Paul Tilley's Our Town-Clarenville Blog

CONGRATULATIONS, GARRY GOSSE!!! It is with immense pride that I extend our warmest and most sincere congratulations to Garry Gosse on receiving the Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation from Premier Tony Wakeham on Friday, May 22, 2026. Presented at The Rooms in St. John’s, this prestigious medal recognizes Garry as both a vital municipal anchor and a provincial leader. As the highest honour our province bestows in these disciplines, it celebrates individuals whose lifelong dedication fosters a deep sense of belonging and well-being—values Garry has championed for nearly fifty years. Shortly after moving to Clarenville and purchasing my/our house, I was fortunate enough to have Garry and Kathy as my neighbours. Getting to know Garry, I quickly realized that while he was a dedicated family man at home, his role as the Town’s Recreation Director meant his extended family encompassed the entire community. Over the years, I have watched him act as a big brother and fathe...

When the final tracks of the Newfoundland Railway were pulled up back in 1988, many feared we were losing a vital economic lifeline forever. But out of that closure came an incredible reinvention: the creation of our cross-island Linear Provincial Park. Fast forward to today, and that historic route has evolved into an absolute powerhouse for four-season tourism. You only have to look at Marine Atlantic’s booming vehicle traffic—where non-resident automobile, ATV, and recreational vehicle crossings have climbed dramatically over pre-pandemic levels—to see that motorized and multi-use trail tourism is a massive economic generator for our province. Riders and outdoor enthusiasts from all across North America are crossing the Gulf specifically to journey across our terrain, and that is the incredible momentum leading up to today's historic announcement. I’ve been banging the drum for some time on the massive potential of developing and capturing the economic opportunities of this tran...

The promise of building a pool/wellness centre in Clarenville has been political catnip in recent municipal elections.  There has been much discussion in the community and the council about what to include in the facility. But the single most important issue, the cost and the Town's ability to pay for the facilities' operation, has been largely ignored.   Yes, a pool is a great idea.  But it will come with an ongoing cost that we all need to be clear on before we go further.  Is a new swimming pool a "must-have" for our growing town, or a luxury we simply can’t afford alone? At Tuesday's public meeting , Clarenville Council put $115,000 on the table to hire a consultant to answer that very question. It’s a move that puts us on a similar path to the Town of Paradise. As we start this process, we have to ask: in a town of 7,200 people, how do we build a multimillion-dollar wellness centre without drowning the taxpayer? The "Paradise" Reality Check The Tow...

There’s nothing quite like this Clarenville Winter Carnival tradition. This year’s Dummy Downhill in Clarenville brought out the best of our community’s creativity and sense of humour. We’re celebrating the builders who spent hours on their crafts, only to watch them disintegrate in seconds for our entertainment. Check out the best runs, the biggest air, and the most "catastrophic" landings from the event.

  Soaring above White Hills on a beautiful Saturday in March 2026 PAUL TILLEY’S CLARENVILLE’S HISTORY SHORTS White Hills Resort - The Successes and the Challenges of a Town-Owned Resort The history of White Hills Resort is a classic story of a community-run asset that provides immense social and economic value while constantly battling the financial volatility of "the snow business" in Newfoundland. The Downhill Ski Facility   The downhill ski facility at White Hills Resort is often described as a "hidden gem" of Eastern Canada, offering a surprisingly rugged and technical experience compared to other hills in the Atlantic provinces. Its reputation is built on its unique geography and the persistent challenge of maintaining a high-quality alpine environment in a coastal climate. The Terrain and Technical Specs The facility is carved into the side of the White Hills, providing some of the most consistent vertical drops in Newfoundland outside of the Humber Valley. V...