Heading up the #5 on my way towards McCreary, I’ve come to this area for dose of rural life and to get the lowdown on Mt. Agassiz.  This region is rich with diverse environments not commonly seen or associated with Manitoba.

In the distance overlooking McCreary, you have Riding Mountain National Park and neighboured with the East Escarpment, you have Mt. Agassiz Ski Area.  For those who don’t know, Mt Agassiz was the host for the 1979 Canada Winter Games.  Everyone I’ve met in the area boasts that this is the best terrain between here and the Rockies to the West and Lakehead to the east in Thunder Bay.

For a region in search of sustainability whether it’s in agriculture or tourism, losing one affects the livelihoods for all.  Agriculture is the backbone of Manitoba.  Fields full of wheat and canola patch the landscape like a chess board.  With the environment acting like it is, it is hard to say how well each years crop will be from now on.

For the region East of Riding Mountain, tourism may be the industry that keeps this region from disappearing off the map.  Since its closure in 2000, there has been interest in reopening Mt. Agassiz.  The Agassiz Mountain Development Group has been working on this initiative since 2007.  But, for those of you who think that this is just about a place to ski and snowboard are missing the point.  

For a region in need of sustainability and an identity, this is it.  For the communities in this region to diversify their economy and build an industry that is sustainable and year round is dependant on many factors.  With so many stakeholders, a collective or inclusive strategy on use, accountability and vision needs to be determined.

When Mt. Agassiz was operational, it was the winter season which attracted the crowds.  Now, the summer months attract some revellers but, with no real push.  Getting our heads around this not being a one season opportunity but, an all season opportunity will start turning everyone around.  Focussing our efforts on the communities needs should have already been purpose enough.

It seems as though this area has been forgotten and erased from memory with no recollection of even being there.  While talking to locals about their town, you hear great stories of when ‘this bar’ was hopping or, ‘the movie theatre was where all the country kids got to mingle with city folk’.  The interaction with our rural neighbours helps us ‘city folk’ understand ourselves and where we live.

What needs to be done? What will attract the youth back to this area?  What type of investment needs to happen?  That my friendlies, are the questions that need to be answered.

This is Manitoba and we all have a say on how best to go about building a better province.  It’s time to stop competing and time to start helping each other out for sustainable future lead by all of our efforts.

Trying to describe these gems in words and photographs, pales in comparison to seeing and experiencing it for yourself.

All you have to do is go…
Who you should know: Mt. Agassiz Development Group - http://www.skiagassiz.com

Facebook Group: Friends of Mt. Agassiz

Parks Canada - http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/mb/riding/index.aspx

Village of McCreary - http://www.geocities.com/villageofmccreary