Mount Pearl okays urgent care centre permit

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl City council this week approved the construction of a new clinic at the intersection of Blackmarsh Road and Topsail Road.

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley explained the City was in receipt of an application from Morgan Enterprises Ltd., to subdivide the parcel of land at 835 Blackmarsh Road, which sits at the intersection of Topsail Road and Blackmarsh Road, and construct a two-story building. The main floor will accommodate an urgent care clinic, while the second floor will be leased out.

A discretionary use notice was published, and a public briefing session held in May, following which the planning committee recommended approval of the construction of the care centre.

Councillor Mark Rice was the first to speak to the motion.

“It’s certainly important to have something like this in our city,” said Rice. “Not having to travel a long distance for an urgent care facility is very important to the residents of this city, so I certainly support this 100 precent, and I’m glad that the provincial government and the NL Services has decided to use the City of Mount Pearl as a space to put one of their urgent care facilities.”

Councillor Bill Antle also threw his support behind the motion and praised the proposed centre’s location.
“I think this is a great thing to have in the City of Mount Pearl, and I think it will be accessible, as it’s right here on Topsail Road and Blackmarsh Road,” said Antle. “It’s going to help our residents and make Mount Pearl even more appealing. It’s a good news story all around.”

Councillor Jim Locke, who attended the meeting via teleconference, said the centre will certainly play a role in attracting new residents to the city.

“I commend government and healthcare services for bringing urgent care services from the city centre itself, St. John’s, into the broader Avalon region,” said Locke. “It can only lead to more efficient and better health care for all the people in the region, and certainly for our residents in Mount Pearl.”

Council expects the clinic will be open within a year.

No further details on what services will be provided at the new clinic were specified during the meeting.
The Morgan group has built and leases out facilities to Eastern Health on Major’s Path in St. John’s and in Holyrood.

Packed house at the Reid Centre

The Reid Centre in Mount Pearl saw a packed house earlier this month for the Kinnette Club of Mount Pearl’s annual Ladies Night Out, which featured a night of food, drink, and music by Peter Noel and Mackenzie Critch. Ticket sales for the evening supported mental health and addictions programs by the Salvation Army, the Ches Penney Centre of Hope, Guardians of Recovery, and others. From left to right are Kinnettes Kim Smith, Charmaine Nieuwland, Gladys Nicolle, Sandra Milmore, Deidre Levandier, Elaine Woodford, and the president of the Kinnette Club of Mount Pearl Chantelle Levandier.

Change orders add to cost of Olympic Drive project

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As is usually the case with municipal road work, the Olympic Drive resurfacing project will see some additional work after a number of change orders were approved by council last week.

The supply and installation of a type of gravel known as ‘four-inch minus’ is the most expensive of the change orders, coming in at $51,390. After installation of the rock, a new concrete sidewalk will eventually be installed on top.

Coming in at $25,012 is the relocation of three fire hydrants from the rear of the curb and gutter to the back of the sidewalk, while removal of asphalt from the front of the curb and gutter will run the City $5,922.

All considered, the new work totals $82,324, which is in addition to the previous tender quote of $798,933 from contractor Farrell’s Excavating Ltd.

“It’s not uncommon to see changes as you move along,” said Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley. “It’s great to see a lot of work being developed.”

Council shifts money from cancelled projects

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In what Mayor Dave Aker described as a bit of housekeeping, the City of Mount Pearl is moving some money from cancelled projects in its 2020-2023 Multi-Year Capital Works Funding Program to other projects within the original approved list.

Construction work on First Street, Kean Place and Jacqueline Road have been cancelled, freeing up $1.1 million, $1.3million, and $455,021 respectively.

Some $1.1 million is being reallocated to the Farrell Drive pumphouse upgrades, while $1 million will go to work on Farrell Drive itself from Topsail Road to Evan’s Place, and $755,021 to an infrastructure replacement project on Wyatt Boulevard.

In addition to the transfers, councillor Mark Rice noted the planning and engineering committee recommends that council request a two year extension in the funding program to account for future construction timelines in an updated agreement with the Province.

Dad’s cancer journey sparked award-winning essay

RE/MAX Realty Specialists Manager Paul Ford presents Level three O’Donel High student Madison King with her $1,000 scholarship as part of the nationwide Quest for Excellence program. King was awarded the scholarship based on an essay she wrote about fundraising efforts inspired by her father’s battle with cancer. Submitted photo

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

RE/MAX Canada’s 2024 Quest for Excellence scholarship program invited high-school students across Canada to submit essays based on one of three themes, with $1,000 scholarships going to 40 students across the country.

Working within the theme of charitable community contribution, O’Donel High School student Madison King wrote about her experience with the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser after her father William King was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

William began treatment in 2020 and after initial reports of good news, was eventually diagnosed as terminal.

“It was a big hardship and battle in our family,” Madison said.

William now makes regular trips to Germany for treatment, though Madison realizes that is not an opportunity afforded to most people.

After hearing about the Relay for Life, she knew she wanted to get involved as funds from the relay go towards cancer research.

“We found it really hard because we couldn’t do anything for my dad here,” Madison said. “We experienced a lot of pain in our family and we didn’t want other families to go through that.”

Madison hoped to not only raise funds for cancer research, but to raise awareness about the disease as well as early detection.

She would go on to raise $3,000 herself, the most of anyone in her entire school.

“It brought our community together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose,” Madison said in her essay. “It reminded us that we are stronger together, that we can overcome even the most daunting challenges if we stand together.”

Madison said she was touched and honored to win the scholarship which she will put towards tuition at Memorial University as she pursues a degree in pharmacy.

2024 School Classic Junior High Tournament champions

The Mount Pearl Intermediate Tier 3 team were crowned champions at 2024 School Classic Junior High Tournament after a 6-4 win against Paradise Intermediate at the Wishingwell Baseball Field. Posing for the victory photo are, from left: coach Doug Marshall, Ian Dunphy, Connor Freake, Aaron Ball, Noah Abbot, Ryan Zillman, Jake Marshall, Cohen Lynch, Coady Byrde, Jack Wheaton, and coach Fred Zillman. Missing from the photo are Liam Sparkes and Lexi Walsh.

Kieley returns to City of Mount Pearl council

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley returned to the City of Mount Pearl council chamber this past Tuesday for the bi-weekly public meeting, exactly one year since she was hit by a car at Shoppers Drug Mart on LeMarchant Road in St. John’s severely injuring her. Before returning right to the business at hand, Kieley thanked everyone who supported her along the way, hopeful for good things to come. Chad Feehan photo

Council puts restaurant attraction on the menu

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Mount Pearl wants more dining options for its residents and is commissioning a restaurant market study in order to attract another full-service restaurant.

Councillor Chelsea Lane explained some details about the purpose of the study at this week's council meeting.

“This project is important as the City has heard from residents and businesses through community engagement that there is support for another full-service restaurant in the city,” Lane said.

Halifax-based planning and research firm FBM was the lowest of two qualified bidders for the study, coming in at $11,465.

Lane said FBM has extensive experience and success in retail gap and market analysis to drive economic growth for communities.

“This aligns with the City’s economic development priorities as the City identifies opportunities to grow emerging sectors, create more jobs, attract residents and visitors, and provide more amenities for new and existing residents and businesses,” she said.

Council picks operator for summer kiosk

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mount Pearl’s newest mobile kiosk vendor is setting up just in time for the steadily improving weather.

After receiving the highest score out of 12 applicants hoping to land the summer kiosk space, Rockateer Treats will be stationed on Forest Avenue with a menu of freeze-dried offerings including candy, chocolate, and fruit.

The treat maker currently operates from a storefront in Paradise, as well as the St. John’s Farmers Market.

“Rockateer Treats has a large following on social media channels and has demonstrated its alignment with the City’s vision for affordable service offerings,” said councillor Mark Rice.

Councillor Jim Locke reflected on the success of last summer's kiosk, which was officially inaugurated with Eva’s Chimney Cones last August.

“It offers an opportunity for residents and visitors to get down to that part of our city and really explore the beautiful trails we have there down around Twin Falls,” Locke said. “It’s just another reason to get out and recreate in the City of Mount Pearl… This is an affordable operation here right now.”

Rockateer Treats is one of two kiosks that will be stationed on the Forest Avenue cul-de-sac, which will be offered by the City until September 3.

Events, activities, and entertainment will also take place on the Forest Avenue T’Railway area over the course of the summer.

Additional kiosks in other areas of the city will be announced.

Daycare gets the thumbs up

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Residents in the Mount Carson Avenue area may soon have an additional childcare option after a recent city council approval.

A property owner submitted an application to run a daycare centre on Maisonneuve Drive with a proposed operations schedule of Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A notice of the application was posted to the City’s website and published in the newspaper on April 13, and was also circulated by mail to 144 residents, businesses, and property owners within a 150-metre radius of the proposed business.

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley noted that a public briefing session was scheduled for May 1st but was cancelled due to lack of interest. She added the development permit will still be subject to Mount Pearl’s development regulations and a number of provincial and municipal guidelines.

‘It’s always great to see new childcare facilities open up in an area that is greatly needed,” Kieley said. “Certainly, it’ll bring some relief and some options for parents that are in need of childcare, and what better way than to open something right in your neighborhood.”