Nothing can be done with Park Place ‘eyesore’ just yet

This development on Park Avenue stalled after the developer filed for creditor protection. City staff say there is nothing that can be done, despite the structure being an eyesore. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl city staff say that there’s nothing to be done, at this time, in regard to an abandoned development at 166 Park Avenue, the site of the old Park Avenue Elementary School.

In May 2024, the City gave Karwood Contracting Ltd., approval to construct three apartment buildings consisting of 33 units at the location.

Karwood filed for creditor protection in January this year.

Councillor Bill Antle broached the subject during the November 18 public council meeting. Antle said a resident had called him earlier that day to inquire about the development, which has been seemingly abandoned. Antle called the development an eyesore and asked what the City could do to rectify the matter.

Engineering director Scott Batt said the City had received an update from BDO and the matter was still before the courts and that BDO was unable to disclose any more information at the time. Batt said staff have been following the court case on a weekly basis.

“So, there’s nothing the City can do?” asked Antle.

“No,” said Batt.

Mayor Dave Aker interjected and said that after a certain length of time the structure may become a safety issue rather than just being an eyesore.

“If we don’t get any determination from the court soon, maybe we will have to act, but I guess that will be premature as of tonight,” said Aker.

Council had formerly approved $100,000 in funding for Karwood Contracting for the development at 166 Park Avenue through the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) program. That was in August 2024.

The Pearl followed up with City staff following the most recent meeting. A staff member said the City does not have a status update to provide on the project at 166 Park Avenue as it stands with the landowners and developers. As for the HAF funding, the staff member explained the City does not issue the funds until issuance of the Occupancy Permit. If the Occupancy Permit is not issued and the project is not completed on time, the money will be reallocated to other projects.

Council approves crosswalk at T’Railway and Commonwealth

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl council has approved construction of a pedestrian-activated crosswalk light and pedestrian island where the T’Railway crosses Commonwealth Avenue.

There’s probably no one in the Pearl happier with the news than councillor Bill Antle, who has for years advocated for a better crosswalk in the area.

“This is a great thing to see,” said Antle. “We have talked about this in council at great lengths. Safety is key, and we had to make sure this was safe. We just couldn’t put a crosswalk across Commonwealth Avenue and it not be safe.”

The crossing lights will be tied into both Topsail Road and Park Avenue intersections. Due to the placement of the pedestrian-island, left-hand turns out of Glendale will no longer be possible.

The City had budgeted $317,500, including $60,000 of Trans Canada Trail Network funding, for the program. Council last week awarded the construction contract to Dexter Construction Company Limited in the amount of $298,418, HST Included.

Engineering director Scott Batt said while construction was scheduled to start within days of the contract being approved, the crosswalk signals may not be operational by year’s end.

Batt said the public will be notified before work commences, and residents on Glendale Avenue will receive hand-delivered notices.

Approval of the contract comes after years of debate, given the speed of the traffic coming down Commonwealth Avenue, the steepness of the hill, and the close proximity to the crosswalk at the intersection of Commonwealth and Park avenues.

But its advocates, including Antle, maintain the crosswalk is necessary because many people simply cross the road, crosswalk or not, where the T’Railway meets Commonwealth, rather than use the Park Avenue crosswalk further up the road.

Councillor Isabelle Fry herself admitted to having a close call recently after a pedestrian darted across the road in front of her one dark evening.

She said that crosswalks can sometimes create a false sense of security, and that lights or no lights, residents still need to look both ways and cross carefully.

The contract was approved unanimously.

City signs work clothes contract

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl has awarded the contract for the supply and delivery of clothing for municipal workers to the lowest qualified bidder, Brogan Safety Supplies, in the amount of $25,074, HST included.

The City received four bids, the lowest of which was the bid submitted by Brogan.

Councillor Isabelle Fry added the company is a local one, and the City had a pre-arranged offer from Brogan’s to provide the clothing at a set price.

Powers Pond haunting scares up thousands in donations

Representatives of the city’s three food banks were on hand for a cheque presentation in council chambers last Tuesday evening. From left are Bob Lovett of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Mary Queen of the World, councillors Jim Locke and Chelsea Lane, Sandra Milmore of St. Vincent de Paul at Our Lady Queen of Families foodbank, councillor Isabelle Fry, Mayor Dave Aker, Felicia Cowan of the Salvation Army, and councillors Bill Antle and Mark Rice. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

Folks from Mount Pearl and beyond brave enough to face the annual Haunting of Powers Pond this past October helped raise thousands of dollars – as well as tonnes of food – for local food banks.

All told, approximately $21,000 was raised. As a result, the City gifted three local food banks $3,600 each, for a total of $10,800 in donations. The remaining monies will help fund other community initiatives.

The money is in addition to the five tonnes of food donated.

“That shows both how popular the event was, and just how incredibly engaged our community members were, but also the importance of partnerships,” said Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, who extended thanks to staff and volunteers involved with the event.

“It was a win-win-win-win,” said Kieley. “I’m so happy to hear that in a time that we’re going into Christmas that we’re helping to stock our food banks and support those community groups.”

The event was scheduled to run from October 17th thru to the 26th, but the City extended it by two days as dreary weather shuttered the walk on a number of nights.

That Sunday, which people believed would be the last night for the event, vehicles were lined up as far as Donovan’s Irving, with people waiting their turn to get in. Recreation director Jason Collins estimated some 5,000 people came out that Sunday evening alone.

Intensity levels were adjusted on a night-by-night basis so that everyone had an opportunity to enjoy, whatever their level of scare-tolerance.

A number of food bank representatives were on hand for the cheque presentation in the council chamber last Tuesday.

“This was a great event, and I’d like to thank all the staff,” said Sandra Milmore. “I didn’t go around though because I was too scared. That stuff freaks me out. But so many people came through. The weather wasn’t really on our side, but people still came, and it was a great event.”

Milmore said the foodbanks have been hit by both an increase in demand for food and an increase in the price of food.

Hosting the event, however, comes with a hefty security bill. Council approved the payment of that bill – $19,458 all told – during last week’s meeting.

“It’s too bad we have to do this,” lamented councillor Bill Antle. “But without the security there, the products could be broken up and all this kind of stuff. But that’s a $19,000 cost to the City.”

The event was first launched in 2024, and was a resounding success from the get go, as the City estimates some 28,000 people braved the trial in it’s inaugural year.

Not exactly as shown

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl city council awarded a couple of big engineering contracts during its November 4 public meeting.

Firstly, council awarded a $3.9 million contract to Dexter Construction Company Limited for upgrades to Jackman Drive.

It also awarded the tender for the Water Tower Access Road Project to lowest bidder Precision Excavation Ltd., in the amount of $1,277,492, HST included.

“This is a strategic direction where council basically is going to ensure that everything on the other side of Topsail Road will have water available to it to foster the growth here in the City,” said Mayor Dave Aker.

The water tower, for which council has applied for federal funding, will service the Northlands development sandwiched between Kenmount and Topsail roads.

In other development news, council also ponied up $7,829, HST excluded, for additional work on the new community centre.

Councillor Jim Locke noted the work was necessitated because information provided to council indicated the contractor was not at fault, and that existing infrastructure did not match the as-built drawings.

“I’m just wondering the age of the infrastructure and how would something like that happen, that we got these drawings that are supposed to indicate what’s in the ground, but they’re not,” queried Locke. “Is there any recourse for that? Who’s responsible for the infrastructure not matching the drawings which led to such a circumstance?”

Engineering director Scott Batt said given the age of the infrastructure, accurate as-built drawings are vey unlikely.

“It is still a persisting issue today, accurate as-builts,” said Batt. “Like the briefing note said there, it was an unexpected condition. The underground infrastructure was not what was expected, and it was no fault of the contractor. But ultimately it is the design engineer and the contractor that are responsible for as-built drawings once projects are complete. Given the age of the infrastructure, it is very hard to track that down at this point.”

The new centre is expected to be completed by early next year.

Merry & Bright set for Saturday

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Merry & Bright fundraiser is a go again this year, marking the sixth Christmas for the show.

Organized annually by Alex Taylor of Mount Pearl, the latest installment will take place Saturday, November 22, at Church of the Ascension, 58 Smallwood Drive. As usual, it will include a list of merry, bright and talented performers.

“It’s an event I’ve put off for a bunch of different charities,” said Taylor.

Among the beneficiaries have been The Gathering Place, A Dollar A Day Foundation, and Bridges to Hope. This year, the benefitting charity will be the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).

“The CNIB is a great organization,” said Taylor. “I’ve worked with them for a fair few years now.” CNIB aims to empower people who are blind or have severe sight limitations and help make their world more inclusive and accessible.

“They’ve got all the activities and different things for people to get back out there, especially those who have become blind or are blind,” said Taylor. “They can feel welcomed and also have a way to not feel like they’re alone.”

This year’s proceeds will specifically aid the CNIB in helping children receive guide dogs.

Tom Conway will host the fundraiser. Taylor will perform with his sister, Jessie Connolly. The event will also include entertainment by Sandy Morris and Jenny Gear, Zander Wright, Brian, Natalia and Kaylnn DeBoer, and Duane Morgan. Some of the performers have played at other events of Taylor’s in the past.

Tickets to the Merry & Bright fundraiser cost $20. Proceeds will go to the CNIB, as will those from a 50/50 draw which will also be held at the event. For more information email merrybright19@gmail.com or call 709-691-4020.

Together as One

Members of the Mount Pearl Lions Club were impressed by the response from students at St. Peter’s Junior High who participated in this year’s Peace Poster contest. The theme was "Together as One.” The contest encouraged students to express their views on peace through their artwork. Kyle Liang, pictured above, took first place and the $50 prize with Ethan Yetman coming in as a strong first runner up. Art teacher Amy Noseworthy oversaw the students’ work helping to make it a success. Photo courtesy of Donna Reddick of the Mount Pearl Lions Club

Mi’kmaw artist Melissa M. Francis new mural

The City of Mount Pearl unveiled a new mural by Mi’kmaw artist Melissa M. Francis of Studio 120 at Centennial Park this month. JUNO award-winning Inuk soprano Deantha Edmunds and her daughter Annabelle Edmunds-Ramsay performed at the event. This past summer, the City partnered with non-profit First Light and issued an open invitation to all Indigenous artists wishing to submit a design. From left are Francis, Edmunds and Edmunds-Ramsay. City of Mount Pearl photo

City extends snow clearing contract with private operator

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl council has voted to extend its current snow clearing contract with Farrell’s Excavating for an additional term, a period from December 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

The initial contract began on December 1, 2024 and ended on March 31 this year and cost the City $216,200, HST included.

That contract was subject to adjustments based on weather conditions.

The decision to extend the contract for another year includes a guaranteed minimum payment of $100,000 regardless if equipment is utilized or not.

The majority of the City’s snow clearing is done inhouse by unionized drivers. However, on the heels of a citywide strike that lasted over two months, the City, in 2022, contracted out additional snow clearing services for the first time ever in an effort to “complement” its snow clearing service. The City has continued to do so in the years since, a move which the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has criticized.

Foster system at ‘crisis point,’ says advocate

By Mark Squibb

Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Executive Director Kelly Hodder, along with daughter Elizabeth Dawe, joined Mount Pearl council in chambers recently to help proclaim Foster Family Month.

In this province, there are over 900 children in the foster care system, and about 550 foster families – although that latter number has taken a hit in recent years.

“Unfortunately, we have seen a decrease in the number of foster homes in this province, specifically since COVID,” said Hodder. “I would consider us to be at a crisis point. So, that is a large part of the work that we do at the association. We really need to raise awareness about the need for more homes. We do a lot of advocacy work to improve what circumstances are like for the foster families that we have. And we want to improve recruitment and retention, because ultimately when we have fewer homes, we see the impacts it has on the children. We have kids in rural Newfoundland and Labrador who came into care, and they have to leave their communities because there’s no foster homes in their communities. For children in Labrador, that means being out on a plane and flown to another part of Labrador or being flown down here to the island and being placed in a non-Indigenous foster home. It means children have to leave their schools, their friends, their relatives, their pets, their everything, and go to a stange place in order to be kept safe.”

Hodder was pleased to report that the association has a number of foster families in Mount Pearl, though she hopes even more residents will consider fostering.

“When children are in an unsafe situation and go into a foster home, they’re given an opportunity for stability, for love, for nurturing, and, perhaps maybe to feel safe for the first time in their lives,” said Hodder. “So, it’s very important work that their doing. It’s very challenging work, but we need them, and we need more of them.”

One of the biggest barriers, said Hodder, is the rising costs associated with fostering.

“Foster care compensation rates haven’t increased since 2012, and of course we know inflation has increased dramatically since then,” said Hodder. “So, I’ve been trying to hold the government’s feet to the fire on that. And with the new government incoming I plan on continuing that work (to say) Foster parents need funds to do the work they do. They’re not in it for the money, but you need money to do it. It’s not cheap.”

Her daughter Elizabeth, meanwhile, has inherited four cousins through foster care – Kylin, Kyrie, Greyson, and Michael.