Members of the Mount Pearl Seniors Independence Group band and choir, along with city councillors Bill Antle and Mark Rice, and Frosty the Mascot, paid a visit to the residents of Cradea Manor recently to celebrate the Frosty Festival. The visit couldn’t be held during the festival itself, because of a storm, and so was rescheduled. Judging by the photo, a good time was had by all. The musicians and choir members included, starting with the guitar man at centre and running left to right: Jim Ryan, Bob Balsom, Doug MacDonald, Herb Feaver, Sheila Feaver, Councillor Mark Rice, Councillor Bill Antle, Mildred Pretty, Nancy Noseworthy & Selina Webber. Missing from this particular shot is choir member Eric Beckett.
Slicing the ice
Steve Watson returned to Frosty Fest for another sculpture at this year’s Winter Block Party in Centennial Square a couple of Saturdays ago. A crowd of curious spectators watched him turn ice blocks into an icy throne fit for Frosty himself. Chad Feehan photo
City crews on alert for the big snow
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
With more snow in the forecast, Mayor Dave Aker carved out some time at the end of this week's council meeting to reflect on the snow that's fallen and the snow to come.
“We've had a challenging month with 80 centimeters of snow two weeks ago,” he said. “I hear there could be a heavy snowfall this Friday.”
While avoiding asking Public Works Director Glen Dollimont for his predictions on snowfall amounts to come, Aker asked for an update on equipment and staff readiness in anticipation of the coming weather.
“All indications right now is there is going to be some type of weather event Thursday into Friday into Saturday morning,” Dollimont said. “As a preparation for that, we’ve been preparing for this since the last snowfall.”
He then noted ongoing work such as blowback, sidewalk work, and pushing back corners.
“Our equipment is ready. We’ve budgeted and replaced our equipment when needed. Our staff is ready to go, and we will be ready as normal,” Dollimont said. “Come Thursday into Friday depending on snow volumes, there's a good chance we'll have staff at this cleanup 24/7 until we get where we want to be.”
In her public works status report, meanwhile, Councillor Chelsea Lane updated the room on additional winter work being carried out, including snow removal from city streets, sidewalks, cul-de-sacs, fire hydrants, islands, and other places.
Ice control crews are also at work, and trail grooming is ongoing as long as weather conditions allow.
Council goes all technical on change order talk
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A number of change orders have been approved for the recently built St. David’s Smart Accessible Playground in Mount Pearl, including a concrete apron adjustment, water testing station repair, and additional inspection services.
Councillor Bill Antle informed council Tuesday that work is now effectively completed on the playground, with just a few additional items requiring final costing. The concrete apron bordering the parking lot required additional grading to ensure accessibility, and due to an underground failure, a water testing station at the fountain was required.
“Oversight and inspection of the work was required over a longer period than expected, resulting in some additional inspection hours by the consultant,” said Antle.
Some $6,574 will be paid to Modern Paving for the concrete and water station work, and $1,667 goes to TRACT Consulting for additional inspection services.
The H. Neil Winsor Building, the City’s municipal depot, has also been prescribed a number of change orders, which includes work to hedge against the effects of climate change.
Regarding the building's park shed fuel switching components, whose installation was awarded to JMJ Holdings in March of last year, the disconnect for heat pump CU-2 was required to be upsized to match the unit’s requirements. This cost $2,765.
Engineering Director Gerard Antle clarified some of the jargon for those not literate in engineering speak.
“Upsize is a larger amperage with the unit,” he said. “So, the breaker has to be increased in size to match that. It was an original part that we had contemplated and due to certain delays in the parts supply, it increased the size of the unit, hence we required the breaker size to match.”
Councillor Antle, meanwhile, also noted the committee was advised of breaker failure in an electrical panel, and that an arc flash analysis suggested the breakers would need to be replaced with components rated at higher values. The cost for that is some $18,447.
Goats in the studio
Guests at Clay Cafe in Mount Pearl had a bleating good time last weekend as several baby goats ran amok while they painted their respective works of art. In what was the art studio’s fifth annual Painting with Goats night, Butters (front) and Kenny seen here, were fed treats and fawned over as they made their way between the aisles. Chad Feehan photo
Fur-Sty Festival Dog Walk
Pups of all shapes and sizes brought their owners to Critters N’ Things last Saturday for the Fur-Sty Festival Dog Walk. The canines gallivanted around the Centennial Square/Park Avenue area and were even treated to waste bags and scrumptious treats. From left to right, a very excited Nixon drags along dog-mom Krystin Loughlin of Mount Pearl, while her own daughters Keira and Rose walk beside. Chad Feehan photo
Mount Pearl high schoolers take two top spots at Kiwanis
Alex Taylor and Riley Coombes-Lush of Mount Pearl are rising stars who impressed the judges at the Kiwanis Music Festival last week. Both profess a love of folk music, and the storytelling found therein. Submitted photo
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Mount Pearl had a strong showing at the 2024 Kiwanis Music Festival in St. John’s last weekend, with two youths from the city landing in top spots.
Fifteen-year-old Mount Pearl Senior High student Alex Taylor nabbed the top spot for the Traditional Folk - Solo category for his vocal rendition of “On the Water” by Newfoundland artist Anne Devine.
Taylor was drawn to the sentimentality in the lyrics of the song, thinking it would be a perfect contribution to the festival.
Devine even made an appearance for the performance, and praised the young musician afterward.
“It was an honor to sing her own song for her,” Taylor said. “I was told she was tearing up a bit… she got a bit emotional, and she thought I did really well.”
The Mount Pearl youth is no stranger to Kiwanis, having been performing at the festival since the age of seven. He came first in the category last year and placed 2nd and 3rd in previous years as well.
Taylor is ever mindful about the stories being told in the music he sings, and feels an improvement in this aspect, as well as vocal projection, since his last Kiwanis win.
“I try to become the character,” he said. “You can understand the story almost as if you’re listening to the actual author.”
Although the original piece was written for guitar, Taylor was accompanied by expert pianist Bill Brennan.
Taylor credited the efforts of his voice teacher, Angela Warren, for getting him ready for his winning performance.
“She’s a really great teacher and she well prepared me for it,” he said. “I’m glad she’s my teacher… and I’m also glad that I practiced it.”
Late last year, Taylor was awarded an Impact in Music, Arts and Culture Award from the City of Mount Pearl, capping off a busy year of performances and charity work.
He’ll be continuing on playing traditional Irish and Newfoundland music, and can be seen at Rocket Bakery every Sunday afternoon in Centennial Square.
“I love Irish music and traditional music,” he said. “There’s just something about the Newfoundland music that speaks to me.”
Riley Coombes-Lush, another burgeoning young musician from Mount Pearl, slid into second place behind her Mount Pearl Senior High schoolmate.
She performed The Punters’ version of “Candlelight and Wine”, which was originally recorded by local legends Ryan’s Fancy.
Coombes-Lush’s music teacher Justin Goulding suggested and accompanied her on the song, knowing how well she would identify with the message behind the music.
“We both felt that the song would be perfect because of how I could connect so well with what they were saying,” she said.
Now at the age of 15, Coombes-Lush has participated in Kiwanis since she was 10. She credits her experience in the festival for honing her performance, and for introducing her to new people in the business.
“The adjudicators they bring are really skilled and know what they’re talking about. They give really good feedback,” she said.
Like Taylor, the storytelling of folk music draws her into the genre.
“I really like folk because I love the aspect of being able to tell that story and being able to connect with a song,” she said.
In addition to the earnestness of folk music, she’s also experienced with the extravagance of musical theatre, having been involved with productions including Descendants the Musical, Matilda, and even an Etcetera production in Rochester, New York.
“I would really just love to pursue a career in music in the future, and even go to London and perform in the west end if I can,” she said.
Aker hopes residents will give their two cents on new Municipal Plan
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The City of Mount Pearl is reviewing and renewing its municipal plan, which will direct development in the coming decade.
The plan, which Mayor Dave Aker described as a “visionary” move for the city, will focus on transportation as well as zoning.
Councillor Bill Antle introduced the plan at a council meeting last week, highlighting the importance that input from residents will add to the plan, which will be facilitated through the City's website.
“It's a real opportunity for our residents to become involved and say how you want your city to grow, how you want your transportation plan to be, what type of housing you want in the city,” he said. “It’s a blueprint for our city.”
Councillor Mark Rice described the plan as determining a “common vision for the growth of the city,” noting the attention to zoning in areas such as the city centre and north of Topsail Road.
Many modes of transit will be assessed, including walking, biking, scooters, and public parking requirements.
Councillor Jim Locke brought attention to Mount Pearl’s shrinking population as well as the need to build upwards due to the necessity of adapting to a “changing environment.”
“We have to recruit newcomers,” Locke said. “To keep Mount Pearl sustainable we have to change the way we’re doing things, and it’s going to result in change.”
Councillor Isabelle Fry pointed out the new plan will come after years of amendments to the old one, and of the importance of residential input toward its development.
“If we have a consultant that’s going to help us put this together, it’s so important that it's the vision of the residents and what they want from the city rather than people sitting behind a desk,” she said.
Mayor Aker said he hopes the plan will inspire the involvement of residents, and warned staff to be prepared for both positive and negative feedback.
He also noted the importance staying the course when it comes to the City’s day-to-day operations in light of the big plans ahead.
In response, CAO Spurrell referenced a list of development priorities that staff is considering while keeping the municipal plan in mind.
“While we have the context of the municipal plan review and what we hope to achieve, we’re certainly not putting on hold development in the city and it is business as usual,” Spurrell said.
Tract Consulting will spearhead the work on the municipal plan for the City. It was awarded the contract for $271,664.
City seeks funding to make Glacier more accessible for the physically challenged
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The City of Mount Pearl is looking to improve accessibility inside the Glacier Arena through the submission of two grant applications to the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.
One application is for $22,906 to cover the cost of installing a portable vertical lift onto the arena stage.
Installation of the lift is a part of the City’s recently released 2024-2026 Accessibility Plan which aims to open the door for equitable access to amenities and opportunities in the city.
Chief Administrative Officer Dana Spurrell, who worked on the plan, described the lift as an important asset in providing access to the Glacier’s stage.
“This is a very big step in ensuring all of our events are more accessible for performers,” she said.
In a move to facilitate para-hockey at the Glacier, the City also submitted an application for a Special Assistant Grant to replace the concrete flooring in the rink's bench areas with ice.
Councillor Mark Rice reminisced about watching para-hockey at the Paradise Double Ice Complex, noting that its inclusion at the Glacier Arena would be a move forward for the City.
“I think it’s phenomenal,” he said.
Starlites give ‘no ordinary’ performance at Canada Cup
Unlike most other synchronized skating teams, the members of the Mount Pearl Startlites are their own coaches. Team Captain Jillian Whiteway says the arrangement forces them to work hard at providing feedback to each other. The team members include, starting in the back row from left: Catherine Power, Lauren Quinlan, Katie Best, Keira Hancock, Sam Evans, Isabella Cura, Jakiera Rideout and Katie VanKoughnet; and in the front, from left, are: Veronica Cura, Leah Whitten, Anna Boland, Hayley Hynd, Katie Slaney, Dayton Fifield, Emily Thorne, Claire Bennett and Jillian Whiteway.
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Mount Pearl-Paradise Starlites Synchronized Skating Team came fourth place in the Open category at the 2024 Skate Canada Cup, but the members still felt like winners as it just might have been their best performance of the season in the biggest competition of the year.
Yet again representing all of Atlantic Canada, the Starlites competed against synchronized skating teams from across the country last weekend in Waterloo, Ontario.
Team Captain Jillian Whiteway said the skaters are proud of both of their performances last weekend.
“Despite the nerves, we felt like we were able to go out and individually perform our best, and certainly as a whole I think that really showed through in the program,” she said.
Among an impressive array of solid performances at home this winter, the Starlites placed third at Skate Ontario this January where they competed against many of the same teams they would meet again this past weekend.
“It really helped give us a feel for where we sat relative to other teams that we would be competing against,” she said. “It was a really good addition to our training this year because it set us up a little bit more for success.”
Cheering them on from the stands was a large number of friends, parents, and two teams from the Prince of Wales Skating Club, who were competing in other categories.
“I think we had the biggest cheering section of the whole event which is not normal for us when it comes to an Ontario competition,” Whiteway said.
"We didn't just skate for ourselves, we skated for those who showed up to support us; our family, our friends, and our province," added Anna Boland. "It's such a special feeling steeping onto the ice, skating alongside 16 of your best friends, and looking into the stands seeing all of the people you love there supporting you."
The Starlites skated to No Ordinary by Labirinth a song about finding love and hope, and opened their performance with the artistic wheel, a move that begins as an ‘X’ shape before evolving into rotating parallel lines.
Whiteway said opening with the artistic wheel was meant to introduce the character of the performance and demonstrate the beautiful quality of skating as soon as the music started.
“That was probably our strongest element in terms of how we felt skating, but also how it was received by the technical panel and the judges,” she said.
Perhaps most notable about the Starlites is the absence of any dedicated coach. Originally implemented out of necessity, multiple members of the team have taken on coaching responsibilities in more of a collective manner.
Whiteway admitted it is a rarity to see that at the national level, but the team is proud of the arrangement that ultimately works for them.
“There’s no single person who leads the charge. We kind of split up the responsibility across the team so that everyone has a little bit more ownership,” she said. “I think that’s something that has helped us to grow our skating over the last number of years.”
Despite being their own coaches, the Starlites aren’t totally on their own given the presence of choreographer Jennifer Beauchamp-Crichton and sports psychologist Dr. David Hancock who both lend their services to the team from time to time.
Working with the Starlites for the past number of years, Dr. Hancock helps the team manage nerves and stress as individuals, taking into account how to work these strategies into the team's broad dynamic.
“When you’re on a team with 16 other people, what one person needs before a competition isn't necessarily what the other person needs,” Whiteway said.
Going forward, the team looks forward to the provincials in March, which they begin training for in the next couple of weeks, before getting ready for the next skating season in the fall.
“Our goal next year is to continue improving our skating, improving our score,” Whiteway said. “We have proven to ourselves over the last couple of years that we can compete with the top teams in the country and that’s something that we want to continue to push.”
