The City of Dauphin is ideally situated between Riding Mountain National Park and Duck Mountain Provincial Park. Just east of the city lies Lake Dauphin, and just beyond that, Lake Manitoba. The surrounding areas provide a mixed palate of scenery that includes agricultural plains, wooded hills and valleys. Nearby lakes and rivers add to the natural beauty of Dauphin. The area surrounding Dauphin offers a wealth of recreational opportunity.
History
Francois de la Verendrye discovered Lake Dauphin in 1739. Named after Prince Dauphin, the heir to the throne in France, the establishment of Fort Dauphin soon followed. In the 1800's, Fort Dauphin served as a Hudson's Bay Co. trading post and a then as a gateway for pioneers travelling to western Manitoba. People of Irish and Scottish decent initially settled the city. Later, immigrants from Germany, Central Europe and the Ukraine settled the area around Dauphin, establishing the city as a permanent settlement.
Economic Base
The City of Dauphin serves as an agricultural service center for much of the surrounding area. Much of the local economy is agriculture driven, with producers growing almost every thing from grains, oilseeds and livestock to honey bees and industrial hemp.
With a trading area of over 40,000 people, Dauphin also supports a strong retail and wholesale industry. The City also has an active Chamber of Commerce. Many new and expanding shops and a diversified commercial sector characterize Dauphin.
Dauphin also boasts a strong manufacturing and processing industry that supplies products to local, national, and international markets.
Major Attractions
One of the biggest annual attractions in the Dauphin area is Canada's National Ukrainian Festival. At the end of July, people arrive from across North America and the world to take part in the festivities and sample Ukrainian food. There are also many cultural displays and activities, as well as Ukrainian dancing.
Another summer event that draws spectators from miles around is Dauphin's Country Fest. This weekend music festival celebrates country music with numerous local acts and world-renowned stars. Canadians Paul Brandt and Terri Clarke perform regularly, along with artists such as Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Patty Loveless and Alabama.
The Fort Dauphin Museum lends and insight into the lives and history of the early settlers who first settled the Dauphin area, and the native inhabitants before them. Exhibits include a blacksmith shop, a fur trading post, and a trapper's house. The museum also displays many native artifacts and houses an archeological laboratory.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
The Dauphin Golf and Country Club offers avid golfers a challenging 18-hole course with grass greens. The pro shop offers sales and service, lessons, and push and powered cart rentals. A driving range and putting green are also available for those wishing to polish their skills. After the round, a licensed restaurant and lounge is available to relax and wind down.
The Parkland Recreation Complex provides space for many recreational activities. The complex houses six curling rinks, an indoor pool with waterslide and wave machine, a banquet hall and viewing lounge, and the local recreation administration offices.
Vermillion Park offers many opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. A 1.5-km loop through wooded forest serves as a walking path during the summer months and a cross-country ski trail in the winter. A wading pool for children takes the heat off those warm summer days. The campsite area is able to accommodate tents and RV's. The park has a combination of serviced and un-serviced sites.
Other Information
Access
Dauphin lies on Highway 10, approximately 340 kilometres from Manitoba's capital city, Winnipeg. This paved highway is the major north-south route serving the western side of the province. East-west travel to Dauphin is on Highways 5 and 68. All travel to and from Dauphin is along paved routes, with easy connections to other major routes.
Trucking
Local freight companies provide service in and around Dauphin. There is regularly scheduled service to and from the city, with many firms available for contract service. Courier service and overnight express are available from Purolator and Loomis Courier Services.
Water Services
Drinking water is piped to most Dauphin residents from the Edwards Creek/Lake system through a new $9 million treatment facility.
Sewage Collection & Treatment
A piped sewer system services most of Dauphin. The City operates on a lagoon sedimentation system.
Landfill & Eco-Centre
The City of Dauphin owns a landfill site that is also shared with the Rural Municipality of Dauphin. Garbage collection is provided for all city residences and businesses. A recycling centre operates in the city, and runs on a drop-off basis.
Education
Dauphin has eight schools and provides education services to students ranging from kindergarten to grade 12. Assiniboine Community College operates a campus in Dauphin. Western Christian College offers schooling in a Christian environment. Daycare facilities are available in the city also.
Health Care
Dauphin Regional Health Centre serves as an acute and extended care facility for the city and surrounding areas. 21 doctors offer diagnostic and specialty services in this 107 bed facility. Emergency ambulance service is available to Dauphin and eight surrounding Parkland communities.
Police & Fire
Dauphin is home to the regional headquarters of the RCMP. The detachment has 16 officers and 7 patrol cars.
