Paul Tilley's Our Town-Clarenville Blog

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...

  Today, CBC's Terry Roberts posted another interesting story on the Bull Arm aspect of last week's Bay Du Nord announcement, further clarifying the role that government envisages for the Bull Arm fabrication site in Trinity Bay, which can play a key role in Clarenville's future. For Clarenville, the recent shift in strategy for the Bull Arm Fabrication Site is good news. Here is my take on it: 1. The Multi-Industry "Anchor." The announcement moves Bull Arm beyond being a single-project site, which has been the biggest challenge with it.. By committing $200 million toward a floating dry dock capable of lifting the largest Navy and Coast Guard vessels, the government is establishing a permanent industrial fixture that will hopefully support a permanent workforce. Unlike previous "boom and bust" cycles (like Hibernia or Hebron), a dry dock creates long-term, sustainable work in ship repair and maintenance.   This would help to ensure a steady, year-roun...

 BOTH/AND On Tuesday, March 10th, I had the opportunity to join the Clarenville Regional Arts Association at the Events Centre Gallery to tour the BOTH/AND Photovoice exhibit.  I took the opportunity to share it with you.   BOTH/AND is a powerful look at survival and resilience from across NL. Presented by The Journey Project. (www.journeyproject.ca) This isn’t your typical art show. It’s a "Photovoice" project from The Journey Project. It features photos taken by survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence from across Newfoundland and Labrador. The title says it all: life after trauma is "both/and"—it’s both the struggle and the strength, the pain and the healing. These aren’t just pictures; they are real stories from our neighbours, told in their own words and through their own lenses. A big thanks to the Clarenville Regional Arts Association and their incredible work behind the scenes to help make sure our town isn’t just a place to live, but a place to thi...

The Clarenville Housing Needs Assessment (2024) highlights a town currently facing a "low-supply, high-demand" housing crisis, which is expected to be significantly intensified by the recent Bay du Nord announcement . While the report was completed in mid-2024, its findings are highly relevant to the March 2026 announcement that the $14-billion offshore project is moving toward in a relatively short, less than 4-year, window that aims for a 2027 final investment decision with first oil in 2031. Below is a summary of the document's key findings in the context of this week's industrial developments: 1. Looming Population and Housing Pressure Current Crisis: Even before this week's announcement, Clarenville was identified as one of few major regional hubs with a growing population (approx 7% increase from 2016–2021) and a severe lack of affordable housing. Bay du Nord Impact: The project is expected to generate 31 million person-hours of work over 25 years. Given...

"You have to put your shoulder to the wheel. You just can't sit back and let it happen. If you sit back and don't make the effort yourself, don't invest your capital and time and energy and ideas, Clarenville is not going to prosper just because it's Clarenville." Premier Clyde Wells in a presentation to the Clarenville Chamber of Commerce in 1990 Whether we admit it or not, Clarenville's past and future have been/will be tied to the oil industry. The March 2026 benefits agreement with Equinor has placed Clarenville at a critical crossroads. While the history of the town is defined by petroleum "waves," the Bay du Nord project presents a unique set of psychological and logistical hurdles that require immediate, organized action from the local business community. 1. The Peril of "Lost Corporate Memory." Clarenville has successfully navigated three major booms (1973, 1990, 2011), yet because these projects are separated by 15–20 years, t...