Locke reminds parents of little known program that can help with sports costs

By Mark Squibb/October 28, 2022

With the price of everything soaring, some families may find themselves tightening the purse strings, and costly sports programs may become a luxury that some simply cannot afford.

Councillor Jim Locke took a few minutes during last week’s council meeting to remind folks of the Participation for Everyone in Active Recreation and Leisure, or P.E.A.R.L. Program, which may help alleviate the costs of sports programs for some families.

“A couple of our residents have reached out to me now, asking if there are programs in place for their children to participate,” said Locke. “It’s costly on some families, and we know that, especially in light of inflation and the like, and sometimes families can’t afford the registration or the gear or what have you for sporting programs. But we do have the P.E.A.R.L. Program here in Mount Pearl, and I don’t know that it’s widely known to our residents.”

Turning to the City’s website, Locke then described the program — and who can benefit.

“The City of Mount Pearl believes that everyone should be able to participate in our recreation programs, regardless of financial resources,” said Locke, reading from the site. “So, the P.E.A.R.L. Program may be your access to participation in many of our community programs. If your financial circumstances make it difficult for you to pay the full fee for programs, you may qualify for a subsidy.”

The program is designed specifically for Mount Pearl residents. A reference from a community leader, such as a social worker, teacher, clergy, or coach, must be delivered to the City (the reference cannot come from a family member) and the subsidy is available for one activity per person per season.

“I spoke with Director Jason Collins on this about the uptake, and his response was, ‘No child has ever been turned down. We will never in this city see a child not participate in sports because of financial circumstances.’ So, I just wanted to throw that out there, because I don’t think it’s well known.”

Those interested in applying can reach Sean McKenna at 748-1046 or smckenna@mountpearl.ca

“If you’re in need, please, reach out, because that’s what it’s there for,” said Locke. “There’s no stigma. We just want every child in our community to avail of the wonderful recreation facilities and programs that we have here.”

Mayor Dave Aker added the spirt of Albert Clarke, Mount Pearl’s “Million Dollar Man,” who raised millions for sports in Mount Pearl and passed away in 2020, lives on in programs like the P.E.A.R.L. Program.

There were heroes, heroines, comical, cartoonish, scary and many other types of characters of all ages enjoying a tasty breakfast at the Reid Community Centre on Sunday. The Faboolous Costume Breakfast was a special feature of Mount Pearl City Days, which was held this past weekend in place of the usual summer version, which was postponed because of a labour dispute. Among the characters on hand, were, starting in the front row, from left: Captain America Jarod Farrell, Spiderman Machel Rayner; and in the back row, from left: Mad Hatter Connie O’Leary, The Nightmare before Christmas’s ‘Sally’ Kirsten O’Leary, Frozen’s ‘Anna’ Jayla Jacobs, and Belle from Beauty & the Beast Darcie Kelly. Craig Westcott photo

Mount Pearl boy sets a good example

By Mark Squibb/October 21, 2022

It’s not all bad news, as was the case in Mount Pearl council chambers this week.

Council took a few moments to recognize a local boy who had taken it upon himself to do a good deed.

“From time to time, unfortunately, there’s a little bit of litter that gets built up in the city,” said Mayor Dave Aker. “But we were heart warmed and overwhelmed to hear that one of our, I’ll say in the zero to 10 demographic, took charge.”

That little boy was Michael Bradbury, who was invited to this week’s council meeting to receive a special certificate from the City.

Councillor Isabell Fry commended Michael for spending two hours of his own time picking up garbage in and around O’Donel High School last weekend.

“I couldn’t believe what I saw,” said Fry, who then asked Michael why we took it upon himself to do what he did.

“I did this because the last time I went to O’Donel, I saw a tonne of garbage, and it was so messy, “Michael told council. “So, since there was no school, I went over there to actually clean up this garbage. Two bags up garbage!”— said Michael, holding up his two fingers— “It was a lot of garbage.”

He was sure to tell council that the principal of O’Donel, Sheldon Marsh, came to visit him at St. Peter’s to give him some cool gifts for cleaning up the school grounds.

Bradbury was happy to come visit council chambers, and was particularly wowed that the meeting was being livestreamed.

“I cannot believe I’m on YouTube right now,” he said with a laugh. With a final ‘Bravo! Bravo!’ he exited the stage, but not before a few final commendations.

“What you did was a really big thing and when I saw what you did, it made me really happy to see that someone like you was brave enough and strong enough to go and pick up all that garbage,” said Fry. “I think what you did was really, really special.”

Along with his certificate, Bradbury received a round of applause from council.

Among the almost 2,000 people who ran in the 2022 Tely 10 last weekend were Luke Tremblett (left) of Mount Pearl Senior High and Brady Lawlor of O’ Donel High School. Tremblett finished with a chip time of 1:07:21, putting him in fourth place in the Men’s U19 category. Lawlor finished with a chip time of 1:03:57, earning him second place in the same group. This year’s race, which was rescheduled due to the excessive heat and humidity we had this past summer, marked one hundred years since the road race’s inception in 1922, and was the 94th annual race, as the race was cancelled from 1940 to 1945 because of World War II, and again in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exactly 1,966 people participated in the race, in which Jordan Fewer, nephew of famed Tely 10 winner Colin Fewer, who holds 13 consecutive Tely 10 first place meals and did not participate this year, won first place. Submitted photo

'Kwick-start' your business set for Oct. 19

The City of Mount is making a call to anyone looking at opening a business but not sure where to start.

The so-called ‘Kwick-Start Your Business’ Forum will be held Wednesday, October 19 from 1-4 p.m. at the Mount Pearl Soccer Hut. Anyone can drop in anytime during those hours for a chat and information.

The event is part of National Small Business Week and an opportunity for the City to promote its goal of being a partner to local business operators.

The forum is supposed to “one-stop-shopping” for all the support, resources, and feedback you'll need to ‘kwick-start’ your business.

In addition to members of the City’s economic development team, there will be representatives from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the BDC, Metro Business Opportunities Corporation, the Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce, Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE), and RBC.

Mount Pearl to expand depot yard storage

The City of Mount Pearl is planning on expanding the depot storage yard at the H. Neil Windsor Building to accommodate both additional snow storage and possible future equipment storage.

Councillor Isabelle Fry put forward a notice of motion during the October 4 meeting that she would at a future meeting move an amendment to the Mount Pearl Development Regulations 2010 to allow the changes.

That amendment would see an area of land located at the rear of the H. Neil Windsor Building at 59 Clyde Avenue be rezoned from Open Space to Industrial Light. The amendment would also see the Future Land Use Map updated to reflect the change.

The building is named in honour of Neil Windsor, who served as MHA for Mount Pearl from 1975 until 1995 and is often credited as being a driving force behind Mount Pearl being granted city status. The building and yard houses the City’s Public Works Department. Members of the RNC also call the building home, and the site was heavily picketed during this past summer’s municipal workers strike.

Recreation director off to Florida

By Mark Squibb/October 14, 2022

Jason Collins, Mount Pearl’s Director of Recreation and Community Safety, will be packing his bags for Florida to attend the Athletic Business & Expo’s Annual Conference in Orlando.

The motion to send the director passed unanimously.

“This is a great conference, that I’ve attended on several occasions,” noted councillor Jim Locke.

Locke said the cost is in accordance with the guidelines of the professional development budget, but the actual amount was not specified.

Registration for the Athletic Business Conference & Expo is $425.

The conference runs from November 16 to 19.

Manhole repairs hike cost of work

By Mark Squibb/October 14, 2022

Mount Pearl council has approved $20,000 in additional costs for asphalt work around the city.

“Since the work on the 2022 Asphalt and Concrete contract commenced, there have been items identified which require additional repair,” said councillor Mark Rice. “Repairs were required for manhole covers on Valleyview Avenue, as well as additional sidewalk on Commonwealth Avenue.”

As part of the ongoing management of the contract, Engineering Services requested approval of an additional $20,000, HST included, to allow for the changes, as well as any changes of a similar nature discovered as work progresses.

Councillor Bill Antle asked whether the change order was within budget, and Director of Public Works Gerry Antle confirmed that it was.

Councillor Isabelle Fry noted there are roads around the city that require some patchwork, (particularly on Ashford Drive, and asked for confirmation that this is where the money is going.

Director Antle said that particular section of work on Ashford Drive would be done by City staff.

“This contract is for work around the city that is more extensive than that,” said Antle. “So, concrete replacement of sidewalks, curbs, or asphalt in larger sections.”

The motion was carried unanimously

The original contract was awarded to Modern Paving Ltd. for $270,129, HST included.

MOUNT PEARL PROCLAIMS OCTOBER 10 AS WORLD HOMELESS DAY

Mayor Dave Aker has proclaimed October 10 as World Homeless Day in the City of Mount Pearl.
Mount Pearl Streetfriends founder/coordinator Leigh Bursey was in attendance during the October 4 meeting, and spoke to council on the subject. The Mount Pearl Streetfriends is an upstart activist network meant to support those struggling with homelessness, poverty, income inequality, and under-housing.  This is a duplicate model of a not-for-profit street outreach group that launched in comparably sized Brockville, Ontario.  Their goal is to assist, educate and support those struggling and those who care about them. In the back row, from left to right, are councillors Mark Rice, Jim Locke, Isabelle Fry, and Bill Antle. In the front row, left to right, are councillor Chelsea Lane, Mayor Dave Aker, Streetfriends founder/coordinator Leigh Bursey, and deputy mayor Nicole Kieley. Submitted photo