The Town of Shoal Lake is located 100 kilometres north west of Brandon in Manitoba's Westman Region.
Shoal Lake provides all the comforts and amenities expected of a larger town, yet maintains a high quality and standard of living that is associated with a more relaxed county atmosphere.
History
According to the Fort Ellis Records, Dr.C.Heal was the first European to visit the area. In 1862, he travelled to the south end of Shoal Lake, where the town bearing the same name now stands.
In 1868, the first settlers homesteaded on the east side of nearby Raven Lake. In 1870, two officers from the North West Mounted Police took up post on the south side of Shoal lake. A permanent community would soon follow on this side of the lake. The town was located here until 1885, when the railroad announced plans to lay track on the north side of the lake. That winter, the town's homes and businesses were dragged over the river ice to its present location. The remaining buildings on the south end of the lake survived for many years as a resort community for vacationers.
From 1908 to 1914, the motor launch "Anemone" carried passengers from the town to the resort in the summer months. The resort, however, could not survive the Great Depression and two World Wars, and eventually closed. During recent years, the lakes have regained their attractiveness as a recreational asset. Several cottages have been built at nearby Burlington Beach, with more recreational development proposed for the future.
Economic Base
Agriculture and tourism are the driving force of Shoal Lake's economy. The soil is rich and fertile, and a variety of cereal crops and oilseeds are grown productively in the region. Several family and commercial livestock operations, run in the area supplying generic and purebred animals to producers and processors locally and abroad. A number of agri-businesses in the area accommodate the needs of the agricultural community including eight implement dealers, bulk fuel, chemical suppliers, and others. Many locals consider Shoal Lake to be Westman's Machinery Capital. Shoal lake also has a full slate of facilities and attractions to accommodate tourists visiting the area.
Major Attractions
Recreational facilities in the Town of Shoal Lake include the Communiplex, a multi-use facility housing an indoor skating arena and a 4-sheet curling rink, a conference and meeting room and full kitchen facilities. In the summer months, there are several baseball diamonds, which are home to organized league and tournament play.
