The Rural Municipality of Ste.Anne is located along the Trans Canada Highway approximately 27 kilometres east of Winnipeg, the provincial capital. The R.M. flourishes with a population of 4213 citizens. The municipality includes the Unincorporated Urban Centre of Richer, and the Hamlets of Giroux, Greenland and La Coulee.
History
The Ste.Anne area is as rich in history, as it is in scenery. The community was one of the first organized parishes established on the prairies dating back to 1856. The area was further opened up with the building of the Dawson Road Trail. The 850-kilometre trail from Fort William (Thunder Bay) to the Red River was the first all-Canadian highway linking the East with the prairies. The corduroy road brought hundreds of settlers west, but with the arrival of the railroad, the trail was quickly forgotten. Today, large sections of the Dawson Trail are still used as snowmobile and hiking trails, and in some swampy areas, one can still feel the corduroy road beneath.
Major Attractions
The Rural Municipality of Ste.Anne has an interesting mix of scenery. To the west lies flat agricultural prairie that is the eastern edge of the Red River Valley. To the east, the municipality is covered in dense wooded areas as the terrain yields to the edges of the Canadian Shield. The beautiful wooded areas provide many opportunities for recreation and outdoor activities.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
The Rural Municipality of Ste.Anne flourishes with five golf courses within its boundaries. To begin with, The Links at Quarry Oaks Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole "inland links style" world class golf course situated just 45 minutes outside Winnipeg. Cottonwood Golf and Country Club is located 35 kilometres east of Winnipeg, on Highway 1. Cottonwood's deceptively short 27-hole layout provides an interesting and different challenge for both the experienced and beginner golfer. Another golf course located on Highway 1 just 8 kilometres east of Provincial Trunk Highway 12, is Oakwood Golf Course and Campground. Their 18-hole course is open to the public and offers challenge and relaxation of the game. Ridgewood South Golf Course is an exciting 18-hole golf course located 2.5 kilometres south of Giroux, Manitoba, and offers many specials including group rates, cart rentals and daily or seasonal camping facilities. A new feature in 1998 was the addition of a regulation 9-hole course called, "The Girouxsalem Golf & Country Club".
Beside the golf courses, we have other attractions, like the Magic Castle and Lilac Resort. Lilac Resort located on Highway 1, 20 minutes east of Winnipeg is where the fun begins. It offers the enjoyment of two swimming pools, hot tubs, a 165-foot eater slide, speed slides, paddle boats, catch and release trout pond fishing, arcades, an 18-hole miniature golf course, and other organized activities. Motel units and seasonal camping offer hassle free camping in the same site every year. The Rural Municipality of Ste.Anne prides itself with a magical museum where visitors from all over the world drop in to Giroux, a small farming community. Built by Gordon and Marilyn Hornan in honor of their 16-year old son Philip, who died of cancer, Philip's Magic Castle pays tribute to his final wish. His request was that his magic would be displayed for all to see. The Hornan's purchased an old church and transformed it into a castle. With the support of talented magicians - William Brace and Dean Gunnerson, the dream became a reality.
Other Information
COMMUNITY SERVICES - Well-equipped and trained volunteer fire brigades are available in the municipality. The Town of Ste.Anne, the Richer Fire Brigade and the Giroux Pumper, which supplements the required fire protection, share fire-fighting services. The municipality is now covered by the "Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling System". The municipality is a member of Eastman Mutual Aid District. One of the most accredited medical clinics "Riviere Seine River Medical Clinic" with a staff of 10 doctors and one dentist, serves the needs of the residents. Riviere Seine River E.M.S. is one of the most recognized first responder units in Manitoba.
SCHOOLS - The Rural Municipality of Ste.Anne offers schooling in French, English, German or French Immersion. French and English language instruction are available at Richer's Elementary School, while German instruction is offered in Greenland Private School. There are also children being taught French and English at one of the schools located in the Town of Ste.Anne.
CHURCHES - The Catholic Church that was the major force in the historical development of the Richer area was closed in 1996. However, the local residents are in the process of having the Parish Church of L'Enfant Jesus of Richer declared a historical building. The Greenland Church, the Ridgewood Evangelical Mennonite Church, the Richer Fellowship Church, as well as, the Catholic Church, all serve the area in the Town of Ste.Anne.
55 PLUS COMMUNITY- Paradise Village was founded by Doug Gratton and Suzanne Desrochers with the help of his father Lou Gratton and his wife, the late Ruby Gratton in early 1990. With all its amenities, beautiful "Paradise Village", a unique community for people 55 years and over, is growing rapidly. Residents have really embraced the condominium lifestyle that "mobile home living" affords them, while being able to enjoy the beautiful rural setting. Paradise Village is located 25 minutes from the Winnipeg Mint. The tenants lease their lots, while buying a home from builders whom custom design the units to buyers specifications.
