Your Development Association had a very busy year with the completion of three major projects and more.
Many of our business activities over the past two years had been delayed or postponed due to the Covid pandemic. In 2022, we completed three major projects along with several smaller ones.
Some of my personal highlights from the year include:
• Unveiling of the O’Brien War Memorial storyboard: family, friends, students of St. Francis of Assisi school, and dignitaries gathered on November 8 at the O’Brien Memorial Grotto for the unveiling of a storyboard telling the story of the six brothers who served in World War II. Funding was provided by LBDA.
• Installing 2 pedestal granite slabs at our Veterans Memorial in Outer Cove with the names of 48 residents who served in various military and peacekeeping operations and who have since passed. The unveiling took place on Remembrance Day, November 11th. Funding for the expansion was provided by Veterans Affairs Canada, LBDA, and Town Council.
• Completing 90% of Peter’s Path trail with funding from LBDA, Town Council, and TCAR/ ActiveNL
• Raising $13,216 from ticket sales, corporate sponsors’ donations, and private donations for our two veterans memorial projects and Peter’s Path.
• Grants received were $21,572.00: municipal ($8500), provincial ($5750) and federal agencies ($7222) and private foundation ($100) for the Community Garden, Peter’s Path, Veterans Memorial and Volunteer Week projects.
• Expanding our collaboration with St. Francis of Assisi (SFOA) school at the community garden and fundraising for the school’s outdoor curriculum activities.
• Fundraising for NEA Food Bank at the town’s Halloween Trunk or Treat event.
• Recognizing local residents during Canada’s Volunteers Week.
• Launching our Association’s website.
We extend our gratitude to Mayor Hickey and Town Council for financial support, and to Town Manager, Susan Arns, and her staff for their enthusiastic cooperation. We especially thank our corporate sponsors: Collison Clinic, Modern Paving Ltd, Custom Cabinets, ReedHycalog NOV, Roebothan, McKay Marshall, Provincial Paving Ltd., Idea Factory, Steers Insurance, Wexford Estates, SEM Ltd, Robert J. Hickey PLC Inc., WM Welding Ltd, Diamond Design, Mt. Carmel Building Supplies, Lou’s Automotive, and private donors, Mary Primmer and Michelle Ryan.
Our success was also directly related to the hard work of our Board of Directors. We have made tremendous progress this year, and I’d like to personally thank every team member for their passion, dedication, and commitment to addressing our mandate. Special thanks also go to our super-volunteers Bill Dyer, Michelle Hickey, Cole Inkpen, Rita Kennedy, Pat O’Rourke, Charlie Spurrell, Karen Youden-Walsh, and all volunteers at the Kelly Park community garden and our book sale in support of SFOA school. We gratefully acknowledge the outstanding support of Trina Pearce, Principal, SFOA school, and her staff, and the many other residents who have volunteered their time to help us with our mandate.
We especially recognize the continuing support of our MHA Joedy Wall and our MP Joanne Thompson who have supported us on many fronts - Our Special Thanks!
Our Association’s motto is “Building Community Together” and in 2022 we couldn't do it without the generous support of all the people mentioned. here.
This year, our plans include:
• Carrying out a recruitment drive for new Board Members.
• Finishing Peter's Path in the spring.
• Expanding our collaboration with SFOA school.
• Expanding the community garden.
• Partnering with Town Council on an award program that recognizes volunteers and athletes in our town.
Some plans are in their very early stages, and I look forward to sharing them soon.
Thank you all for another excellent year! I look forward to advancing the LBDA Mission in 2023.
Stephen J. Walsh, Chair
February 13, 2023 AGM
Our Mission is to work with residents and the Town to develop a sense of place for all through protected natural areas, cultural heritage, and scenic resources interconnected with greenways and trails, where people live, work, and play in a healthy environment. Our Association’s motto is: “Building Community Together”.
