It’s a success story where pride of place is evident everywhere you look.
Being 250 years old, it would be easy for a town to rest on laurels of history and heritage. Being the home to some of the youngest families, with the highest household incomes per capita in Canada, you could forgive a town for saying their work is done. Torbay is not that town. Though both these facts about Torbay are true, there is a tireless work ethic among council, staff and residents to present the best side of this Northeast Avalon success story every single day. And to keep pushing forward in growth and development until the vision for the town is realized. To define that vision it may be best to define what it is not, and that is to be a bedroom community of St. John’s. That would be too easy. No, Torbay is a powerhouse in and of itself with its own strategic economic plan, open-space development plans and a commitment to have something for everyone in the town. A diverse array of programs and services are offered to residents as a reflection of the diversity of the town’s population. From the many nationalities who now call Torbay home to a broad spectrum of age groups that live here, the different needs of a thriving town are accommodated in an impressive list of offerings. Some 30 community groups are represented, all with robust membership. Every change of season brings accompanying festivals and events to observe it. Seniors avail of Wellness Programs for healthy diet and exercise regimes. Adults and children alike enjoy the Jack Byrne Arena, a skatepark, softball field, tennis court, miles of hiking trails and a soccer pitch. Plans are in the works for a new, big and ‘Beautiful’ community centre, sure to be yet another focal point of activity.
The Right Way To Grow
With Torbay’s stunning natural beauty and endless vistas you’d think it wouldn’t need a Beautification Plan, but it has one. From vegetation to signage to maintaining proper parks, there’s a place for everything. You see, growing the town with an eye to aesthetic beauty and enhanced resident experience is important here. The proof of that truth is evident in the open-space development plan. Torbay is currently identifying land for a walking trail system that will completely ring the community allowing for off-shoot trails that lead into different sections of town. Torbay is taking a leadership role among towns in Atlantic Canada by embracing the open-space philosophy. Attractive signage is utilized to not only enhance way-finding but add to the aesthetic value and pride of place that goes along with the town brand of ‘Beautiful’ Torbay. As the future beckons, a new five year economic plan will soon be in development that aims to lay out a roadmap for the Town’s economy. As the province’s economy and business outlook changes, so must the region’s. Torbay staff and council alike realize that success doesn’t just happen, it is achieved with hard work and solid planning.