The Town of Gillam is a thriving community located 730 kilometres by air from Manitoba's capital city, Winnipeg. Part of Manitoba's Norman Region, Gillam is 300 kilometres northeast of Thompson, the region's largest city. Gillam is accessible from the south by Provincial Trunk highway 6 and Provincial Road 280.
History
Gillam is located along the historic Nelson River just south of Hudson's Bay.The community is named after some of the first Europeans to travel the area. Zachary Gillam and his son Benjamin, were captains of the rival fur trading ships that wintered in the Nelson River Estuary in 1682.
With the coming of the railroad in 1929, Gillam grew from a small Indian and Metis community to a town of about 350 residents. The community remained a small outpost for local traders, hunters and trappers, and a base for wilderness lodges and outposts for many years.
In the mid 1960's, Manitoba Hydro explored the Nelson River near Gillam as a potential site for the construction of hydro-electric dams, which were to supply energy to many of Manitoba's southern centres. The construction of three generating stations near Gillam caused an economic boom in the community, and the population quickly grew close to 1600 people. Gillam is now home to Manitoba's three largest electricity-generating dams.
Economic Base
Today, the economy of the community is bustling with numerous businesses and services located throughout the town. The community acts as a retail and shopping centre for a large number of small Northern Manitoba communities. Air or truck brings in goods and supplies, and are re-distributed to the communities that need them.
Gillam is located in a wilderness paradise and has built itself a thriving tourist industry. The region is dotted with thousands of untouched lakes and streams, and the opportunities for trophy fishing are almost endless. Numerous lodges and fly-in outposts attract thousands of hunters, fishers and outdoors enthusiasts each year. Many of these travelers pass through Gillam on their way in or out of the wilderness, and many of the town's businesses capitalize on this opportunity by providing goods, supplies and accommodations.
Major Attractions
Gillam has many recreational facilities and activities to offer residents and guests. A recreation centre houses bowling lanes, skating and curling rinks, and racquet courts - all under on roof. The complex is also home to a library and a gymnasium that doubles as a bingo or reception hall.
If you like the outdoors, then Gillam is definitely the place for you. The community offers almost anything you can think of including fishing, boating, swimming, hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and hiking trails to name a few. Stephens Lake, about 10 minutes from the town, has a marina for boating and a campground to park your camper with sites that have picnic tables and fire pits.
An air service will charter float planes to take you to that secluded fishing spot or wilderness hideaway. The community also has several baseball diamonds, tot-lots and playgrounds, as well as, many other recreational facilities to enjoy.
