75 units in our Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) which combines the city of Peterborough with neighbouring townships. KCC is actively looking for partners to raise our unit total to 75.
2. GETTING TO KNOW OUR PETERBOROUGH
Peterborough Pickleball
Photo from the Pickleball Peterborough web site.
As everywhere in Canada, Pickleball has exploded among all age groups in Peterborough. Pickleball is good for cardiovascular health, and generally better for seniors than tennis due to its low-impact nature, smaller court size, and lighter equipment, all of which reduce stress on joints.
The Peterborough Pickleball Association is a non-profit organization with over 600 members. Its mission is to provide opportunities for people of all ages, skill levels, abilities and backgrounds to participate in pickleball. It achieves its goals through organizing tournaments, leagues, clinics, mentorship and community outreach programs.
Peterborough has 4 outdoor courts at the Knights of Columbus Park in the downtown, and indoor courts at the Wellness Centre, the YMCA, and Activity Centre Seniors Centre including a learning-to-play program. There are also 14 brand new outdoor pickleball courts on Bonnerworth St., a court grouping large enough to host major tournaments.
3. OTHER KCC NEWS
The Super Weekend of October 24-26 was a great success at bringing new and long term members together.
Friday Thai supper at Noodles Squad
Sunday brunch at the Slavins
KCC Group at the prayer wheels at Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden, Saturday – 加國五台山
September coffee at the Silver Bean
We do want to meet those who are interested in our community.
We hold monthly casual get-togethers at the Silver Bean Cafe at the Canoe Museum on the third Wednesday of every month at 11am. If you would prefer to just meet for coffee with one of our members, drop us a line and we will set something up.
KCC’s Aukje Byker is Market Hall Theatre’s Volunteer of the Quarter!
Aukje has been volunteering at the Market Hall for a few years now where she has dedicated her skills, time, and energy to several events every month.
What attracts me to cohousing, by Donna Harris and Francesca Warriner
Cesca and Donna
Are you curious about the potential benefits of cohousing and being a part of a vital community that embraces sustainable living? Do you long to live in a well designed 1, 2, or 3-bedroom apartment, within walking distance to a grocery store, pharmacy, and direct bus access to Peterborough’s downtown?
Imagine having space for communal meals, social gatherings in a spacious inviting great room, sharing responsibilities with others for gardening, and collective decision-making (using sociocracy as the fundamental governing process). Yes, Kawartha Commons Cohousing is all this and more.
A strong team of original investors have worked to secure a site, hire architects, co-develop plans. That they are creating goals with a willingness to change directions to be successful in our challenging economy is brilliantly appealing.
My wife, Francesca and I chose to become Explorers and now Investor Members in this process. So too can you, as there are regular information sessions and open Full Circle meetings. Touring the property which has been purchased and being amazingly included in meetings, discussions, and social events that are community building has been a gift. It fills us with excitement and visions of possibilities.
Please consider attending an information session to see if this might be right for you.