Bay Roberts blooms the brightest

By Mark Squibb/October 28, 2022

Bay Roberts is one of Canada’s most beautiful towns — and now the residents there have the paperwork to prove it.

Communities in Bloom announced over the weekend that Bay Roberts had won the national competition in the 6,001-20,000 population division, receiving a rating of 5 Blooms, which is bronze in the organization’s rating scale. The Town also received a special mention for the reconstruction of the Three Sisters area.

“Over time, due to erosion, and the stairs down to the beach becoming damaged, accessibility to the beach was an issue,” explained volunteer judges Colleen Stockford and Lucy Chang in their submissions.  “A project got underway to save the popular lookout area. With funding support from the provincial government, the affected area was excavated and stabilized with infill rocks, and a brand-new set of stairs that can be removed for winter storage, was installed. The successful reconstruction means that visitors and locals alike can access the beach safely and take in the beauty that the Three Sisters and the ocean background have to offer.”

Judges travelled the country this summer to evaluate participating communities on numerous criteria, such as appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management, landscape, and plant and floral displays.

“I was so very proud to accept this on behalf of the town and everybody who was involved, “said Bay Roberts Mayor Walter Yetman during this week’s council meeting.

He thanked a number of staff and councillors both past and present for helping the town measure up to the national group’s criteria.

“We’ve been in this competition now about 12 years, and it was a great recognition for all the work that was done,” said Yetman. “I can’t say enough — I’m so very proud.”

The mayor noted that come the next public meeting, once council has possession of the trophy, the town will hold a small ceremony and ask Director of Tourism and Economic Development Ron Delaney to say a few words.

Councillor Dean Franey said that as far as he knew, Bay Roberts is the only community to have won both the Communities in Bloom award and the National Winter Lights prize.