When the opportunity arose to move back to Newfoundland, a number of things would determine the part of the province we would live. Access to some of the exciting things to do in Newfoundland would top the list. A little piece of paradise was found on the west coast of Newfoundland, in a city nestled at the head of the Bay of Islands and at the mouth of the Humber River, in the beautiful Humber Valley. That city, Corner Brook, is one of great beauty showcasing a diverse range of recreation and outdoor pursuits.
Corner Brook was originally settled because of its close proximity to the Bay of Islands and the Humber River. The water was an easy source of transportation and offered many resources for the people who lived there. Around the mid 1800’s, the population of Corner Brook was less than 100; between 1923 and 1925 the population greatly increased with the construction of a pulp and paper mill which is still in operation today.
At my workplace I learned about the four communities that today make up the beautiful city of Corner Brook. Those four communities lay along the shores of the Bay of Islands and each had its own unique commercial activities. The economy of Curling was based on the fishery, Westside had its retail businesses, Corner Brook East had the railway operations and the Townsite area was home to the employees of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill. Today the city has about 20,000 residents and approximately another 20,000 reside in the surrounding areas.
With so many things to do in Newfoundland, as a family we were more attracted to the beauty of Corner Brook and what it had to offer. The mountains surrounding the city, the stream meandering through the city, tree-lined streets of the downtown area, parks and other green spaces all add to the beauty. What could be more inviting than having four distinct seasons! Summers are warm with lots of blue sky, fall is cool, bringing out the autumn colours, spring is usually good and winter is mild with plenty of snow.
The snowy winters make for amazing outdoor activities. Spectacular downhill skiing at Marble Mountain and cross-country skiing at Blow Me Down Cross Country Ski Club are approximately a ten minute drive from Corner Brook. Snowmobiling is one of the fun things to do in Newfoundland and Corner Brook offers some of the best trails on the island.
In summer we take advantage of Corner Brook’s closeness to the Humber River and other lakes to enjoy canoeing and kayaking. Sailing at the Bay of Islands Yacht Club added to the charm of Corner Brook! The mountains offer great hiking trail; the lakes and rivers teem with trout and salmon. With the Blomidon Golf and Country Club located in the city we could go for a game of golf as often as we wished.
The convenience of having two airports approximately one hour away from Corner Brook meant we could always stay in touch with family and friends. With the arts added to things to do in Newfoundland, Corner Brook offers a vibrant arts community with something for everyone.
Corner Brook has surpassed our expectations as a great place to raise our family, work and live the lifestyle that we were searching for.
