Paradise public works to set up shop in Mount Pearl

By Mark Squibb

While there is no timeline as to when staff will be back to work inside the Paradise Town Hall and municipal depot after a fire caused extensive smoke damage to the building back in February, staff seem to be settling in for the long haul.

The Town recently inked a two-year lease agreement with an option to renew with Triumvirate Holdings Ltd., to allow public works staff to set up shop at 35 Glencoe Drive in Mount Pearl.

The Town will be charged $31,625, HST included, in rent per month. The cost will be budgeted in Budget 2026 and Budget 2027.

Based on that rate, Paradise will pay $759,000 in rent over the next two years.

While the figure is substantial, it removes an air of uncertainty for public works staff as they begin to grapple with the winter snow clearing season.

“This is wonderful news, because we have a home now for our workers and our equipment,” said Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street.

The lease agreement was agreed on in a privileged, or private, meeting of council and ratified during the December 2 public meeting.

Councillor Tommy Maher noted staff had been searching for a rental property in Paradise before ultimately settling on the Mount Pearl location.

“Unfortunately, there’s nothing available, hence the reason we had to move to the City of Mount Pearl,” said Maher.

Councillor Glen Carew, concurred, saying that staff “scoured Paradise multiple times,” but to no avail.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to go to Mount Pearl,” said Carew. “Nothing against our friends in Mount Pearl.”

Following the fire, equipment was stored at the rear of the Double Ice Complex. Town Hall staff, meanwhile, have been working out of the old town hall building on Topsail Road.