New facility equipped to welcome local and visiting boaters
July 17, 2014 – Bridgewater, Nova Scotia – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Bridgewater Marina is officially open for business. Government, business and community partners gathered on the LaHave River today to celebrate the completion of the new facility, which is already drawing weekend and seasonal boaters from outside the area.
Work began in January 2013 to expand the Port of Bridgewater, whose wharf was initially designed to handle larger vessels only. The Bridgewater Marina Association constructed 30 new boat slips for small and medium-sized crafts (generally 15” to 38’), as well as two slips and a gangway for even smaller vessels such as canoes and kayaks. The canoe and kayak area is available for public use free of charge. The Association also added other amenities including a walkway connecting the Marina to Mariner’s Landing Park, a barbeque pit for public events, a marina building, laundry facilities, and washrooms.
The fully-serviced Marina is now equipped to welcome recreational boaters from the community and new visitors from within and outside Nova Scotia. As a result, the Marina is expected to boost tourism revenues for local shops, accommodations and restaurants.
Support for the creation of the Marina has been strong across the various levels of government and within the community. The Government of Canada invested $90,895 in the project through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF). The Province invested $8,800 through Nova Scotia Health and Wellness and $4,990 through Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. Additional support included $2,000 from the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, $68,600 from the Town of Bridgewater, $5,000 from Michelin and $82,930 from the Bridgewater Marina Association.
Quick Facts:
- The Port of Bridgewater was constructed in 1888 as part of the Nova Scotia Central Railway.
- Throughout the 1900s it was an important shipping port used to load waterborne shipments of lumber and pulpwood from the local sawmill.
- The idea to develop the Bridgewater Marina began in 2006 as part of a concept plan presented by the Bridgewater Development Association’s Riverfront Renaissance Action Team, following community consultations, public meetings and surveys.
- The Bridgewater Marina Association formed in 2011 with a mandate is to market and grow the Town of Bridgewater, through its focus on the revitalization of the LaHave River.
Quotes:
“Our Government is pleased to celebrate with Bridgewater as it charts a new course for recreation and tourism with the official opening of the Bridgewater Marina. The new, fully-serviced Marina will provide high-quality recreational space for local boaters and draw out-of-town boaters to our community. Our Government is committed to supporting projects like this one that enhance community infrastructure, generate local economic growth and build strong, vibrant communities.”
- Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (ACOA)
“The Bridgewater Marina began at the grassroots driven by many passionate community members and partners. The end result are facilities that meet the community’s needs, with important new infrastructure and new opportunities to promote active lifestyles among the people who live in Bridgewater and Lunenburg County. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
- Suzanne Lohnes-Croft, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lunenburg
“Myself and Town Council members for the Town of Bridgewater are very pleased with the opening of the Bridgewater Marina. The Town of Bridgewater continues to grow and continues to recognize the value of the LaHave River. Having the Marina within walking distance of services provided in the Town and having a safe harbour for boaters is an exciting part of Bridgewater’s Downtown Master Plan to bring more people closer to the LaHave River. The Town of Bridgewater is also pleased that the three levels of government as well as industry have come together to see this project to completion. A big thank you to the volunteers who worked toward achieving the goals of this project.”
- David Walker, Mayor, Town of Bridgewater
“The Bridgewater Marina Association members are so grateful to our funding partners, who together with our valued volunteer Board of Directors have brought this marina to life. The marina is a welcomed addition to the Bridgewater area and we are very proud of the outcome.”
- Rob Keevill, Chair, Bridgewater Marina Association
Associated Links:
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
Email: Alex.Smith@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Toby Koffman
Government of Nova Scotia
902-424-4482 / 902-483-5847 (cell)
Email: koffmatg@gov.ns.ca
David Walker
Mayor
Town of Bridgewater
902-527-6312 (cell)
Email: dwalker@bridgewater.ca
Ida Scott
Secretary and Director
Bridgewater Marina Association
902-527-6278 / 902-521-7878 (cell)
Email: manager@smartbridgewater.ca
