Living Here
Our Community
Today, Bridgewater remains the beating heart of the South Shore, with new businesses and residents drawn each year by its strategic advantages.
Our community is one of just a handful of locations in Nova Scotia that has enjoyed consistent population growth over the past two decades.
The Town has also made significant investments in upgrading its infrastructure to meet the demands of development in the 21st Century and to ensure our community remains vibrant and economically attractive.
Working Here
Bridgewater is home to a dedicated and skilled labour force of over 4,280 persons strong – and that’s only part of the story. Our labour force is drawn from a pool of nearly 50,000 individuals who live within 30 minutes of Bridgewater in Lunenburg and Queens counties.
The companies that call our community home are fortunate to draw upon a labour force that is historically hard-working and well-educated, with a sense of workmanship, dependability, and pride that can’t be duplicated.
Shops & Services
Bridgewater’s reputation as the “Main Street of the South Shore” is well-deserved.
On the west side of the LaHave River, the traditional King Street historic downtown district is home to locally-owned shops, restaurants, craft breweries, and services that are dedicated to quality and charm.
On the east side of the LaHave River, you’ll find the South Shore Centre, Eastside Plaza, and a number of modern retailers, all ready to meet your everyday needs!
Leisure & Recreation
The Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre (LCLC) is home to Clearwater Seafoods Arena, the Margaret Hennigar Public Library, and the BMO Financial Group Aquatic Centre. The LCLC is a modern, efficient facility that provides exceptional recreation services.
Honour art, heritage, and history with a visit to the DesBrisay Museum and the Wile Carding Mill Museum. Or enjoy a stroll through Woodland Gardens, a 24-acre park around the Town Pond.
Education
Bridgewater has an excellent public education system that includes Bridgewater Elementary School, Bridgewater Junior High School, and Park View Education Centre.
There are also French Immersion programs in these schools and a French first-language school located within five minutes of Bridgewater (Centre Scolaire de la Rive-Sud).
The Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Lunenburg Campus is also located in Bridgewater and awards certificate, diploma, and advanced diploma programs.
Beyond the public school system, Nova Scotia has a greater number of post-secondary educational institutions per capita than anywhere else in Canada.
Health
Bridgewater is the regional healthcare centre for the South Shore, the hub for which is the South Shore Regional Hospital (SSRH). Significant efforts are always ongoing to attract doctors and nurse practitioners to that area so that all residents have access to a family healthcare professional. The Bridgewater & Area Family Health Centre offers a collaborative model supporting this initiative.