Petty Harbour council gives cautious approval to development on Motion Bay Road Extension

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Petty Harbour Council has approved in principle three separate applications to build houses on the Motion Bay Road Extension.

The decision was made at council’s April 6 regular meeting, but not without some reservations.

Council approved applications for 41-45 Motion Bay Road Extension, 51-59 Motion Bay Road Extension and 30 Motion Bay Road Extension – all with conditions that included signed legal agreements about the width, condition and standard of Motion Bay Road Extension, as well as acknowledgement of no Town commitment to any future upgrades, as well as limitations on services, among other caveats.

The council motions state the agreements are necessary to protect the Town’s interests, ensure public safety and manage impacts on public infrastructure.

Councillor Kayla Parsons, who made the motions, said she is pro-development and supports reduction of red tape and other barriers. However, she added council has a responsibility that goes beyond any single application or short-term decision.

“We have to carefully consider the financial impact on the Town, the economic sustainability of our decisions, the environmental implications and the long-term obligations that we place not only on ourselves, but on all residents,” Parsons said, adding that something as significant as a road is not a simple or inexpensive undertaking considering the level of planning, engineering, and financial analysis required.

“It would not be prudent for us to make commitments today that we may not be able to support tomorrow at the same time,” Parsons said. “I do believe it is fair that property owners should have the opportunity to develop their land. This motion is an attempt to strike that balance to allow reasonable development to proceed while being transparent about the current limitations and protecting the Town from obligations we are not yet in a position to take on.”

A public consultation meeting was held March 30 on two of the applications. The third application, for Lot 30, was submitted after the meeting was called and was not included in the public consultation.

The public consultation also centred around a 2018 amendment to the Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove Town Plan and Development Regulations, which removed restrictions for development on the Motion Bay Road Extension.

Mayor Ed Dyke said he doesn’t understand the rationale for council’s change at the time and believes the resulting regulations should have better protected the Town. He said replacement costs are not well defined in the regulations for future councils to go by.

“In my opinion it should not have been done without better descriptions and limitations. I think it was the wrong decision at that time,” Dyke said. “This council should, over the next few years, update this policy again. This is my opinion.”

Dyke outlined how the Town approached the provincial government in recent years for a cost-sharing grant that was obtained exclusively to protect the water main of Maddox Cove and not upgrade the Motion Bay Road Extension to Town standards.

“There’s nowhere in the provincial government grant that states, that I’m aware of, that Motion Bay Road Extension was to be brought up to Town standards, to the best of my knowledge,” said the mayor.

Dyke said the Town paid an additional $6,000 to get the road extension up to its current standard by adding crushed stone.

The motion also outlined how applicants must submit a drainage plan signed by a qualified engineer, receive approval from the appropriate provincial authority for all on-site sewage and disposal systems, and that any future upgrades or improvements to the Motion Bay Road Extension may be funded through a Local Improvement Fee and subject to the adoption of a formal council bylaw.

Council says no can do this year

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Witless Bay Council says an application to the Province for help funding a new fire truck isn’t in the cards for 2026, but instead wants the fire department to come up with a multi-year plan for the purchase.

Council made the recommendation at its March regular meeting in response to a request to support an application this year. Councillors cited the fact there is no money in the 2026 fire department budget to cover Town’s share of costs for the truck, which would replace an existing unit.

“We know that the truck is up in years, but it’s still useful and we are trying to be proactive, but I don’t think the fire department was aware that they didn’t allocate in their 2026 budget for us to apply for this,” said councillor Ralph Carey. “There’s no point in applying for this if we don’t have the finances. We want to apply when we’ve had the planning put in and put away a few dollars. And if we can get the Province to say yes then we say here you go, here’s our share. But right now we don’t have our share to contribute so there’s no point in making an application.”

CAO Jennifer Aspell said fire trucks are expensive and that cost sharing agreements generally involve an 80-20 provincial-municipal split that usually also includes a multi-year commitment on the part of the Town.

The truck the fire department is looking to replace is a pumper unit that was brought into service in 2006. Aspell said that, although the units generally remain in service past that date, it is also a milestone where replacement plans start to take shape.

Witless Bay’s new municipal plan is not a ‘cake already baked,’ says Aspell

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Witless Bay Town Council received 17 written submissions as part of the initial phase of public consultation in its Municipal Plan review process and formally adopted the public consultation report at its March 10 meeting.

Council reviewed all the submissions with the planning consultant contracted by the Town for the process and provided some direction.

However, the Town’s chief administrative officer, Jennifer Aspell, pointed out that the identities of everyone who made the submissions were redacted prior to bringing them to council. The redacted versions will be included in the public consultation report that will be posted on the Town’s website.

“Now the new (zoning) map and new draft plan is being developed based on all that and then we will go back to the public for the second round of consultation, which will be presenting the new draft report and the new zoning map,” Aspell said.

There is no timeline yet for when that work will be ready to bring back but the Town anticipates having the revised plan finished for submission to the Province sometime in 2026, she added.

One resident at the end of the public meeting asked if there would be any opportunities for residents to meet with the planner who is working with the Town to revise the plan. The resident was advised the Town is following a standard process for a municipal plan review, and direct consultations between residents and the planner are not something that is standard practice.

Deputy Mayor Justina Nawaz said the public call for written submissions in December 2025 was the first phase of that public engagement process and councillors act as a conduit for resident feedback. The Town promoted the written submission opportunity as much as possible, said Aspell, with general advertising in the newspaper, social media, the Town website and postings around Town, as well as direct communication with some community groups.

The resident suggested to council that it should go above and beyond to invite more public input earlier in the process, as opposed to waiting until the ‘cake was already baked’ and opportunities to affect the plan are limited.

Aspell disagreed, arguing that what will be presented to residents in the next phase of public consultation won’t be cake that is already baked.

“The hearing with the commissioner is an opportunity for residents and taxpayers and anybody else who has an interest in the municipal plan in town to attend and verbally make a contribution in front of council, and the planner will also be in attendance,” said Aspell.

She added that after that session, the commissioner provides a report to the Town with recommendations. Council then meets with the planner again and reviews the commissioner’s recommendations prior to coming up with a new plan.

“There’s still a fair bit of time for input, right?” said the CAO.

Aspell said the Town will promote upcoming public engagement opportunities once details are finalized.

Witless Bay’s last approved municipal plan spanned 2013 - 2023 and is posted on the Town website. Aspell said the process of reviewing the plan began around a year and a half ago and council has been meeting once a month for several hours to undertake a detailed review to understand the existing plan. New council members that just came on board in the fall have spent additional time to get caught up to their colleagues.

“This process is a lot of work,” Aspell said.

Goulds Scouts Make Recycling Blitz

Members of the 1st Goulds Scouts conducted a recycling drive on Saturday, March 21. Some of the participants included, from left: Brandon Duke Newell, Chester Wells, Dwayne and Blake Byrne, and Jacob Raymond and Owen Bennett . The Scouts also accepted donations at the St. Kevin’s church parking lot. As of last count, the donation tally was at $615 and counting. Monies raise will go towards the Scouting program. The Goulds Scouts group runs the gamut from pre-kindergarten children to grade 12 students.

Busy Bay Bulls playground area may get extra speed hump

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bay Bulls Town Council has approved the installation of speed humps as weather permits at the usual locations but is considering an additional hump for Sheldon Drive.

Speed humps are currently located in three park and recreational areas, with two near the playground at Island Cove Road, six along the road to the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre and one near the Sheldon Drive playground.

Deputy Mayor Ethan Williams said that following last summer’s busy season, some residents questioned whether the hump on Sheldon Drive shouldn’t be on the straight section as opposed to the downhill portion of the road.

“I know that it’s sort of in the area where the road leads into the playground there on Sheldon Drive, but there was a little confusion about putting the speed bump in an area where you’re naturally coming down on an incline,” Williams said. “A lot of people noted that people were naturally yielding coming down that hill, but once they made that turn and got to the flat part of Sheldon Drive that they were instantly picking up speed for that straight shot.”

Chief Administrative Officer Ashley Wakeham said there used to be speed humps on the straight portion of the road until 2023. Other speed control measures have been put in place on Sheldon Drive since then, including a speed sign and new signage highlighting it as a traffic-calmed area.

“At the end of the day it comes down to enforcement through the RCMP, so my advice would be anybody seeing people picking up speed and speeding through that area it needs to be recorded for a couple of reasons,” Wakeham said.

One of those reasons, she explained, is so that the RCMP can maintain statistics for the area, which could eventually lead to enough numbers for more officers to be assigned to the Southern Shore.

“So, it’s very important this is logged through the proper channels,” Wakeham said.

Councillor Corey Ronayne suggested relocating one hump from another area to put at the straightaway on Sheldon Drive, possibly one from around the Lifestyle Centre.

Mayor Keith O’Driscoll indicated the six speed humps located near the Lifestyle Centre might be a little excessive. However, Wakeham disagreed, arguing it is a busy area.

“You have kids in soccer on the front field and back field, you got softball, you also got summer programming and other users of the site, and a daycare,” Wakeham said. “It’s very, very heavily trafficked and very busy.”

Wakeham said there are extra speed humps available, so there is no need to relocate any from the previously assigned areas.  “We can do both,” she said.

Mavericks fans kick in $25K for good causes

By Mark Squibb

Hockey fans in the Goulds raised $25,577 at this year’s 10th annual St. Kevin’s High Mavericks Hockey Alumni Charity Classic.

“Every year you set a goal and you wonder if your goal is achievable,” said organizer Jason Snelgrove. “I try to be realistic with it. We raised a little over $15,000 last year. I’ve said multiple times, ‘That’s as good as it’s going to get,’ and we ought to set an expectation of around $10,000, and anything above $10,000 would be a really good thing.”

Snelgrove said when he was handed the donation total, he about fell over on the ice.

“I’m kind of shocked,” said Snelgrove. “But at the end of the day it shows the amount of support the event has been getting… Any amount we raise is a good amount. But $25,000, I would never have dreamed of the possibility, but here we are.”

In addition to the main event on March 6, a separate female event was held, which helped increase the donation amount. The winner of the 50/50 draw also donated their winnings, which bolstered the donation total.

The female game, held March 3, saw the high school girls beat the alumni players 4-1, while the male alumni players bested the high school boys 6-3.

Snelgrove said seeing kids watch their moms play hockey for maybe the first time was a highlight, not just of this year’s event, but of the last decade of hosting the event.

Donations raised this year were split among the Curtis Hudson Memorial Fund, Vera Perlin Society, and a local family facing medical challenges.

All told, over $90,000 has been raised for local charities over the last decade.

“Next year we’ll break that $100,000 milestone,” said Snelgrove. “The hockey game is cool. The money raised is cool, but the smiles, the laughter, the connections, the community, the family, all of that is what’s really important.”

The St. Kevin’s High Mavericks Hockey Alumni Charity Classic brings together players of all ages. Pictured in top photo are cousins Michael Dier of the high school team and mini–Maverick Aiden Deir. Also pictured are cousins Stacey Power, left, and Katie Power. Stacey Birmingham Photos

Court rules Appeal Board was wrong not to sort out Witless Bay wrangle

By Mark Squibb

Gary and Ann-Marie Churchill have won another legal sparring match with the Town of Witless Bay over council’s decision to revoke a septic system permit it had initially approved for the couple’s Gallows Cove Road property.

Council approved an application for a well and septic system in August 2021, and Service NL gave its approval for installation of a sewage system and water supply that October.

Following the September election of 2021, which saw an entirely new slate of candidates elected to office, the newly minted council rescinded a list of motions approved by the previous council, including the approval of the Churchills’ septic system

Gary Churchill brought that decision to the Appeal Board. The board however, determined that it had no jurisdiction to hear the Appeal, and so in April of 2024, Churchill brought the matter to the Supreme Court, which determined the Board did in fact have jurisdiction to hear the appeal. Supreme Court Judge Alexander MacDonald revoked the board’s decision and ordered the Town to pay the couple $1,100 in legal fees.

Churchill took both the Town and the Appeal Board to court in 2025 in a bid to have the rescinding of the motion overturned. The Appeal Board allowed that the Town had the right to rescind the motion as it could be argued that council approved Churchill to seek permission from Service NL for a septic system and did not actually approve the septic system itself.

But once again, a Supreme Court judge has ruled in Churchill’s favour.

“The Recission Motion presumes that the Original Motion was not an application for a development permit, which is legally incorrect based upon the subsequent decision of Justice MacDonald,” reads the decision handed down by Justice David G. Conway on February 6, 2026.

Conway revoked the Appeal Board’s decision but noted it was not the role of the Court to revoke the motion of council.

Once again, the Town was ordered to pay Churchill $1,100 in legal fees.

“I feel wonderful (about the recent decision), but I’m not surprised,” said Churchill. “It was such an illogical thing that went on I couldn’t believe that it happened. We had a permit, we were given permission to proceed, and then they decided that that permit wasn’t good enough… There’s no glory in winning. This should have never happened in the first place.”

Churchill said despite his best efforts, he has not yet been able to set up a meeting with council.

“I don’t know how I could present it any more logically than I did in court,” said Churchill. “And whether I’ll ever get that opportunity to present it to the council, I doubt it.”

Moving forward, Churchill said the only two options left on the table are for the Town to either approve the septic tank or go back to the Appeal Board once again and begin the process anew.

“When does common sense prevail?” mused Churchill. “Property owners’ taxes are going to prevent me from putting a toilet on my land. It can’t get any more ridiculous than that.”

Town Manager Jennifer Aspell, meanwhile, said information on how much the Town has spent in legal fees trying to overthrow the permit would have to be obtained through an Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (ATIPP) request, which the Irish Loop Post has filed.

Mayor Jacob Hayden said the Town had no comment on the Supreme Court decision.

Renews residents preparing to celebrate 150-year-old place of faith and pride

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After more than a decade of work restored a revered local church, a group of parishioners and residents in Renews are looking forward to celebrating the building’s 150th anniversary this summer.

Lois Berrigan, who helped spearhead efforts of the Renews-Cappahayden Church Property Preservation committee to restore the Holy Apostles Church, said there have been countless volunteer hours and an estimated $100,000 of materials and professional services put into the project.

She said the pivotal decision to keep the church was made in 2016 and it’s been a labour of love for many in the area since then.

“The church was in bad shape, and we took it upon ourselves to have a general meeting in the harbour. A lot of people came to it and the question was do we keep the church or do we let if go?” Berrigan said. “A lot of the priests here at the time wanted us to let it go and knock it down and build a memorial garden.”

A former resident, a member of the O’Dea family, said at the meeting that the group should own the church before it did anything to restore the building.

“And everyone agreed and within a year we owned our church for very little money,” she said.

The O’Deas took the lead on replacing the roof with new green asphalt shingles, as well as interior painting, adding speakers for music and installing a wifi system so that services could be live streamed, if necessary.

The facade was updated, old chairs were re-upholstered, stained-glass windows were reframed and an inclusion grant obtained in 2019 allowed for the addition of two new ramps for accessible entry to the building.

“The last time that church was touched was just a basic paint job on the walls inside, as high as you could reach anyway, and that must have been back in the 1980s,” Berrigan said, adding that people saw things that needed to be done and just did it. “People just stepped up, there was great interest in helping.”

Not that things are perfect now – Berrigan pointed out that a 150-year-old building will always need ongoing maintenance – but she said the transformation is a source of community pride.

“One staunch church goer came in and it caught her by surprise. She started crying when she came in … she said she never thought she would see this church so beautiful again,” said Berrigan.

There was a lot of fundraising over the past decade, including a Chase The Ace fundraiser that did really well, personal donations and a series of in-memoriam donations.

There will be a series of activities running from Aug. 11 - 16 to celebrate the 150th anniversary, though Berrigan said the focus will be as much about the community as it is about the church.

Events will include an art exhibit, a concert, a wine tasting, shows, a kitchen party and a fish stew and bonfire on the beach, including a Grotto mass on the Saturday.

“We have the only Grotto built on a Mass Rock,” Berrigan said.

The mass will be followed by a dinner and dance that night, and the next day will be a special mass to celebrate the 150th anniversary followed by a brunch and a garden party.

Jeanette Kenny, left, Gerard Hickey and Kathleen Fortin, in the background, were among the volunteers who helped clear away pieces of the old roof of Holy Apostles Church in Renews during a work bee in September 2017. Submitted photo

Holy Apostles Church in Renews as it looked in 2017 while it was undergoing renovations. Renews residents will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the church's construction this summer. The church is next to the Mass rock where in the early 1700s Roman Catholics in the area gathered to hold mass in secret because it was illegal to do publicly. A grotto, built in the late 1920s, is also nearby.

Goulds street getting speed cushions this spring

By Mark Squibb

The City of St. John’s has announced temporary speed cushions will be installed on a number of streets this spring, including on Heffernan’s Line from the Back Line to Main Road in the Goulds.

Other streets include Great Eastern Avenue, Middleton Street, Old Bay Bulls Road, and Parsons Road.

The speed cushions will be removed in the fall. Householders will then be surveyed to determine if the speed cushions ought to be installed permanently.

Following temporary installation in 2025, speed cushions will be installed along Empire Avene and Smithville Crescent at the recommendation of residents.

Temporary cushions were installed along Gleneyre Street, however only 52 percent of survey respondents supported permanent installation, below the required 60 precent support threshold, and so permanent cushions will not be installed.

Speed cushions are flatter, wider, and less abrupt than speed bumps, and easier for emergency vehicles to handle.

Bay Bulls outdoor rink could go high tech

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bay Bulls council voted unanimously March 9 to approve an application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Fund to help fund a feasibility study for its community ice rink project.

Council also approved an upfront cost of $5,000, plus HST, of an anticipated Town cost of $13,000 for the study. The total cost of the feasibility study is estimated at $65,000.

The Community Ice Rink Project includes a refrigerated outdoor ice rink, a renewable heat-recovery system to serve the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre (BBRLC), and upgrades to the Centre’s water supply to support full emergency-shelter capacity.

“I think everybody should realize that this is a big project as a link to a multitude of municipal initiatives,” said councillor Corey Ronayne in speaking to his motion.

Town Manager Ashley Wakeham said the project delivers multiple community benefits, including greenhouse-gas reduction, improved energy efficiency, enhanced emergency preparedness, and expanded access to low-carbon recreation infrastructure.

She said the Town must complete a feasibility study before submitting a final funding application.

“This study is required to validate technical design, heat-recovery potential, GHG reductions, capital costing, and operational savings, all elements directly tied to the project components outlined in the project overview,” Wakeham explained after the meeting.

Ronayne noted that if the Community Ice Rink Project moves forward it could cost $2 million to $3 million. However, he added, there could be up to 90 per cent funding by the federal government with the provincial government potentially contributing as well.

“So, we are looking at all funding opportunities for this,” he said.

Bay Bulls and Witless Bay councils endorse regional tourism plan

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Early work on a new collaborative approach to tourism around the Irish Loop was met with optimism during last week’s council meetings in Bay Bulls and Witless Bay.

The latter council unanimously approved and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to join the Irish Loop Tourism Project, which will look to ‘Link The Loop.’

In Bay Bulls, Deputy Mayor Ethan Williams said he was happy to support a similar motion after attending a recent stakeholder session involving residents and businesses.

“It seems like there’s a lot of opportunity, especially after a busy tourism season last year. It had been one of our busiest ever, and definitely our busiest coming out of the COVID years,” Williams said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do regionally to get some more people visiting here and share our part of the province with everyone.”

Bay Bulls Town Manager Ashley Wakeham said local tourism operators have been involved throughout the process through meetings, site visits, and regional engagement sessions held this past winter around the Irish Loop.

More than 150 participants attended the first three sessions, she noted. They represented tourism businesses, municipalities, volunteer groups, and residents from across the region.

“All the tour operators, you know, I think they’ve realized they can’t work independently,” Wakeham said. “They all got to work together and there’s a piece of the pie for everybody here, including residents, with new people moving here and all kinds of spinoffs… A great place to visit is a great place to live, is what we’ve been saying.”

Wakeham said feedback from businesses has been positive, with strong interest in increased regional collaboration, improved signage and wayfinding throughout the Irish Loop and stronger promotion of the region as a unified tourism destination.

“We’re really excited to get this Linking the Loop off the ground and see what other monies might be available,” she said.

Wakeham said the MOU formalizes collaboration but does not require any immediate financial commitment from the municipalities. The pilot project is being funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Province.

The MOU establishes a shared commitment to work together on tourism development, planning, and regional initiatives. Over time, the collaboration could lead to the development of a shared cost model for future regional projects, if municipalities choose to move forward with them.

Wakeham said work on the idea began in May 2023, and in 2024 a regional working group of approximately 20 representatives from communities and organizations across the Irish Loop was formed. The group met regularly to identify next steps for tourism development.

Back in Witless Bay, that Town’s CAO, Jennifer Aspell, said she was impressed with the turnout at the stakeholder meetings, noting there were upwards of 40 people at both the daytime and evening sessions held in Bay Bulls.

She said the project acts as a community building opportunity not just for big tourism operators and attractions, but also for residents in the communities as a way to recognize the importance of tourism.

“As the project goes on, we know it’s building momentum,” Aspell said.

She reported there were 1,900 visitors at the Witless Bay tourism chalet in August alone, adding the Town continues to seek funding to extend chalet staffing from April through to October.

Bay Bulls community food sharing pantry

Don’t let her sweatshirt fool, Leah Drover is no Grinch. The 12-year-old celebrated her birthday on December 7 by collecting donations for the Bay Bulls community food sharing pantry. Leah’s brother Max was only too happy to help out.

Trepassey mayor says town is ready to face the challenges

By Mark Squibb

Wanda Waddleton was named Mayor of Trepassey on October 15, and less than a month later, was baptized not by fire, but by hurricane force winds and heavy rains when Hurricane Melissa hit in early November.

The storm caused severe damage to the town’s breakwater and cut off the Lower Coast for several hours.

“It was a challenge believe me,” said Waddleton. “But the biggest challenge is getting the government to realize the residents in rural areas shouldn’t be forgotten.”

The breakwater had been damaged in successive years prior and was still in need of repairs when Hurricane Melissa hit, deteriorating the structure further.

Waddleton said residents were thrilled when the newly minted PC government announced it would tender repairs, and are excited to see work commence.

That contract, valued at $1.6 million, was recently awarded to Rock Construction Company Ltd., with work expected to begin in January.

Waddleton said the completion of the breakwater remains the town’s biggest project in the coming year, but council has other ideas on its agenda as well, including the implementation of a town plan, emergency plan, and a new set of by-laws.

“We’ve been talking about this since I went on council four years ago, but I have stated that we are going to complete these plans this year,” said Waddleton.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for council, Waddleton allowed, is to spend within its means, given the cost of services and the need for expensive infrastructure repairs, coupled with a limited tax base.

“We only have 420 residents, so our tax base is very limited, and most of our infrastructure, like our water lines and sewer, is in great need of repair,” said Waddleton. “Culverts are collapsing underneath roads. And all of this is costing the Town a lot of money. But our biggest ongoing challenge is our snow clearing, which is costing us upwards of $100,000 a year. Plus, garbage collection is up to $83,000 a year. With 420 people, most of whom are seniors, it’s very hard to face these challenges. We’ve been trying to get government to come on board and see if they can help with snow clearing. But it’s been an ongoing challenge. It’s a challenge that comes up every meeting. And we don’t want to increase taxes because we can’t really afford to do that.”

The Town’s budget, said Waddleton, is usually shy of $600,000.

Challenging as it may be, Waddleton, who had just completed a four-year term as councillor, and had previously served as mayor back in the early nineties, said she’s up to the task.

Longstanding, outgoing mayor Rita Pennell secured a council seat but opted to serve as a councillor this time around.

“I have big shoes to fill,” said Waddleton. “Rita has been a strong voice for the people of Trepassey. She’s in her 35th year of municipal politics this year, not always in the capacity of mayor, but as a member of council. But I feel like I’m capable of doing the job at hand, and I’ll do everything in my power for the people of Trepassey. As mayor, my main job is to run our town in an efficient and cost-effective way, but also to be there to obtain whatever funds are available for the betterment of our town. I’m working with an awesome council, and together, I feel we are up to the task we face in the next four years.”

Going the distance as father and son

Keith and Eric Hutchings at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon earlier this year.

By Mark Squibb

For many, having someone register you for a 42-kilometre run as a Christmas gift might seem like a cruel joke.

But when Eric Hutchings did just that back in 2023 and registered his dad, former Ferryland MHA Keith Hutchings, for the 2024 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, he did it with the best of intentions.

“He opened it and said, ‘Holy smokes, I have to run a marathon in 10 months,” laughed Eric.

The annual marathon is held in October. When Eric ran it in 2023, Keith, who in his youth had been a runner, flew to Toronto to cheer him on.

“I could see there was an itch, and that it was something he wanted to do,” said Eric. “He’d even say, ‘I always wanted to run a marathon.’ So, I did the marathon, and he was super happy that I did it and he was super proud of me. And I was thinking that it takes a lot for a person to commit and sign up for a marathon. That’s the hardest step. So, I thought that if I got him his (registration) for Christmas, the race wouldn’t be until the following October, and this would probably be all the motivation he needs.”

Father and son ran the marathon together in 2024, and again in 2025.

“That was pretty amazing to share that experience with him,” said Keith. “He was obviously in a different speed category. But I had gone up to watch him run his first marathon, so I was there to cheer him on his first marathon, and then he was there at the end, with my wife and my daughter. So, it was amazing to complete a feat like that with him and to have that experience. It was a memory we’ll share forever.”

Eric shared a similar sentiment.

“It was an awesome experience,” said Eric. “I remember growing up playing hockey, and even when he wasn’t coaching me anymore, I would look at the stands to see if he was there. Once I saw he was there I was like, ‘Alright, I’m good to go, let’s play the game.’ So, it felt like it was the reverse of that. I finished and I was tracking him along and I got to see him cross the finish line. That was a really cool experience, to give him a big hug and say congrats when he finished and tell him how proud I was of him for taking on that journey and at his age doing a marathon for the first time. It was cool to be able to coach him along the way and give him advice, and to see him do it and be happy with his time, it was an awesome, awesome time.”

Eric began running in 2022. He admits that growing up he always found running boring. Keith, meanwhile, was a competitive runner in his younger years who always dreamed of one day completing a full marathon.

“I’ve always wanted to complete a marathon, so last year was just about completing it,” said Keith. “So, after I did that, I said, well, maybe I should do it again and see what it would be like to do it a second time.”

This year, both men managed to improve upon their previous year’s time. Eric, 27, completed the marathon in 3:39:09. Keith, 58, completed it in 4:29:14.

“The big thing is to start small and just grow your distances,” advised Keith, who did much of his distance training along the Witless Bay Line. “Don’t get into a situation where you’re doing a lot of miles initially and you’re getting sore and uncomfortable. Pace yourself in terms of building up your pace and your distance. I’ve learned that doing a lot of miles is not always best. It’s more about quality than quantity. Give your body time to rest… A lot of it is mental. It’s about overcoming the barrier of thinking you can’t do it.”

The course itself is flat, and, as the name suggests, runs along the waterfront in downtown Toronto. The marathon doubles as a qualifier marathon for other world marathons.

Looking ahead, the pair are considering doing a marathon elsewhere in the coming year, but have yet to make a final decision.

Meanwhile, if you’re considering picking up running in the new year, Eric has a few tidbits of advice.

“Just get out there and get moving,” said Eric. “With each run that you do, you’ll slowly build your confidence in yourself. The hardest thing is putting the shoes on and getting out there and getting moving. You just have to trust in yourself that you can do it, and believe you can, and commit to it.”