Bobbett reflects on two decades of growth in Paradise
By Mark Squibb
Paradise Mayor Dan Bobbett spoke before a large crowd of businesspeople last week at the annual Mount Pearl – Paradise Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Mayor’s Outlook Luncheon.’
Bobbett noted 2025 is an election year, and that election years cause one to reflect on their time in office.
Bobbett is serving his twentieth year on council, having been elected in 2005. Twelve of those years he has served as mayor.
“When I was first elected, the population of Paradise was 12,500, and Topsail Road was two lanes,” said Bobbett. “We were in the old town hall by Octagon Pond, the community centre and soccer fields were down by where Sobeys is now, and the Paradise Double Ice Complex was a dream we hoped would become a reality. Fast forward to today and our population is over 23,000. We are the third largest municipality in the province, and a strong economic player in the region.”
Bobbett reminisced on the refurbishment of the building that became the new town hall, as well as the construction of Paradise Park, Double Ice Complex, Paradise Plaza, and the St. Thomas Line Community Centre, along with the expansion of public works services, the opening of Paradise fire station, widening of Topsail Road, completion of the multisport turf at Diane Whalen Park, and more.
Bobbett also reminisced on the construction of the roundabout at Karwood Drive and Kenmount Road back in 2014. While roundabouts are a dime-a-dozen nowadays, that was not always the case, and if you did not already know, the Karwood Drive roundabout, aside from roundabouts constructed at the Robin Hood Bay garbage facility to better improve onsite traffic circulation, was the first roundabout built in the province.
“Critics at the time questioned council’s decision, yet we held fast,” said Bobbett. “The data, and the research, and the benefits are clear. Traffic flows easily in that area.”
Looking ahead to the future, Bobbett spoke of The town’s commitment to leak detection, upcoming participation in the 2025 Canada Summer Games, continuation of water and sewer work, commissioning of the new St. Thomas Line lift station this summer, further development of Paradise Park, and development of a new baseball field.
“Paradise is not the same town it was when I first stepped into the council chambers,” concluded Bobbett. “We’ve grown, we’ve adapted, and we’ve pushed forward, always with an eye to the future. A lot can happen in two decades, and it’s an honour to be a part of shaping our town. And the work is just starting. Through careful planning, evidence-based decisions, and strategic investments, we are poised to continue to be a strong municipality that residents and businesses are proud to call home. As I like to say, it’s a great day in Paradise, and those great days have tuned into great years.”