Gander council moves on Housing Accelerator Fund grants; firefighter gear contract among items still on the table
Gander council moved to approve up to $51,600 in Housing Accelerator Fund grants across five properties at its July 15 regular meeting, according to the meeting agenda. Minutes for that meeting and three earlier July committee sessions have not yet been published, so the items below reflect what was listed for consideration rather than confirmed outcomes.
Housing Accelerator Fund grants (July 15)
The agenda for the July 15 Regular Meeting of Council lists five Housing Accelerator Fund grant approvals:
- $6,000 for 31 Read Street
- $13,645.33 for 106 Memorial Drive
- $51,600 for 68–70 Elizabeth Drive
- Funding for 15 Balbo Street (amount not specified in the agenda summary)
- Funding for 1 Grandy Avenue (amount not specified in the agenda summary)
The same meeting agenda includes a $300 donation to The Rolling Barrage and authorization of an accessible ramp at 119 Elizabeth Drive. A variance request for an accessory building at 20 Elizabeth Drive was listed as denied, with council ordering a review of lot-coverage rules.
Firefighter protective gear (July 8)
The July 8 Committee of the Whole agenda proposes awarding RFQ26-06 — 20 firefighter bunker gear sets — to Brogan Fire and Safety for $88,550, HST included. That meeting also lists an award of RFP26-05 for skate sharpening services at Steele Community Centre to ShipShape Skate Sharpening, which would include a $100 annual donation.
Home-based business applications for 84 Bennett Drive, 119 Yeager Street, and 9 Rickenbacker Road were also scheduled for discussion, along with a presentation of the Town of Gander Strategic Plan 2026–2030.
Community events and donations (July 6–7)
Two Committee of the Whole agendas — July 6 and July 7 — list overlapping community event items:
- A contract with the Newfoundland Regiment Hockey Club for an August 28, 2026 exhibition game: $30,000 plus HST for ice time, security, ushers, and medical services.
- A request to explore hosting Play On! 2027 Newfoundland, a street hockey event with an estimated hosting cost of $100,000–$400,000.
- The Rolling Barrage donation request: $5,000 for a meal for approximately 200 riders (July 7 agenda); the July 15 agenda lists a $300 donation as approved.
- A request to send a letter of support for the "No Pause – Keep the Snowbirds Flying" campaign from the City of Moose Jaw.
Facilities and infrastructure
- Cobb's Pond Rotary Park roof repairs: a single quote of $28,635 from M & J Eavestrough appears on both the July 6 and July 7 agendas.
- Skateboard Park renovations: a recommendation to proceed with phase 1 is listed on the July 6 agenda.
- Waste Transfer Station on McCurdy Drive: scheduled to open Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., per the July 8 agenda.
Backland policy
The July 6 Management Committee agenda includes a staff recommendation that the town reaffirm its policy of not selling town-owned residential backland as routine practice. A property tax reduction request was also listed for discussion.
Coming up
No public meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the Town of Gander website for any special meetings or schedule updates.