The Village of Chester Commission operates a free Public Washroom on the Chester waterfront. The building is the street level of the Lido Pool, at 10 Parade Square Road.

Men’s, women’s, and universal (accessible/family/gender-neutral) washrooms are available.

Dates of operation:

Opens May 1, 2026
Closes Nov 11, 2026

8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily

To report any issues with the washroom, please contact the Village office at 902-275-4482 or .

NEW *Please note that further accessibility retrofits are planned for installation this 2026/27 season, including an accessible parking space, a pathway and ramp to the washroom door, and the replacement of the entrance landing and outer door. Interior improvements were made to the universal washroom and signage last season. We will post construction dates as the schedule is finalized. 

Thank you for your care of our community facility.

ZVL Contacts

> Website 
> Facebook / Instagram
> 
> Library direct line: 902-273-2133
> Village main line: 902-275-4482

Opening Hours & Programming

The Zoé Vallé Memorial Library is now OPEN to the public as of June 1st!
An official "Grand Opening" will take place on July 18th; rain date July 19th (more on this event to come).

Library Hours as of June 1, 2026:

• Mon  10am - 4pm
• Tue   10am - 4pm
• Wed  10am - 4pm
• Thu   10am - 7pm
• Fri     10am - 4pm
• Sat    10am - 4pm
• Sun   Closed

Visit the Library Calendar to see the program schedule. 

Public Office Services Available

• Public Wi-Fi: Free!
• Chromebook Laptops (x 2): Free to use
• Canon Wireless Printer: Free to use for print, scan, copy (letter size)
• Village's Xerox Printer for larger scale/volume: $0.01/page black & white; $0.07/page colour
     *Ask Village staff (Maxine is on main floor, Heather is on second floor ); assistance is subject to staff availability.
• Faxing: Not available

Call for Volunteers - Library Assistants

For information about the role, see: villageofchesterns.ca/call-for-volunteers-library-assistant

Download the Volunteer Application(120 KB)  or stop by the Library at 63 Regent Street to pick up a paper copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Chester Village Commission will fully implement the requirements of the 1928 Warranty Deed(193 KB) to operate a community library and civic centre. The Village’s plans are all addressed in our original Proposal (see below for a link). The Commission will ensure that ZVML operations are sustainable for the future, long after those of us involved today are gone.

• See the South Shore Public Libraries' information sheet(2.83 MB) on their work at the Zoé Vallé (image at right). 
• See the Village's "FAQ" document(195 KB) prepared on March 6, 2026; updated on May 14, 2026.
• The Village also published a Spring Newletter(1011 KB) containing answers to questions on April 8, 2026..

Do you have a question we didn’t answer or a great idea? Contact us directly!

Report on Proposal Process

Report by the Village of Chester Commission
On the “In Camera” Proceedings Regarding a Possible Response to the Request for Proposals to Administer the Zoé Vallé Memorial Library

This report(22 KB) was presented at the Village Commission Monthly Meeting of January 22, 2026.

Village of Chester's Proposal

The Zoé Vallé Memorial Library is an important community asset, and one which the Commission envisions as a vital partner to serve the wider Chester community. The Village of Chester Commission’s vision is to continue the vital community role of the Zoé Vallé Memorial Library, as directed in the Warranty Deed, to provide the Chester community with a “Public Library and civic and community centre with appropriate books and appurtenances.” 

Proposals were submitted on October 20, 2025 and then made public by the Municipality for its Dec 11, 2025 Council Agenda package as part of the procurement process. The Village Proposal(1.25 MB) was accepted at that Council Meeting. 

Intermunicipal Agreement

An intermunicipal "Agreement Regarding the Governance, Operation, and Stewardship of the Zoé Vallé Memorial Library"(1.48 MB) was signed between the Municipality of the District of Chester and the Village of Chester on February 26, 2026.

The Chester Village Commission is now offering a Village Newsletter to share updates and facts about the Village. This publication will come out 3-4 times a year.

Latest Issue

Archived Issues

Summer 2026(1.87 MB)

Spring 2026(1011 KB)

Fall 2025(2.00 MB)

Summer 2025(2.18 MB)

The Village of Chester, like all other seaside communities in Nova Scotia, has a population of rats and mice. These creatures can often carry disease and damage property. It takes a shared approach to control the rodent population. 

Village Service

The Village Commission provides pest control bait stations at 35 outdoor locations around the Village, which are checked and replenished monthly and re-positioned as needed. To report a potential need, please contact the Clerk/Treasurer to arrange an inspection. 

Private Property

Issues can become worse in the fall and winter months as rodents seek warmer sites to live. If your home will be vacant during the winter months, you may be especially vulnerable to pests if no one is monitoring or managing your property.

Prevention: How can you help? Prevention is key in controlling rats and mice problems in your home, business, and community.

• Remove sources of food by securing garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids. If you can, avoid placing fatty or oily food waste, eggs, or milk products in the composter (for example, some people store these items in their freezer, and only place them in their composter on pick-up day). Eliminate or manage any outside feeding stations for pets, birds, or other wildlife.
• Make your home less appealing to rodents by removing nesting sites in unused clutter around your house and garage. Consider cutting tall grass and weeds back from your house and raise any woodpiles about 30 centimetres (one foot) off the ground and place them away from your house.
• To keep rodents out of your home, the first line of defence is to get rid of easy entry points. Use metal weather stripping under doors, and weather strip windows. Patch cracks in foundations; stuff steel wool around pipes before caulking or plastering; cover dryer vents, attic vents, and soffits with fine mesh metal screening.
• If you find a dead rat or mouse on your property, you can put the carcass in your compost/green bin for waste collection. Be sure to wear protective gloves or using an implement (for example, a shovel).

Control: If you already have rats or mice in your home or yard, there are several options for control.

• Health Canada has an excellent explanation for various types or traps, electronic traps, ultrasonic devices, and pesticides. Further information can be found on their website at www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/pest-control-tips/rats-mice. 
• Of course, hiring the services of a professional pest control company is always an option, and an on-line search will provide a list of companies that serve the Chester area.