New display box highlights Ferryland’s storied sports history

Because Ferryland has such a rich sports history, the organizers of a commemorative board that was unveiled at the Regional Arts Centre last week had to limit the photos in it to just ones where championship trophies were on display. Helping to unveil the shadow box were, from left: Ron White, Cyril Walsh, John Kavanagh and, in the foreground, Gerald Hynes. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

A new shadow box display highlighting a number of gold medal hockey and softball teams from Ferryland’s storied past was unveiled at the Regional Arts Centre in Ferryland last Tuesday.

“In Ferryland, sports, from the beginning, was a guiding force that kept the community together, and resilient, and unified,” said organizer John Kavanagh.

The photos range from the 1960’s thru to the 1990’s.

“We could only fit 12 pictures, and to determine the 12 pictures, we picked out the championship teams with the trophy in front — that represents success,” explained Kavanagh.

The decision to include team photos also bolstered ideas of teamwork and camaraderie that Ferryland is known for.

The unveiling was a time for folks to reminisce and share stories about the days of old, such as one story shared by Mayor Aidan Costello about a rainy day on the shore many years ago.

“We were playing in the Southern Shore Tournament, we were in Pee Wee at the time, and Wayne (Barnable) was coaching,” said Costello. “We were in the championship against Bay Bulls. And after the fifth inning, Bay Bulls was leading us by two or three runs. And Wayne was coaching us on, and saying ‘Come on boys, we haven’t lost a game of softball to Bay Bulls in our lives, and this isn’t going to be the first. And with that, the rain started. We got into the sixth inning, and she opened up. And Bay Bulls wanted to call it off. But Wayne said, ‘No way.’ Anyway, to make a long story short, we played the seventh inning in torrential rain— and we won.”

Last week’s ceremony was the culmination of an effort that began when a number of volunteers, including John Kavanagh, Jerome Curran and Wayne Barnable, hosted a celebration and award show recognising over 50 years of Ferryland’s sport history, particularly that of the Ferryland Flyers hockey and softball teams.

Kavanagh said the unveiling of the new display caps off that award ceremony in an official fashion.

“The 2019 ceremony was a 50-year reunion for folks to come together and celebrate 50 years,” said Kavanagh. “But after that, there was no physical memory that we could put our hands on. So, I started gathering information from local ball players and hockey players about putting something together, and we came up with the shadow box.”

The shadow box will be paired with a framed photo of seven founding members of Ferryland sports, which was unveiled during the 2019 celebration. The members include Paddy Healey, Eric Furlong, Bill Morry, Angus Maher, Joe Barnable, Stan Barnable and Gerald Hynes.

O’Donel student recognized with safety award

By Mark Squibb

Vanessa Earle of O’Donel High School has been named Workplace NL’s 2025 Safe Student.

Earle is known for her commitment to promoting mental wellbeing at her school and the larger community through initiatives such as creating personalized communication cards for non-verbal individuals.

Earle also teaches swimming lessons to people with special needs, prioritizing their safety through ongoing training in crisis prevention and intervention.

Earle was awarded $1,000 for the recognition.

In addition, Kris Brown, Vice Principal of A.P. Low Primary School in Labrador City, was named the Health and Safety Educator of the Year.

Manhole pipe replacement to cost $29K

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl council last week approved some additional work related to the construction of the new community centre at the Team Gushue Sports Complex.

Councillor Bill Antle explained the corrugated metal pipe between the manhole and existing storm manhole at the end of Emberley Place needs to be replaced. Staff recommended council approve the change order, which includes removal and disposal of the old pipe, and installation of the new pipe, at a cost of $29,134, HST included.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Council awarded a contract valued at $15.5 million for construction of the new community centre — set to replace the aging Park Place facility — to JMJ Holdings last June.

The new facility will boast a splash pad that can be transformed into an ice surface during the winter months and multi-purpose space capable of seating 500.

Construction is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Mount Pearl councillors applaud a new traffic calming policy

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl councillors last week approved a new traffic calming policy they hope will make it easier for residents to bring traffic concerns to the attention of City staff.

“The City of Mount Pearl’s Traffic Calming Policy has been developed in response to growing community concerns regarding vehicle speeding, shortcutting, and overall traffic safety in residential areas,” explained councillor Bill Antle. “Rooted in best practices from the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC), the policy provides a structured, transparent, and data-driven framework to assess and address traffic-related issues.”

Several councillors spoke in favour of the new policy.

“I’m so happy this is coming in, because we have got a speeding issue in the city,” said councillor Mark Rice, adding the policy will allow residents greater input into the City’s traffic calming.

“This is a direct endeavour to really support more safe streets, in a way in which people can talk about, highlight, or acknowledge where there are safety issues and speeding issues,” concurred Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, who pointed out further that not every issue will have the same solution.

“What I appreciate about this policy is that it’s flexible,” said Kieley. “It looks at every scenario in its own unique way, but first and foremost is safety.”

The deputy mayor said speeding remains a number one concern among residents.

Councillor Jim Locke praised the policy’s “systematic approach to issues.”

“It’s a very thorough policy, and as the deputy mayor indicated, there are different measures depending on the issues — speed bumps, speed humps, curve outs, all these different things, so this is a very systematic approach to assess the issue and then develop the appropriate measure.” said Locke.

Councillor Isabelle Fry, meanwhile, asked for clarification on how a resident would go about having a traffic concern addressed.

Scott Batt, Director of Engineering and Development, said the policy can be found on the City’s website or folks can pick up a hardcopy at City Hall. Once a resident submits a concern to the City, staff will follow up as per the new policy.

Councillor Chelsea Lane applauded the policy but contested the claim that Mount Pearl has a speeding issue.

“I don’t think, as a city as a whole, we have a speeding issue,” said Lane. “I think there are isolated areas in the city where speeding is more prevalent. But, as a whole, I don’t think we have any more of a speeding issue than any other municipality.”

Mayor Dave Aker meanwhile, noted the policy has technically been in effect for a time already but was only now being made available to the public.

Council approved the policy unanimously.

Grand opening for new Gloria Pearson playground

The City of Mount Pearl hosted a grand opening for the new Gloria Pearson playground last week, complete with free hot dogs and hamburgers for all. There was plenty to do and plenty of new playground equipment to play on, but sometimes the best thing to do is sit back and relax. Pictured is Jessica Rockwood and daughter Rosa doing just that.

Little Violet Humby enjoys the new playground equipment with parents Elizabeth and Damien. Mark Squibb photo

Locke named to national board

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl councillor Jim Locke has been elected as a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) representative for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Locke was elected during at the FCM’s 2025 Annual Conference and Trade Show in Ottawa last month.

FCM members strive to shape national policy by advocating on behalf of municipal governments across the country.

Locke’s Mount Pearl council colleagues, several of whom also attended the conference, extended their congratulations and best wishes during last week’s public meeting.

Other local representatives include St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen, Paradise councillor Larry Vaters, and Amy Coady of Grand Falls-Windsor, who serves as FCM Vice-President at Large.

City makes the switch from plastic to paper for yard waste

Members of four local sports and scouting groups helped deliver paper bags to households throughout Mount Pearl recently to help the City switch from plastic to paper when it comes to handling yard waste. The groups were paid 50 cents for each household reached. On hand for a cheque presentation at City Hall last week were, from left: Ian Cole and Julie Hammon of O’Donel High School, councillor Isabell Fry, Toby Barnes of 1st Mount Pearl Scouting, Mount Pearl Marlin Isla Howard, Amanda Dalton of 1st Mount Pearl Scouting, councillor Jim Locke, Mayor Dave Aker, Rayner and Timothée Mvondo of the Mount Pearl Soccer Association Challenge Cup Team, MP 1949 United, Mount Pearl Marlins Sam Howard and Andrea Howard , and councillors Bill Antle and Mark Rice. Joining remotely was Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl will no longer collect grass clippings and other organic yard waste stored in plastic bags. Instead, residents will have to discard yard waste into paper bags.

To help with the transition, the City this May donated two brown paper bags to each household.

“What we’re trying to do is make sure that grass clippings and garden waste does not end up going down into the dump when it can be recycled and reused,” said Mayor Dave Aker, who added the bags themselves are recyclable as well.

Organizations that helped hand deliver the brown bags included the Mount Pearl Soccer Association Challenge Cup Team, Mount Pearl Marlins, 1st Mount Pearl Lions Scouting Group and O’Donel High School Relay for Life. In turn, the City paid the groups 50 cents per household delivery. During last week’s public meeting, Mayor Aker presented a cheque in the amount of $4,159 to be split among the four groups.

City renames June holiday to recognize indigenous peoples

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl council last week unanimously approved a motion to rename the June 24th Discovery Day Holiday to National Indigenous Peoples Day.

“This change reflects our dedication to decolonizing municipal practices and promoting indigenous perspectives,” said Mayor Dave Aker. “It’s a meaningful step forward in our journey toward reconciliation and inclusivity.”

The decision was made in consultation with First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre. Municipal reconciliation liaison Shawn Broomfield and director of organizational effectiveness Heidi Dixon, both of First Light, attended the meeting and addressed council.

“This is a big deal,” said Broomfield, an Inuit of Labrador now living in Mount Pearl. “This is huge. It shows that you’re putting your money where your mouth is. Anybody can read off a land acknowledgement, but to back it up with action like this is so good to see.”

Broomfield said the move will make other indigenous people like himself feel more welcome in the community.

While the provincial government recognises the June Holiday – formerly Discovery Day — on the Monday nearest June 24, Mount Pearl’s National Indigenous Peoples Day will not align with the actual National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is celebrated annually on June 21.

The City of St. John’s renamed the June Holiday as National Indigenous Day last year, while the provincial government has been holding consultations regarding the renaming of the holiday since 2020.

More City land earmarked for high density housing

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl is continuing its push for more high-density housing.

Last Wednesday staff announced the City is accepting expressions of interest for the sale and development of a 2.6-acre site at Mount Carson Avenue and Larsen Street. The site has been earmarked for a high-density residential project with a focus on seniors housing, including assisted living, residential personal care homes, and non-profit housing.

“This is a meaningful opportunity to provide diverse housing solutions for people who grew up here, raised families here, and intend to stay in our community long-term,” said Mayor Dave Aker in a press release. “We are committed to providing housing options suitable for everyone.”

Preference will be given to proposals that include 100 or more units, emphasize accessibility and community integration, and connect to future recreation and parks.

Proposals are due by 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24.

The announcement came the day after council approved a scaled back tax program as part of the City’s push to encourage more high-density development.

Earlier this spring, the City also earmarked the site of the former swimming pool on Stapleton Road for high-density housing.

The City initially set a deadline of May 8 for submissions but later extended it to May 26 .

EDANL gives City of Mount Pearl Best Marketing Project award

The Economic Developers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (EDANL) has given the City of Mount Pearl the Best Marketing Project award for its ‘Come to Life’ advertising campaign. The award was presented during the group’s Awards of Excellence gala last month. The award recognizes a marketing campaign aimed at attracting, retaining, and fostering economic development. Pictured are the City’s manager of economic development & housing Jeremey Schwartz (left) and marketing and economic development officer Brian Power. City of Mount Pearl photo