Torbay is a town located on the eastern side of the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is located north of the capital city of St. John's and is part of the St. John's metropolitan area. Due to the Torbay's close proximity to St. John's, the town's population is quickly growing. According to the 2016 census the population was 7,899, up from 7,397 in 2011.
History
The name Torbay comes from Torbay, Devon, England and was first mapped in 1615 by John Mason. It comes from the old Anglo-Saxon "Tor" which means "a rocky hill". Both places are geographically similar with wide-open bays that face in a northeasterly direction. An extract from Bishop Feild's journal states, "indeed there seems to be a little colony of Devon folk in Torbay." John Nutt, the pirate, settled here with his family from Devon. The community of Torbay experienced three French campaigns, the first of which occurred in December 1696. These invasions contributed to the eventual construction of the Torbay Battery in 1781, which was manned by 25 troops from the 71st Regiment and Royal Artillery. The ordnance was eventually withdrawn in 1795. The census of 1677 indicated the Cole and Corum families as residing in "Tarr-Bay" Newfoundland. The following year the Field Family joined them. By 1794 the population of Torbay included many of the surnames now associated with Torbay and totalled 108 English settlers and 99 Irish settlers. The Way Office, a mail handling facility used where there was not enough business to warrant a full post office, was established in 1891. The early history of the community was further highlighted by the landing of Colonel William Amherst and his troops in 1762 on their way to re-capturing the capital city of St. John's from the French. This event was officially recognized in 1978 when the first mayor of Torbay, William Manning, unveiled a stone monument and plaque at the present day Veterans Memorial Park.
Demographics
The following information is from: Statistics Canada In the 2016 census the population was 7,899. In 2011 Torbay's population grew 17.8% from 2006 bringing the population to 7,397, making it one of the fastest growing communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Population chart of the Town of Torbay:
Year
Population
% change
1991
4,707
N/A
1996
5,230
11.1
2001
5,474
4.7
2006
6,281
14.7
2011
7,397
17.8%
2016
7,899
6.8%
Geography
Climate
Economy
The town of Torbay is a bedroom community, with most of the workforce commuting to the nearby cities of St. John's and Mount Pearl. No public transport links St. John's to its northern suburbs and exurbs, and all such commutes are done by car only. The town's economy is driven mostly by service industries that serve the residents such as a grocery store, convenience stores, doctors offices, hair salons, real-estate offices and restaurants among others. With population growth in the town in recent years the housing market has become a significant part of the local economy. Torbay has become the most expensive housing market in the province with average home prices surpassing $375,000. Between 2009 and 2010 the town also saw the largest appreciation in housing prices in the St. John's CMA, with housing prices rising 32%.
The town council of Torbay is composed of a mayor, deputy mayor and five town councillors. The mayor and councillors are elected during the municipal election, which is held every four years on the last Tuesday in September. The deputy mayor is subsequently elected by the town councillors and the mayor, during the first meeting of the new council.
The town is represented in the House of Commons by the federal riding of St. John's East, formally St. John's North. The seat was another tory stronghold and was represented by Conservatives MP's for the majority of time since 1949. Since 2019, Jack Harris has been MP for the area.
Sports
Hockey
The town is home to the Northeast Eagles, which offers novice, atom, peewee and bantam hockey for youths. The town also has a senior hockey team for adults, both teams play at the Jack Byrne Arena. The arena is Torbay's first hockey arena which opened in October 2008, under the name North East Avalon Arena. In March 2009 the arena was officially opened by Premier Danny Williams and was renamed the Jack Byrne Arena after the former MHA who had died in early 2008.
Soccer
The Torbay soccer association runs soccer games throughout the summer for youths.
Softball
The town offers three adult softball leagues along with a minor softball house league. There is a ladies recreational league, an over 18 men's league and the long running Avalon East Slo-Pitch over 35 gentlemen's league.
Education
The town is home to Holy Trinity Elementary which offers kindergarten to grade 4 education, Juniper Ridge Intermediate which offers grades 5 to 7 and Holy Trinity High which offers education from grades 8 to 12. English and French immersion education is offered at both schools. A new elementary school was constructed to replace the former Holy Trinity Elementary; the school opened in September 2010. The School is still called Holy Trinity Elementary School. Juniper Ridge Intermediate was opened in September of 2018 with attending students from the surrounding area.
