Civil Municipal - May 2024

are just as majestic as the temperature drops below zero when sea ice forms in the Atlantic Ocean and drifts past the coast. For a rural area, Torbay has some big draws that extend beyond natural offerings, too. Scott raves about the area’s rich history, which is part of why the town in 2017 purchased and renovated an old church rectory – one of the last heritage structures remaining – into the revamped Torbay History and House Museum. Last summer, after about $1 million in renovations, the town hosted a grand opening for the museum, and 2,500 people visited the site in the first calendar year. The museum is also a venue for local culture, where artists can sell their paintings and drawings in a gallery room above the main building. “That was a tremendous success,” says Scott.“And we were able to do things that we’ve never done before, simply because now we have the infrastructure to be able to do them.” The facelift to these amenities comes as a product of what Scott calls “diversifying leisure time.” The mayor wants to see folks enjoy a wealth of different options for fun, such as the town’s new museum or community center, which is decked out with a water park and skatepark. These upgrades enhance 183 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 05 TORBAY, NL