Pearson Community Centre to get new shingles because of 'Larry'

By Mark Squibb/November 11, 2021

The City will have to pony up over $11,000 to fix a roof that was damaged earlier this fall by Hurricane Larry.

Councilor Mark Rice explained during last week’s meeting that the September hurricane damaged the Gloria Pearson Community Centre, ripping some 100 shingles from the south facing roof.

Rice said that while staff have reported there have been no leaks as a result of the damage, the roof will still need to be re-shingled before winter hits.

Of the six qualifying bids received, Roof Medic provided the lowest qualifying bid, valued at $11,327, HST included.

Councilor Jim Locke said he supported the work that needs to be done but posed a question to council and city staff.

“If we’re doing a roof replacement, rather than go back to traditional asphalt shingles, in our deliberations do we look at the cost effectiveness of a steel roof?” he asked. “These steel roofs seem to be becoming more popular. I know they’re a little more upfront, but they tend to have, I think, a longer warranty and probably a higher durability. So, I don’t need an answer right now, but I’ll just throw it out there; as we proceed and are looking at our infrastructure replacements and infrastructure upgrades, I would suggest that we, and it may be too expensive, but I’m just throwing it out there for our committee to take it under advisement when they’re assessing this. But I certainly support this motion here.”

After no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

O'Donel student stands out at Tely 10

By Mark Squibb/November 11, 2021

The fastest youth to run this year’s Tely 10 calls Mount Pearl home.

Brady Lawlor, a grade 11 student at O’Donel High, completed the ten-mile run with an official time of 1:01:27. He placed 1st in the U19 division, and 39th overall.

“I was half passing out, half excited,” said Lawlor of crossing the finish line on race day.

He said he honestly wasn’t expecting to place so well, so the news was a pleasant surprise.

This year’s Tely 10, which was held on October 31 rather than in July due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was Lawlor’s first foray in the storied event.

The 16-year-old began running when he was 11. He started off, as most runners do, with shorter runs, such as the Mundy Pond 5 KM. He joined the Pearlgate Track and Field Club, developed his skills, and from there bumped his distances up to 8 kms, and then 10 kms.

He ran his first race with his dad, Sean, and the two would often run together from then on out.

“I used to do them a lot with my dad. Back then he could keep up with me, and now he can’t so he lets me run alone,” he joked.

With his distances increasing year over year, Lawlor soon set his sights on the 16-kilometre Tely 10.

Lawlor didn’t begin his running career running ten-mile races, as already explained. He recommends that anybody interested in giving running a try start out slow, tackling short distances at a speed they’re comfortable with.

He himself prefers running with friends as opposed to running alone, and suggested that those new to the sport might enjoy running with a group of friends as opposed to going it alone.

“I like that really anybody can do it,” said Lawlor of the sport. “And you don’t need much, just a pair of shoes, and you can do it anywhere.”

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.”