Invest In Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Happy Valley-Goose Bay is a town located in the central part of Labrador, Canada. It is the largest population center in the region, with an estimated 8,040 residents as of 2021.
The town was formed in 1973 through the amalgamation of the former town of Happy Valley and the Local Improvement District of Goose Bay. Happy Valley-Goose Bay is situated on the coast of Lake Melville and the Churchill River and is home to the largest military air base in northeastern North America, CFB Goose Bay.
The town has a diverse population, with Indigenous people identifying as Inuit, Métis, or First Nations making up nearly half the residents. The rest of the population is primarily of European descent, and English is the mother tongue for 93% of residents.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay is an important transportation hub connected by the Trans-Labrador Highway to Labrador City and Baie-Comeau, Quebec. It is also serviced by boat, container ship, and air travel, with an airport that handles military and civilian operations.
The town is surrounded by natural beauty, including the Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, the Grand River, and Lake Melville.
Some notable people from Happy Valley-Goose Bay include voice actress Jennifer Hale, historian Heather Igloliorte, and politicians Seamus O'Regan and Keith Russell.
History of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Happy Valley-Goose Bay was formed in 1973 through the amalgamation of the former town of Happy Valley and the Local Improvement District of Goose Bay. The town's origins trace back to 1941 when Canada and the United States decided to build a military air base at Goose Bay.
The need for workers to build the air base drew civilians from other parts of Labrador, who first settled at a site called Otter Creek.
When authorities decided Otter Creek was too close to the air base, the workers moved to a nearby location that became the townsite of Happy Valley. By 1943, the Goose Bay air base was the largest in the Western Hemisphere, housing up to 5,000 military personnel.
After World War II, the air base remained a permanent facility, playing a defensive role during the Cold War. From 1957 to the early 1970s, the U.S. Air Force operated the base under lease from the Canadian government. In 1973, Happy Valley and Goose Bay were officially amalgamated into the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Today, the Canadian Armed Forces and NORAD continue to use the 5 Wing Goose Bay air base for operations and training exercises. The town has a diverse population, with Indigenous Inuit, Métis, and First Nations people making up nearly half of the residents.
Geography of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Happy Valley-Goose Bay is located in the central part of Labrador, on the coast of Lake Melville and the Churchill River. The town is situated on the southern shore of a peninsula created by Terrington Basin to the north and Goose Bay to the south.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay lies at the southwest end of Lake Melville, near the mouth of the Churchill River. The town is built on a large sandy plateau selected in 1941 as the site for the Goose Bay Air Force Base, which became the largest military air base in northeastern North America.
The town is surrounded by natural beauty, including the Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, the Grand River, and Lake Melville. The climate is classified as humid continental, bordering on subarctic, with significant snowfall in the winter and mild summers.
Demographics of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Happy Valley-Goose Bay had a population of 8,040 in 2021, a decrease of 0.9% from 2016. The town covers an area of 304.52 km2, giving it a population density of 26.4 people per km2.
Nearly half of Happy Valley-Goose Bay's population identifies as Indigenous, with 1,865 Inuit, 1,515 Métis, and 190 First Nations residents. The remaining population is primarily of European descent, with English being the mother tongue for 93% of residents.
In 2021, the town had 3,390 total private dwellings, with 3,072 occupied by usual residents. The average value of dwellings was $327,600, with average monthly shelter costs of $1,330 for owned dwellings and $1,034 for rented dwellings.
The population has a relatively young age profile, with 1,240 residents (17.7%) under 15 years old and only 905 (12.9%) aged 65 and over. The largest age cohort is 15-64 years, at 4,845 people (69.3%).
Economy of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The economy of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, is poised for tremendous growth. All economic indicators in the region show improvements over the last several years, with similar predictions for the future.
The Labrador economy is one of the fastest growing in Canada, driven by the approval and development of several large energy and mining projects.
These include the Muskrat Falls Hydro Project, the Hebron Project, the expansion of Iron Ore mines in Labrador West, and the Voisey's Bay Underground Project.
According to the Inventory of Major Capital Projects for 2021-22, major capital spending of $17 billion was underway in the province, with the utility sector accounting for over $10 billion of that, largely due to the Muskrat Falls project.
In addition to the booming energy and mining sectors, Happy Valley-Goose Bay also functions as a service center for central Labrador, supporting the Voisey's Bay mineral development located 350 km to the north. The town's strategic location and transportation infrastructure make it an attractive investment opportunity.
The economic outlook for Happy Valley-Goose Bay is very positive, with significant capital investment, employment opportunities, and growth across multiple industries expected to continue in the coming years.
Education in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Happy Valley-Goose Bay is home to several educational institutions that serve the local community and the wider Labrador region:
College of the North Atlantic
The College of the North Atlantic has a campus located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. It offers full-time credit programs, as well as Contract and Continuing Education courses. The campus has around 300 full-time students per semester, with another 50 registered part-time. It also sees over 800 students participate in Continuing Education evening courses.
The campus provides a variety of student services, including a Student Development Office, Guidance Office, and Indigenous Support. It also has cafeteria services, student residences, childcare facilities, and a learning commons space in the campus library.
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, the largest university in Atlantic Canada, has an office and classroom space in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This allows students in the region to access some university-level courses and programming without having to relocate.
Labrador School District
The Labrador School District oversees the public elementary and secondary schools in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This includes schools like Mealy Mountain Collegiate, a high school serving grades 7-12.
The town also has several private and religious schools, catering to the diverse population and educational needs of the community.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay provides its residents with a range of educational opportunities, from college-level technical training to university-level studies, all while serving the unique needs of the local Labrador community.
Transport System in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Happy Valley-Goose Bay has a diverse transportation system that connects the town to the rest of Labrador and Canada:
Road Transportation:
- The town is connected to Labrador City and Baie-Comeau, Quebec via the Trans-Labrador Highway. This road link was completed in 2009, providing year-round access.
- Prior to the 1960s, Labrador communities like Happy Valley-Goose Bay used special license plates to help fund road development in the region.
Water Transportation:
- The town is serviced by boat and container ship, with docking facilities located at Terrington Basin. These facilities are operated by Transport Canada.
- During the summer months, a ferry service connects Happy Valley-Goose Bay with the community of Cartwright.
Air Transportation:
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay is home to CFB Goose Bay, the largest military air base in northeastern North America. This air base handles both military and civilian air traffic.
- Air Canada and Eastern Provincial Airways were early air carriers serving the region, while Labrador Airways Limited provided air transportation to local communities.
- The town also has a seaplane base located at Otter Creek that provides air service to local communities and tourist lodges.
In 2024, the town is investing in a new public transit system, purchasing an electric bus, building charging stations, and establishing new bus stops and shelters. This will provide residents with a convenient, comfortable, and affordable transportation option.
Living in Happy Valley–Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The town is the largest population center in central Labrador, with an estimated 8,040 residents as of 2021. Nearly half of the population identifies as Indigenous, including Inuit, Métis, and First Nations people, giving the community a rich cultural diversity.
Situated on the coast of Lake Melville and the Churchill River, Happy Valley-Goose Bay is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Residents can enjoy the Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, the Grand River, and the vast wilderness of Labrador.
The town's climate is classified as humid continental, bordering on subarctic, with significant snowfall in the winter and mild summers.
As a transportation hub, Happy Valley-Goose Bay is connected by the Trans-Labrador Highway to Labrador City and Baie-Comeau, Quebec. It also has boat, container ship, and air travel options, including the large military air base at CFB Goose Bay.
The town provides a range of educational opportunities, from the College of the North Atlantic campus to the Memorial University of Newfoundland programming.
The local economy is poised for growth, driven by major energy and mining projects in the Labrador region. Happy Valley-Goose Bay serves as a service center, supporting industries like the Voisey's Bay mineral development.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay offers residents a unique blend of Indigenous culture, natural beauty, transportation connectivity, and economic opportunities in the heart of Labrador.
Healthcare in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Happy Valley-Goose Bay has a well-equipped healthcare system centered around the Labrador Health Centre. The hospital has 25 beds, a 24-hour emergency department, outpatient clinics, and is staffed by family physicians.
Each family physician is responsible for providing medical care to a North Coast community in addition to their duties at the Labrador Health Centre. The hospital also has specialists including a general surgeon, anesthetist, and obstetrician/gynecologist. Visiting specialists provide services at the health centre on a regular basis.
Other community health services such as primary care, health promotion, youth programming, and cervical screening are offered from additional sites in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
In 2021, the Newfoundland and Labrador government announced funding for a six-bed extension to provide mental health care at the Labrador Health Centre.
This investment demonstrates the town's commitment to expanding and improving healthcare services for residents.
With its modern hospital, diverse medical staff, and range of community health programs, Happy Valley-Goose Bay ensures its residents have access to quality healthcare in Labrador.
The town's healthcare system continues to evolve to meet the needs of its growing and diverse population.
Tourist places in Happy Valley–Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Here are some of the top tourist places to visit in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada:
- Labrador Military Museum: This museum showcases the history of the Canadian military presence in Labrador, including the Goose Bay Air Force Base.
- Birch Island Trail: A scenic hiking trail that offers beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness and wildlife.
- Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club: A popular destination for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months.
- Northern Lights Building: A cultural center that hosts events, exhibits, and performances celebrating the region's Indigenous heritage.
- Wolverine Bay: A warm freshwater bay perfect for swimming and enjoying the natural surroundings.
- Gosling Lake: The site of the annual Labrador Canoe Regatta, a celebration of traditional Labrador culture and sport.
- Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve: The stunning natural beauty of this protected wilderness area is a major draw for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Churchill River: Explore the scenic waterways and coastline of this iconic Labrador river.
- Lake Melville: The large lake that Happy Valley-Goose Bay is situated on, offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and enjoying the views.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay's diverse natural landscapes, military history, and Indigenous cultural attractions make it a unique and rewarding destination for visitors to Labrador.
Local Food in Happy Valley–Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Happy Valley-Goose Bay offers a diverse and delicious local food scene that showcases the flavours of Labrador:
Mamattuk is a standout restaurant that celebrates the region's seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. Their "dynamic and aromatic comfort food is inspired by the timeless beauty of the land, people, and culture of Labrador." The restaurant, coffee bar, and lounge provide a warm and inclusive dining experience.
Pep's Diner is another local favorite, known for its excellent food and service. In addition to homemade breads, cookies, and cakes, the diner offers a variety of classic diner fare made with care.
Other popular local eateries include Jungle Jim's Eatery, El Greco, Mariner's Galley, and Pizza Delight. These establishments provide a range of dining options, from casual pub fare to pizza and Greek cuisine.
Many of these restaurants highlight the abundance of fresh seafood available in the Labrador region, incorporating local catches into their menus. The town's diverse population also influences the culinary landscape, with a mix of Indigenous, European, and North American influences.
Overall, Happy Valley-Goose Bay's local food scene offers visitors a unique opportunity to savour the flavours of Labrador, from comforting homemade dishes to innovative, locally-inspired cuisine.
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