Last leg of CBS T’Railway upgrades will see replacement of nettlesome trestle

Manuels River Centre to get a root cellar and cannery

By Craig Westcott \ April 28, 2023

Ottawa is ponying up nearly a million dollars for three projects in Conception Bay South this year that are designed to make it easier for tourists to explore the town and its heritage.

The Province is also contributing money, as is the Town itself towards the projects which include upgrading the last 3.2 kms of the T’Railway in Seal Cove, the erection of new signage, and the establishment of a root cellar and cannery at the Manuel River Centre. Altogether the three governments will spend a combined $1.6 million.

The announcement was made at the Richard Parsons Rotary Clubhouse last Friday. Ward 4 councillor Melissa Hardy, who acted as emcee for the event, said the projects will make a positive impact on tourism. 

Avalon MP Ken McDonald, who delivered the lion’s share of the money on behalf of the federal government, singled out Seal Cove resident Carl Morgan for attention. Morgan has been a long-time advocate for repairs to the trestle at Seal Cove Pond, which is located on the T’Railway and has been the bane of recreational boaters who have trouble navigating past the dilapidated structure to get to the waters of Conception Bay. The trestle, or trussel as it is known locally, will be replaced as part of the trail upgrades.

McDonald said some $811,000 of federal money will go to replacing the trestle and finishing the trail.

“We will also help the Town install and upgrade regional wayfinding signage to guide visitors and improve access to local destinations and attractions, which is a federal investment of over $65,000,” he added. “The signage will also spotlight the 50th anniversary of the town’s incorporation.”

McDonald said the signage will not only benefit tourists, but educate new residents of CBS on the historic names of the communities that make up the town. 

“Through this initiative, residents and visitors alike will be able to walk safely, bike, and hike along the beautiful northeast Avalon guided by new, easy to navigate signage,” McDonald said.

The root cellar and canning room at the Manuels River Centre, meanwhile, will give residents and visitors a chance to explore some of the traditional ways Newfoundlanders preserved vegetables, fruit and meats, he added.

“This will be an amazing educational opportunity for our youth and for those who are looking to practice a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. People who grew up in Conception Bay South knew all that because we had jams made from one year to the other and a bit of wax put on the top of the jam in the bottle and the cap put on tight. Mom would be really delighted that we’re going to be teaching people how to do that,” McDonald said, smiling.

John Abbott, the Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, noted the Province is putting some $338,000 towards finishing the trail, money that will ensure the trail and the trestle is safe for use, he said.

Abbott said he had been briefed on the history of the trestle and its importance to the community by Harbour Main MHA Helen Conway Ottenheimer, whose district includes Seal Cove.

“It was from the community that this project actually got traction, and support,” Abbott said. “One of my favourite pastimes is hiking, and I’ve done a lot of the trails in the province. The only piece I haven’t done is from Topsail to Holyrood, so that is definitely now on the top of my list of things to do.”

Abbott was equally enthusiastic about the root cellar and cannery, to which the Province is giving some $33,000. He allowed it will help people return to their roots, literally, and learn how to preserve and store food. “Many people don’t have the tools and mechanisms and canneries to do that,” he said. “So that’s important… that people can share not only their goods and services around that, but they can also share expertise and stories, and we’re certainly happy to support that initiative.”

The Province is also putting some $25,000 towards the new signage for the trails and roads of CBS.

“The Town has been very active in promoting tourism and economic development in this part of the province,” Abbott said. “It’s one thing to say you have a product and a service, the other thing is how do you get there, and the marketing and promotion of the region becomes very important… As somebody who has hiked and travelled a lot, markers are very, very important and they cannot be overstated in terms of their importance and making sure they are appropriately done and obviously put in the right place.”

All told, the Province is spending some $400,000 on the three projects. Abbott said it is coming from a special fund government has set aside to encourage active living.

Mayor Darrin Bent said the Town is grateful for the money from both levels of government, and said the timing was fitting given it was nearly provincial Tourism Week.

“It’s great to have so many partners here in the room with us today,” Bent said, citing not only the federal and provincial officials, but also representatives from a bevy of CBS and regional community groups who were also on hand. “It’s an exciting announcement… That doesn’t happen by accident, making a place a great tourism draw,” he said. “It’s because of advocacy and hard work on the part of many people in the room today.”

Bent described the T’Railway as one of CBS’s most cherished assets. “This money will go towards upgrading the last 3.2 kms of T’Railway creating an accessible, active transportation route from one end of our town right through to the other. And that last section will be from Dowdens Road to Indian Pond,” he pointed out.

Bent said a critical part of the trail is the Seal Cove Pond trestle, which will be replaced starting this year.

“It will be welcome news for boaters who access (the bay) from the area,” he said. “It’s great news for the residents of Seal Cove and for the residents of the entire town. So, thank you to our funding partners for providing us with the resources over the past 10 years to develop this T’Railway system.”

The new signage coming to the trails will be similar to that of neighbouring areas, Bent added, with the road signs being similar to those found along provincial highways, and will enhance the tourism experience throughout the region. “It will also aid the Town in the promotion of its nine historic communities,” he said. “And when you’re in Seal Cove, you’ll know you’re in Seal Cove.”

Bent said the root cellar and canning room is a special initiative of the CBS Parks Commission and recognizes the history of the town.

“This project has the potential to impact food security in Conception Bay South, providing cold storage space and the opportunity for community groups like our Community Gardens and our food bank to partner with projects for food security here in CBS,” Bent said. “This project will serve as a unique tourist attraction that reflects the agricultural heritage of our community.” Bent said, while the total cost of the projects is some $1.6 million, only $175,000 will come from CBS taxpayers.