Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Conception Bay South is a town in Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
. The town is commonly called C.B.S..
As of 2006 the population was 21,966 which makes the town the third largest population centre in the province behind the cities of Mount Pearl
and St. John's
. The community corresponds largely, but not exactly, to the boundaries of the electoral district of the same name
.
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.
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.
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," and is home to the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club at Long Pond. A popular seaside attraction is Topsail Beach in the east end of town.
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 very involved in hockey with the two schools until his death on the Ocean Ranger
disaster in 1982.
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.
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 the other in Long Pond.
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.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The town is commonly called C.B.S..
As of 2006 the population was 21,966 which makes the town the third largest population centre in the province behind the cities of Mount Pearl
Mount Pearl
Mount Pearl is the second largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The city is located southwest of St. John's, on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. Mount Pearl is part of the St...
and St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
. The community corresponds largely, but not exactly, to the boundaries of the electoral district of the same name
Conception Bay South (electoral district)
Conception Bay South is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2011 there are 9,938 eligible voters living within the district....
.
The town is located on the southern shore of Conception Bay
Conception Bay
Conception Bay is a Canadian bay located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. The bay indents the Avalon Peninsula with the opening of the bay to the Atlantic Ocean at the northeast. It is bounded by Cape St. Francis in the south and Split Point near Bay de Verde in the north...
on the Avalon Peninsula
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
of the island of Newfoundland. It is approximately 20 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital, St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
. 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 |
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
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 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 SoireeKelligrews Soiree
The Kelligrews Soiree is a popular Newfoundland folk song. It was written by Johnny Burke , a popular St. John's balladeer...
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," and is home to the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club at Long Pond. 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 very involved in hockey with the two schools until his death on the Ocean Ranger
Ocean Ranger
Ocean Ranger was a semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit that sank in Canadian waters on 15 February 1982. It was drilling an exploration well in the Grand Banks area, east of St. John's, Newfoundland, for Mobil Oil of Canada, Ltd. with 84 crew members on board when it sank...
disaster in 1982.
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 RNCRoyal Newfoundland Constabulary
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is a police force in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It provides policing to the communities of St. John's and the Northeast Avalon Peninsula, Corner Brook, Churchill Falls, and Labrador City....
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 AirportSt. John's International Airport
St. John's International Airport is an international airport located northwest of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada that serves the St. John's Metro Area and the Avalon Peninsula. The airport is part of the National Airports System, and is operated by St...
which provides service to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. 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 the other in Long Pond.
Fishery
Conception BayConception Bay
Conception Bay is a Canadian bay located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. The bay indents the Avalon Peninsula with the opening of the bay to the Atlantic Ocean at the northeast. It is bounded by Cape St. Francis in the south and Split Point near Bay de Verde in the north...
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.