More young people needed for volunteer roles, says Corcoran

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A provincial advocate for volunteers says the changing landscape of volunteering means a different approach is needed to attract younger people to bridge the gap.

Colin Corcoran, chief executive of the Community Sector Council (CSC) of Newfoundland and Labrador, told Mount Pearl Council that if you take 46 per cent of the city’s population over the age of 15 it would likely represent the total number of volunteers in the community.

However, he said the lion’s share of the total volunteer hours is done by the 55-plus age group and that the demographic aged 25-35 is not volunteering the same way they used to in the past.

“The concerning thing we have from national data, national trends, and what we’re seeing in a post-pandemic world in this province is we’re seeing a bit of a chasm happening in volunteering,” Corcoran told council ahead of a proclamation signing for Volunteer Week on April 14. “They’re not volunteering at the same percentage and same hours that they have in 2018 or in 2013. The pandemic has accelerated it, but it was an issue pre-pandemic.”

Corcoran suggested part of the reason could be the growth in the need for two-income families, meaning fewer households have the time required to volunteer as often. He said that’s why there should be a focus on promoting volunteerism with businesses, making it part of their professional growth programs and corporate culture.

Corcoran said another focus is to promote generational volunteering where youth see their parents and leaders donating their time.

“When they see their guardians and their leaders volunteering, that is one of the main indicators of if they will become a future volunteer,” he said. “Bring them along, show them what it means to volunteer, what it means to engage and what it means to contribute to your community.”

Another demographic for potential volunteers is new Canadians, Corcoran said, which is a focal point of the organization’s Involve program.

Bahar Hashemi, project coordinator of newcomer volunteering with the CSC, said it’s important to remove barriers to participation for newcomers.

“It’s very important to make (volunteering) accessible for newcomers and engage them,” she said.

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley asked how a municipality can play a part to spark young people in volunteering. Corcoran said part of it is changing the perspective on volunteering and taking a different approach with youth, acknowledging that they are tech savvy.

“A young person may not be interested in calling ‘BINGO’ on a Friday night, every Friday for the next year, but they may be interested in putting together a Facebook ad. They may be interested in supporting the flyer work, or they may be interested in putting together a digital ad to advertise and get people in,” he said.

Mayor Dave Aker lauded the contributions of local volunteers and said the City of Mount Pearl is a better place to live because of their work.

“Volunteering is good for your own mental health, but it’s really good for everybody else that you serve and whether it’s a sports organization, it could be a church, it could be a service organization, our communities are healthier and we all feel better about doing it at the end of the day,” said Aker. “So it’s not just about numbers, it’s about impact, isn’t it?”

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 the building it is replacing, 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.

City rolls out new social program for marginalized residents

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

RISE, a Mount Pearl program that provides skill-building and social connection for marginalized community members, has seen slow but steady growth since it began in February.

The need was identified through public consultations carried out during the development of the City’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.

“Equity-deserving groups – particularly women and young women – consistently emphasized that safety and support come from building community connections, accessing supportive programming, and creating spaces for shared learning. These insights formed the foundation of the RISE program,” said Kerri Hodder, communications officer for the City of Mount Pearl.

The program is funded through a $50,000 grant from the provincial government. The City didn’t have the resources to run the program itself so it called for proposals from groups and companies interested in doing it. An organization called ElevateHER was asked in January to partner with the City in running RISE, though Hodder said Mount Pearl will also work with other community groups, including First Light.

“Because RISE is rooted in trauma-informed practice, the program required facilitation by a professional with appropriate accreditation and experience,” Hodder said.

Stephanie Atwood, founder of ElevateHER and coordinator of the RISE program, says it responds to a need for accessible, low-barrier spaces where marginalized people can build connections, skills, and a sense of belonging in a safe environment.  

“Many individuals are navigating isolation, financial stress, or life transitions, and may not meet the criteria for formal support, but they just simply want to connect,” said Atwood. “RISE fills that gap by offering free, welcoming, and flexible programming that integrates wellness, skill-building, and social connection. It creates entry points for people who might not otherwise engage and does so in a way that is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and grounded in dignity.”

The Program launched in February with wide-ranging sessions several times a week in different locations. Session topics have ranged from a grief café, to micro finance, safety planning, wellness walks and legal education. The Topics were chosen through a combination of community feedback, observed needs, and ongoing engagement.

Atwood said the programming is designed to be accessible and engaging, which means sometimes reframing topics.

“For example, conversations around safety planning or mental wellness may be embedded within creative, social, or skill-based activities like craft nights or community meals because we've learned that this is how people feel most comfortable engaging,” Atwood said.

Upcoming sessions in April include micro finance on April 2 at the Park Place Community Centre, a community drop-in and swim at the Summit Centre on April 7, a wellness walk April 9, a queer social on April 11 at Park Place Community Centre, a community skill swap at the Summit Centre, and a women and newcomer women job readiness program on April 15 at the Gloria Pearson Community Centre.

Atwood said there have been some storm cancellations so far, and new program take time to build trust and awareness, but there has been growth in participation.

“We also look at success in terms of how people are engaging, not just how many,” she said.

Fire skid may prove to be a big help in the woods, says firefighter

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Thirty-two fire departments across the province each received a new piece of equipment for early wildfire response March 17, a welcome addition to existing resources in light of the devastating fires that ravaged parts of Newfoundland last summer.

Pickup trucks from departments as far away as Port Aux Choix lined up at the Loblaws Atlantic warehouse on a rainy morning in Mount Pearl to load specially designed fire skids that are the creation of Global Medic, a Canadian-based nonprofit established in 1998.

Rahul Singh, the group’s executive director, said the Canadian-made skids are revolutionary as they transform a pickup truck into a first response fire suppression unit.

“It's a 1,000-gallon tank. You see the tank, it's mounted on a welded (aluminum) skid, right? There's a pump and a hose, and it turns any pickup truck into a fire truck,” Singh said during a press event prior to distribution of the skids.

The units come with 50 feet of forestry hose and are 43" wide by 76" long with an overall height of about 46". They weigh 280 pounds empty and around 2,500 lbs full.

Singh added the skids – which cost around $4,000 each – are more economical, considering fire trucks cost in the neighbourhood of $1.4 million or more. The skids also bring more operational flexibility.

“A fire truck can't get into the woods. It isn't easy to manage, and you can't take fire trucks from communities to other communities because you’ve got to protect that initial community,” Singh said.

Global Medic is also training teams on drones with thermal technology to better locate fires and hit hot spots early.

Chris Murphy, a five-year firefighter with the Conception Bay South Fire Department, said the fire skids are a welcome addition to supplement existing resources for wildfire suppression.

“We do have some things that we are outfitted with – small pumps and forestry packs and hoses,” he said. “But this is going to be a great tool to help supplement those tools that we already have. We're going to be able to get this piece of firefighting equipment into tight areas, and our objective is going to be to get a quick knock on the fire before it gets the chance to grow and become something that's a major situation like we saw last year. Fire knows no borders, so this will be a potential big help for other communities as well.”

A wildfire that started near Kingston last August burned some 10,000 acres, prompted several community evacuations and destroyed around 200 structures over the span of three weeks.

Murphy said those wildfires prompted the re-evaluation of action plans leading up to this coming fire season.

“It’s going to be here before you know it,” he said.

Pleaman Forsey, Newfoundland Minister of Disaster Preparedness, began his comments by addressing the dozens of volunteer fire personnel in attendance, and thanking them for their service.

“This initiative from Global Medic will help you continue the supports we need for our communities,” he said, adding the Province will be working with the departments to provide equipment and training to prepare for this fire season.

Rice says Bell’s Commonwealth delays not acceptable

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The further delay of an ongoing lane closure on Commonwealth Avenue has drawn the ire of Mount Pearl councillor Mark Rice.

An estimated 140-metre stretch of the southbound curb side lane of Commonwealth between the Whiteley Drive intersections has been closed since late November 2025 to accommodate work being done by Bell.

Rice spoke at the March 10 council meeting about the ongoing closure and advised as an information item that Bell had notified the City of an additional delay that he feels is unacceptable.

"I've had my calls from residents wondering what's going on, and I am sure other councillors have had calls as well," Rice said.

The work on underground equipment below the road was completed and the road surface restored, but before the lane could be reopened the City required a professional engineer to review and sign off on the repair.

“That engineer determined that the repair was not adequate,” said Kerri Hodder, the communications and marketing officer for Mount Pearl, in a written response to follow up questions from The Pearl News.

Hodder said Bell had obtained the required excavation permit before beginning work. She said Bell’s consultant will have a new design completed by the end of this month and the contractor plans to complete the repair work by mid-May.

“However, the City has requested that this timeline be accelerated,” Hodder said.

Rice believes the delay is unacceptable, adding the closure through the winter has created traffic congestion, complications for City snow clearing services and damage to City resources.

“That is one of our major thoroughfares in Mount Pearl and having it narrow to one lane is not ideal, especially during times with high traffic volume,” he said.

Hodder said the lane closure significantly affected the City's snow clearing operations this winter. Because crews could not widen Commonwealth Avenue in that area, snow accumulated along the closed inside lane and remained there for the entire season.

“Under normal conditions, crews push snow from the road over toward the sidewalk, and then a loader comes afterward to clear the sidewalks. But with that lane closed, that process wasn't possible. Instead, staff had to run the sidewalk blower inside the cordoned area to clear the sidewalk safely. This added time and operational challenges to each storm response,” Hodder said.

Hodder added that signage at the site was damaged several times by high winds and snow and that public works staff had to monitor the area frequently. The signage was replaced several times.

Hodder said the delays occurred due to poor weather conditions affecting field inspections, Bell's internal review timelines, and the need to engage a structural engineer. The City is not pursuing any actions or recourse against Bell related to the delays.

A 140-metre section of the southbound lane on Commonwealth Avenue has been closed since late November 2025 to accommodate work by Bell. The company informed the City of Mount Pearl this month that it could remain closed until mid-May. Tyler Waugh photo