C.A. Pippy Park Commission

Department

Authority

Remuneration

Purpose:

C.A. Pippy Park is located in St. John’s. Encompassing approximately 1,375 hectares (3,400 acres), it is one of the largest urban parklands in Canada and is larger than Mount Royal Park (Montreal), Stanley Park (Vancouver), and Central Park (New York) combined.

Pippy Park was established in 1968 by the Pippy Park Commission Act as a land bank for institutional facility expansion and as an area for conservation and recreation. The lands that comprise the Park contain habitat for a variety of mammals, birds, and plant species. Several major rivers and numerous streams drain throughout the Park. Most of the Park’s northern portion is undeveloped and features a mix of barren lands and boreal forest. Several small ponds are located in this area, while several others occupy the southern developed areas of the Park.

The C.A. Pippy Park Commission, which administers the Park, is composed of representatives from three primary partners: the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the City of St. John’s, and Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Representatives of the Park’s namesake, the Pippy family, and of the public are also members of the Commission. The Pippy Park Commission Act provides the Commission’s regulatory and management authority and the Commission reports to the provincial Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.

The Commission operates a variety of commercial enterprises. These include a full service campground, grounds-keeping services for Government facilities, and rental properties and facilities. In addition, the Commission administers a wholly owned subsidiary the Pippy Park Golf Course Ltd. This company operates two courses (a nine and eighteen-hole), a golfer’s lounge, and the Admirals’ Green Clubhouse catering facility. The revenues generated from its commercial operations combined with an annual operating grant from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation provide the annual budget to operate the Park and employ its staff.

The Commission also regulates and manages the lands and heritage resources within the Park. This includes administering private properties, guarding the environment, protecting cultural-heritage resources, and promoting greater public awareness of the Park. The Commission works cooperatively with the various institutions and service organizations located in the Park to ensure maximum benefit for all users and visitors.

For additional information on the role of the C.A. Pippy Park Commission, please visit www.pippypark.com.

Structure:

The C.A. Pippy Park Commission was established as a Crown Corporation in 1968, under the C.A. Pippy Park Commission Act.  The Commission is comprised of an eight member Board, which currently reports to the House of Assembly through the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. The Board is comprised of eight members:

1. Chairperson, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council
2. Vice-Chairperson, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council
3. Member, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council
4. Member, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council (traditionally a representative of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)
5. Member, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council (may be appointed after consultation with an association of landowners and residents provided that an association exists at the time of the appointment)
6. C.A. Pippy Family Representative, selected by the Pippy family and appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council
7. Memorial University Representative, appointed by the Board of Regents
8. City of St. John’s Representative, appointed by the City of St. John’s

Competency Profile:

Those who make up the C.A. Pippy Park Commission should collectively possess the following core competencies:

• Financial Expertise/Literacy
• Knowledge of Cultural and Natural Heritage
• Knowledge of Land Conservation, Development, and Management
• Business Development and Marketing
• Current Tourism and Recreation Market and Emerging Tourism and Recreation Trends
• Current Golf Market and Emerging Trends in the Golf Market
• Public Relations
• Labour Relations
• Human Resources
• Governance
• Interagency and/or Intergovernmental Relations

Qualifications:

Members of the C.A. Pippy Park Commission should possess the following qualifications:

• High ethical standards and integrity
• Appreciation of the responsibilities to the public
• Willingness to consider others’ opinions
• Capable of a wide perspective on issues
• Ability to listen and work as a team member
• No direct or indirect conflict of interest
• Strong reasoning skills
• Strong problem solving skills
• Previous experience working on a board or committee
• Personal experience with one or more of the main operational streams of the Park (outdoor recreation, camping, golf, facility rentals, grounds maintenance, and land conservation and management)
• Member of the C.A. Pippy family (one member only; required under Act)
• Resident landowners (one member only; required under Act provided an association of landowners and residents exists at the time of the appointment)

Time Commitments:

Members of the C.A. Pippy Park Commission shall meet whenever necessary for the transaction of business, but shall meet at least three times in a financial year. Commonly meetings are scheduled monthly. Board members may also be expected to spend additional time to review materials and prepare for Committee meetings.

Some board members may be asked to serve on the Pippy Park Golf Course Ltd. Board of Directors. The Pippy Park Golf Course Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the C.A. Pippy Park Commission. Members of the Pippy Park Golf Course Ltd. Board of Directors shall meet whenever necessary for the transaction of business.

Term:

As specified in the Pippy Park Commission Act:

• The period of appointment of a member shall be specified by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, the City, or MUN.
• A member of the Commission may be appointed for a term not exceeding three years and shall be eligible for appointment for a second term not exceeding three years, but, after having been appointed for two successive terms, irrespective of their duration, he or she shall not be eligible for reappointment for a term beginning before the end of one year after the end of the second term.

Vacancy Profile: