Bridgwater
Bridgwater is a newer area in Southwest Winnipeg. This family-friendly, multicultural neighbourhood has been rapidly growing since 2008.
Today, it is made up of four subareas: Bridgwater Forest, Bridgwater Lakes, Bridgwater Trails and the heart of the neighbourhood, Bridgwater Centre. All of these areas have their own unique features which are highlighted within their names. Bridgwater Forest is the oldest area and is surrounded by 25 acres of forest. This area focuses more on greenery with beautiful lake views. Bridgwater Lakes is organized around three lakes with pathways that wind around them. It offers ample green spaces covered by native prairie grasses. Bridgwater Trails is built around a central park with a beautiful fountain at its core – the perfect gathering spot. This sub area features more renaissance-style homes with beautiful views of one of eight lakes. Bridgwater Centre is the culmination of small-town living with big-city amenities. You can find all the shops and services here for your everyday needs.
In case you are wondering, no we did not spell Bridgwater wrong. Many think it is spelled as Bridgewater, which is incorrect. The community is named after the late Arthur Bridgwater. If you see it spelled as Bridgewater Winnipeg Real Estate check the source.
Real Estate Trends
Construction started in Bridgwater Forest in 2008. This area has one of the most stringent architectural controls in the city, therefore you will find very unique looking houses when compared with other areas in Winnipeg. Homes are built in a selection of historic styles from the late 18th to 20th century. For example, Victorian, Georgian Revival, Colonial Revival, Arts and Craft etc. All homes are required to have a stone façade. If the garage for the home is attached, it is required to be somewhat inset into the home – making the homes appear even larger and more grand than other homes of similar sizes.
If you buy a home in Bridgwater, you have a variety of styles to choose from. More affordable options in the area include track-style builder options, often with detached garages with back lane access. Looking for more substantial masterpieces? Bridgwater Lakes, Bridgwater Forest and Bridgwater Trails all offer a good assortment of custom-built homes – none of these are cookie-cutter! These are often waterfront or forest-backing homes with walkout basements. If you are looking for condominium options in this area, Bridgwater Centre has a variety of options for you, including some duplex and triplex townhouses with front drive access and attached garages or apartment-style structures.
Home prices in this area range from $400,000 for a single, attached townhome with unfinished basement all the way up to and over $2 million for waterfront masterpieces on nearly quarter acre lots. The likes of many of these have been sold off-market. If you are looking to purchase a condominium, units in the area sell for as little as around $200,000 for a smaller, apartment-style floor plan all the way up to $650,000 for an attached-style townhome with walkout basement, backing onto a lake.
Schools & Services
Bridgwater is operated by the Pembina Trails School Division. There are no schools within the neighbourhoods’ borders - yet. However, there are many options in the surrounding areas. Please note, many of these schools are at capacity, so school of choice is often not an option. Our Realtors are happy to provide guidance on catchment areas should you need!
For students wishing to stay in the English programming track and are living in Bridgwater Lakes and Bridgwater Trails, your elementary catchment school is Whyte Ridge School, which offers programming for children from Kindergarten to Grade Four.
They will follow their Grade Five to Grade Eight studies at Henry G. Izatt Middle School in Whyte Ridge.
Students who are living in Bridgwater Forest start their Kindergarten to Grade Four years at Ecole R.H.G Bonnycastle School, which is a dual-track, English-French School and they would then complete their middle years at Arthur A. Leach School in Waverley Heights.
Students who are living in Bridgwater Centre will go to Bison Run School from Kindergarten to Grade Eight.
English high school students from all of Bridgwater are then sent to the new Pembina Trails Collegiate for Grades Nine through Twelve.
For French-track programming, your child will go to Ecole R.H.G Bonnycastle School, which is a Kindergarten to Grade Four School in neighbouring Waverley Heights. The catchment for French middle school is Ecole Viscount Alexander. High school students will attend Institut Collegial Vincent Massey Collegiate.
St John’s Ravenscourt is a private school offering programming from Kindergarten through Grade Twelve. It is approximately an eight-kilometer drive from the community. Many households in the area enjoy the private bussing services offered as part of the school’s annual tuition.
Post Secondary Programs
Are you or your child planning to attend The University of Manitoba? The Fort Garry Campus is less than three kilometers away. Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology is also a short drive along Kenaston Boulevard.
Hospitals
There is no hospital found in Bridgwater. The Victoria General Hospital is around a 10-minute drive from the area.
Shopping
Bridgwater Centre was designed to serve as a one-stop destination for a comprehensive range of amenities, including grocery stores, healthcare services, and much more. Among its offerings are a Save-On-Foods supermarket, multiple banking options, a collection of boutique shops, and a diverse range of restaurants to suit every taste. Residents also have access to the Bridgwater Medical Centre and the Bridgwater Veterinary Hospital & Wellness Centre, both conveniently located within the area. The North Town Centre, a newly developed retail space, hosts a variety of smaller, independent specialty stores, as well as office spaces and restaurants. Additionally, the Essential Bazar is the first ethnic grocery store in Bridgwater, featuring an array of Arabic, Pakistani, and Indian spices, meats, and sweets to cater to a diverse range of culinary preferences.
The Real Canadian Superstore on Bison Drive is the also near this area in neighbouring Richmond West.
A quick drive from the community and there are plenty other options for shopping at large retailers or boutique shops. Whyte Ridge Shopping Centre, Linden Ridge Shopping Centre, Smart Centre Winnipeg Southwest, Kenaston Common and Kenaston Crossing all offer a wide variety of grocery, home improvement and dining options along Kenaston Boulevard. Some examples of anchor stores include Walmart, Safeway, Sobeys, Costco, Home Depot, Lowes, Rona, The Brick, Canadian Tire, Marshalls, Indigo, The Keg, Joeys, Boston Pizza and more. There is always something new to discover! If you head a bit further North, you can access IKEA, Seasons of Tuxedo and the Outlet Collection, too. The Outlet Collection is a premier shopping destination for locals and visitors. This shopping center features over 100 stores, offering an unparalleled selection of high-end brands and designer labels at discounted prices. The mall covers a total of 400,000 square feet and is designed to provide an enjoyable and convenient shopping experience for visitors.
Pembina Highway is a short drive from the community and offers two nearby strip malls. Pembina Village Shopping Centre offers a Safeway, Winners and some smaller retailers, while Pembina Crossing houses Save-On-Foods, Staples, BestBuy and Toys “R” Us. A trip down Bishop Grandin Boulevard will take you to St Vital Shopping Centre that boasts grocery, clothing store and dining options.
Looking for more of shopping experience? St. Norbert Farmers' Market is a popular market located in nearby St. Norbert. It is around a 10-minute drive from the neighbourhood. The market has become one of the most vibrant markets in the city, attracting thousands of visitors every Saturday from May to October. The market features over 150 local vendors, including farmers, bakers, and artisans, selling a variety of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, crafts, and more.
Entertainment & Recreation
Bridgwater is known for its winding trails and pedestrian plazas all around the community. Its 13 lakes with bridges make this neighbourhood very unique. It has a central clock tower and community fountains that serve as gathering places.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park (formerly Eskar Park) is one of the largest urban prairie parks in Winnipeg and it is located in Bridgwater Trails. This park is home to a beautiful natural playground, athletic fields for Baseball, Bocce Ball and Ultimate Frisbee. It also has basketball and beach volleyball courts and walking paths surrounded by native plants.
The other major park in the area is Bridgwater Park. It has a baseball diamond, a soccer field, a playground and walking paths with lake views.
The community has several other smaller parks with play areas and paths that navigate you through forests, green spaces and lakes.
There is no community centre within the borders of Bridgwater, however the city is building a new recreational facility just outside of the neighbourhood in Bison Run. South Winnipeg Recreation Campus will feature a gymnasium, multipurpose rooms, indoor walking track, fitness area, a daycare, and an outdoor spray pad. The Design Phase (Phase 1) occurred in 2022 with construction anticipated to start in 2024-2026.
Until the new complex is built, the South Winnipeg Community Centre serves the area and offers a variety of programs for all ages. The Waverley Clubhouse is located at 1885 Chancellor Drive. It is home to three outdoor hockey rinks, two baseball diamonds, a soccer and cricket pitch and a batting cage. The Richmond Clubhouse is located at 666 Silverstone Avenue and has an indoor ice arena, two baseball diamonds, batting cage and a public outdoor skating and hockey rink.
There are two indoor workout facility located in Bridgwater Centre. Orangetheory Fitness offers membership in their North Town Road location and Altea Active, an over 80,000 square foot family-friendly fitness complex. Altea Active has a variety of cardio and conditioning equipment, saltwater pools and skating lab. It offers an assortment of trainings and therapies. We highly recommend a membership if you have been battling the lines to get your children into swimming lessons. While it is still a battle to register, it is slightly less competitive than the offerings with the City of Winnipeg and the swimming lessons here are second-to-none.
Are you the outdoorsy type? Forth Whyte Alive is a short, 10-minute drive from the community. This nature reserve and environmental education center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental awareness, sustainability, and outdoor recreation – year round! Some favourite activities include: hiking, biking, ice fishing, educational programs, canoeing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, birding, and more. We highly recommend the Wetland Boardwalk Trail – for those that enjoy hiking but are looking for something different!
Bridgwater is also in close proximity to Princess Auto Stadium (officially known as IG field until April 2024). Princess Auto Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a professional Canadian Football League (CFL) team, as well as the Valour FC, a professional soccer team.
The stadium opened in 2013 and can seat up to 33,000 fans, making it the third-largest stadium in Canada. In addition to hosting CFL and soccer games, the stadium also serves as a venue for concerts, festivals, and other events.
Planning a family or date night? Cineplex Odeon McGillivray Cinemas and VIP Theatre brings you all the new release movies. It offers 3D, UltraAVX, IMAX, D-BOX, ScreenX, and 4DX experience. It is also a licensed facility and you can order drinks and food direct to your seats!
Dining
This community is also known for its diversity, which means great specialty stores and cuisines to explore. The aforementioned Essential Bazar opened recently but is already a local favorite. It has everything from Arabic, Pakistani, Indian spices, to halal meats and sweets. Need a quick dine-in or takeout option when you’re on the go? Press’d Sandwich Shop is a great choice with a wide selection of sandwiches and smoothies. Prairie Donair is another neighbourhood favorite with the varieties of Donair, Poutines and Pizzas. Tawa Spices Inc brings you delicious Pacific Northwest cuisine, and Lucky Duck is also awesome if you crave Chinese food. ALL of these options are within the borders of Bridgwater – amazing!
Why We Think This Is a Great Neighbourhood to Live In?
Nature and young family were the focus of this development. We think the resulting community is so beautiful and functional as a result. There are endless paths and walkways to explore and centrally-focused gathering places where you can get together with your neighbours, families and friends. It is not uncommon for houses to back onto walking paths to facilitate this gathering amongst the community. The centre of the neighbourhood was designed to be convenient with a full-range of amenities – there is no need to ever leave!
Thoughts From Our Neighbours…
“It’s a friendly place, it is a good place to raise children. It has a big playground where we can walk to play. It is a very quiet and big area.”
“It’s a completely new neighbourhood. Everything is fresh, lots of space. Infrastructure is fantastic. Traffic is light. It is a very enthusiastic environment.”
Talk to Our Team
If you would like more information about this neighbourhood, please fill out the form or give Jennifer a call at (204) 797-7945.
