Mount Pearl to apply for provincial seniors grant

By Mark Squibb\April 6, 2023

The City of Mount Pearl last week voted to apply for provincial government funding for some new accessible picnic tables and benches.

“On February 20th, 2023, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced they were accepting applications for Building Age-Friendly Community Grants to help municipalities make necessary upgrades to their communities to accommodate the needs of seniors and all individuals as they age,” said councillor Bill Antle, who added that the Recreation and Community Safety Committee recommends approval to proceed with an application for funding for accessible picnic tables and benches for the total amount of $21,128.

Councillor Chelsea Lane seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

St. Peter's Grade 9 Pythons Boys Basketball team brings home silver medals

The St. Peter’s Grade 9 Pythons Boys Basketball team brought home silver medals from Aurora, Ontario last week. The boys went 4-1 in the York North Basketball Association/St. Andrew’s College Spring Cup held at St. Andrew’s College. In the back row, from left to right, are coach Keith Molloy, Evan Rodgers, Isaiah Hudson, Reed Chafe, Jonah Kielly, Cameron Trowbridge, Luke Bramwell, Zach Roberts, Brody Roche, Matthew Murray, and coach Adam Lawlor. In the front row are Ethan Barry, Brandon Philpott, Brody Lawlor, Kole Spencer, and Blake Lane. Submitted photo

Phonse Cup Winners

Just a few weeks back, the Mark’s Mount Pearl Blades U18 team were named the 2023 U18 Tier 1 Champions. This week, the team won the Phonse Cup, so named after long time Glacier Arena Zamboni driver Tony ‘Phonse’ Fowlow. In the back row, from left to right are Coach Chad Hart, Jack Hart, Collin Martin, Jacob Payne, Jacob Smith, Jake Budgell, Zack Moyst and Carter Pelley. In the front, left to right, are Seamus Pinsent, Noah Carew, Coale Fitzgerald, Logan Holloway, Tate Cullen, Luc Brown, and Phil Snow.  Missing from the photo are coaches Trevor Budgell and Darryl Smith, players Sam Henderson and Tyler Gough. The Phonse Cup has been ongoing since 2013 and has taken on even more significance since December 2021 when Fowlow, also known as the Earl of the Pearl, among other affectionate nicknames, suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. The event sparked a huge outpouring of support and financial help from many of the former players and their families who depended on Fowlow’s steady presence at first the Smallwood Arena and later the Glacier, over the years. Submitted photo

2023 Special Olympics NL Winter Games floor hockey champions

The Mount Pearl Floor Hockey Team are the 2023 Special Olympics NL Winter Games floor hockey champions. In the back, from left to right, are Shaughn Connors, Katie Cromwell, Megan Arnott, Nick Styles, Gavin Parsons, Mark Peddle, Taylor Hann, and Jacob Haynes-King. In the middle row, from left to right, Mike Beck, Dion Cantwell, Mike Mullaly, Josh Haynes-King, Andrew Hynes, Lyle Woodrow, David Wells. In front is Matthew Adams. The Games were held in Grand Falls-Windsor the second week of March. Submitted photo

Additional environmental assessment for new civic centre site

By Mark Squibb\April 6, 2023

Mount Pearl council during a public meeting of March 21 approved a request for an additional environmental site assessment for the site of the future civic centre, splash pad, and ice rink facility.

“A phase I and phase II environmental site assessment was completed to identify any hazardous materials on the site,” explained councillor Isabelle Fry. “In order to adequately understand the extent of hazardous materials and mitigation options, a phase III environmental site assessment is required. This will include additional test pit excavation and evaluation.”

The total cost of the additional test is $39,270, HST included.

“This is something that needs to be done, given that this property was in use for a number of years,” said Mayor Dave Aker.

The site in question is located at the Team Gushue Sports Complex.

Council first proposed plans for the new 18,000 square foot community space, which includes the community centre, splash pad, and ice rink in July 2021, and anticipates spending roughly $9 million on the project.

Once completed, the centre will replace the Park Place Community Centre as a hub of community activity.

U15 Girls Champions

The Mount Pearl Blades U15 Girls team earned a provincial championship banner this past weekend after going undefeated in round robin play. In the championship game against Lake Melville, the girls came roaring back from a 3-2 deficit at the end of the second and notched a 6-3 win. From left to right in the back row are assistant coach Charles Chatman, Gabby Chatman, Avaiah Churchill, Macy Sexton, Addison Abbott (A), Merisa Abbott (A), Anna Thoms (C), Mia Barrett (A), Rebecca McCarthy, head coach Ron Power, and trainer Krista Power. In the front, from left to right are Georgia Heffernan, Anna Heffernan, and Amber Power. Missing from the photo is assistant coach Dean McCarthy.

2023 U18 Tier 1 Champions

The Mount Pearl Blades U18 team are the 2023 U18 Tier 1 Champions. In the back row, from left to right, are Coach Chad Hart, Sam Henderson, Jacob Smith, Collin Martin, Jacob Payne, Tyler Gough, Tate Cullen, Jack Hart, and Zack Moyst. In the middle row, from left to right are Carter Pelley, Noah Carew, and Luc Brown. In the front, from left to right, are Jake Budgell, Cole Fitzgerald, Logan Holloway, Seamus Pinsent, and Phil Snow. Missing from the photo are coaches Trevor Budgell and Darryl Smith.

Glacier to get kitchen upgrade

By Mark Squibb/March 31, 2023

Mount Pearl council approved two contract recommendations from the Planning, Engineering, and Development committee last week that will see over $80,000 in upgrades to the Glacier Arena.

The first recommendation was for the supply and installation of replacement batteries as well as the supply of critical spare components for the two Uninterrupted Power Supply systems in the double ice surface facility at a cost of $53,176, HST included. Universal Power Solutions will take care of the work.

The second recommendation was for upgrades to the canteen.

“The project includes upgrading the wall behind and adjacent to the cooking appliances and fryers as well as to replace the adjacent countertop and cupboard with stainless steel cabinets,” explained councillor Mark Rice. “The ones there now are wooden, and looking at the way we cook up there, with those appliances, we need stainless steel ones.”

Three vendors bid on the work, and council awarded the contract to the lowest compliant bidder, Jenkins Power Sheet Metal, for the sum of $30,475, HST included.

Mayor Dave Aker said the canteen upgrades address both safety and hygiene concerns.

Both motions passed unanimously.

Depot's heating upgrade to cost quarter of a million

By Mark Squibb/March 31, 2023

The City of Mount Pearl is looking to spend about $250,000 to make the heating of the H. Neil Windsor Building, otherwise known as the City Depot, more energy efficient and climate conscious.

“The scope of work for this project includes the demolition and removal of the existing fuel tank, air handling and electrical systems currently used for heating the park shed,” explained councillor Isabelle Fry. “It will be replaced with energy efficient mini-split heat pump systems and ductwork. As well, all baseboard heaters will be replaced, thermostats and service panel upgraded, and the main service upgraded from single-phase to three-phase. Tenders for this project closed on March 9, 2023, and all three proponents that were approached as part of the limited call responded.”

Of the three bidders, Fry’s Planning, Engineering, and Development committee recommended council award the contract to the lowest compliant bidder, JMJ Holdings, for the sum of $254,641, HST included.

“This is a move forward on the environmental front,” noted Mayor Dave Aker, before putting the matter to council for further discussion.

Councillor Mark Rice said the project was long overdue.

“I’m so glad we’re moving forward with energy efficient mini-splits and heat pumps,” said Rice, adding that he was glad the City would be burning less fuel. “We had a good bit of conversation at committee about this one, but I’m so glad to see that it’s moving forward.”

The motion carried unanimously without further discussion.

Best in Business

The Mount Pearl-Paradise Chamber of Commerce held its annual best in Business awards gala at the Paradise Double Ice Complex last week. Pictured, Adam Earle, Account Manager for Small Businesses with BDC, presents the Business Excellence +15 Employees Award to Pat and John Atkins, co-owners of JAC in Mount Pearl.

Mark Squibb photo