Living in Conception Bay South (CBS), NL: Communities, Schools and Costs

CBS at a glance

CBS was incorporated in 1973, when several neighbouring communities voted to form one town. Others joined over the next decade, and by 1986 the town included all nine communities it has today:

• Topsail
• Chamberlains
• Manuels
• Long Pond
• Foxtrap
• Kelligrews
• Upper Gullies
• Lawrence Pond
• Seal Cove

Each still has its own character, and most people describe where they live by community name.

The communities, east to west

Topsail

One of the oldest parts of CBS, with homes more than a century old. Topsail Beach Rotary Park looks out to Bell Island and Kelly’s Island, and the East Coast Trail and the CBS T’Railway both start nearby.

Chamberlains

Home to Chamberlains Park, a 1 km accessible loop on former farmland with a rhododendron garden.

Manuels

The centre of town in many ways, with Manuels River, the Manuels River Centre, Holy Spirit High and Villanova Junior High. The Downtown CBS business area runs along Route 60 from Manuels River.

Long Pond

Built around a sheltered harbour, with the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club marina and the CBS Community Park.

Foxtrap

Home to Frank Roberts Junior High and Queen Elizabeth Regional High on Foxtrap Access Road, which links to the Trans-Canada Highway. It also has a marina and public boat launch.

Kelligrews

Known for the Kelligrews Soiree, CBS’s summer festival, and home to Admiral’s Academy, St. Edward’s School and the Gateway Trail.

Upper Gullies and Lawrence Pond

Inland communities on the south side of town. Upper Gullies Elementary is here, and Lawrence Pond was a separate town until it joined CBS.

Seal Cove

The western end of CBS, with a small-boat marina, boat launches and a College of the North Atlantic campus. The T’Railway runs west from here to Indian Pond.

Schools

CBS has nine English public schools:

• School buses: families at most CBS schools now register for the bus separately. If you’re moving with school-age children, ask the school how bus registration works.
• French first-language schools: the nearest are the CSFP’s two schools in St. John’s.

Always check the zoned school for the exact address. Our school zones guide shows how.

Getting around

Route 60 (Topsail Road and the Conception Bay Highway) runs the length of CBS. Route 2 (Peacekeepers Way and Pitts Memorial Drive) is the fast connection to St. John’s, and Foxtrap Access Road connects to the Trans-Canada Highway.

CBS isn’t on the Metrobus network, so plan on driving.

Driving times outside rush hour (estimates):

Estimated with OpenStreetMap routing. Expect longer at rush hour.

Recreation and the outdoors

• Manuels River Centre: a Town-run interpretation centre on Manuels River, where trilobite fossils more than 500 million years old have been found.
• Trails:
  • The CBS T’Railway (18 km along the old rail bed from Topsail to Indian Pond, maintained year-round).
  • The Manuels River Trail (5 km) and the Gateway Trail (8 km).
  • The East Coast Trail’s Long Shore Path (17 km from Topsail Beach to Portugal Cove).
• Beaches and parks: Topsail Beach Rotary Park, and the CBS Community Park in Long Pond, which has the province’s first combined refrigerated outdoor rink and splash pad, plus inclusive play areas.
• Indoor recreation:
  • The CBS Recreation Complex (pool, hot tub and squash courts).
  • The CBS Arena and Robert French Memorial Stadium.
  • The CBS Public Library.
• Planned: a large indoor recreation centre at The Gateway, with courts and turf.
• On the water: two marinas and several public boat launches.
• Events: the Kelligrews Soiree every July, plus Winterfest and Savour CBS.

Costs and town rules to know

Property tax

Property tax and water and sewer fees are set each year in the Town’s budget. See this year’s rates, and how they compare with neighbouring towns, in our property tax by town guide, or try the property tax calculator. The Town also offers tax reductions for some low-income owners — check the Town’s website for who qualifies.

Water and sewer

Most homes in CBS can connect to town water and sewer, supplied from Bay Bulls Big Pond. Some homes still have septic systems. Check the servicing for any home you’re considering.

Garbage and recycling

Garbage is collected in a Town-supplied cart and recycling every second week. Check the Town’s garbage and recycling page for your collection day and the current rules.

Snow

CBS has a winter overnight parking ban on town streets, plus no parking during a storm or for a day after. Check the Town’s snow clearing page for this year’s dates. Route 60 is plowed by the province, and the Town clears everything else, starting with main roads and sidewalks near schools.

Permits

• Need a permit: sheds and garages, fences, decks, patios, retaining walls and pools. Exterior work like roofing, siding, windows, doors and heat pumps also needs one.
• No permit needed: cosmetic interior work.

Basement apartments

CBS allows a subsidiary apartment in a single or semi-detached (double) house, with at least one extra parking space. See our two-apartment homes guide for what else to check.

Health care

• Hospitals: there’s no hospital in CBS. The nearest emergency departments are at the Health Sciences Centre and St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s.
• Urgent care: there’s an urgent care centre in St. John’s. Check NL Health Services for locations and hours.
• Finding a provider: if you need a family doctor or nurse practitioner, register with Patient Connect NL, and call 811 for health advice.

Questions people ask