Regiment's family connections marked at annual high school hockey tournament

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Thirty-two high school hockey teams from around the province took to the ice in Mount Pearl and Paradise last week for the Royal Newfoundland Regiment’s Memorial High School Hockey Tournament to vie for the coveted Beaumont-Hamel Cup. And while the on-ice action was absorbing, it was an ongoing initiative to connect competitors with their ancestors and their storied military service that drew overwhelming support.

Regimental Connections asks players and their families to submit pictures and stories of their loved ones in military service. This year, the focus was on submissions connected to The Royal Newfoundland Regiment in WW1, and the 59th Heavy and 166th artillery regiments which served in World War II. More than 50 submissions were received, with some also highlighting connections to the Canadian Armed Forces, the Merchant Marine and the Royal Canadian Navy.

“As a commemorative tournament, this aspect of remembrance and commemoration is very important to us,” said Michele Boriel, public relations officer for the tournament, adding that throughout the tournament serving members of the regiment presented the player of the game awards, and that all awards were named after Regimental battles and members of the Regiment from WWI. “Some years we have had players bring framed photos or medals and other memorabilia with them.”

Several players from Mount Pearl were featured in the Regimental Connections in 2026.

Addison, Merisa and Grant Abbott of the O’Donel Patriots are the great-grandchildren of Private Fredrick Abbott of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment. He enlisted on June 12, 1916, at the age of 15 by falsifying his age on the enlistment document. He was wounded in battle on two separate occasions, sustaining gunshot and shrapnel wounds to his right arm and right leg.

Nathan Swain of the Mount Pearl Huskies had his great grandfather, Ronald Joseph Reddy, serve in the Royal Newfoundland Artillery 166th Field Regiment as a gunner in North Africa and Italy. Fellow Husky Alexander Sweeney has a great-great-great uncle, Pte. Charles Canning, serve with the Regiment during WWI. He was killed in action in April 1918 and is remembered on the Beaumont-Hamel Monument in France.

Regimental Connections was the brainchild of deputy tournament director Ken Gatehouse, himself a 40-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, including The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and the grandson of decorated WWI hero Sgt. Charlie Parsons.

“We receive a lot of thanks from family members who appreciate that we are remembering and honouring their loved ones and helping to keep those memories alive,” said Boriel. “We shared the Regimental connections with the Royal Canadian Legion in Newfoundland as well as Newfoundland schools to further keep alive the conversation connecting the generations.”

Other connections highlighted over the course of the tournament included Declan Flynn and Avery Strong of the Queen Elizabeth Pioneers whose great-great-grandfather, Corporal Aaron Strong, joined the Regiment during WWI and was injured during battle at Monchy-le-Preux. Declan’s father Tom served with the 1st Battalion in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Avery’s dad, Kyle Strong, currently serves as the Commanding Officer of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

Solomon Murray and Lauren Picco of the Holy Spirit Falcons also have connections. Murray’s great grandfather served as a gunner with the 166th Newfoundland Field Regiment in the Second World War, operating 25-pounder artillery in North Africa and Italy. Picco’s great-great uncle, Private James Newman, died on the front lines during the Great War and is remembered with honour on the Beaumont-Hamel Memorial in France.

Small but mighty Mount Pearl Kin Club celebrating diamond anniversary

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Mount Pearl Kin Club marks 60 years in 2026, and the organization was honoured by city council for the milestone as part of its April 14 regular meeting.

Kin president Roy Locke was joined at council by several members and told council that, fortunately, the club kept accurate and detailed records of its activities in the early days from the 1960s through to the 1980s to chronicle its impact on a growing community, particularly in helping to build the sports base.

Mayor Dave Aker agreed, pointing out that part of what residents now know as St. David’s field was called Kinsmen Field, and that Kinsmen members were instrumental in forming the Mount Pearl Soccer Association back in the day.

“You’ve given generously over time, and you haven’t stopped, the energy is still there,” said Aker, acknowledging Kin’s ongoing contributions to community events like the Frosty Festival and City days.

Locke said membership in the Kin Club is more than just selling tickets or working the bar at special events. He said the organization provides an opportunity for youth in high school or university to develop their own skills and learn things like parliamentary procedure.

“We even have a Kin University you can go to and take any training you want, whether it’s public speaking or whatever you need to take. And maybe that message should get out a little louder,” said Locke, adding that those that might not be interested in helping with bingo every Friday may still want an avenue for professional growth.

Councillor Isabelle Fry, who is president of the Kinettes, applauded the Kinsmen for all they do that isn’t as well known in the community.

“Above and beyond all of the things that Kinsmen are known for, they do so much more. I know you don’t have a big group but you’re a very mighty group and you do a lot for this city,” Fry said.

The Mount Pearl Kinsmen were chartered in February 1966.

The Kinsmen Club of Canada was founded in 1920 in Hamilton, Ontario by Harold (Hal) Rogers.

Big Eric’s wins bid to supply fridges for new community centre

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mount Pearl City Council has approved $80,148 worth of kitchen appliances needed to outfit the community centre that is currently under construction.

Big Eric’s was recommended by City administration as the lowest compliant bidder on the tender, which includes the supply of six appliances including a double door commercial refrigerator, double door commercial freezer, commercial propane range, commercial food warmer, commercial dishwasher and a commercial glass washer.

“The new Community Centre presently under construction will house a full commercial kitchen suitable to host a variety of catered functions from corporate luncheons to community events to wedding receptions,” read the report by staff that went to council at its April 14 public meeting. “Many of these appliances have specific electrical and plumbing requirements and as such must be sourced and identified prior to the start of the plumbing and electrical components of the construction process.”

Chandler provided a quote of $82,772 for the appliances, while the one from Atlantic Supplies weighed in at $80,403.

Delivery of the appliances will be deferred until this fall to align with the anticipated completion and opening of the new community centre.

Councillor Jim Locke pointed out the original concept was to move many of the activities from the Reid Community Centre to the new community centre, and revert the Reid Centre back to focus more on sporting activities.

“I know we spent some significant investments to upgrade the kitchen at the Reid Community Centre, so I’m just curious could that equipment,” said Locke. “I don’t know what the state of the equipment is like at the Reid Community Centre – is that something we could move down to our new community centre?”

Staff responded by saying that although the plan is to move most events down to the new centre, not every event and community group will be moved. Keeping the kitchen facilities at the Reid Centre, it was pointed out, allows capacity for booking events at the same time.

More young people needed for volunteer roles, says Corcoran

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A provincial advocate for volunteers says the changing landscape of volunteering means a different approach is needed to attract younger people to bridge the gap.

Colin Corcoran, chief executive of the Community Sector Council (CSC) of Newfoundland and Labrador, told Mount Pearl Council that if you take 46 per cent of the city’s population over the age of 15 it would likely represent the total number of volunteers in the community.

However, he said the lion’s share of the total volunteer hours is done by the 55-plus age group and that the demographic aged 25-35 is not volunteering the same way they used to in the past.

“The concerning thing we have from national data, national trends, and what we’re seeing in a post-pandemic world in this province is we’re seeing a bit of a chasm happening in volunteering,” Corcoran told council ahead of a proclamation signing for Volunteer Week on April 14. “They’re not volunteering at the same percentage and same hours that they have in 2018 or in 2013. The pandemic has accelerated it, but it was an issue pre-pandemic.”

Corcoran suggested part of the reason could be the growth in the need for two-income families, meaning fewer households have the time required to volunteer as often. He said that’s why there should be a focus on promoting volunteerism with businesses, making it part of their professional growth programs and corporate culture.

Corcoran said another focus is to promote generational volunteering where youth see their parents and leaders donating their time.

“When they see their guardians and their leaders volunteering, that is one of the main indicators of if they will become a future volunteer,” he said. “Bring them along, show them what it means to volunteer, what it means to engage and what it means to contribute to your community.”

Another demographic for potential volunteers is new Canadians, Corcoran said, which is a focal point of the organization’s Involve program.

Bahar Hashemi, project coordinator of newcomer volunteering with the CSC, said it’s important to remove barriers to participation for newcomers.

“It’s very important to make (volunteering) accessible for newcomers and engage them,” she said.

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley asked how a municipality can play a part to spark young people in volunteering. Corcoran said part of it is changing the perspective on volunteering and taking a different approach with youth, acknowledging that they are tech savvy.

“A young person may not be interested in calling ‘BINGO’ on a Friday night, every Friday for the next year, but they may be interested in putting together a Facebook ad. They may be interested in supporting the flyer work, or they may be interested in putting together a digital ad to advertise and get people in,” he said.

Mayor Dave Aker lauded the contributions of local volunteers and said the City of Mount Pearl is a better place to live because of their work.

“Volunteering is good for your own mental health, but it’s really good for everybody else that you serve and whether it’s a sports organization, it could be a church, it could be a service organization, our communities are healthier and we all feel better about doing it at the end of the day,” said Aker. “So it’s not just about numbers, it’s about impact, isn’t it?”

Savings on Holden Street upgrades go to community centre

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mount Pearl City Council is awaiting provincial approval for reallocation of some $2.4 million in multiyear capital works (MYCW) funding from the Holden Street Upgrades project to the new community centre currently under construction.

Council approved the reallocation of $2,405,060 to the new civic centre, which is slated to replace the Park Place Community Centre, at its March 31 regular meeting.

“Just some housekeeping here as we move some cost-shared money around,” said Mayor Dave Aker. 

The council motion is just the latest part of a formal process to get the balance of funds transferred from the Holden Street Upgrades to the new community centre.

“Upon completion of a provincially and/or federally funded project, City management conducts an internal review of any remaining balances. The Province is then consulted to discuss potential options for the use of those funds,” said Kerri Hodder, the marketing and communications officer for the City of Mount Pearl. “A final recommendation is subsequently presented to council for consideration and approval, consistent with standard practice. If approved by council, the request is forwarded to the Province for final authorization, as the reallocation of these funds is not solely within the municipality's discretion.”

Councillor Mark Rice noted at the council meeting that, as part of the process, the City will also officially close out the Holden Street Upgrades project.

The new civic centre is designed to offer increased space, enhanced accessibility and improved parking compared to the building it is replacing, Park Place. It will feature a flexible, multi‑purpose hall with a stage and retractable bleachers, making it suitable for a wide range of community events, programs, and gatherings.

An outdoor splash pad that converts to an ice rink in the winter will provide a year‑round recreational space.

Project funding includes $2.28 million in federal money, approved in July 2024, and a little more than $3.71 million in provincial funding approved in November 2023, and now also the proposed transfer of the MYCW funds.

Any remaining portion of the project costs will be covered by the City.

The new civic centre is targeted for completion by the end of this year.