Players with the Mount Pearl Girls Under 15 metro soccer team were quick on the ball at Frosty’s Big Birthday Party at the Glacier on February 8, selling tickets on a $50,000 prize to raise funds for a couple of trips this coming season. The squad includes, starting in the back row, from left: Gloria Power, Avery Stowe, Kaitlyn Braybook, Leah Buckle, Alyssa Simmonds, Sienna Mercer, Sofia LeGrow and Emily Head. Craig Westcott photo
Scout and Guide Week
The City of Mount Pearl has recognised the week of February 17 - 22 as Scout and Guide Week. James Legge and daughter Katherine of the 1st Mount Pearl Scouts joined council in chambers earlier this month for the proclamation. Deputy Mayor Nicoel Kieley, a former Sparkes leader and scouter herself, commended the organization for its good work. From left are councillors Isabelle Fry, Chelsea Lane, Jim Locke, Mayor Dave Aker, scouter Katherine Legge, Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, scout leader James Legge, and councillors Mark Rice and Bill Antle. Mark Squibb photo
City remains committed to public safety plan, Fry says
By Mark Squibb
The City of Mount Pearl made headlines last fall when three residents fell victim to random attacks believed to have been committed by youths, and while a looming provincial election, tariff threats from across the border, and a new Churchill Falls deal have dominated the news cycle these last couple of months and news of the attacks have fallen to one side, council says it remains committed to community safety.
“Our municipal enforcement officers continue to patrol streets, the parks, the trails, and other city areas,” said councillor Isabell Fry during the February 4 public meeting. “Quarterly municipal enforcement statistics will be posted on the City’s website, so residents can go in and look and see exactly what is happening. We are also recruiting community members to join the Community Public Safety Steering Committee.”
Additionally, staff have been meeting bi-weekly with officials from the Department of Justice and Public Safety to complete Mount Pearl's Community Safety and Wellness Plan.
“This is an ongoing initiative for us and it’s top of mind and we’re working towards making a safer and better place,” concluded Fry.
Recreation Director Jason Collins said staff are working with the Province to help fill positions on the steering committee. Councillor Jim Locke added the steering committee will consist of about 10 to 12 people.
“I’m quite impressed with the level of work that’s been ongoing, despite the fact that we had our public meeting just before the Christmas break, and then things usually slow down over the break, but we are still making great strides on this,” said Locke.
The first committee meeting was scheduled to take place on February 17.
Cassie Rideout named Mount Pearl's top bureaucrat
By Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl has named one of its own as the City’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
The City last month announced that Director of Corporate Service Cassie Rideout had been appointed as the new CAO following an extensive hiring process.
"I am profoundly honoured to have the opportunity to serve as the City of Mount Pearl's Chief Administrative Officer,” said Rideout in a City issued press release. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside Council, staff, and community partners to advance our shared vision for the future. Mount Pearl is a city with a clear and ambitious plan, and I am excited to lead our organization and work with, what I believe is the best municipal staff in the country, to achieve it."
Rideout initially served as the Manager of Marketing, Communications, and Economic Development for the City before being named Director of Corporate Services five years ago. She also boasts 15 years of experience in senior positions at financial organizations such as Manulife Investments and BlackRock Inc., and holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Technology Management, Engineering Technology, and Applied Science from Memorial University.
Stoyles is saddled up and ready for the campaign trail
Longtime city councillor-turned provincial MHA Lucy Stoyles says she doesn’t know when the election call is coming, but she’ll be ready to run again.
Mount Pearl approves new million dollar soccer turf
By Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl council this month approved the replacement of turf at the Mount Pearl Soccer Field at a cost of $1,000,243 exclusive of taxes.
Councillor Jim Locke moved that the City enter into a contract with FieldTurf USA Inc., for the removal of the existing surface and its replacement based on the proposal received through the CANOE Procurement Group of Canada and Sourcewell.
Locke said council has been working alongside the Mount Pearl Soccer Association to bring the project to fruition.
“They are very pleased with the work, and how council worked with them and supported them to bring this enhancement to an already amazing facility,” said Locke.
Mayor Dave Aker noted the contract was being awarded through a procurement program instead of the typical tendering process.
Recreation Director Jason Collins explained that neighbouring municipalities had taken advantage of CANOE when replacing their turf fields, and that FieldTurf, the company selected by CANOE to do the work, had laid the former Mount Pearl turf.
“The accountability of a bidding process is still there, it’s just that the CANOE program adds a certain layer to it,” concluded Aker.
Councillor Bill Antle asked what would happen to the old turf, as a resident had inquired after it.
Collins said there had been some discussion of that.
“There will be a public process is probably the safest thing to say at this point,” said Collins.
The turf, Collins added, has been deemed unfit for future use as a sports field, but could be used for landscaping.
Antle suggested that should the turf be sold, it would be better to sell it prior to being torn up. Collins added that neighbouring municipalities had scheduled days and times when people could come and collect their turf.
Council unanimously approved the purchase of the new turf.
Locke gets long service award
By Mark Squibb
Members of Mount Pearl council earlier this month presented fellow councillor Jim Locke with a 16 year Long Service Award courtesy of the Department of Municipal Affairs.
Locke was praised by his fellow council colleagues, including Mayor Dave Aker, who called Locke “an important cog in the wheels” of Mount Pearl.
Locke himself, who was not anticipating the recognition, praised his fellow councillors and staff members.
“We are all rowing in the same direction, and we all want the same thing,” said Locke. “I’ve been blessed to work with good councillors over the years, and I would be remiss not to mention the senior staff that have supported me over the last 16 years… We have wonderful staff throughout the City that make this place a wonderful place to live and work.”
From left are councillors Mark Rice, Isabelle Fry, and Chelsea Lane, Locke, Mayor Dave Aker, Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, and councillor Bill Antle. Mark Squibb photo
City commits to bevy of accessibility projects
By Mark Squibb
The City of Mount Pearl has committed to completing a number of projects outlined in it’s Accessibility Plan 2024-2026 in this calendar year.
Projects scheduled for completion in 2025 include the creation of a fully accessible boardroom at City Hall, construction of a new website, upgrades to the Summit Centre, Glacier Arena, and T’railway, and the construction of a new accessible Community Centre.
During the January 14 meeting, Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley spoke to her own personal experience as a person a with a disability.
“It’s no secret that I was involved in an accident that rendered me with a disability,” said Kieley. “I am an above-knee amputee. What that meant, I am still understanding and figuring out. What I can say is that the City, throughout my journey, has been along with me, side-by-side, and I think we have a lot to be proud of.”
Representation, said Kieley, is powerful.
“When we talk about what it means to be independent, what it means to have a fulfilling life, what does dignity mean, I’ve been challenged with all those things a lot over the past couple of years,” said Kieley. “It’s been difficult, but I can see so much more that I wasn’t aware of before. And I just want to say that this type of commitment from the City, and to see that it’s multi-year, and thoughtful, creates an inclusive, and all encompassing idea of accessibility. It’s incredible.”
Kieley said her all colleagues likely know someone, perhaps even themselves, who have been in a situation were they could not be accommodated.
Council adopted its first ever Accessibility Plan in 2024 with the aim of ensuring all residents can access the City’s many buildings and services.
The City completed a number of projects outlined in the plan last year, including the installation of an accessible ramp at the Reid Centre stage, upgrades to washrooms at City Hall, the replacement of wooden paths with granular stone at Branscombe Pond and Power’s Pond trails, the expansion of sensory-friendly swimming sessions at the Summit Centre, the installation of rest stops along Admiralty Walk, and upgrades to the bleachers and walkways at the Team Gushue Sports Complex.
O'Donel gets 'Caring School' grant
O’Donel High School in Mount Pearl was one of 11 schools named as a Safe, Caring and Inclusive School and given a Special Initiatives Grant this month.
The grant aims to support initiatives that foster a welcoming school environment for all staff and students. O’Donel’s grant money will be put towards a school mural.
"I am always thankful for the dedication of school communities to look out for each other,” said Minister of Education Krista Lynn Howell. “Schools strive to provide safe, inclusive, and caring environments for students and promote positive learning spaces for them. Congratulations to this year's recipients and I look forward to hearing more details about these initiatives for your schools."
Other schools awarded grant money included École Boréale in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, J. R. Smallwood Middle School in Wabush, Sacred Heart Elementary in Curling, St. Boniface All Grades in Ramea, Green Bay South Academy in Robert’s Arm, John Watkins Academy in Hermitage, Sacred Heart Academy in Marystown, St. Paul’s Junior High School in St. John’s, Immaculate Conception School in Colliers and Stella Maris Academy in Trepassey.
Frosty Festival Kick Off
Councillors, volunteers, staff, and Frosty himself gather in the council chambers to celebrate the kick off of the 43rd annual Frosty Festival. From left are councillor Mark Rice, City of Mount Pearl Event Coordinator Allison Whitty, committee members Sheri Philpott, Renee Pendergast, Wanda Tiller, councillors Chelsea Lane and Isabelle Fry, Frosty, Mayor Dave Aker, Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, councillors Jim Locke and Bill Antle, Robert Hayes, recreation services supervisor Rosie Stead, and Mount Pearl Lion’s Club members Roxanne Oates and Doug Evely. Mark Squibb photo
