The land in the Rural Municipality of St.Laurent is mainly flat, dotted with wooded areas of scrub brush, and stands of Aspen and Poplar. The shore of Lake Manitoba, the province's second largest lake and one of the largest in Western Canada, make up the western edge of the municipality. The R.M. is home to a large number of birds and wildlife, and offers many recreational activities. The area also boasts numerous sandy beaches and other unique tourist attractions. Many local hotels, motels, and restaurants provide food and lodging for visitors, while many other local businesses provide a variety of services. A strong commercial fishery exists on the lake, with local fisherman providing species such as carp to Asian markets.
History
The Rural Municipality of St.Laurent was incorporated in 1882. The R.M. lies in the centre of the western Interlake Region's cottage country. In the summer months the population of the municipality grows significantly due to the cottage goers who live in the beach communities along the eastern shore of Lake Manitoba.
Economic Base
Summer and winter activity abound in St. Laurent. Organized sports such as baseball, hockey, ringette, and curling offer fitness and fun throughout the year. The area is lined with snowmobile trails in the winter, connecting St.Laurent to the province-wide network of trails. Activities such as line dancing and aerobics are also offered at different venues in the municipality. The Manipogo Golf & Country Club is currently a nine-hole course and clubhouse. Plans are being developed to add another nine-holes and build a new clubhouse complete with restaurant and lounge, a bar, dressing rooms, lockers and a pro-shop. When complete, the course will have a number of human-made obstacles to increase the course's difficulty rating. Canada Day celebrations are held July 1st each summer, with local groups organizing an all-day barbeque, baseball tournaments, and many different forms of live entertainment. Metis Days is the most popular community event held in St.Laurent. The festivities attract hundreds of visitors to the community on the August long weekend. The 3-day event features a wide range of cultural activities, as well as, the Coureur de Bois Contest, a slo-pitch tournament, and the Miss Metis pageant. There are also fiddling and dancing competitions, fireworks and a parade.
Other Information
One of the most famous residents of the area may not be a resident at all. Everyone in the area knows about him, many claim to have seen him, but no one can prove he exists. His name is Manipogo, and he is a legendary sea serpent, said to swim the waters of Lake Manitoba. Like his cousins The Loch Ness Monster(in the U.K.) and Ogopogo (from Okanagan Lake in B.C.), many sightings have been reported, but scientific exploration has failed to yield any clues. For years, Manipogo has remained a legend and a mystery.
