Conception Bay South
| Conception Bay South | ||
|---|---|---|
| Town | ||
| Town of Conception Bay South | ||
 | ||
| ||
| Nickname(s): C.B.S. | ||
| Motto: Together We Stand | ||
  Conception Bay South | ||
| Coordinates: 47°31′00″N 52°59′00″W / 47.51667°N 52.98333°W | ||
| Country |
 Canada | |
| Province |
 Newfoundland and Labrador | |
| Incorporated | 1973 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Conception Bay South Town Council | |
| • Mayor | Ken McDonald | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 59.27 km2 (22.88 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 14 m (46 ft) | |
| Population (2011)[1] | ||
| • Total | 24,848 | |
| • Density | 420/km2 (1,100/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | Newfoundland Time (UTC-3:30) | |
| • Summer (DST) | Newfoundland Daylight (UTC-2:30) | |
| Postal code span | A1W | |
| Area code(s) | 709 | |
| Website | Town of Conception Bay South | |
Conception Bay South is a town in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is commonly called C.B.S..
Population
As of 2011 the population was 24,848 which makes the town the second largest population centre in the province behind the city of St. John's.[2] The community corresponds largely, but not exactly, to the boundaries of the electoral district of the same name.[3][4]
Location
The town is located on the southern shore of Conception Bay on the Avalon Peninsula of the island of Newfoundland. It is approximately 20 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital, St. John's. As such, the town is part of the St. John's Metro Area and most residents are employed in the nearby cities of St. John's or Mount Pearl.
History
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 1976 | 9,743 |
| 1991 | 17,590 |
| 2001 | 19,772 |
| 2006 | 21,966 |
| 2011 | 24,848 |
Conception Bay South was formed in 1973 through the amalgamation of eight communities (Topsail, Chamberlains, Manuels, Long Pond, Foxtrap, Kelligrews, Upper Gullies, and Seal Cove) all of which follow the coastline of Conception Bay.
The early residents, mainly English but some Irish, were attracted by good growing land, abundant supplies of firewood and the more temperate climate as compared to other parts of the Avalon Peninsula. Good communication with St. John's was established by road in the 1830s and strengthened in the 1880s with the arrival of the railway. Residents of Conception Bay South grew crops and raised cattle for the St. John's market and St. John's residents established summer homes in Conception Bay South.
Tourism
The Kelligrews Soiree launches the Town's tourist season in early July. There are several full days of activities and events for the entire family, including the world-famous Kelligrews Soiree folk festival and garden party.
The Admirals' Coast scenic route follows Route 60 along the western and southern shore of Conception Bay between Marysvale to Paradise, and provides excellent views over the bay. Conception Bay South is the largest community in the Admirals' Coast and provides many amenities for tourists visiting the region.
The town is one of the few to have a geological attraction, namely the trilobite fossil beds along the Manuels River Linear Park. The fossils found here are similar to those found in southern Spain and Portugal and northern Africa, but different from those found in western Newfoundland. This was a key in establishing the theory of plate tectonics, or continental drift.
The town also has a marina at Foxtrap, site of a famous 19th century "battle." The town is home to the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club at Long Pond, which received permission for use of the Prefix Royal, and the Blue Ensign. [5]
A popular seaside attraction is Topsail Beach in the east end of town.
Education
C.B.S. is home to eight schools under the Eastern School District. There are four Elementary Schools (Upper Gullies Elementary, St. Edward's, St. George's Elementary, and Topsail Elementary), two Junior High Schools (Frank Roberts Junior High, and Villanova Junior High) and two High Schools (Queen Elizabeth Regional High, and Holy Spirit High). French Immersion is offered from K-12 through all of these schools. There is also the College of the North Atlantic (Seal Cove Campus).
Sports
Sports in C.B.S. is a big part of community life. Rugby and soccer are perhaps the most popular as the town is home to the Bayman Rugby Club. Swimming, tennis, ice hockey, baseball, softball and volleyball are also played by many residents. Curling has been adapted by many residents who in the past have played in St. John's. There are currently 5 soccer fields, a rugby field, 25m swimming pool, a hockey stadium, 6 ball fields as well as many gyms, and courts. The outdoor tennis court by Villanova Jr. High has been converted into a skatepark, with the removal of the nets and addition of 4 permanent (but movable) pieces of skatepark equipment.
There is also a large minor hockey association in CBS with over 900 Children involved aged from 5 until age 18. The children involved travel all the way from Paradise to Avondale to play in the CBS minor hockey association. The association is divided up into six divisions according to age. there is Pre-Novice, Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, and Midget. Each division is also divided into A, B and C teams based on skill level of the people who participate in the try-outs each year.
There is also an annual competition between the two high school hockey teams each year called the Fred Squires shield. This best of three game series is dedicated to Fred Squires who was a former CBS stadium manager and later died in an automobile accident while employed with the Canadian Red Cross, NL division.
Emergency services
C.B.S. is home to two full-time Fire Departments. The West Side Fire Hall is located in Kelligrews and the East Side Fire Hall is in Topsail. There is an RNC headquarters located in Manuels, and many on-call ambulance services. Search and Rescue is provided by the Canadian Forces 103 Rescue Squadron based at Gander International Airport in central Newfoundland as well as the Canadian Coast Guard from St.John's.
Transportation
The town is located approximately 30 km from St. John's International Airport which provides service to Canada, United States and the Caribbean. The town's harbour is located in the Long Pond area and hosts many cruise ships over the summer months. Parsons & Sons provides charter busing and school runs for the public throughout the town and also outside the province. There is a taxi service along with taxi companies from nearby St. John's, Mount Pearl and Paradise. There are also two marinas located in C.B.S., one in Foxtrap and one in Long Pond.
Fishery
Conception Bay provided ample fishing grounds for some time in its history. The world's largest tuna was caught off the coast of Long Pond and is now on display in the Atlantic Fisheries Museum in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Lobster trapping is also a common sight.
Local Government
- Mayor: Ken McDonald
- Deputy Mayor: Stephen Tessier
- Councillors: Paul Connors, Ken George, Beverly Rowe, Kirk Youden, Rex Hillier, Stephen Tessier, Gerard Tilley, Richard Murphy
References
- ↑ Community Profiles - Statistics Canada Census
- ↑ Community Profiles - Statistics Canada Census
- ↑ Elections Newfoundland and Labrador: District Map
- ↑ CBS Town Map
- ↑ 1963/09/10-1964/09/02. File (Accession level).RG6-D-4. 91. http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/ourl/res.php?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&url_tim=2012-07-14T14%3A06%3A05Z&url_ctx_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=1715405&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fcollectionscanada.gc.ca%3Apam&lang=eng Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club
External links
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Coordinates: 47°31′00″N 52°59′00″W / 47.51667°N 52.98333°W