Change orders pile up as contractors iron out wrinkles on Topsail Road project

By Mark Squibb/November 4, 2021

The last meeting of Mount Pearl council brought the number of change orders for the Topsail Road Storm Sewer and Outfall Upgrading project up to eight.

The first seven change orders came in the meeting prior, held on October 12.

In that meeting, council approved seven change orders totalling $63,631. The most expensive of those was the purchase of new material, including curb and gutter, sidewalk and asphalt, at a cost of $21,344. It also included the removal and reinstatement of the driveway at number 907 Topsail Road because of construction impact at a cost of $16,804.

The change order approved during the October 26 meeting was the removal and reinstatement of a four-foot-high fence at 897 Topsail Road.

“The removal was required to accommodate the new storm outfall which ran right by that fence, so we had no choice but to take it down and put it back,” said councilor Mark Rice, who noted the existing budget did accommodate for the change order.

Total cost of change order number eight was $4,496, HST included.

Mayor Dave Aker said the change order was fairly routine, but unfortunate.

The original tender closed on May 31, 2021, and a total of six bids were received. The contract was awarded to Dexter Construction Ltd on July 27, 2021, at a bid price of $861,754, HST included.

Both addresses are near the Farrell Drive intersection.

In addition to the eight change orders, a change order was issued to CBCL, in the amount of $24,472 (HST included) for contract administration and record drawings related to the project, at a meeting back in August.

Councillor Isabelle Fry noted the roadwork is complete, and the entire project was expected to be finished by the end of October.

'Smart technology' part of playgrounds upgrades

By Mark Squibb/November 4, 2021

Those excited for upgrades to St. Anne’s playground (as councilor Isabelle Fry said members of council certainly are) will be glad to hear that work is expected to start soon.

Fry informed council during the October 26 public meeting that site work is expected to start this month, though playground equipment and rubberized surfaces are not expected until next year, 2022.

The upgrades were announced in August and include the introduction of smart technology, improved lighting, and the addition of two new gender-neutral washrooms. The playground will be built using an accessible rubber surface, which features elevated platforms accessible by a transfer station. There will be two play structures and a Biba Smart Park Add-on, in which kids can play augmented reality games. The add-on also tracks data such as peak hours, days of usage, weather impacts, and equipment condition.

The total cost is estimated to be $963,695, less tax rebates. The city will be paying about $661,400, while the provincial and federal governments will borrow roughly $150,100 each.

Change orders pile up as contractors iron out wrinkles on Topsail Road project

By Mark Squibb/November 4, 2021

The last meeting of Mount Pearl council brought the number of change orders for the Topsail Road Storm Sewer and Outfall Upgrading project up to eight.

The first seven change orders came in the meeting prior, held on October 12.

In that meeting, council approved seven change orders totalling $63,631. The most expensive of those was the purchase of new material, including curb and gutter, sidewalk and asphalt, at a cost of $21,344. It also included the removal and reinstatement of the driveway at number 907 Topsail Road because of construction impact at a cost of $16,804.

The change order approved during the October 26 meeting was the removal and reinstatement of a four-foot-high fence at 897 Topsail Road.

“The removal was required to accommodate the new storm outfall which ran right by that fence, so we had no choice but to take it down and put it back,” said councilor Mark Rice, who noted the existing budget did accommodate for the change order.

Total cost of change order number eight was $4,496, HST included.

Mayor Dave Aker said the change order was fairly routine, but unfortunate.

The original tender closed on May 31, 2021, and a total of six bids were received. The contract was awarded to Dexter Construction Ltd on July 27, 2021, at a bid price of $861,754, HST included.

Both addresses are near the Farrell Drive intersection.

In addition to the eight change orders, a change order was issued to CBCL, in the amount of $24,472 (HST included) for contract administration and record drawings related to the project, at a meeting back in August.

Councillor Isabelle Fry noted the roadwork is complete, and the entire project was expected to be finished by the end of October.

Fry disappointed by apparent theft of memorial lights

By Mark Squibb/October 28, 2021

Councilor Isabelle Fry says she’s disappointed to see that the purple lights lit in honour of Cortney Lake at St. Davis have apparently been stolen from the tree they usually drape.

“This is just a senseless act,” said Fry. “Every year, her family gathers just before Christmas, and they do this at their own expense, and they light the tree purple, because that was Cortney’s favorite colour. And this is a big deal. It means a lot. And for someone to come and take the lightbulbs from that tree, it’s really, really, really upsetting.”

Lake was last seen alive in June of 2017. Countless searches proved fruitless.

Though Fry said she didn’t know what could be done regarding this particular instance, she said council needs to find a way to combat vandalism.

“I’ve had enough of it, and I know a lot of our residents have as well, so I look forward to finding a resolution,” she said.

Fry encouraged residents to report any vandalism that they see while out and about to municipal enforcement by calling them at 748-1058.

“Just call them,” said Fry. “If everyone works together, we can make our city that much safer.”

City to host 'one stop shop' for prospective business operators

By Staff/October 21, 2021

In support of Small Business Week, the City of Mount Pearl is inviting business operators to drop by its "one-stop-shop" for information on all the support, resources, and feedback you'll need to ‘kwick-start’ your business.

The event is set for the Mount Pearl Soccer Hunt today, October 21.

Members of the City of Mount Pearl's economic development team will be joined by representatives of ACOA, the BDC, Metro Business Opportunities, the Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce, NLOWE and RBC.

You can drop in at any time between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to say hi, ask questions, and grab a coffee and snack on the City. Your name will be entered into a draw for a door prize. Registration is free.

Due to COVID-19 regulations, capacity is limited for the event and you must register in advance.

Masks will be required at all times and guests will be asked to practice social distancing.