The Rural Municipality of Ritchot is located in south central Manitoba, just 27 kilometres south of Manitoba's capital city, Winnipeg. The municipality extends from Winnipeg's Perimeter Highway and is found between Provincial Trunk Highway 75 and 59. Ritchot is also 90 kilometres from the 24-hour U.S.A. border crossing at Emerson.
Ritchot has many small communities in its boundaries. The villages of St. Adolphe, Ste. Agathe, and Ile des Chenes are three of the more prominent communities, with Glenlea, Grande Pointe, and Red River Drive other significant communities in Ritchot. The municipality offices are located in St. Adolphe.
History
Ritchot was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1890. The municipality owes much of its roots to the early French Canadian settlers. These settlers came first to settle the St. Norbert region south of Winnipeg, before parishes were established. This strong French influence is very much observed by the community names, such as Grande Pointe, and Ile des Chenes.
Early settlers also included Ukrainian and Polish pioneers. Establishing their own churches, meeting halls and homesteads, settlers quickly made roots in the new municipality.
With its diverse historical and cultural backgrounds, many residents of Ritchot have strong family and community connections, making Ritchot a rich mosaic of culture, hospitality and community.
Economic Base
Because of its close proximity to Winnipeg, the Rural Municipality of Ritchot is a popular place for families to locate. With most of its communities within a 30 minute drive from the city, many families appreciate the quiet country lifestyle, while commuting to work everyday in the city.
Larger centres like St. Adolphe provide a wide range of services that include a K-8 school and many recreational and cultural facilities, Ritchot is especially attracting young families and retired individuals to call this municipality home.
Residents of Ritchot are employed in many diverse fields. Besides a strong agricultural farming economy that includes cereal and oilseed operations, hog operations and dairy farms, Ritchot has some prominent employers.
Trans Canada Pipelines, which provides natural gas to Manitobans, employs approximately 50 residents of Ritchot. Brodeur Brothers and the Municipality Office in St. Adolphe employ approximately 25 residents. Northland Ready Mix Cement in Grande Pointe, is another prominent employer on the eastern side of the municipality. The University of Manitoba Research Facility in Glenlea also employs local residents.
St. Adolphe, the municipality's largest centre, is an important service centre for area farmers. The village is home to essential services such as a grocery store, a car and farm equipment dealership, financial services, a computer services outlet, an autobody shop and service station, professional construction services, a nursing home and K-8 school.
Major Attractions
While in St. Agathe, don't forget to visit Le Clos Fleuri Tea Room. The tea room is located in a building built from recycled old wood. The tea room provides hungry guests with full-course meals served during the lunch hour. You can also browse through the many specially chosen fine crafts and art, displayed throughout the building. The tea room is open year round.
Also, visit the famous Cheyene Boiler while on Main Street in St. Agathe. The boiler is from the famous Cheyenne River Boat that sank in the Red River in 1875 near Ste Agathe. The old St. Adolphe Ferry located on Main Street, as well as, St. Adophe's beautiful Roman Catholic Church cannot be missed while in the community.
Excellent fishing on the Red River and hunting is also found throughout the municipality for sports enthusiasts. Many of the community activities in Ritchot are centred around the St. Adolphe Catholic Church, the St. Adolphe Bible Fellowship Church, the St. Adolphe Curling Rink, the St. Adolphe Skating Rink, and the St. Adolphe Lodge.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
The residents of Ritchot welcome you to join in many of their fun events and activities.
Cheyenne Days during the third weekend of July in Ste. Agathe, is sure to be a fun event for the whole family. The fair includes canoe races, events for children, square dancing, and plenty of fun.
The St. Adolphe Winter Carnival in mid-February, is a sure way to warm up from the brisk Manitoba winter.
Ile des Chenes is home to the annual Festival Of The Stars in the second weekend of June. The festival is a local sporting event that is sure to excite all those sports enthusiasts in the community and visitors alike.
