Infrastructure Works for Bridgewater

Residents of Bridgewater and surrounding communities will soon enjoy the benefits of two new projects announced today under the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Works Program.

The development of a new water treatment facility will begin, as well as a new park on the LaHave River. The $540,000 cost will be shared equally by the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

The Bridgewater Public Service Commission will launch the first step in a multi-phased water treatment plant development at a cost of $360,000. The improvements will benefit residents in the Town of Bridgewater, as well as some residents of Hebbville, Wileville and Cookville.

A new riverside park will be another welcome addition to Bridgewater. The $180,000 project will include picnic areas, landscaping and hard-surface walking paths along the water's edge at the Acadia Gas Park Lands.

The announcement was made today by Nova Scotia Senator Wilfred Moore, on behalf of Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, together with Minister Don Downe, on behalf of Wayne Gaudet, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, the provincial department responsible for administering the agreement. They were joined by Mayor Ernie Bolivar of Bridgewater.

"These projects reflect some of the fundamental goals of the Infrastructure Works Program," said Senator Moore. "They will address important community needs, improving not only core infrastructure, but also accessibility to Bridgewater's beautiful waterfront."

"I am so pleased to be working with the Town of Bridgewater on these important projects," said Mr. Downe. "Through partnership, we are able to optimize funding from all three levels of government for the benefit of Bridgewater-area residents."

"We certainly welcome this opportunity to direct Infrastructure Works funding toward initiatives that will make a very real difference in this community," said Mayor Bolivar. "The end result of the Acadia Gas Park Lands project will allow the citizens of the area to enjoy access to the LaHave River for boat launching, picnics and other recreational activities."

Both projects are funded under the original 1994 Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Works Agreement, under which $226.2 million have been directed toward priority infrastructure needs through 335 projects, employing more than 4,000 people.

Its success helped to persuade governments to sign an amendment in February 1997, topping up the program with a new federal/provincial commitment. Under the top-up program, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia will each contribute a total of $14.2 million. That amount will be matched or exceeded by funding on the local level. To date, 140 projects have been approved under this new agreement and many of them are well under way.