The Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Victoria Beach is a "resort municipality" located on the south-eastern shores of Lake Winnipeg approximately 100 kilometres north of Winnipeg, the provincial capital. Some of the finest beaches in Manitoba are located within the boundaries of the municipality. Victoria Beach has a permanent population of 227 residents, but during the summer vacation season the population swells to about 10,000 people. Unlike other resort areas, the municipality has no campgrounds, no picnic areas or tourist attractions. The community is operated by the local cottage owners for the purpose of providing them with a relaxed, private, enjoyable atmosphere, without excessive public traffic and commercialization.
History
In 1910, the Victoria Beach Investment Company was founded by C.W.N. Kennedy to control the land on the east shore of the lake. The company's aim was to lay out the community, improve and sell the land, and create a summer resort community for vacationers to enjoy. In 1913, the assets of the Victoria Beach Investment Company were sold to the Victoria Beach Company. The new owners upheld the original goals, and continued to acquire land in the area. By 1915, the company had gained control of the land that now comprises the municipality. In the following years, the company sold numerous lots, and many campers had begun to construct cottages. In 1919, after negotiations with the province, the Municipality of Victoria Beach was incorporated.
Economic Base
In 1967, The Victoria Beach Company approached the municipality with a proposal to transfer all assets of the company to the municipality and its residents. A sale was negotiated, and became final in 1968. The current government and governments of previous years have upheld the original objectives of the community. Policy has always been to keep Victoria Beach a first rate resort community, free of the hassles of commercialization and bustle of similar resort communities. As such, the economic base of Victoria Beach is small and provides only necessary goods and supplies to local residents. A strong service industry provides many fun and recreational activities to the community during the summer months.
Major Attractions
The Rural Municipality of Victoria beach is unique in that it exists only to provide vacation enjoyment and recreational activity to its community members.
Cottage owners can take part in activities such as golfing, tennis, sailing, boating, hiking, swimming, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing to name a few. Victoria Beach is proud of its active community centre that plays a large role in organizing many community events and activities. The Victoria Beach Sailing Club boasts many members and holds regattas throughout the summer, where novice and experienced sailors alike can compete in races of different classes and length.
Other Information
A unique characteristic of Victoria Beach is that automobiles are not allowed on many of the roads and lanes in the community. In 1933, the municipality lobbied the Victoria Beach Company and the Provincial Government to restrict access by motor vehicles. Control of the roads was turned over to the municipality in 1938 after threats of taxation on the Victoria Beach Company. Today, access to cottages by car is limited, and travel through the community is by bicycle or taxicab only. This interesting fact is another example of a community operated solely for the recreational purposes of the local cottage owners.
The Rural Municipality of Victoria Beach is considered quite successful in meeting and upholding the goals of its founding fathers. The community provides a unique environment to relax and enjoy the summer months.
