Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador

Torbay
Tower Bay
Tarr-Bay
Town
Town of Torbay

Seal
Motto: "Salus et Felicitas"  (Latin)
"Health and Happiness"
Torbay

Location of Torbay in Newfoundland

Coordinates: 47°39′N 052°44′W / 47.650°N 52.733°W / 47.650; -52.733Coordinates: 47°39′N 052°44′W / 47.650°N 52.733°W / 47.650; -52.733
Country  Canada
Province  Newfoundland and Labrador
Government
 • Mayor Ralph Tapper
 • MHA Kevin Parsons
 • MP Nick Whalen
Area
 • Land 34.88 km2 (13.47 sq mi)
Population (2011[1])
 • Total 7,397
 • Density 212.1/km2 (549/sq mi)
Time zone Newfoundland Standard Time (UTC−03:30)
 • Summer (DST) Newfoundland Daylight Time (UTC−02:30)
Postal code A1K
Area code(s) 709
Website Official Torbay website

Torbay is a town located on the eastern side of the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

The town is located 12 km north of the capital city of St. John's and is part of the St. John's Metropolitan Area. Due to the Torbay's close proximity to St. John's, the town's population is quickly growing. According to the 2011 census the population was 7,397, up 17.8% since 2006.[1]

History

The name Torbay comes from Torbay, Devon, England and was first mapped in 1615 by John Mason. It comes from the old Anglo-Saxon "Tor" which means "a rocky hill".[2] Both places are geographically similar with wide-open bays that face in a northeasterly direction. An extract from Bishop Feild's Journal states, "indeed there seems to be a little colony of Devon folk in Torbay." John Nutt, the pirate, settled here with his family from Devon.

Monument to the landing of Colonel William Amherst in 1762

The community of Torbay experienced three French campaigns, the first of which occurred in December 1696. These invasions contributed to the eventual construction of the Torbay Battery in 1781, which was manned by 25 troops from the 71st Regiment and Royal Artillery. The ordnance was eventually withdrawn in 1795.

The census of 1677 indicated the Cole and Corum families as residing in "Tarr-Bay" Newfoundland. The following year the Field Family joined them. By 1794 the population of Torbay included many of the surnames now associated with Torbay and totalled 108 English settlers and 99 Irish settlers. The Way Office, a mail handling facility used where there was not enough business to warrant a full post office,[3] was established in 1891.

The early history of the community was further highlighted by the landing of Colonel William Amherst and his troops in 1762 on their way to re-capturing the capital city of St. John's from the French. This event was officially recognized in 1978 when the first mayor of Torbay, William Manning unveiled a stone monument and plaque at the present day Veterans Memorial Park.[4]

Demographics

The following information is from: Statistics Canada[5][6]

In 2011 Torbay's population grew 17.8% from 2006 bringing the population to 7,397, making it one of the fastest growing communities in Newfoundland and Labrador[1][7]

Population chart

The Town of Torbay[8]

Year Population
% change
1991 4,707 N/A
1996 5,230 Increase11.1
2001 5,474 Increase4.7
2006 6,281 Increase14.7
2011 7,397 Increase17.8%

Geography

Climate

Economy

The town of Torbay is a bedroom community, with most of the workforce commuting to the nearby cities of St. John's and Mount Pearl. No public transport links St. John's to its northern suburbs and exurbs, and all such commutes are done by car only. The town's economy is driven mostly by service industries that serve the residents such as; grocery store, convenience stores, doctors offices, hair salons, real-estate offices and restaurants among others.

With population growth in the town in recent years the housing market has become a significant part of the local economy. Torbay has become the most expensive housing market in the province with average home prices surpassing $375,000. Between 2009 and 2010 the town also saw the largest appreciation in housing prices in the St. John's CMA, with housing prices rising 32%.[11]

Transportation

Air

The town is serviced by St. John's International Airport which was formally the Torbay Airport. Airlines include Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Air Labrador, Air Saint-Pierre, Air Transat, CanJet, Continental Airlines, Porter Airlines, Provincial Airlines, Skyservice, Sunwing Airlines and WestJet. The airport offers services across Canada and the United Kingdom and Ireland, to the United States, Saint-Pierre and the Caribbean.[12]

Government

Municipal

The town council of Torbay is composed of a mayor, deputy mayor and five town councillors. The mayor and councillors are elected during the municipal election, which is held every four years on the last Tuesday in September. The deputy mayor is subsequently elected by the town councillors and the mayor, during the first meeting of the new council.[13]

Cape St. Francis map

Provincial

Torbay is a part of the provincial electoral district of Cape St. Francis, the district is a tory stronghold and is currently represented by Progressive Conservative MHA Kevin Parsons.[14][15]

Federal

The town is represented in the House of Commons by the federal riding of St. John's East, formally St. John's North. The seat was another tory stronghold and was represented by Conservatives MP's for the majority of time since 1949. After Premier Williams's successful ABC Campaign in the 2008 federal election New Democrat candidate Jack Harris was elected, Harris also held the seat for a brief period of time in the 1980s.[16][17]

Sports

Hockey

The town is home to the Northeast Eagles, which offers novice, atom, peewee and bantam hockey for youths. The town also has a senior hockey team for adults, both teams play at the Jack Byrne Arena. The arena is Torbay's first hockey arena which opened in October 2008, under the name North East Avalon Arena. In March 2009 the arena was officially opened by Premier Danny Williams and was renamed the Jack Byrne Arena after the former MHA who had died in early 2008.

Soccer

The Torbay soccer association runs soccer games throughout the summer for youths.[18]

Education

The town is home to Holy Trinity Elementary which offers kindergarten to grade 6 education and Holy Trinity High which offers education from grades 7 to 12.[19][20] English and French immersion education is offered at both schools. A new elementary school was constructed to replace the former Holy Trinity Elementary; the school opened in September 2010. The School is still called Holy Trinity Elementary School .

See also

References

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