Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/500892
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATuRDAY APRIL 25, 2015 5 M I N N E D O S A The lake and golf course are just a few of the attractions for new residents. 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Call(204)982-1050 O R V I S I T varietymanitoba.com DONATE T O D A Y Withyourdonation yougiveachild... achildhood. W e're finding that kids who grew up in this town and left to see the world are returning home to settle down because there are business and lifestyle opportunities in this town that weren't here before," he says. "Young individuals must be convinced that there are op- portunities for them to earn a good salary or to build their own companies before they will move to a small town." With this in mind, May is focusing his energy on filling the town's second industrial park — the first is full with 20 businesses. "Of the 14 lots in the new park, only three remain vacant," said May. Aside from the industrial parks, there are many entrepre- neurs who run contracting and other businesses in Minne- dosa and the surrounding RM of Minto. Two of the town's larger employers are the Husky-operat- ed Minnedosa Ethanol Plant and Morris Industries, a build- er and supplier of agricultural machinery. The largest and most diversified company, with 150 em- ployees, is Heritage Co-op 1997 Ltd., which sells crop and farm equipment supplies and operates a food centre, auto service and gas bar/car wash. Health facilities include a large personal care home and the Minnedosa Health Centre, which offers acute care, emer- gency medical care and a variety of public health services. "We're always upgrading our services so we can attract the best doctors, nurses and other health care profession- als possible," May says. This includes plans for the de- velopment of a Primary Care facility which will include an updated clinic. Investment in a new housing development called Stew- art Hill signals confidence in future growth. It will include 2,400-square-foot homes in the $300,000 to $350,000 price range located on large lots. "The town will not charge taxes on purchased lots until houses are built," May says, adding he expects ground- breaking to begin soon. There's also a separate development with 15 lower-cost homes for families just starting out in life. To attract this youthful segment, the town's arena, a for- mer Second World War Air Force hangar, will be replaced with a new $9.1-million facility called the Minnedosa Region- al Event Centre, to be managed by the local Minor Athletic Association. The town has committed up to two thirds of the cost, with hopes that the provincial and federal govern- ments will come to the table to assist with the remainder needed to break ground. "The new arena will complement our first-rate curling rink and other sports facilities like our baseball and soccer fields and large fair ground," May says. The town also has an 18-hole golf and country club with a pro shop, licensed lounge and snack shop. Located in a valley next to the Riding Mountain Manitoba Escarpment, the course has 120-foot changes in elevation, with views of some of the province's most beautiful landscapes. Music fans flock to Minnedosa each summer for the Rockin' the Fields music festival. Held on the August long weekend, Rockin' the Fields features Wide Mouth Mason, Daughtry, The Tea Party and more acts for all ages in 2015. Summer activities include paddling on Lake Minnedosa for pleasure, exercise and charitable events. From May to September, the Manitoba Paddling Association's Waves of Hope Dragon Boat Team of Western Canada meets weekly to prepare for competitions to raise awareness and money for breast cancer. There's a campground featuring lakeside sites, hot showers, firewood, an RV dumpsite, playground, boat launch, beach pavilion and concession. And the Prairie Bison compound just south of the beach is another attraction. May says his young son was so excited to move to Minne- dosa from Souris that, "he told all his friends that he would be living on the beach with the buffalo." The town's current population of about 2,500 is growing, as is the population of the RM of Minto and surrounding areas. "We're not just another pretty town in an idyllic setting where nothing happens," May says. "Retirement brochures are out, real economic growth is in." ❙ Minnedosa has much to offer young families By David Square For the Free Press Economic growth in Minnedosa won't be achieved by producing glossy brochures that paint the town as a tourism attraction or an idyllic retirement community. "Expensive full-colour brochures are a waste of money," says Vern May, Economic Development Officer for Minnedosa and area. "They're like writing a resume and putting it on a shelf where no one will see it." Instead, May says attracting creative young people with families is the best way to stimulate growth and create new wealth. Land oF oPPortunity