Paradise awards Neary Road tender

By Mark Squibb

Paradise council is delivering on its promise to lay water and sewer pipes on Neary Road this year.

The street was earmarked for water and sewer in Budget 2026, and earlier this year council hired Englobe to oversee the project for $178,000.

The construction tender closed on April 1, and the Town received nine bids. Tender estimates ranged from $2.3 million to $4 million.

Councillor Erin Furlong brought forward a recommendation from staff to award the tender to lowest bidder Mercer Civil Corp., for $2.3 million.

The water and sewer portion of the project – valued at about $2.1 million – is being funded through the provincial government’s Multi-Year Capital Works (MYCW) program. Council has about $91,000 leftover from a previous project to use on this one.

The culvert replacement is being funded through federal green infrastructure program. The Town has received about $455,000, with the actual cost of the work quoted at $633,239, creating a shortfall of  $178,239.

Approximately $300,000 in unspent funding from the Drover’s Road water and sewer installation will be carried over to cover the shortfall.

The project includes approximately 550 metres of new watermain and sanitary sewer, roadway reconstruction and repaving, and replacement of culverts.

Martin says $50 million sewage treatment plan in works for Paradise

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Paradise Mayor Patrick Martin updated the business community on some major upcoming municipal projects during the annual mayoral update hosted April 16 by the Mount Pearl-Paradise Chamber of Commerce.

Martin told a packed luncheon at The Hall at Holy Innocents Auditorium on Paradise Road that council decided to move ahead with a new depot and a major renovation to the Town Hall after conclusion of the insurance process from a fire that rendered the building unusable just over a year ago.

Martin said staff are still displaced and working in interim locations. He said it took time for insurance adjusters to complete assessments on the damage, but now that it’s complete council has begun to move forward with plans.

“We've determined that a responsible thing to do is remodel the interior of Town Hall,” said Martin. “The cost of this work is covered by insurance proceeds, and this means we can update the building in a financially responsible manner. We are going to improve the accessibility features of the building, modernize working spaces, update council chambers and create a Town Hall that can serve Paradise for decades to come. Work is under way and they suspect it will be completed by the end of the year.”

The new depot, he added, is a ‘significant’ financial commitment, but council needed to consider the future needs of Paradise as the province’s third-largest municipality.

A new depot was already under consideration with a feasibility study in 2024, Martin noted, as the previous space was no longer meeting the Town’s needs with respect to staffing needs and equipment storage.

“A new depot, one built for our needs, will provide indoor storage to protect equipment, offer expanded service for inventory, and create a modernize facility to support our essential services,” Martin said.

The new facility will be built on Town land near the Diane Whelan Memorial Soccer Complex.

The third upcoming capital project Martin outlined was a $50 million upgrade to the sewerage treatment plant that will bring the facility up to required federal regulations.

“The overall project is expected to cost us 50 million (dollars) and it will be completed in three separate fields,” he said. “The goal is to be compliant by the 2040s. This year, we plan to focus on the design work for phase one.”

Martin also used the luncheon as an opportunity to introduce the business community to Courtney Hiscock, the Town’s new economic development officer, who came on board in January.

Martin said one of the top priorities with Hiscock in place is to update the business section of the Town’s website.

“This is a great place to list your businesses so that residents can find you and learn what you do,” he said. “The listings are now linked to Google Maps, so residents can quickly and easily see exactly where you're located in Paradise.”

Martin said the Town has, in recent years, created a more efficient permitting process that has seen processing times reduced from 32 weeks to 12 weeks. With a focus on what he calls ‘continuous improvement,’ the Town is also implementing new protocols to improve efficiency and transparency, including an upcoming business concierge system and website updates.

“Residents and developers will be able to monitor the status of our applications. You can get the information and updates you need whenever you need them,” he said.

Martin said the Town supports business development in a number of ways, including sponsoring the first year of any Chamber membership, with providing a $100 discount on business taxes to chamber members.

Bay Roberts to revamp cul-de-sac policy

By Mark Squibb

A Coley’s Point subdivision application sparked a discussion about cul-de-sac requirements at Bay Roberts council earlier this month.

The application had previously been approved with a sidewalk along the entirety of the cul-de-sac, but the developer has since asked for permission to nix it.

“Our regulations say that a new street requires sidewalk on one side, but you can’t put sidewalk on one side of a cul-de-sac, it just doesn’t make sense,” said Protective Services Director Greg Squires. I reviewed some policies from other towns, as we don’t have anything that speculates that exact regulation.”

The director said most cul-de-sacs in CBS, Mount Pearl, and St. Johns do not have sidewalks, as they are meant to be dead ends.

Squires reckoned council ought to eliminate the sidewalk requirement, while still requiring the applicant to leave some room for residents to walk.

Councillor Silas Badcock moved to approve the developer’s request to drop the sidewalk, and that a 1.5 metre gravel shoulder for walking be constructed alongside the road.

“This gravel side area shall provide a continuous and clearly defined walking space, be of sufficient width to accommodate pedestrian use, and be constructed to a standard acceptable to the Town,” added Badcock.

Curb and gutter will still be required.

Mayor Geoff Seymour allowed the Town’s policies are vague when it comes to cul-de-sacs.

Squires said the new Town plan currently in the works should address the issue.

Chief Administrative Officer Dave Tibbo noted the developer is “great to deal with,” and that a new subdivision agreement will be drafted to ensure council and the developer are on the same page.

“I just happened to spend a few hours in St. John’s yesterday, and I drove around cul-de-sacs on Torbay Road, and it’s just curb and gutter,” said Tibbo. “There’s no sidewalk.”

Councillor Dean Franey, meanwhile, opined the sidewalk requirement ought to be eliminated for cul-de-sacs altogether.

“I think it could encourage some more development, because it’s going to lower the cost,” said Franey. “With the changing of the times, we have to look at everything, and we want to encourage more development, because we need housing. One thing we can do is maybe on these smaller cul-de-sacs remove the sidewalk part.”

Badcock’s motion was approved unanimously.

CBS scraps the dome and goes for steel for community centre

By Craig Westcott

You can either blame Donald Trump or thank him, but the U.S. president's tariff war on Canada appears to be responsible for CBS council's decision to scrap plans to use an inflatable dome for the town's new community centre opting to go with a conventional steel building instead.

Ward 3 councillor Gerard Tilley made the announcement at last week's public council meeting.

Tilley said council changed its mind after getting updated estimates showing the balloon structure would cost an extra $4 million to build, bringing the total to $20 million because of trade and tariff issues. 

"At that point, council accepted the recommendation of its external consultant and staff to revisit pricing for a self-supporting steel structure," Tilley said. "The new cost estimate for a steel structure came in at $22 million, but with significantly lower annual operating costs, which would quickly absorb the $2 million difference."

Tilley said council initially decided to go with the balloon structure because it was the cheapest alternative at the time. 

"That cost preference has essentially been eroded with escalating prices to the point that it is no longer the lowest cost long term," he said.

Despite the change, the centre will still be built on time, with work starting this year and an opening date in 2027, Tilley said.

None of the work conducted so far, including road upgrades to the site in Gateway off Legion Road, has been wasted, Tilley added. “The overall project scope and timeline remain unaffected by any change in structure type. In addition, the footprint and size of the playing surface remain essentially the same."

Council announced it was going ahead with an inflatable structure in January last year. It hired Lat49 Architecture to serve as its prime consultant to oversee construction and changed its development regulations to accommodate the dome’s expected 30-metre height.

Tilley said like the dome, the steel building will also provide some 100,000 square feet of space. 

"The facility will continue to support a wide range of activities, including court sports such as basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, as well as turf-based activities like football, soccer, baseball, softball, and ultimate frisbee," he said. "Community spaces and amenities will also be included to support local programming and events."

In a written statement – because her voice was hoarse from the flu – Deputy Mayor Andrea Gosse, who chairs council's finance committee, said the decision reflects the Town's responsibility to minimize the tax burden on residents.

"The purpose and programming for this project have not changed," Gosse said. "The Community Lifestyle Centre will provide a modern, year-round space for recreation, programming, and community use, and the revised approach strengthens its long-term financial sustainability for residents.”

Council approves Mad Rock vacation rental properties

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Bay Roberts last week approved construction of two vacation rental homes in the Mad Rock area, with a potential third to come.

“The developer wants to develop a couple of vacation homes right now, and later construct a third dwelling down there, which will be different from the two vacation homes,” Director of Protective Services Gregory Squires said. “The recommendation is to grant an approval in principle for a proposed three-unit detached development that will be on Water Street East.”

The development does not yet have a civic address.

Councillor Silas Badcock moved that council approved the application subject to a number of conditions, including submission of a ‘plot plan’ complete with all setbacks.

Badcock noted the property will not be eligible to avail of municipal services such as snow clearing and garbage collection. The property will also not be eligible for fire protection services during the winter months due to its location.

Should the owner ever decide to sell, the two vacation homes would need to be sold as a pair to maintain the Town’s building lot standards.

Deputy Mayor Neil Kearley said the conditions imposed on the application should alleviate any concerns council may have.

The rocky peninsula, which juts out into Spaniard’s Bay, boasts a number of walking trails and views of the famed Mad Rock and Three Sisters rock formations and has drawn countless tourists over the years.

Another developer was not quite as lucky, as council revoked a development permit for a new home on Butler Drive as the permit had been issued in error.

Councillor Badcock said the permit was awarded based on an outdated survey. The lot also lacked frontage access from Butler Drive.

The applicant will be advised of council’s decision and notified of the right to appeal.

Badcock noted any future development must adhere to the Town’s frontage and access regulations

Holyrood seeking defense sector funding

By Mark Squibb

Holyrood Bay may become a testing site for military technology.

Council recently applied for $150,000 in federal funding to support research and development in the defense sector.

During council’s April 7 public meeting, Deputy Mayor Michele Woodford said the Town has received a positive initial response from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), an arm of the federal government, and was awaiting a response from the Province.

Councillor Bruce King noted that military base 5 Wing Goose Bay recently received some $8 billion in federal funding for improvements, and that other defense organizations across Atlantic Canada have also received funding.

“There’s money out there for defense related projects and research,” said King. “And the Marine Institute is probably located in one of the best places around to do anything related to the ocean and underwater technology, drones, you name it. You got a harbour there free of ice. It’s calm. You know, it’s the perfect place to do any type of research related to the ocean. It’s there, and all anybody has to do is set up shop and start.”

Holyrood already boasts one of two NATO DIANA (Defence Innovator Accelerator for the North Atlantic) sites in the province at the Marine Institute. The second, the Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering (OCRE) Research Centre is a joint operation between St. John’s and Ottawa.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s defense strategy aims to increase the amount of military and defense spending done “in house” in a bid to reduce reliance on international partners.

Paradise updates employee and purchasing policies

By Mark Squibb

Paradise council this past March approved amendments to two Town policies.

The first affects the compensation policy for both management and non-management non-union employees, which was adopted in August, 2017.

Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street explained that discrepancies were recently identified in the policy between the treatment periods of leave without pay, including maternity, adoption, parental leave, worker’s compensation, and unpaid leave due to illness as it relates to the recognition of service. Staff recommended the policy be amended to update the definition of ‘service’ to state that periods of approved leave without pay up to 18 consecutive months will be recognized as continuous service.

The move will benefit employees on leave when it comes time to calculate benefits such as vacation time, pay raises, or severance packages.

Council also updated it’s purchasing policy.

“The Town currently has a purchasing policy that guides purchasing activities,” said Street. “This policy includes thresholds for open calls and reporting requirements as outlined in the Public Procurement Act regulations and policy. These thresholds are reviewed by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador public procurement agency every 18 to 24 months, and changes are made based on inflationary indicators. On March the 9th, 2026, the public procurement agency issued notice to the municipalities that thresholds for open calls had been increased effective March the 6th. The Town has updated its past purchasing policy to reflect these changes in legislation to make it easier to expedite the public procurement agency threshold changes in the future.”

Both amendments were approved unanimously.

Rectory Road rezoning goes to commissioner for a look

By Craig Westcott

CBS council has appointed a commissioner to hold a public hearing into plans to amend the Town Plan to allow for more housing on Rectory Road in Topsail.

The hearing is set for May 13 at the Town Hall but will be cancelled if council receives no written submissions up to two days prior to the date.

"This property on Rectory Road is the remaining undeveloped portion of a larger property," said Ward 3 councillor Gerard Tilley. "Six lots have been subdivided from the property and two single dwellings have been built and two more are under construction. The developer indicates the remaining property will be subdivided into four lots with two lots each fronting on Rectory Road."

The area is located near St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church and once belonged to the Anglican Diocesan Synod of Newfoundland and Labrador. The 1.9-acre parcel of land is full of mature trees and at least one old path that runs down a grassy slope from Rectory Road emerging onto Topsail Road across from the soccer pitch. The developer applied to the Town last year asking to rezone the land from Public to Residential Low Density. In order to approve the application, council needs to make an amendment to the development regulations, a process which includes an opportunity for public comment and examination by a commissioner, all of which is covered by the applicant. Retired architect Glenn Barnes will serve as the commissioner.

Savings on Holden Street upgrades go to community centre

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mount Pearl City Council is awaiting provincial approval for reallocation of some $2.4 million in multiyear capital works (MYCW) funding from the Holden Street Upgrades project to the new community centre currently under construction.

Council approved the reallocation of $2,405,060 to the new civic centre, which is slated to replace the Park Place Community Centre, at its March 31 regular meeting.

“Just some housekeeping here as we move some cost-shared money around,” said Mayor Dave Aker. 

The council motion is just the latest part of a formal process to get the balance of funds transferred from the Holden Street Upgrades to the new community centre.

“Upon completion of a provincially and/or federally funded project, City management conducts an internal review of any remaining balances. The Province is then consulted to discuss potential options for the use of those funds,” said Kerri Hodder, the marketing and communications officer for the City of Mount Pearl. “A final recommendation is subsequently presented to council for consideration and approval, consistent with standard practice. If approved by council, the request is forwarded to the Province for final authorization, as the reallocation of these funds is not solely within the municipality's discretion.”

Councillor Mark Rice noted at the council meeting that, as part of the process, the City will also officially close out the Holden Street Upgrades project.

The new civic centre is designed to offer increased space, enhanced accessibility and improved parking compared to Park Place. It will feature a flexible, multi‑purpose hall with a stage and retractable bleachers, making it suitable for a wide range of community events, programs, and gatherings.

An outdoor splash pad that converts to an ice rink in the winter will provide a year‑round recreational space.

Project funding includes $2.28 million in federal money, approved in July 2024, and a little more than $3.71 million in provincial funding approved in November 2023, and now also the proposed transfer of the MYCW funds.

Any remaining portion of the project costs will be covered by the City.

The new civic centre is targeted for completion by the end of this year.