The City of Steinbach is a community of 11,000 people located approximately 61-kilometres (38 miles) southeast of Winnipeg. Surrounding Steinbach is the Rural Municipality of Hanover, an area of diversified agriculture and dotted with the remaining villages of the Mennonite East Reserve.
History
Steinbach was founded in the late 19th century as a farming service community. Since then it has grown to be a major urban and service centre, with a trade area comprised of the majority of southeastern Manitoba. The city's population is predominantly Mennonite, but represents many nationalities and embodies a strong work ethic.
Economic Base
Steinbach is one of the fastest growing cities in Manitoba with a vibrant business community and locally generated economic activity. Steinbach is the hub of economic activity in southeastern Manitoba. Steinbach is the regional shopping and service centre and the agriculture supply centre for a large area. The retail trading area serves over 50,000 people.
Steinbach has been known as the Automobile City for many years because of the many auto dealers in Steinbach. Steinbach is also home to world-class manufacturers such as Loewen, Canada's largest wood window and door manufacturer, and Biovail Corporation, manufacturer of time-release medication. Steinbach also provides many research and development facilities. Other major exports include concrete products and paving stone manufactured by Barkman Concrete, elevator guide rails manufactured by Canadian Guide Rail Corp., grader blades manufactured by Bucyrus Blades of Canada, and cabinetry by Mid Canada Millwork. The area surrounding Steinbach is mostly agricultural-hogs, chickens, dairy, beets, potatoes, grain.
Major Attractions
Situated on a 49-acre site, the Mennonite Heritage Village portrays the life of settlers in southern Manitoba, as well as, the Mennonite heritage. Drawing 40,000 visitors each year, the village recreates the experience of the pioneers and features a blacksmith shop, printery, general store, cheese factory, sawmill and wind-driven grist mill. Some of these buildings are original structures while others are constructed to early specifications. Steinbach's major festival is Pioneer Days held during the August long weekend. Pioneer Days celebrates the lifestyle of early Steinbach residents. The Pioneer Days Parade kicks off the four day event.
The Wheels of Hope Lion's Charity Car Show is an annual one-day event in June and draws approximately 300 classic car exhibitors and more than 2,000 visitors. Proceeds from the show are used for charity purposes.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
The Steinbach Fly in Golf Course is one of the finest eighteen-hole courses in the Province of Manitoba. There are eight other golf courses to choose from, all within 20 minutes of the Steinbach.
The Steinbach Aquatic Centre is a family-friendly facility offering over 24,000 sq ft of fun. The indoor facility includes a junior Olympic pool (6 lanes), 2 water slides, 1 meter diving board, leisure pool, lazy river, sprays, children's water play area, sauna, whirlpool and multi-purpose room. The outdoor pool is open from mid-June to the end of August.
The Quarry Park is owned and operated by Youth for Christ - Steinbach and is located directly across from Backstage Teen Drop-In Centre. MBX riders and in-line skating enthusiasts enjoy this attractive park.
Steinbach has a 1,200 seat hockey arena with a second adjoining ice surface. Curling enthusiasts of all ages can practice their art on Steinbach's four-sheet curling rink. Six outdoor tennis courts are available at two separate locations.
Steinbach has 18 parks located throughout the city. The A.D. Penner Park is a fully developed sports park with ball diamonds, soccer and football fields. A new soccer park is being developed, and is expected to be ready for fall 2008
Good hunting and fishing are less than one hour's drive from Steinbach in the Whiteshell Provincial Park. Some of the finest cross-country ski trails are just 30 minutes from Steinbach, in the Sandilands Forest Reserve.
The Steinbach Arts Council operates out of the Cultural Arts Centre and offers an annual concert series program featuring at least five different concerts or events. Programs available through the Cultural Arts Centre include:
Backyard Theatre Company, Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts (lessons in piano, violin, strings, Suzuki strings, woodwinds, brass, theory and Musictanz). Company Physical Arts Training School (hip hop, funky Jazz, drumming, etc.), Veseli Ukranian Dance Ensemble (Ukrainian folk dancing). Southeastern Manitoba Music Teachers Association, Visual Arts Program (watercolor, oils, drawing, pottery, clay, folk art, stained glass), the Writers Club (workshops, guest writers, readings, music), Kindermusik (music programs for young children), and the Photography Club.
Other Information
Housing - Steinbach offers an ample supply of all housing types to suit varied lifestyles, including apartments, condominiums, life-lease units, seniors housing, standard size lots, and estate-type lots (1-2 acres) for those who prefer the "country in the city" atmosphere.
Access - Steinbach is located 61 kilometres from Winnipeg. This distance is comprised of four-lane divided highway. Highway 12 connects Steinbach with the U.S.A. border, as well as, the Trans Canada Highway. Truck service is available to all points. Steinbach is also served by Grey Goose Bus Lines. Winnipeg International Airport is less than a one hour drive from Steinbach. Steinbach owns a licenced airport, operated by the Steinbach Flying Club. The runway is an asphalt surface and is 2900 ft x 75 ft. The cross runway is 1500 ft x 75 ft. Fuel and servicing are available.
Trucking - Steinbach has two local carriers licenced to haul to points in Canada and the United States. Big Freight Systems Inc. hauls primarily to and from Winnipeg and the Northern United States. Penner International Inc. (head office in Steinbach) is licenced for handling truckload commodity shipments to 48 states and most Canadian provinces.
Workforce and Labour Costs - Steinbach is predominantly non-unionized in the present manufacturing and assembly field and has an excellent stable work force. There has never been a work stoppage in Steinbach due to labour strife.
Industrial Land - Steinbach is in the fortunate position of having an ample supply of serviced industrial land available for immediate development and is planning ahead for future industrial expansion.
Water Services - The City's water supply system consists of deep wells, an iron removal plant, a water tower, and a 1.6 million gallon water reservoir facility.
Sewage Collection & Treatment System - The City's wastewater is currently conveyed to a state-of-the-art lagoon system, consisting of two aerated cells and four facultative cells.
Landfill & Eco-Centre - Steinbach operates a Class 1 Landfill Site and Eco-Centre for oil recycling purposes.
Education - Five public schools and one private high school & college offer quality education to over 3,000 students in the community.
Churches - Steinbach has over twenty churches in various denominations.
Health Care - The Bethesda Hospital Health Service embraces three levels of health care in one location under the administration of the South Eastman Regional Health Authority. Services include a 65-bed active care treatment hospital, a 60-bed personal care home and 12-bed extended care unit.
Police and Fire - Steinbach is served by the RCMP. The Volunteer Fire Department offers excellent fire protection with state of the art equipment a newly expanded facility.
