City working ‘hand in hand’ with Masonic Park

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mount Pearl City Council passed a motion at its April 28 public meeting to provide some upfront funding and waive permit fees for a proposed affordable seniors housing project.

Masonic Park is a non-profit, affordable seniors housing project that administration said would account for just under 50 per cent of the City’s affordable housing commitment when completed. The project’s completion is anticipated in early 2027.

“This is a great opportunity,” said councillor Bill Antle, who put forth the motion to waive associated permit fees for the project up to $50,000 and to provide $50,000 in up front funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).

 “Masonic Park is looking for some funding and we are looking for some housing, so we are working hand in hand with Masonic Park,” said Antle.

Antle pointed out that the HAF money would usually be handed out upon receiving the occupancy permit, based on the program guidelines, but that the recommendation stems from the project’s strong alignment with HAF objectives, its focus on building affordable seniors housing and its projected significant contribution toward meeting the city’s affordable housing targets.

Administration highlights that this would mirror previous supports incentives provided under the program, specifically support for the Columbus Centre, a proposed 20-unit affordable housing project in Mount Pearl.

“There’s certainly a demand for seniors housing, certainly for affordable seniors housing,” Mayor Dave Aker said.

In 2024, the City of Mount Pearl, in partnership with the Government of Canada, entered into a HAF agreement to expedite the construction of 180 housing units, with a cumulative target of 386 units by 2027. The agreement is designed to remove barriers and accelerate housing delivery by modernizing policies, streamlining permitting processes, and providing targeted incentives to support new construction and redevelopment.  From the launch of the HAF program in 2024 through the end of the third reporting period, Mount Pearl has achieved 35 per cent of the housing supply growth target established through the agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

The fund is a partnership initiative with the federal government designed to help address the ongoing housing crisis across Canada, according to the administrative report in the April 28 agenda. The program focuses on accelerating housing delivery, with a particular emphasis on higher-density developments that can be brought to market more quickly.

“As part of its participation in the HAF program, the City of Mount Pearl has announced a suite of incentives aimed at supporting both private developers and non-profit organizations undertaking housing projects within the city,” reads the agenda report.

Mount Pearl published the annual report for Year Two of the HAF initiative in April.

The report states that 134 net new housing units have been permitted toward the overall HAF commitment of 386 units.

“With 252 units remaining to reach the full target, the City is well positioned to continue building on this progress as additional projects advance through the development and permitting process over the remaining program period,” reads the report.

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.