The Town of Melita lies at the junction of Highways 3 and 83, in the southwestern corner of Manitoba. The town is part of the Westman Region of the province, and lies 320 kilometres from the capital of Winnipeg. Melita is a modern progressive centre in an area that produces grain, livestock, oil, and mined aggregates. Tourism and recreation, health and education play an ever-increasing role in the community.
The town and surrounding Rural Municipality are both aggressively promoting the community as an alternative location for industry in Manitoba
History
When the first settlers arrived in the Melita area in the 1870's, they called the settlement Manchester. When the post office opened in 1884, the community's residents were informed that the name, "Manchester" was being used elsewhere and would have to be changed. The community gathered after church one Sunday to devise a name. The lesson that day had been St.Paul's shipwreck at Malta, then called Melita. The name was thought to be appropriate and was adopted.
The railroad surveyed the area and was constructed in 1890, and by 1891 a small town was developing quickly. The Town of Melita sits on the northern bank of the Souris River Valley. The lazy river winds its way through the rolling hills of the southwestern Manitoba prairie.
When the first settlers arrived, the land was prairie grass for as far as the eye could see, broken only by the occasional stream. Today, the grasses have been replaced with field upon field of agricultural cropland, dotted with tree-lined farmsteads and homes.
Economic Base
Most producers in the areas surrounding Melita count on the town as a major agricultural service centre. Town businesses supply everything from seed, chemical and fertilizer, to equipment, machinery, parts and service, and marketing services. At many businesses in town, someone is always available to give advice.
Many farms in the southwest corner of the province are quite large compared to Manitoba averages. Most specialize in growing large volumes of cereal grains or oilseeds, but some have diversified into livestock operations and other specialty crops.
Melita is also central to the oil fields of southwestern Manitoba, and because of this, many town businesses provide services and supplies to the oil industry. The town's downtown area is home to offices for many companies from afar that operate in the oil fields.
Major Attractions
There is no shortage of things to do in Melita. Three separate parks offer baseball diamonds, play structures for the kids, picnic tables for lunch, and benches to sit on and watch the world go by. There are also tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool and a fabulous little nine-hole golf course complete with a licensed clubhouse, snack bar, out door patio, and a full service pro shop.
For winter fun, Melita has indoor and outdoor hockey arenas, a curling rink, and a variety of groomed cross-country ski trails along the Souris River and other smaller creeks.
For the sports person, Melita lies in the heart of some of the finest Whitetail Deer country in North America. Melita also sits along a major waterfowl migration route and is home to Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Partridge, Wild Turkey and Ring-Necked Pheasant. The area is very popular among local and visiting hunters.
Melita also hosts a number of annual sporting and community events. Several golf tournaments, a curling bonspeil, and the Melita Indoor Rodeo.
A New Year's Day skating party brings much of the community out of winter hibernation to enjoy the fresh air with neighbours and friends. The Santa Claus parade and Canada Day Fireworks are always crowd pleasers. The community also hosts numerous craft sales throughout the year, and the Arts West Travelling Gallery makes regular visits.
Whatever your interests are, you're sure to find something you like in Melita.
