Westmount, Nova Scotia
| Westmount, Nova Scotia | |
|---|---|
| Community | |
| Country |
 Canada |
| Province |
 Nova Scotia |
| Municipality | Cape Breton Regional Municipality |
| Population (2001: From Statistics Canada) | |
| • Total | 3,000 |
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) |
| • Summer (DST) | ADT (UTC-3) |
| Area code(s) | 902 |
Westmount (2001 pop.: 3,000) is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Geography
Located on the west bank of the Sydney River at the point where Sydney Harbour begins, Westmount faces Sydney's downtown. Neighbouring communities include Point Edward, Coxheath and Edwardsville.[1] Westmount is a suburban community and the majority of residents commute to the CBRM urban core in Sydney.
Education
There are several public schools in Westmount, as well as one post-secondary institution. These include:
- Robin Foote Elementary School (gr. P-6) on Sunnydale Drive
- Principal Andy Culligan
- MacLennan Junior High School (gr. 7-9) also on Sunnydale Drive.
- Principal Redmond MacDougall
Neither school currently employs a vice principal.
- MacLennan was the first public school in Nova Scotia to obtain an Internet connection, as well as produce an educational CD-ROM.
- The majority of students graduating from MacLennan Junior High attend Riverview Rural High School, in Coxheath.
- Canadian Coast Guard College
Recently Westmount has seen an addition to the community in the form of a new Montessori private elementary school. This facility has opened in a building which was formerly used as a satellite by Robin Foote Elementary to accommodate the school’s overflowing Primary and Grade 1 classes.
Government
As part of the CBRM, Westmount is represented by a municipal councilor. The current councilor for District 12, which includes Westmount, is Claire Detheridge.[2]
Religion
With the exception of a few families almost the entire populous of Westmount is Christian. The churches located in Westmount include:
- Holy Rosary Roman Catholic
- Westmount United
- Saint Aidan’s Anglican (This church was a member of St Mark’s Parish in Coxheath but was closed several years ago. It is now used as a dance school.)
Amenities and places of interest
Westmount is also home to Petersfield Provincial Park.[3] The park was formerly a private family estate and home to the 18th century Mayor of New York City, David Mathews. The grounds have been designated as a historical property and are home to the ruins of a large manor house and caretaker’s home. Canada Day festivities are held at the park every year.
The other amenities in Westmount include:
- Westmount Volunteer Fire Department
- Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 126
- East Gate #127 Masonic Hall and Seniors Centre
- The Dobson Yacht Club
- Westmount Dental Office
Notable names
People of note who live/lived in Westmount include:
- Howie MacDonald (A well known Cape Breton fiddler and Conservative candidate for the Sydney — Victoria district, during the 2004 and 2006 Canadian federal elections)[4]
- John Morgan (Mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality)
- John Newell (The Progressive Conservative MLA for Cape Breton The Lakes 1983-1988)
- David Mathews (A British Loyalist who was active during the American Revolution, and the Mayor of New York City from 1776 - 1783.)[5]
References
External links
- Cape Breton Regional Municipality Official Website
- The Canadian Coast Guard Official Website
- MacLennan Junior High School
- Robin Foote Elementary School
- HarbourView Montessori School
- Westmount United Church
- East Gate #127 Masonic Hall and Seniors Centre
- The Dobson Yacht Club
Coordinates: 46°8′27.3″N 60°12′36.7″W / 46.140917°N 60.210194°W