Recreation NL Board member Carla Sullivan presented the Recreation NL Active Communities Award to Mayor Keith O’Driscoll last Friday during a ceremony at the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre. Chad Feehan photo
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Town of Bay Bulls is the recipient of Recreation NL’s 2024 Active Community Award.
The honour is given to municipalities that work to identify and create facilities, open spaces, and opportunities for people to be active and engaged in their communities.
Mayor Keith O’Driscoll accepted the award on behalf of the Town at the Bay Bulls Lifestyle Centre last Thursday. It was presented by the recreation and facilities manager of the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre, Carla Sullivan, who is also a member of the board of directors of Recreation NL.
The Town opened a 2.5 km trail around Long Pond and is working on acquiring funding to complete the remaining 2.5 km to complete the full loop. In 2023, solar lights were installed so the trail could be enjoyed longer into the evening.
The Forgotten Corner, the former site of an old house turned gazebo and flower garden, has also been developed within the last five years. The area is located on the corner across from the Town Hall and affords a perfect view of the harbour.
In 2019 the Town partnered with Her Majesty’s Penitentiary project to see prisoners build and paint benches, garbage boxes, picnic tables, and flower boxes for placement throughout the community.
The Bay Bulls Lifestyle Centre, which is used for many recreational activities, has also received upgrades. In 2021 it saw the installation of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and an emergency generator. And last year, the centre’s outside facilities saw improvements to the playground, skatepark, basketball court, softball field and soccer field, thanks to funding from other levels of government and the Town contributing 20 per cent of the cost.
A refrigerated outdoor rink is also in development. The land for the rink has been cleared and leveled and awaits funding for its expected completion sometime this year. Last fall, the Town secured hockey boards from the Mary Brown’s Centre with help of the Bay Bulls Bauline Athletic Association, for eventual installation at the rink.
