The view from Pine Tree

Peace of mind -

It's only been eight months since I moved to Happy Valley-Goose Bay and it has been action packed with meeting new people, seeing new places, exploring the region and engaging in the community.

Of course there's work and keeping up with attending my daughter's figure skating, ballet, music, basketball, etc.

It's hard for me to compare the Happy Valley-Goose Bay during the days of the base in full swing to now. I only witnessed the base in full swing with the low level flying in the mid-1980s when I visited here for a long weekend. I remember almost breaking my nose a few times running to whatever window I was close to every time I heard one of the fighter jets passing overhead.

Everyone here was quite used to the presence of these amazing aircraft but I was like a kid in a candy store every time that I saw or heard one soar over the skies of this Labrador town that I was visiting for the first time.

I do remember that things appeared quite busy and people seemed to be quite content and very positive about the future of this area. The base is often talked about even now some look back with fond memories, some with regret and some others who did not know what it was like, so comparisons are not important or possible. If you can't make the comparison to what Happy Valley-Goose Bay would be like with the base in full swing, you simple don't.

You experience the town as is and, like the saying goes, "you have to make it with what you got."

Well in my opinion, there is a lot here to make it with, let me tell you. This town is a bustle 24-7 with people coming and going, living their lives and keeping very busy. There is so much to do in this town and we all take advantage of that making it a very happening spot. I still can't get over the traffic that seems to never stop, day and night. This is a good thing when you see a lot of people on the move. I sort of get nervous when you drive through a town and see very few people. The first indication that something positive is happening in a community is the presence of busy, active people and Happy Valley-Goose Bay certainly has that.

I asked a barber while getting my hair cut one day if he has witnessed much of a difference in business since the base down-sized and he informed me that he feels he is busier now than anytime during the bustling base years. I figure someone cutting hair would have a pretty good feel for the economic viability of the community, and I think he is right.

This town is a busy place and with the road now connected, I think we are going to be much busier and will certainly benefit, with tourists now being able to drive here from the south coast of Labrador. Many of us have already seen friends and family visit this area because of the road connection and I suspect that the novelty will not likely wear off any time soon.

In fact the road is barely open when you consider that the traffic is limited to trucks and lots of warnings of rough going even then, so smoother times ahead and a larger flow of traffic into this area.

I finally made my way up to Dome Mountain, also known as Pine Tree, last weekend for my first glimpse of the town from up there. Wow, what a magnificent view of the area, especially the base. Seeing all those large buildings, the runways and the base infrastructure really confirms that something huge was humming here at one point.

However, this is still a very active base that has a very positive impact on the local economy.

5 Wing contributes some 17 million dollars to the provincial government coffers annually and there is always the push for the activity on this base to increase. Maybe one day we will see some of the empty buildings full again, which will be great for this whole region.

Until then, this place will continue to be a happening spot. The population of Happy Valley-Goose Bay (approximately 7,500) represents nearly one-third of the total population of Labrador and this years' census will likely show some growth in those numbers.

Stealing a line from the town's website: "Come see ... A world of opportunities awaits you in Happy Valley-Goose Bay."

Todd Goodyear is the Business/Sales Manager of The Labradorian. He can be reached at tgoodyear@thelabradorian.ca