Grand opening of Pijinuiskaq Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 27, 2017

The Town of Bridgewater will host the grand opening of Pijinuiskaq Park on King Street in Downtown Bridgewater on Friday, June 30, beginning at 4 p.m.

The official opening of Pijinuiskaq Park marks the effective conclusion of the Take Back The Riverbank, a $5 million infrastructure project in the heart of the community.

The project included the installation of new water, storm water and waste-water lines, the revitalization of the streetscape in a two-block stretch of Downtown Bridgewater, and the reclamation of a vibrant public gathering space along the west bank of the LaHave River – a space which had been obscured by a steel and concrete parkade for almost half a century.

“This is a proud day for Bridgewater and surrounding communities,” said Bernadette Jordan, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margarets. “The Government of Canada supports your vision for a revitalized downtown that is dynamic and attractive to local businesses, residents and tourists. This open, public space, accessible to all, will be enjoyed for years to come.”

The Government of Canada contributed a total of $2,124,611 to this project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund and the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund.

Pijinuiskaq (pronounced BE-JN-OO-IS-GAH) is the traditional Mi’kmaq name for the LaHave River, meaning “river of long joints/river branches.” (Source: Pjila’si Mi’kma’ki: Mi’kmaw Place Names Digital Atlas.)

The name was one of more than 50 submitted for consideration during a public naming competition in 2016. Pijinuiskaq Park is believed to be the only street, facility or public space in Bridgewater to bear a Mi’kmaq name, giving special meaning to the riverside public space at a time of truth and reconciliation.

“The Town envisions this park as a place where everyone is welcome,” said Bridgewater’s Mayor David Mitchell. “All cultures, all people.”

The grand opening of Pijinuiskaq Park will commence with a Mi’kmaq Smudging Ceremony and include speeches by dignitaries and live music.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Patrick Hirtle
Communications Coordinator
Town of Bridgewater
Phone: 902-541-9417
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alex Smith
Director of Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HEART & STROKE BIG BIKE

HEART & STROKE BIG BIKE ROLLS INTO BRIDGEWATER IN AUGUST

Take a seat. Save a life.

If you could help save a life by just taking a seat, would you do it? Heart&Stroke Big Bike is driven by big hearts. Presented by Dairy Farmers of Canada, this fun-filled fundraiser gave teams of energetic community members an opportunity to pedal through Bridgewater.

The Bridgewater Big Bike ride will take place on Thursday, August 3rd, at Sobeys.

Riders from coast to coast join forces by driving a bike built for 30 through their hometown to raise life-saving funds. Together, with the Big Bike team riders and event sponsors, Heart & Stroke helps fund a vibrant research community to enable medical breakthroughs.

What are you waiting for? Take a seat on the Big Bike and a stand against heart disease and stroke. Visit bigbike.ca and register today.

For more information contact: David Olie, Program Coordinator Heart & Stroke, Nova Scotia office P 902 334-1138 | E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Facade Society AGM

BRIDGEWATER FAÇADE SOCIETY AGM
The Bridgewater Façade Society will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, May 25, beginning at 11 a.m. in the upper level of the River Pub on King Street. A lunch (at one’s own cost) will follow at 11:30, and an open house to provide info on the program will take place after lunch. The Bridgewater Façade Society oversees a granting program that can provide up to $5,000 in matching funding for façade improvement projects for commercial buildings/businesses in the King Street Architectural Control Area. Anyone interested in the program is encouraged to attend. Applications will be available at the open house or, to learn more, visit www.bridgewater.ca/facade. The Board of Directors that oversees the Façade Society is also currently looking for new members! If you have an interest in serving on the board, please attend the AGM!

Community energy initiative receives $20,000 in support

FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ENERGIZE BRIDGEWATER
Community energy initiative receives $20,000 in support

The provincial Department of Energy is helping the Town of Bridgewater advance a community energy initiative that will support local investment in sustainable energy solutions and drive economic activity.

Minister of Business Mark Furey, on behalf of Energy Minister Michel Samson, announced $20,000 in support today, March 27, for the town’s Energize Bridgewater Project.

Energize Bridgewater is a community-wide initiative developing a shared vision of how the area should develop local, efficient and renewable energy.

“This project is breaking new ground for clean energy planning in rural Nova Scotia,” said Mr. Furey. “With local leadership and broad community support, Bridgewater is doing its part to help the province move toward a cleaner energy economy.”

Launched in 2016 the project is expected to result in practical energy demonstration projects, innovative new partnerships, and new knowledge and skills.

“The Town of Bridgewater is thrilled that the Department of Energy has recognized the environmental, social, and economic value of this project with today’s announcement,” said Mayor David Mitchell. “This initiative is unique in Canada and shows that Bridgewater is a leader in sustainability.”

This project is one of the ways government is supporting innovation in renewable energy as outlined in the Electricity Plan.

Once complete, the plan will be available to other municipalities and community organizations across Nova Scotia.

To learn more about Energize Bridgewater, visit www.energizebridgewater.ca.

DesBrisay Museum Term Job Opportunities

The DesBrisay Museum is seeking to fill the following positions:
- Heritage Advisory Committee HAC Assistant (Term)
- Museum Interpreter (Term)

For a description of the HAC Assistant position, please click here.

For a description of the Museum Interpreter position, please click here.

Resume packages can be dropped off at the DesBrisay Museum or e-mailed to DesBrisay Museum Director Barbara Thompson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A BUS for Bridgewater?

The Town of Bridgewater is undertaking a study to look at the potential of creating a public transit system for Bridgewater.

Join us on Wednesday, November 30th. from 6 to 8 p.m. at the NSCC Campus on High Street.

We want to hear your ideas: Would a bus help you? Where do you need to go? When do you need to get there? Everyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

Back-In Angle Parking

Okay, so what IS back-in angle parking and why is it being implemented?
As part of the Take Back The Riverbank project, back-in angle has been introduced on King Street between Old Bridge and Phoenix Street. 

Back-in angle parking is exactly what it sounds like: parking spaces on an angle to the street that are designed to have vehicles back-in in order to park.

There are several reasons why back-in angle parking was chosen for this part of King Street.

First, it's a more efficient use of space! Traditional parallel parking takes up more curbside space, so back-in angle parking allows us to accommodate more cars on the street!

Back-in angle parking can be done in three easy steps:
1) When you're approaching an open space, slow and signal your intent to turn.
2) Stop just ahead of the parking space.
3) Reverse and turn into the space.

Something to remember: Treat back-in angle parking the same way you would treat parallel parking -- never cross the yellow centreline to pull nose-first into a back-in angle parking space on the "wrong" side of the road. It's illegal and you will receive a ticket.

When it's time to go, the added benefit of back-in angle parking is that your car is already pointing forward, nose-out, facing the street, so you have a clear field of vision in all directions and it's easy to see if there is traffic coming toward.

Also, it's important to remember that back-in angle parking is only being used for only the 11 spaces between Old Bridge and Phoenix Street. South and north on King Street, standard curbside parallel parking still exists, plus you have larger parking lots such as the North Parkade, the Town Centre Lot, and the O'Neill Parking Lot. In total, in and around Downtown Bridgewater there are more than 250 public and permit parking spaces on the West side of the LaHave River alone, so you have plenty of parking options to choose from!

Help plan the future of our open spaces!

The Whimsical Children’s Store -- Donations needed

The Whimsical Children’s Store is in need of donations of gently used items that a child 4 to 10 years old might like to purchase for a parent, sibling, relative or loved one.

If you would like to donate such items please bring them to the ARK at 655 King Street in Bridgewater, Monday to Friday between 9 am and 3 pm.

The Whimsical Children’s Store is a unique Christmas shopping experience designed with kids in mind. With the help of volunteers, children shop amongst gingerbread houses, miniature Christmas trees, gingerbread kids and gumdrops to purchase gifts that will amaze, wow or even cause the gift recipient to howl with laughter. What makes the experience so unique is that only the child knows what’s under the wrapping, provided of course that they can keep a secret.

This year the Whimsical Children’s Store is Saturday December 3rd at the Michelin Social Club, from 10 am to 2 pm. Admission is a donation to the Food Bank.

Brought to you by: Bridgewater Christmas on the LaHave Committee, the Skilled Trades and Exploration Program (STEP) at Park View Education Centre, the Michelin Social Club, the ARK on King Street, product donors and volunteers.

Open Spaces Walk

Energize your business!

Is your business or organization interested in smart energy solutions?

The Bridgewater Energy Partnership will offer practical workshops, information, and project opportunities related to everything from renewables to energy efficiency, to emerging markets. Be part of the solution, and realize the benefits of smart energy for your organization and your community.

The Partnership launches on Tuesday, September 27, at NSCC, so join the Partnership today! RSVP required to attend the workshop. See www.EnergizeBridgewater.ca/partnership for more info or contact Leon de Vreede at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 902-541-4390

Positive response to dry well challenges in Lunenburg County

REMO: Positive response to dry well challenges in Lunenburg County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2016

A friend in need is a friend indeed, and there’s perhaps no better example of that than the response to the recent near-draught conditions seen across the five partner municipalities under the umbrella of Lunenburg County’s Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO).

While three municipalities within REMO (the Town of Bridgewater, Town of Lunenburg, and Town of Mahone Bay) do not have a shortage of water supply, many residents in the two other partners units – the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) and the Municipality of the District of Chester (MODC) – are coping with dwindling water supplies resulting from the extremely dry conditions.

In keeping with its “neighbor helping neighbor” policy, REMO has worked to help established some self-serve water refilling stations and free shower facilities for residents of rural areas who may find themselves with dry wells and challenging conditions.

Heather MacKenzie-Carey, the Lunenburg County REMO Coordinator, said that the response from all three towns, a number of businesses, and provincial bodies to supply help to rural neighbors has been a beacon of community spirit, cooperation, and hope.

“This has been a really great example of government and business partnerships working well to quickly address community issues,” she said.

For a list of available resources go to: www.modl.ca and www.chester.ca, or follow @RegionalEMO on Twitter, or see the attached list below.

You can also help REMO to track dry wells by filling out the survey on the MODL and MODC websites or by calling your local municipal office.

For more information, contact:

Heather MacKenzie-Carey
Regional Emergency Management Coordinator- Lunenburg Co.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
902 543-8650

List of Resource Sites

Mahone Bay Marina and Wharf
684 Main St. Mahone Bay water container refill at wharf tap
Showers 9am-9pm (bring personal soap, towels etc)

Grave’s Island Provincial Park
230 Graves Island Road Chester
Sunday thru Thursday 10am-8pm
Water refill & showers available (check in at registration office)

Rissers Beach Provinical Park
5366 Hwy 331, Crescent Beach
Water refill tap & showers available
Sunday thru Thursday 10am-8pm
(check in at registration desk)

Sites Added Sept. 16, 2016

Lunenburg County Lifestyle Center (LCLC)
135 North Park St.
Showers & drinking water bottle refill
7am-9pm
(Register at guest services counter)

Shipyard’s Landing
210 King St.
Self-serve water bottle refilling station
7am-7pm

TIR Hebbville Base
469 Jubilee Road
Monday- Friday 7:00am-4:30pm
Water container refilling

Lunenburg Board of Trade Campground
11 Blockhouse Hill Road
Town of Lunenburg
Self-serve water container refilling

Michelin Social Club
221 Logan Road Bridgewater
Showers & drinking water bottle refill
During normal hours of operation www.michelinsocialclub.com

Please note, for all sites, water refill is for residential use only (no bulk trucks). Residents must supply and fill their own containers and bring any personal care shower supplies required.