Bridgwater is becoming a community

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/04/2018 (2943 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“Please, let a convenience store be in our future” was the headline on my column of Nov 19, 2014.

Co-Op definitely answered the call with its gas bar and convenience store but there has been so much more. In less than four short years, there has been incredible change and growth in the neighbourhoods of Bridgwater and the trend continues.

The commercial area, Town Centre, is coming together with a number of new businesses now or soon to be open.

Eyes on Bridgwater, which faces Save-On Foods, opened this past January and its four optometrists offer eye exams and contact lens fittings. According to Dr. Michael Nelson, they “also offer a broad range of eyewear styles and pricing.”

Bridgwater Medical Centre opened its doors March 29, with Dr. Salahalden Alhad Rhoma, himself a resident of the area, as its first physician. He is accepting new patients and walk-ins are welcome. Dr. Rhoma says he would like to see the clinic grow with the community. Its objective is to have three or four family physicians available ,with specialized doctors to follow. Appointments can be booked online at www.bridgwatermedical.ca

Bridgwater Veterinary Hospital and Wellness Centre, Orange Theory (Orangetheory Fitness) and Freshi, are just a few of the other names now appearing on the buildings.

Development continues on the residential front but, more importantly, the communities are coming together and forming neighbourhood associations.

A number of activities are being planned in the short term by the various associations, including:
– Bridgwater Trails
June 22 — Treats at the Trails night at the Rose Lake Fountain.

-Bridgwater Lakes
May 14 — Bridgwater Lakes Toddler Soccer League kicks off.
May 26 — Clean up day.
June 9 —  Family Fun Day.

-Bridgwater Forest
May 5 — Clean up day sponsored by Take Pride Winnipeg. Gather at the fountain. Please wear closed-toe footwear.
May 26 — Bridgwater Forest Community garage sale.

Each neighbourhood association is run by volunteers who play a vital role in creating and maintaining a sense of community. They organize and run all of the activities and they have been known to advocate on behalf of residents.

To volunteer or for more information about what is happening in each of the neighbourhoods, updates are posted on their respective Facebook pages:

facebook.com/Bridgwatertrails
facebook.com/bridgwaterlakes
facebook.com/bridgwaterFNA.  

Bridgwater Lakes also has a website: www.bridgwaterlakesna.com

Debbie Ristimaki is a community correspondent for Bridgwater Forest.