Caught off guard

By Mark Squibb

Many residents were caught off guard by the news earlier this month that the Government Service Centre, which had called Harbour Grace home for over 20 years, would be relocated to Bay Roberts — none more so than the building’s landlord.

Norm Noseworthy, who had rented out his Harbour Grace property to the provincial government for use as a Government Service Centre, said he was not notified the lease was being retendered. Had he known, Noseworthy said, he would have put in a bid to keep the service in Harbour Grace.


Noseworthy first rented the property out to the Province in 2002.

“From April 2002 up to August 2010 I was aways contacted by phone, letter or fax about the building being retendered,” said Noseworthy.

Noseworthy said that in 2009, he completed over $400,000 worth of renovations to the building to keep it up to spec and ensure it’s continued use by government. The renovations included over 2,000 additional square footage of space, a new roof, new floors, all new fire rated steel doors, raised floors, all new counter spaces, shelving, a card reader, security system, intrusion alarm and remote monitoring, sound masking system, an HVAC system, and more.

The service was retendered in 2010 and then again in 2015, for a five year-period ending on July 31, 2020. From July 31, 2020 to May 31, 2024, Noseworthy said, government rented the building on a month to month basis, likely due to the COVID pandemic, which was at its peak when the tender expired in 2020.

He said that after having been notified by the provincial government by telephone, letter, or fax for so long, he assumed he would be contacted in that manner again whenever the Province wanted to retender space in the area.

But that didn’t happen this time, said Noseworthy, adding he actually heard from someone else that the service was being moved to Bay Roberts.

“I was shocked,” said Noseworthy. “I came back home, called Government Services and asked about the move and it was confirmed. The tender went out March 2023 was awarded May 2023. I asked how come I wasn’t notified and was told, ‘They don’t do that.’ I said ‘You’ve done it from 2002 to 2020,’ and he then said, ‘We don’t do it anymore.’”

Harbour Grace mayor Don Coombs addressed the matter during the most recent council meeting.

“It was always, ‘You’re extended,’ You’re extended,’” said Coombs. “And then, after 20 years, (he) wasn’t notified of the (change in the) Public Tendering Act.”

Coombs expressed his gratitude to Noseworthy for renting the building to government for as long as he did, as the centre was a great benefit to residents.
“He had no idea it went out to tender,” said Coombs. “It’s unfortunate.”

Coombs said council will likely meet with Noseworthy in the coming weeks to discuss the matter further.

Noseworthy, meanwhile, said he feels he’s been done wrong.

“I’m feeling sorry for the Town of Harbour Grace for the loss,” said Noseworthy. “Thank you, Government Services, for the 22 years and for putting a big dent in my retirement life.”

The Province has announced that the same in-person services, including those for the Motor Registration Division, private water sampling, environmental protection, and electrical inspections, will be offered at the new location.