Paul Tilley's Our Town-Clarenville Blog

I've designed this poster to summarize the key aspects of Clarenville’s community profile. This data is from Statistics Canada, Population estimates, July 1, by census subdivision, 2021 boundaries, published in Table: 17-10-0155-01 . Release date: 2026-01-14.      It's organized into sections: Growing Together (Population Data): This includes the current population estimate, recent official census figures, and a visual representation of how the annual growth rate aligns. A Welcoming Demographics (Who We Are): I've highlighted key characteristics like the median age, showing how it compares to the rest of the province, along with the average household income and education levels. Housing & Dwellings (Our Homes): This section gives potential newcomers or curious residents a breakdown of the number and types of homes that define the community. You'll find that this visualization emphasizes Clarenville's dual identity as both a growing, independent town and a cru...

  Some moments stick with you, completely reshaping how you view your home. Years ago, during a lunch break in the staff room at the College, a coworker from Random Island said something that sparked a total epiphany for me: "I could never live somewhere where I could not see the ocean." Having grown up in inland Buchans, I had never found the ocean central to my sense of place. But the sheer passion in her voice woke me up to what is right in front of us in Clarenville—something that I, and apparently too many of us, take for granted. The universe decided to drive that lesson home a few years later. In 2012, I was touring a TSN scouting crew to find the perfect location for a live broadcast from Clarenville. Naturally, I took them to the Clarenville Events Centre parking lot—practical, spacious, and logical. The producers didn't hesitate with their rejection: "No. We must be on the coastline." We have about 8 kilometres of some of the best, most sheltered coast...

Clarenville and our business community have over 50 years of deep-rooted experience in the oil and gas sector. From the construction of the Come By Chance refinery in the early 1970s to serving as the primary hub for massive nearby Bull Arm projects like Hibernia, Terra Nova, White Rose, and Hebron, our town has grown and evolved alongside the industry. We have the infrastructure, the grit, and the know-how. (Read my full historical account here: The Petroleum-Driven Evolution of Clarenville, (1973–Present) The June 23rd Session: What We Learned  The Bay du Nord Public Information Session took place at the Clarenville Events Centre. A group of about 30 local residents and leaders turned out to review the development application, industrial benefits, and operational timelines. Key Session Presenters & Roles Dr. Rob Greenwood (Facilitator): Oversees the public review process to ensure public input is objectively recorded and summarized in a final "What We Heard" report. He ...

On Tuesday, June 23rd, a Bay Du Nord public information session will take place in Clarenville at 6pm in the Clarenville Events Centre.  It will give people the opportunity to listen and ask questions.  (Link to Session information) SUPPORT DOCUMENTS  The Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (C‑NLOER) has received a Development Application (DA) from Equinor for the proposed Bay du Nord Project. The DA package consists of: Development Plan Benefits Plan Socio‑Economic Impact Statement Concept Safety Analysis There is a  meaningful sense of opportunity for Clarenville , particularly because of the town's role as a regional service centre with established transportation links, workforce capacity, business services, health infrastructure, and training assets.  Bay du Nord was seen not simply as an offshore oil development but as a project that could generate secondary economic benefits for towns like Clarenville, which are well positioned to su...

The planned formation of a Mayor's Advisory Committee in Clarenville could be a proactive step toward addressing the housing challenges outlined in the 2024 Housing Needs Assessment  - if it moves from a simple advising role to a focused action role . With a target of 830 new units by 2038—including approximately 300 units of non-market/subsidized housing—the Council could play a critical role in bridging the gap between planning and development. It is important to clarify that the Town will not be building these homes; this responsibility lies with private developers. The role of the Town and the provincial government is to facilitate the development process. I feel that for this to succeed, the Action Committee’s mandate must focus on three clearly defined and achievable goals designed to overcome our most significant hurdles: 1. Unlocking the Infrastructure "Shovel-Ready" Bottleneck Clarenville is a regional service hub experiencing high growth, yet, according to the ...

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...