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.”
Mount Pearl lays it on for youth awards gala
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Mount Pearl’s best and brightest youth were honoured at the Glacier Arena last Thursday at the 34th annual Focus on Youth Awards.
Where usually sits a skating rink was a ball room of glitz, glamour, and excited youths and their families dressed to the nines, eagerly anticipating the results of each award announcement.
Summer Bennett and Grace Lee hosted the evening, while Mayor Dave Aker, MHA Lucy Stoyles, and MHA Paul Lane kicked off the night with opening remarks.
The first recognition of the night, the Youth Sport Team of the Year, went to the Mount Pearl Senior High boys basketball team. During the 2023-2024 season, the team won 22 games with only three losses. The squad also won the Hall of Fame Cup which ranked the players first in the province. The team also made a strong showing at the SSNL 4A provincial championships which it hosted, placing second.
The Youth Athlete of the Year Awards went to swimmer Chris Weeks and gymnast Jirah Hiscock.
Weeks joined the MUN Seahawks just last year and placed first in multiple competitions, became the top male point scorer, broke MUN swimming records, and was named Atlantic University Sport athlete of the week in November.
Hiscock represented the province with Campia Gymnastics at Atlantic, Eastern, national, and international competitions, placing first in most every event at the Atlantic Gymnastics competition. She also competed at the Lady Luck Invitational in Las Vegas and was the only participant in her age group to represent Team NL at the Canada Winter Games.
The Youth S.T.E.M. Award was given to a resident who excels in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Sophia Zhang, described as a scientific humanist, brought home the award for her dedication to Level 1 studies in math and chemistry, after-school robotics, math club, and involvement with math competitions and science fairs, all taking up a whopping 34 hours a week.
Zhang won gold at the Eastern Newfoundland Science and Technology Fair, received a SHAD scholarship, and will represent Science Team NL at the Canada Wide Science Fair in Ottawa.
Musician Darcie Kelly won the Youth Performing Arts Award for her varied involvement with the performing arts. Kelly dedicates roughly 20 hours a week to voice, piano, fiddle and dance lessons, in addition to practicing on her own. Kelly has won prizes at the Peter McDonald Musical Theatre Sing-Off and the Kiwanis Musical Theatre, as well as numerous awards in dance competitions.
The Youth Visual Arts Award went to Quinn O’Dea, who specializes in painting, and textiles such as quilting and rug hooking. O’Dea spends about 10 hours a week working on her craft.
The Youth Literary Arts Award was presented to Hannah Smith who has been writing stories for eight years, spending about 12 hours a week immersed in words. Smith writes poems, prose, short stories, and essays, all in a well-researched and structurally organized manner.
The cast and crew of O’Donel High School’s Shrek the Musical received the Performing Arts Recognition Award for their family-friendly stage adaptation of the modern classic movie and Broadway show. From October to February of this year, the cast and crew spent 15 to 20 hours a week getting ready for the show's big premiere including read-throughs, rehearsals, choreography, costume fittings, and prop design before selling out three shows at the Arts and Culture Centre.
The RNC Youth in Service Award was accorded to Isaac Manuel, an A plus student with a full schedule of arts, sports, and volunteer activities. Manuel took on the role of Shrek in Shrek the Musical, is an avid curler, mentors folks younger than him, and is involved in community efforts like blood drives and the Relay for Life.
The Youth Group of the Year award went to the 807 Mount Pearl Kinsmen Air Cadets, who were described as a large group of community-oriented individuals who are all well-educated on respect and giving back. Outside of their mandatory training, they have participated in ceremonies, parades, and community cleanups.
The Youth Opportunity Fund Youth Volunteer of the Year Award went to Alex Taylor, the busiest young musician in Mount Pearl. Taylor constantly volunteers and performs with community groups such as the Mount Pearl Lions Club, the Canadian Legion, and seniors homes. Currently, he can be found performing at Rocket Bakery in Mount Pearl every Sunday.
Closing out the night were the John Rossiter Memorial Youth of the Year Awards, presented to Eamon Fogwill and Courtney Abbott.
Active in both the arts and sports, Fogwill managed to maintain a 90 per cent average while excelling in everything he puts his mind to. Playing both house league and all-star in hockey, Fogwill’s teams between 2023 and 2024 won the MCHL gold medal, the MPMHA U18 C Bronze Medal, and silver at the U18 Phonse Cup.
In the arts, Fogwill is a public speaker, performed as one of the Three Little Pigs in Shrek the Musical, and played the national anthem on electric guitar for the 2023 U18 All-Star Provincials.
Abbott is another of Mount Pearl's A plus students with a strong community presence. In addition to taking advanced level physics, biology, chemistry, math, and calculus, Abbott is a coach with the Mount Pearl Soccer Association, part of the O’Donel Welcome Committee, Relay for Life Committee, and other endeavors. She’s won many awards during her soccer career, including the Achievement Award for instilling confidence in four young goalkeepers. Involved in Girl Guides from Sparks to Pathfinders, she has also completed the bronze and silver levels of the Duke of Edinburgh award and is always looking for more volunteer opportunities.
In between awards, the night featured a stacked lineup of young performers including Darcie Kelly, Alex Taylor, Hannah Connolly, Emma Neville, the casts of O’Donel High School’s Shrek the Musical and Mount Pearl Senior High’s Husky Follies, and the Salt Beef Junkies.
