Team Gushue baseball pitch to get new scoreboard

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Team Gushue Complex in Mount Pearl has been getting a slow drip of upgrades and improvements as the 2025 Canada Summer Games draws ever closer.

Coming on the heels of last month's approval of the installation of new trees and shrubbery for the site, city council this week announced the complex will also be getting a new outdoor scoreboard for its baseball field, courtesy of E.C. Boone Ltd.

Councillor Bill Antle explained that E.C. Boone’s bid amount of $80,489 won out over two other bids which were submitted before the request for quotations closed on March 27.

The motion to award the contract carried unanimously.

Council approves $1.2M for recycling trucks

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Recycling is good for the environment, but it isn’t always cheap.

On Tuesday, council approved the purchase of a pair of new recycling trucks to haul away residents’ bottles and cardboard. The price tag? Some $1,196,037.

Harvey & Company will supply the two dual streaming recycling trucks, which are capable of carrying two kinds of recyclable materials at once. The St. John’s based firm was the sole qualified bidder on the tender.

Mayor Dave Aker joked about the price of the new vehicles, giving them the titles of “very” and “expensive” respectively.

“Garbage trucks are costing a fortune,” he said. “But I think that’s the new reality since the pandemic and of course this went through a transparent tender process.”

The roads that support the massive machines, meanwhile, will soon get a little patch up. The City has hired Crown Contracting to seal cracks in the City’s asphalt for the price of $87,917.

Clean up after your dog, Lane urges

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With spring officially underway in Mount Pearl, city councillors have both environmental concerns and city beautification on their minds.

Councillor Chelsea Lane urged residents on Tuesday to clean up garbage in their area and pick up after their animals when going for a walk.

Lane said she has been fielding complaints from residents about dog droppings on City trails. She suggested dog owners take advantage of the waste bags supplied on the trails, as well as garbage collection kits that residents can get from the City.

“Our staff do go around and they do clean up the trails, but it's important that residents take their part,” said Lane. “Please keep the trails (clean) because Mount Pearl is known for its beautiful trailways and we all want to take advantage of that without having to worry about stepping in dog feces on the trails.”

Councillor Jim Locke took the opportunity to promote International Compost Awareness Week, which runs from May 5th to May 11th.

As a long time composter himself, Locke encouraged residents to look into composting, which can greatly reduce the amount of waste trucked to the Robin Hood Bay Landfill and save both money and energy.

“It is doable in the city of Mount Pearl when done properly,” he said. “Composting is a good thing.”

City switches banks

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Mount Pearl is changing banks, and re-establishing a $3 million dollar line of credit.

As the City recently chose to move to CIBC for banking services, its previous $3 million line of credit with TD Canada Trust will be closed.

Councillor Chelsea Lane said the City has not made use of the credit line for many years, but keeps it open as a contingency for cash flow purposes.

Lane said the City’s previous agreement with TD will close upon the opening of the new one.

“We’re just switching banks, basically,” said Mayor Dave Aker.

City revs up spring maintenance work

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As the doldrums of the winter fade into the spring fog, the City of Mount Pearl’s public works department has switched into cleanup mode.

Councillor Jim Locke detailed the maintenance work for his colleagues during last week’s public council meeting.

Drivers will be glad to know pothole repair is underway, and pedestrians may notice litter being collected. Street widening has been replaced with sidewalk and street sweeping, and maintenance to City greenspaces, manholes, and catch basins is underway. While the outdoor skating rinks are being dismantled, plans to reopen the trailside kiosk are ongoing.

“Preparation for the upcoming 2024 summer season is underway,” Locke said citing work throughout the city’s parks network and trails, landscape preparation, and the removal of a playground structure on Pembury Close.

The City’s farm tractors, lawn mowers, street sweepers and vacuum trucks are also undergoing service and maintenance.

As far as public utilities go, the City is currently dealing with plugged sewers and other water and sewer repairs, leak detection, hydrant repair and replacement, and lift station inspection and maintenance.

Councilor Bill Antle noted too that the 2024 construction season in Mount Pearl has already begun.

Work on Birch Avenue, Farrell Drive, and Carroll Drive has resumed, while Olympic Drive will see some activity early this month.

The tender for asphalt and concrete repairs closed last month, as did a request for proposals for engineering and design for Holden Street upgrades, as well as the design for Jackman Drive upgrades.

The tender for the Wyatt Boulevard lift station upgrades is scheduled to close in the fall, as is a request for proposals for a water storage tank.

Prompted by an inquiry by Mayor Dave Aker, Director of Planning and Engineering Gerard Antle said line painting on city roads will start soon.

“We have a schedule within our contract,” Antle said. “Once we have that established and confirmed we’ll share that with council.”

Hall of Fame inductee Bennett had his own definition of winning

Gonzo Bennett accepted his induction into the Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Association in the Builder category last month. He grew up playing hockey on the ponds of Stoneville in his youth, but found he was better suited to making things happen off ice. From left are Gonzo Bennett and President of the Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Association Mike Kelly.

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Gonzo Bennet was inducted into the Mount Pearl Hockey Association Hall of Fame last month after spending 15 years building the sport behind the scenes.

Bennett began his journey as a coach in 2008 where he would spend eight years with house league and all-star teams. He would then go on to hold a list of executive positions within the association including both president and vice president of Mount Pearl Minor Hockey, co-chair of the inaugural Bantam Mega tournament, and inaugural president of the Don Johnson Hockey League, among a host of other roles.

Although he’s held many a role of influence, he maintains it’s never been about power and always about the children.

“Ultimately, that’s the goal, to make sure the kids are having a positive experience when it comes to the hockey rink,” Bennett said.

From the beginning, getting involved was a utilitarian move. Bennett could see where improvements could be made in minor hockey and decided to do something about it. Openness and transparency for parents was among his priorities. He also wanted to make sure teams were balanced, and that children across the board had an opportunity to succeed.

“Rather than sit in the stands and complain about things that I thought could be better, I decided to get involved and try to make a positive change,” he said.

For Bennett, it’s always been about respect: respect for players, parents and his fellow coaches.

Rather than big wins and trophies, Bennett said he is most proud of the impact he’s been able to make on his community after all these years.

“I felt that I was approachable in the rink so that any parent who had a concern could come to the association and feel their concerns were being addressed,” he said.

While being neck-deep in minor hockey, he also taught at Mount Pearl Senior High School where he retired in 2018. Teaching and coaching gave Bennett ample opportunity to make an impact on young hockey players.

“They do remember,” he said. “Treating kids fairly and with respect goes a long way to treating you with the same respect.”

Bennett got to watch many of the children grow up with the sport and follow promising careers in junior hockey, playing in such high profile tournaments as the Don Johnson Cup just this past weekend.

He said watching them grow up into not only good hockey players, but good people, is his main reward.

“I was less concerned with how we developed them as hockey players,” he said. “That was important, but I think it was just as important to develop them as human beings.”

Bennett acknowledges that very few players ever go on to pursue high profile careers in the sport, but that’s not the point. Creating players for life, no matter where they go on to play, is the goal.

“I always measure our success by how many kids are still playing hockey when they’re 35 years old,” he said. “That’s the true measure of success.”

Team Gushue grounds to get a spruce up

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Mount Pearl’s urban forestry plan is taking seed after a recent approval at council to spruce up the grounds at the Team Gushue Sports Complex on Arena Road.

Councillor Jim Locke told his colleagues last week that 18 deciduous trees, seven coniferous trees, and 68 shrubs will be planted to beautify the area. The tender also includes the supply of soil, mulch, stakes, and 14 months of maintenance.

O’Neill’s Gardenland of Spaniards Bay will supply, install and maintain the new greenery at a total cost of $49,450. The company was the lowest of five qualified bidders for the work.

Down towards the other end of Smallwood Drive, the Glacier Arena will also be home to some new purchases with the arrival of two battery powered ice resurfacers.

Engo Equipment Sales, the lowest of three bidders, will both supply and deliver the two machines for a total of $374,387.

Delivery of the two machines will be staggered with one arriving this year and the other arriving in 2025.

The City’s snowclearing fleet will also be bolstered next winter with the delivery of a brand new salt truck. Harvey & Company, the only bidder on the tender, will supply a 2024 or newer truck with a landscape body and salt spreading unit at a total cost of $214,123.

Council approves list of tax breaks

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mount Pearl council this week approved its annual list of organizations eligible for a break on business taxes.

Councillor Bill Antle brought the motion before council, which passed it unanimously.

Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador will receive a full exemption, totaling $797.

The Mount Pearl-Paradise Chamber of Commerce will also receive a full exemption worth $731.

Employment agency Visions Employment Inc., which helps find jobs and provides coaching for people with disabilities, will receive a full exemption to the tune of $5,987.

Co-Operator Housing will receive a full $1,406 tax exemption.

Co-Operative Housing Association, will also receive a full exemption at $4,739.

The Canadian Diabetes Association is set to receive a $1,880 exemption.

The Masonic Park and Mason Lodge on Mount Carson Avenue will both receive 60 percent exemptions at $10,152 and $24,699 respectively, while the Freemason Hall arm of the organization will receive a full tax break of $5,309.

The SPCA is getting a full exemption of $5,309, while Metro Business Opportunities rounds out the list with a $3,483 tax break.

The total cost of the exemptions in this week's motion amount to 135,345.

Mayor Dave Aker said tax exemptions are one way the City offers help to volunteer groups.

“These organizations, they operate fundamentally using volunteers,” he said. “Our role as a city sometimes is to provide facilities and tax considerations. I think this is really good, this is a real contribution back from the City to our community.”

City to cut red tape, expand business attraction, Aker tells chamber

Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker presented his annual economic outlook to members of the Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce earlier this month. The Mount Pearl Soccer Hut had a full house for the event. Among those on hand were, starting in the back row, from left: chamber president Colleen Glynn, councillor Bill Antle, Mayor Aker, councillors Isabelle Fry and Jim Locke, Paradise councillor Glen Carew, and Justin Locke of TD Bank, which was the sponsor of the event. In the front row are Mount Pearl North MHA Lucy Stoyles and the chamber’s executive director Wanda Palmer. Submitted photo

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mayor Dave Aker addressed the Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce and the business community at large earlier this month in a speech that presented his, and the city’s outlook for the year ahead.

“The future of the city is something we must carefully and strategically consider,” Aker said.

Recapping some of the city’s recent accomplishments, such as the ongoing construction of a new community centre, selecting a consultant for the North of Topsail Road development, and renewing the municipal plan, Aker said the City has accomplished 90 per cent of the action items in the first year of its strategic plan.

As part of the revamping of the Municipal Plan, the City is recreating development regulations to help foster housing and business opportunities. Zoning for higher densities, infill development, and redevelopment will be looked at, as well as public transit, public parking, construction restrictions, and the provision of “people-centric” spaces.

“We are hearing from many of you that you have spatial limitations on your lots,” Aker said. “We want to make sure the future of the city matches your needs.”

Regarding the City’s initiative to attract and retain businesses and people, the Mayor acknowledged the lack of full-service restaurants in Mount Pearl and council’s plans to address it. By commissioning a market study, the City will seek to understand the landscape of the restaurant industry in Mount Pearl, and identify the demand, opportunities, and potential sites for prospective businesses. Lastly, it will promote the attraction of such businesses.

“We want to do as much of the work as we can to attract prospective restaurant owners,” Aker said. “We know our city is primed for another full-service restaurant and we will take the lead and do whatever we can to make it happen.”

Aker cautioned the intention is to complement existing restaurants, as opposed to creating more competition for them.

Focus on the city centre was also highlighted, with Aker pointing out the need for improved signage and new investments to create public spaces aimed at recreation and relaxation, retail sector growth, and promotion of “more active modes of transport.”

Aker spoke of creating a “people place” in the city centre by promoting mental and physical health, social, cultural, and economic enrichment, and the creation of new opportunities in commerce, recreation, and entertainment.

“The city of Mount Pearl has been planned from the outset,” Aker said. “We understand that people-centric design is key to fostering quality public spaces.”

The city’s extensive trail network is also coming in for attention. Following last summer’s successful mobile kiosk pilot project on Forest Avenue, which featured local treats, and the award winning T’Railway Sundown Series, which showcased musical acts, the mayor announced a plan to develop a second kiosk for the area.

“By clustering retail spaces together, we can create a destination for visitors and residents alike,” he said. “By capitalizing the appeal of our trails, we bolster the economic vitality of our city, benefiting businesses across various sectors and enriching the overall community experience.”

Aker also highlighted the creation of a new trail on the north side of the Waterford River. The design of the trail will begin this year. The work will be done with community partners including the Rotary Club of Waterford Valley.

“If you own property on the north side of the Waterford River, we want to work with you to make a new trail connection a reality,” said the mayor.

Addressing the business sector, Aker noted the City’s $5,000 tax incentive was limited to the craft, retail, and technology sectors. Now, it's making the incentive available to any new business that has opened within the designated city centre area within the last three years in an expansion of its scaled tax program.

The City is also talking to provincial and federal officials to “understand what types of opportunities lie in the supply and service chain” for renewable energy in the hopes of attracting investment to the city.

“There’s no city better equipped to help than right here in Donovan’s business park in Mount Pearl,” he said.

The mayor also touched on the $6.1 million the federal government announced earlier this year to boost housing construction in Mount Pearl. To promote high density residential development, he said, the City is working on incentives to reduce the cost of permit fees, and $500,000 has been dedicated to incentives that support development.

Some 2,000 homes are set to see construction over the next 10 years.

Developers will now have a single point-of-contact with the City, with the newly established economic development and housing team led by manager of economic development and housing Jeremy Schwartz.

“Whether it’s a question on permits, or implementing process improvements, we will remove red tape so you can focus on what's important,” Aker said.

Speaking of permits, they are about to get a little less tangly, with online permit facilities allowing for applications and tracking of approval processes.

Aker said more announcements on incentive programs will be announced in the coming months.

“Solving the housing challenge will be accomplished through collaboration between all levels of government and the private sector,” he said.

‘It’s amazing some of the stuff you can find’

The thrift store at Mount Pearl Senior High School is not unlike any used clothing shop you find yourself browsing through on a lazy Saturday afternoon, complete with organized racks and staff eager to help out. From left are some of the people involved in operating the store including Grade 11 students Jayme Coles and Jayda Baines, Grade 12 students Shelby Slade and Abigail Bellamy, and Grade 11 student Samantha Flood. Chad Feehan photo

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After Mount Pearl Senior High School ceased teaching Grade 9 within its walls, a couple of rooms connected by a door became empty on the second floor.

Not wanting to see a good opportunity go to waste, a group of students have made use of the space by opening a thrift store where all of the clothes are completely free.

Now both the rooms and the clothes are seeing new, fresh purposes.

“We have the space, students need clothes. There are people who can’t afford clothes and clothes are expensive,” said the store’s co-manager Shelby Slade. “We figured we’d start this little thing.”

The shop has been in operation since December and runs a few times a week, mainly during lunchtime hours.

Students can take up to three items per visit, which are folded and bagged by the attendant at hand. And just like your standard thrift store, the offerings can change from week to week.

For many students who work the shop, their hours spent amongst the clothes are an easy way to fill their quota of volunteer hours in their career education course.

Grade 11 student Jayda Baines was having trouble getting her volunteer time locked in, but luckily the lunchtime hours ended up being her saving grace.

“The school is helping me and I’m helping the students get whatever they want,” she said. “I like this because I can help people, but I’m also getting my hours.”

For attendant Samantha Flood, working in the shop is great preparation for work in retail outlets that are so common for young people.

“Especially as teenagers, we tend to go to these types of jobs,” she said. “Learning how to restock, greet customers and fold things, I think that really helps.”

Co-manager Abigail Bellamy appreciates how the shop serves as a solution for reducing waste in the textiles industry.

“It’s become so popular in the last few years because of the pollution caused by textiles,” she said. “It’s better so we’re not constantly buying fifty dollars on clothes every time we go to the mall.”

Even clothes with imperfections like holes or rips can be repurposed into DIY projects.

“We have some clothes in the back that have holes in them that we know some students will take and repurpose,” Slade said. “I’m after taking a shirt and cropping it. I even turned a shirt into a pair of pants once. Even clothes that are no good on a day-to-day basis we can fix.”

The team has had a solid 50 or 60 bags of donated clothes come through the doors since December, with groups of students perusing the racks every day.

“It’s been great to see people coming in and doing something with the school,” Bellamy said.

The shop is currently on the hunt for an additional rack that would house clothes for teachers and parents, as they often receive clothes that students might not wear.

As successful as the store has been, its future will be in limbo when Grade 9 is reintroduced back into the school, taking over the space once again.

Bellamy is hopeful they will figure something out, even if she will have graduated by that time.

As Bellamy talks about her passion project, she sorts through the growing piles of clothes that are to be washed and sorted, often spying garbs that she may pick out for herself.

“It’s amazing some of the stuff you can find,” she said.