Email: [email protected] • www.stchrishotel.com 0-3903691 Southwest coast Moving into a bright future ositioned as the gateway to The southwest coast faced locally owned businesses. PNewfoundland and Labrador, massive out-migration and Most small businesses are and with a rich history and vibrant demoralization after the col- service-based and cater to culture, the southwest coast is lapse of the inshore fishery in Marine Atlantic and its work- poised on the edge of opportunity. the early 1990s. In the subse- force, as the area’s largest Historically, the area from quent years, the region has employer, according to South Branch to Rose Blanche faced an aging and declining Candace Matthews, managing depended on large industry for population as young people coordinator of the Port aux economic generation, specifi- moved away in search of Basques and Area Chamber of cally forestry, the fishery and employment. Commerce. The chamber con- the railway. In more recent times, the tinually promotes shopping Marine Atlantic continues to trend has begun to change. locally and encourages the be a vital part of the business Housing starts are up as investment of time and money fabric of the region, bringing some former residents are mov- into the development of the both employment and opportu- ing home to take advantage of local economy. nity in the form of traffic to the opportunities here and others The southwest coast busi- area. are come home to retire. ness community faces several With Port aux Basques as its Many people are now taking labour-related challenges, said service hub, the southwest advantage of employment Mrs. Matthews. One is the mis- coast and its approximately opportunities that allow them match between available job 9,000 residents are developing to work outside the province and skills in the available work- more small business, a growing for a set amount of time, but force, which is being addressed tourism sector and looking to then return to enjoy life on the with the help of several com- future opportunities in the oil southwest coast, according to munity partners including Port and gas sector. Blanford Billard, chair of the aux Basques Campus of the “Our communities have Marine and Mountain Zone College of the North Atlantic. become more resourceful in Corporation. Another is the seeming lack looking for ways to sustain Some young families are also Continued on Page 6 themselves,” said Debbie moving back or staying on the Munden, executive director of southwest coast thanks to jobs PHOTO: The Atlantic Vision coming the Marine and Mountain Zone with the ferry service, health into Port aux Basques Harbour. Corporation. “Everyone knows care, education or tourism sec- BRODIE THOMAS PHOTO it’s either do or die.” tors, or at one of many small, •TABLE OF CONTENTS• This guide puts information about Community profiles . Pages 2-6 the southwest coast’s business A to Z index ........................ Pages 7-12 community at your fingertips. Business listings . .Pages 13-47 Calendars . Pages 48-49 1 Community Profiles ROSE BLANCHE-HARBOUR LE COU-DIAMOND COVE • Population: 547 • Median Household Income: $31,269 ose Blanche, Harbour le Cou and Diamond RCove were once three separate communities that are now joined together by proximity. Rose Blanche and Harbour le Cou operate under a sin- gle town council, while Diamond Cove is a local service district that makes use of some of the town’s services. The Rose Blanche Lighthouse is one of the major tourist attractions on the southwest coast, drawing roughly 6,000 visitors each year. Restored in 1999, it is the only granite lighthouse left standing on the Atlantic seaboard. Fishing is one of the main industries in the area. The communities’ populations grow in the summer as people from other parts of Canada own about 30 homes as seasonal properties. The coastal ferry service to La Poile departs from Rose Blanche on an almost-daily schedule. Burnt Islands is one of four communities along the south- west coast’s southern shore. BRODIE THOMAS PHOTO BURNT ISLANDS •Population: 703 • Median Household Income: $45,932 urnt Islands is a scenic town located between BIsle aux Morts and Rose Blanche. Part of the community is on an island, which is connected by a causeway. The main industry in town is a fish processing plant, one of the few remaining on the southwest coast. Many residents of Burnt Islands work sea- sonal jobs in other parts of Canada. The Hook and Line Interpretation Center teaches visitors about the traditional fishery. Grandy’s River Collegiate is located just out- The Rose Blanche Lighthouse attracts thousands of visitors side Burnt Islands. It accepts students from Isle each year. BRODIE THOMAS PHOTO aux Morts, Burnt Islands and Rose Blanche. 2 Brarchois Falls is one of the exam- ples of natural beauty to be found in the region. BRODIE THOMAS PHOTO Danny MacDonald and Sears MacArthur play at the annual Codroy Valley Folk Festival. NATALIE MUSSEAU PHOTO The Harvey Trail is one of the attractions for tourists in Isle aux Morts. SAMANTHA FRANCIS PHOTO another historic attraction. ISLE AUX MORTS LeGallais Memorial School accepts students from Kindergarten to Grade 9. • Population: 718 • Median Household Income: $51,452 MARGAREE – FOX ROOST sle aux Morts is a historic fishing community • Population: 320 Iwhich was once located on a small island but was later moved to the main island of • Median Household Income: $44,550 Newfoundland. Isle aux Morts is French for “Island of the Dead.” It takes its name from the argaree and Fox Roost were two separate numerous shipwrecks that took place in the Mcommunities that are now joined together treacherous waters off the coast. as a single local service district, generally known The story of George Harvey, his daughter Ann as Margaree. The community has become a pop- and their Newfoundland dog has been used by ular place to live because of its proximity to Port the town as a focal point for tourism. Visitors can aux Basques, its low taxes, and its small-town walk the Harvey Trail to see the dangerous coast- atmosphere. line and watch the waves breaking. They can also Misery Point Fishing Livyer’s Station is a tiny visit the gravesite of George Harvey, or take part but historic home built in a traditional style and in Harvey Days celebration each summer. filled with artifacts of Newfoundland life in the Visitors can also see Walter’s House Museum, 1800s. 3 Port aux Basques is the hub of the southwest coast. Residents and visitors alike enjoy summer entertainment at Port aux Basques’ Scott’s Cove Park. NATALIE MUSSEAU PHOTOS the town brings close to 400,000 passengers to PORT AUX BASQUES Port aux Basques from the mainland each year, as well as being a major local employer. The • Population: 4,550 town is also home to the Dr. Charles L. LeGrow • Median Household Income: $37, 713 Health Centre, which offers health services to the region. nown as the gateway to Newfoundland, Port The town also boasts a multi-use recreational Kaux Basques is the hub of the southwest facility, the Bruce II Sports Complex, that coast. includes an arena, curling rink, fitness centre, The Marine Atlantic ferry terminal located in bowling alley and swimming pool. 4 The southwest coast is home to the popular MacDougall’s Beach. NATALIE MUSSEAU PHOTO CAPE RAY CODROY VALLEY • Population: 342 • Population: 1,883 • Median Household Income: $44,550 • Median Household Income: $39,258 ape Ray is a local service district located just he Codroy Valley is a large area that encom- Cnorth of Port aux Basques. The scenic com- Tpasses several smaller communities, includ- munity is located near the ocean, but also has ing Doyles, Great Codroy, Upper Ferry, St. views of the Twin Mountains, which loom up Andrew’s, Searston, Codroy, Woodville, Cape east of Cape Ray. Anguille, O’Regan’s, Tompkins, Millville and The Cape Ray Lighthouse is a major naviga- South Branch. tional landmark, but also a tourist attraction for With the most frost-free days of anywhere in many visitors. the province, the valley is known for agriculture Although not located in the community itself, and is also a popular location for summer homes J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park is accessible by a and cabins. gravel road or by coastline via a long, sandy The Grand Codroy Estuary is recognized as a beach. wetlands of international importance. Thousands of migratory birds spend time in the Grand Codroy River and surrounding area at dif- ferent times throughout the year. The small boat fishery is still vibrant in Codroy. NATALIE MUSSEAU PHOTO 5 The area known as Wreckhouse looks peaceful in good weather, but has winds strong enough to blow over tractor-trailers. NATALIE MUSSEAU PHOTO Southwest coast Continued from page 1 of a workforce for any large business looking to set up in the area. However, Mrs. Matthews said the nature of the transient and mobile workforce points to the opportunity to have people currently working away move home to take advantage of any such opportunities. The region is not the gateway in name only, said Mrs. Matthews, but is strategically located to take advantage of many emerging opportunities, such as transportation and oil and gas. “It’s not only an opportunity, but we also have an obligation to live up to the province, to be The provincial T’Railway park connects the southwest coast with the rest of the the province’s first impression,” province. NATALIE MUSSEAU PHOTO she said. It seems that impression is a good one for the growing num- tors. Each community has The whole region working bers of tourists.