The construction of the Goose Bay air base began in 1941. The town of Happy Valley developed in 1943 to house the workers who came to build the Air Base. The two settlements of Happy Valley and Goose Bay were amalgamated into a single town in 1974 and together the residents in this wage-based economy have faced hard times as the management of the base changed hands. In the May 2006 census the population of Happy Valley-Goose Bay was 7572. The majority of retail and service businesses in this area support the operation of the Air Base.

Even though the economy of Happy Valley-Goose Bay has always been based on earned wages, many residents with Innu, Inuit, Metis and settler heritage still live the traditional Labrador lifestyle using their knowledge of living "off the land." Many families depend on the caribou hunt, fishing and trapping of small game to supplement their diets.

A small manufacturing sector is developing in Central Labrador, along with a few small agricultural initiatives in the past 10 years. The future holds tremendous employment potential for this region as a result of the Voisey's Bay Nickel Mega-Project, the development of the hydro potential in the Lower Churchill, and the Trans-Labrador Highway Project.

For complete set of minutes see:
http://www.happyvalley-goosebay.com/mnuts.htm

Mayor
Leo Abbass

Deputy Mayor
Stan Oliver

Councillors:
Dean Clarke
Madelyn Kelly
James H. Saunders
Paul Tsibidis
Bill MacKey

Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club is a non-profit recreational and environmental education facility located near Happy Valley - Goose Bay in Labrador. Birch Brook has been developed and operated by volunteers for nearly two decades. During ski season, usually from January to April, thirty kilometers of challenging ski trails are groomed for skaters and classical skiers. A cozy chalet and sauna near the Rabbit Run and a warm-up cabin at Mclean Lake are also available to skiers. Yearly memberships or day passes may be purchased. The Club is affiliated with provincial and national cross-country ski associations and hosted the Provincial Cross-Country Ski Championships in 2000.

The marked cross-country ski trails used in the winter are lovely hiking trails in the summer. Along the way you can see the Bear Tree and view the different local flora and fauna. The interpretation project promotes year round use of the trail system. Our mandate is to encourage affordable outdoor recreation, physical and mental fitness and an appreciation of our natural environment.


The Amaruck Golf Club with a 6300-yard, 9-hole, par 71 course located in the middle of the Town just minutes away from the major hotels.

Walking trails that allow you to see nature at its best at your own pace as you walk or bike.

More than 300 square kilometres of winter scenery on groomed snowmobile trails that snake throughout Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the surrounding landscape.

Over 20 kilometres of cross-country trails providing access to a variety of wilderness areas with undisturbed flora and fauna (and in the summer these same trails provide an unparrelled walking experience).

Muskrat Falls - a 15 meter water fall on the lower Churchill River, 40 km west of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is a site you will want to see. The thunderous roar of the water can be heard as you hike your way to the falls.

The Town has two large fitness facilities. The 5 Wing Gym located on the base has two gyms that facilitate basketball, soccer, badminton, floor hockey and volleyball. There is a squash court, a cardiovascular room and a weight room. The Labrador Training Center offers a large gym area and a swimming pool.

The Arcturus Theatre and a bowling alley are also located in town.

The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, considered the "Hub of Labrador" is located at the extreme western end of Lake Melville, a long salt-water lake extending 210 kilometres inland from the Labrador Sea. The scenic, white capped Mealy Mountains border one side of the lake and the great rolling plain lies on the other. The population in the May 2006 census numbered 7572 people.

Goose Bay is an international community, built during the Second World War to support military operations, and has been home at various times to Canadian, American, British, German, Italian and Dutch Air Forces.

With the Second World War came change, the air base was built as a landing and refuelling stop for the Atlantic ferry command. After only 79 days of construction, three 7,000 foot runways were ready to receive aircraft. During the Second World War, thousands of aircraft passed through Goose Bay. The war represented a turning point in history, not only for the Lake Melville region, but also for all of Labrador. Currently, 5 Wing Goose Bay is under change with all allies now departed, but the people of Labrador are still confident with its available airspace, natural resources and diversification Goose Bay still has much to offer.

The first settlers in Happy Valley-Goose Bay were the Saunders, Broomfield's and Perrault families who came from coastal Labrador communities to work with the McNamara Construction Company who were building the Goose Bay Air Force Base. They originally settled at Otter Creeek in 1942, but were informed by the authorities that they were too close to the proposed air force base site and they would have to find a new location at least 8 kilometres from the base. The new site was first called "Refugees Cove" until 1955 when the community was renamed Happy Valley.

The local improvement district of Goose Bay was set up in 1970 and at the time included Spruce Park and the Canadian department of Transport Housing areas. By 1973, however, most of the base was also included. The Goose Bay Air Focrce Base was built on a large sandy plateau near the mouth of the Goose River,Goose Bay during the early years of World War II.

The new Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay was formed in 1973 and it had all of the facilities of a modern town - schools, churches, police, hotels, barbershops, television and fire departments.