By Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker says the City is committed to “residential intensification” this year.
In plainer English, that means more homes and apartment units on smaller lots.
Guiding the City’s plan to build more homes faster will be the new 10-year Municipal Plan and Integrated Transportation Plan, which Aker said is drawing nigh to completion.
“We’ve been listening to residents though the municipal plan engagement process, and as part of that, we realise that we will have to transform the city, or parts thereof,” said Aker. “But I think the best thing we’ve accomplished this year in terms of the long-term plans for the city, is the Municipal Plan and Integrated Transportation Plan that’s being put forward. We’ve finalized the process and are waiting for it to come to council very early in the New Year, and then it’s off to Municipal Affairs for further approval. But it’s going to change the development landscape somewhat in the city. We’ve had good engagement and very positive feedback.”
While it will take a decade to fully realize the new plan, Aker said people will begin to notice new builds around the city as early as this year.
“In 2025, our residents will notice a big change in the area of Mount Carson Road, whether it’s the commercial piece over on Kenmount or the piece above Wyatt,” said Aker. “And you’re going to see some more intense housing in the city. I think we’ve recognized, along with most of the country, that the housing demand outstrips supply. And so, the Municipal Plan was built on that. We also want to be very cautious moving forward. We’re not expecting apartment buildings to go up on every corner. So, we’ve given lots of thought to the plan.”
Aker added that staff hope to issue a request for proposals for a water tower for Kenmount Hill this spring and construction to start shortly thereafter.
One of the challenges facing council and staff this year, said Aker, will be to secure funding for and maintain cost control of the Northlands development.
The City estimates the new development, consisting of approximately 1,800 homes and $100 million in infrastructure sandwiched between Kenmount Road and Topsail Road, could potentially boost Mount Pearl’s population by 15 per cent, once completed.
Moving further south, Aker said he’s excited to see work progressing on the new community centre at the Team Gushue Sports Complex off Smallwood Drive.
The new centre, which will include a combined ice surface and splash pad, is being posited as a replacement for the Park Place Community Centre.
“Park Place has seen it’s day,” said Aker. “It’s very old, very antiquated. There are issues with the building itself, including accessibility issues. The challenge was coming up with the financial plan to replace Park Place, and we’ve come up with that.”
The contract for the new community centre, valued at $15.5 million, was awarded to JMJ Holdings Ltd., last summer with a groundbreaking event in July at the Team Gushue Sports Complex.
Aker said much of the landscaping has been completed and the foundation laid. Construction is expected to wrap up in 2026.
Following the retirement of Chief Administration Officer (CAO) Dana Spurrell this December past, the City entered the new year minus a CAO. Aker said the process to hire Spurrell’s replacement began this past fall and council should be ready to announce it’s new CAO by the end of January.
“Dana really served us well,” said Aker. “She raised the standard of leadership from an administrative point of view. There are big shoes to fill in this particular case.”
Spurrell was hired in January of 2021, seven months after former CAO Steve Kent quit his position after having been suspended due to allegations of workplace bullying.
Her term at City Hall was short, but eventful. Spurrell was tasked with leading the City through the Kent Investigation, the pandemic, and a City workers strike. Towards the end of her tenure, the City was rocked by number of random, violent attacks that left citizens on edge. A number of youths were arrested in connection with the attacks.
“It’s not just about fighting crime, it’s about fighting the perception that your community is not safe,” said Aker of the violence. “We have a lot more seniors in our community now, and the feedback I’m getting is that they’re a little bit afraid and averse to doing things in the city, unlike in the past, whether it’s walking to the grocery store in the evening or walking along a trail. So, we’ve got to work together, all levels of government to restore that sense of security.”
To that end, said Aker, the City will present to the public a report of findings from a recent town hall on public safety. Additionally, council has partnered with the provincial government to develop a community safety plan.
Aker said if you see a crime, report it.
“We know, generally, what the problem is,” said Aker. “Now we have to start working on a solution.”
On the awards front, Aker said he’s pleased that in 2024 Mount Pearl was named a recipient of three Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) marketing awards for it’s ‘Come to Life’ resident attraction campaign in the Advertising Campaign, Website, and Video categories.
As for the 2025 municipal election, Aker said he has already decided that he will once again run for mayor. He quipped that while the municipal election date — October 2 — has been more or less set in stone, dates for provincial and federal elections are a bit harder to nail down, as rumours around early elections are circulating at both levels of government.
“You never know, as they say, when the writ will drop,” said Aker. “But we’ll continue to work with out current MP and our current MHAs, and I’m sure that after the election, we’ll continue to roll up our sleeves and work together.”
This year will mark Aker’s ninth as mayor.
