Minitonas


Minitonas is an unincorporated urban community in the Municipality of Minitonas – Bowsman within the Canadian province of Manitoba that held town status prior to January 1, 2015. It is surrounded by the Swan Valley and is located 15 km east of the Town of Swan River. The community is close to the Duck Mountain Provincial Park. According to the 2011 census, Minitonas had a population of 522. It was founded in 1898.

History

In 1897, the Cowan Trail was blazed from Dauphin to Minitonas. The trail still exists today. A campsite of tents was established on the West Favel River, southwest of the present townsite in 1898. In 1899, the community was moved to its present site along the railway. A cairn marks the original location of the tent town. The earliest settlers came from the British Isles, Eastern Canada, and the US. In the late 1920s, there was a wave of Czechoslovak, Ukrainian, German, and Polish immigrants. Immigration continued during World War II, and into the 1950s. The Rural Municipality of Minitonas was incorporated in 1901. The Village of Minitonas was incorporated in 1948, and gained town status in 1996.

Economy

Forestry and Agriculture are the two main industries. In 1996, Louisiana Pacific opened an OSB mill in the RM of Minitonas, creating many new jobs. The Mill is located three miles east of the community on PTH 10.
Despite Minitonas' close proximity to the much larger town of Swan River, it offers many services. There are two schools, a community store, a library, post office, bus depot, liquor outlet, hotel, and a restaurant.

Transportation

The community is located just south of PTH 10 on PR 366. Minitonas is sometimes known as the Northern Gateway to the Duck Mountains, because PR 366 leads directly to Duck Mountain Provincial Park. A CN rail line runs through the community also, terminating at the Louisiana Pacific mill.

Education

Schools in Minitonas are governed by the Swan Valley School Division #35.
Minitonas Middle Years School is the only school outside the SVRSS in the Swan Valley School Division that has Grade 9 Students. It has been nominated in the past as one of Canada's best schools.

Recreation

In the community itself there is an arena with artificial ice. Between the one school, four baseball diamonds, three soccer fields, and two playgrounds are found. A sportsground is located at the northern edge of the community. It includes four more baseball diamonds, a concession, and non modern washrooms. A hiking trail follows the East Favel River. Numerous parks and benches are scattered through the community as well.
In the municipality, groomed snowmobile trails can be found. Duck Mountain Provincial Park is 29 kilometers south of Minitonas. Hunting and Fishing are big attractions of the area. A mile west of community is Centennial Park, a picnic area at the original location of the tent town.