Market Hall needs our help.

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Money to chase a ball, but not for the arts! That’s what city hall is saying by cutting 25% funding for Market Hall, after all, who’s going to pay for Mayor Leal’s pickleball courts ($2.3 million allocated net year alone)? Or that fancy new arena… all while raising taxes 7%!!

It hasn’t happened yet but the budget but tomorrow’s your chance to storm city hall and let them know “it’s not OK!”

You can educate yourself here: https://www.connectptbo.ca/2025budget

Market Hall is a vital community hub in Peterborough’s downtown. The Hall is used by countless community organizations/local artists, and is a state-of-the-art live music destination for out of town artists and visitors, who in turn visit our hotels, restaurants and other attractions.

The City of Peterborough has presented a draft 2025 budget that recommends a 25% cut to our funding. (Pg. 205). This cut would devastation to Market Hall.

If passed, what does this mean?
– increased community rental costs
– increased ticket price
– reduced economic impact in the downtown
– fewer artists visiting our city

A healthy arts community is vital to a healthy, vibrant community. Market Hall has been an iconic venue and community builder for almost 30 years. Cutting our budget, and the budgets of other arts and social services, will have far-reaching, negative impacts that we don’t want to see in our city.

The data is in – the Arts make financial sense

Not only does a healthy arts scene add to the cultural and social well-being of the city, it makes financial sense, too. The arts & culture sector pumps more than $5 million dollars directly into the local economy with $100 million in economic spinoff as published in the Peterborough Examiner.

This past year alone, Market Hall:

– hosted 33 community groups/fundraisers like Cancer Takedown, Harmony for Healing, Reframe film festival, In From the Cold YES Shelter fundraiser), and many more.
– sold 24,000 tickets to over 150 events.

– welcomed nearly 7000 community members to free events
– welcomed over 5000 out-of-town guests to the city of Peterborough

How can you help?
Let the City of Peterborough know this funding is important!

Phone and/or email City Counsellors, the Mayor’s Office, and Sheldon Laidman, the Community Arts Commissioner and let them know the arts and social services funding can’t be reduced.

Mayor Jeff Leal:

705-742-7777 ext. 1870

jleal@peterborough.ca

Otonabee Ward:

Councillor Kevin Duguay, 705-742-7777 ext. 4619

Email: kduguay@peterborough.ca

Councillor Lesley Parnell, 705-742-7777 ext. 4641

Email: lparnell@peterborough.ca

Monaghan Ward:

Councillor Matt Crowley, 705-742-7777 ext. 4620

Email: mcrowley@peterborough.ca

Councillor Don Vassiliadis, 705-742-7777 ext. 4645