Schools and pool to top Dinn’s agenda next year

By Mark Squibb

When it came time at The Shoreline to divvy up the politicians to interview for our year end editions, there was a question mark next to Topsail-Paradise.

That’s because at the time, the result of a judicial recount had yet to be determined.

But after a recount requested by the Liberal Party, PC Paul Dinn actually increased his margin over former Paradise Mayor turned Liberal candidate Dan Bobbet to 106 votes.

It was one of three district recounts requested by the Liberals after the October 14 provincial election.
“I think asking for the three recounts was the Liberal Party trying to throw a wrench into the works and potentially delay the House opening,” said Dinn. “So, that was a bit of a hiccup… I didn’t expect the outcome to change, but it’s still something that hangs over you.”

Given the support he received at doors, Dinn admitted to being surprised that the race was so close.
“(Election night) was a bit nerve-wracking, there’s no doubt about it,” said Dinn. “But the feeling I had was that people wanted me back, and at the end of the day it worked out that way.”

Dinn, who is now Minister of Education with responsibility for a handful of other related portfolios, said he is honored to represent Topsail-Paradise residents once again, despite the extra burden of responsibility that comes with the ministerial role.

“My commitments haven’t changed, my goals haven’t changed, I’m dedicated to doing whatever I can for the residents of Topsail-Paradise,” said Dinn. “I’ll continue to make myself available and try to get to as many events as I can… In the ministerial role, at times, it becomes a little more challenging, but I’m going to try and make it work as best I can.”

For Paradise residents who have been pushing for a high school, seeing their member named education minster probably feels like a win.

But while Dinn said he’s eager to get shovels in the ground, the high school certainly won’t be going up over night.

“Although slow, we’ve seen some progress on the high school for Paradise, and that’s something I’ll keep pushing for, and hopefully we’ll see it move along quicker than what it has,” said Dinn. “As was pointed out at one of the parents meetings years ago, there are factors that are beyond our control, such as the availability of contractors, the labour force, and things like that, but regardless of that, I’m hoping to move it as quickly as we can to ensure that we get it in a timely fashion, and ensure that it’s done right. It’s been moving along at a snail’s pace. I’m hoping to quicken that pace, but again, I’m going to have to sit down and find out exactly where it is in terms of the process and see where we need to go this year, and in following years. But I’m pushing to get shovels in the ground as quick as possible.”

The Liberal government announced plans to build a high school back in the spring of 2024, and in January of this year announced it had purchased 11 acres of land for $3.4 million just off Diane Whelan Drive to construct the school.

There have been no updates since.

The Liberals this past year also announced a new interchange to connect the Trans Canada Highway to Trails End Drive. The move would alleviate traffic on Topsail Road while also transforming Trails End into a thoroughfare.

“A lot of residents have some issues with that,” said Dinn, who plans to discuss the matter further with the town council.

Dinn said he also intends to sit down with the councils of both Paradise and Conception Bay South to get a grasp of their respective priorities.

In Paradise, some residents have made it clear they want a swimming pool.

Whether government funding would be made available for it depends largely on what the Town prioritizes, said Dinn.

“I had three daughters who were competitive swimmers, and Paradise is a relatively young community with lots of children, and so an added recreation facility like a swimming pool would certainly be a plus,” said Dinn. “I will say that swimming pools tend to be the most expensive, in terms of maintenance, among recreation facilities. I think it’s a recreation facility the town could very well support, in terms of usership, but it’s just a matter of where it falls on the Town’s priority list.”

Dinn said the rising cost of living, and challenges around healthcare and education, remain among the province’s top challenges.