Burin, Newfoundland and Labrador

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Burin (2001 population 2,470) is a town on the Burin Peninsula in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Burin Peninsula is often affectionately nick-named "The Boot" due to its resemblance to the footwear when seen on a map, with the town of Burin located near the "heel". Burin is approximately 318 km from the capital of St. John's. Settlement in Burin dates to the early 18th century, although documentary evidence indicates that French fishermen had been fishing and exploring the area even earlier.

1 History
2 Economy
3 Education
4 Sports/Recreation
5 External links

[edit] History

Burin was settled as a fishing community, with the earliest known evidence of settlement being in 1718. With the shelter of Burin harbour, the community thrived as one of the busiest fishing ports on the island. The town was incorporated in 1950, and included Burin North, Ship Cove and Burin Bay. In 1970 the town limits were expanded and now include Collin's Cove, Path End, Bull's Cove, Black Duck Cove, Long Cove, Green Hill, Little Salmonier, Hollet's Farm, Burin Bay Arm, and Salt Pond.

[edit] Economy

Up until the early 1990s the local economy was largely still dependant on the fishing industry. The federally imposed cod moratorium which was institued in 1992 had a heavy impact on the fishing industry as a whole. One of the main employers on the Burin penisula was Fishery Products International (FPI), with fish processing plants located in Fortune, Marystown, and the largest in Burin. The fish plants continue to this day to struggle to employ people to perform processing of various fish products.

The tourism sector has grown in the absence of the fishing industry. Museums such as the Heritage House and Old Colony Trust reminding people of what life was like in early Burin. The Burin Heritage Days occur in August at the Heritage Museum site, with many locals dressing in period clothing, a plethora of local musicians and dancers who entertain, and a fireworks show to the end the event. There are also many Bed and Breakfasts (B&B's) that are located throughout the community.

[edit] Education

The school systems in Newfoundland underwent a change from denominational to a fully integrated system in the mid 1990's. Originally, there were two school systems under the denominational set-up - the Roman Catholic (R.C.) School Board and the Integrated School Board. Schools in the R.C. system included St. Patrick's elementary school (K-6) and Father Berney Memorial High School (7-12). The Integrated Schools included Sheen's Hill Elementary, Harfitt Primary, Donald C. Jameson Academy (4-8), and Pearce Regional High School (9-12). The schools of both systems served students from Burin as well as the neighbouring communities of Epworth, Corbin, Mortier, Fox Cove, Frenchman's Cove, and Garnish and Marystown; although Marystown did have two of it's own R.C. schools, Sacred Heart Elementary (k-6) and Marystown Central High School (7-12)), as well as a Penticostal School.

With the removal of the denominational school system, each of the schools were combined into one system to provide education for the area. Marystown Central High School, Sacred Heart Elementary, Harfitt Elementary, Pearce Junior High and Donald C. Jamieson Academy now remain, with Fr. Berney Memorial housing the school board offices.

Post secondary institutions include two public trade colleges, College of the North Atlantic and Keyin College.

[edit] Sports/Recreation

Burin athletes compete in a number of disciplines, including softball, soccer, track and field, and tennis. Hockey players and figure skaters can travel to nearby Marystown to compete at the local arena. Recreational facilities include:

Two Softball Diamonds
Soccer Pitch (Home to the 2-time Provincial Challenge Cup Champions "Burin Eagles")
Several Scenic Walking Trails
Tennis Courts
Outdoor basketball facilities
Freshwater Pond Park
Golden Sands Beach
A number of freshwater lakes and ponds frequently used for swimming

Burin is also popular with those interested in gaming, camping and with offroad enthusiasts.