Leaf Rapids, Manitoba

Infobox city
official_name = Town of Leaf Rapids
nickname =
motto =


imagesize =
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mapsize =
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Manitoba
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Northern Manitoba
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Ed Charrier
leader_title1 = MLA Thompson
leader_name1 = Steve Ashton (NDP)
leader_title2 = MP Churchill
leader_name2 = Tina Keeper (Liberal)
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1969
population_as_of = 2006
population_total = 539
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = Central (CDT)
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = R0B 1W0
website = www.townofleafrapids.ca
footnotes =
area_code = 204

Leaf Rapids is a town in northern Manitoba, Canada. The town was developed as an experimental model; a model that other northern communities could replicate as they strove for modern convenience and luxury in a northern environment. The community is located approximately 1,000 km north of Winnipeg along the Burntwood River.

An all-weather road connects the community to Thompson, Lynn Lake, and South Indian Lake. Since the establishment of the community, Leaf Rapids has witnessed a number of significant changes directly related to mining operations. Population declines, service provision declines, and a changing employment have all occurred since the mine's closure in 2002. The community have invested considerable time and effort examining possible transitions.

Origins

In 1969, Sherritt Gordon Mines discovered a vast copper and zinc ore body at Ruttan Lake. As a result of this substantial discovery, there was an urgent demand for a community to provide support services for the mine and its workers. The first residents of Leaf Rapids arrived in 1971 [Dobbie, D. (1976). Leaf Rapids is coming of age. North of the 53rd. Thompson, MB: United Steelworkers of America.] and the community's infrastructure was completed in the fall of 1976. During this same year, the community's population exceeded 2,000 residents. Leaf Rapids is sometimes described as the "instant town" due to the fast construction time and the large population that gathered during the short time period.

Planning

The government of Manitoba decided that the past mistakes in the planning of northern resource communities should not be repeated and participated directly in the planning of the community. An entirely new approach to building was conceived. In July 1970, the Leaf Rapids Development Corporation Ltd. (a Manitoba provincial crown corporation) was charged with the responsibility of building the Town of Leaf Rapids – 25 kilometres away from Ruttan Lake. The town was constructed with a deep respect for the wilderness that is incorporated into every aspect of the community, from construction to infrastructure to recreation. In June 1971, the construction of Leaf Rapids began, ensuring that much of the natural vegetation would be saved. Even in present day Leaf Rapids, a permit must be obtained before cutting down any trees within the town limits. As a result it is a functional, appealing community that blends in well with its environment. From the outset, Leaf Rapids has been able to provide a solid inventory of social, cultural and educational facilities, programs and experiences – beautifully merged with the pristine environment of northern Manitoba.

The Town Centre Complex contains the following:
*Leaf Rapids Education Centre
*Leaf Rapids Town Offices
*Leaf Rapids Consumer Cooperative
*Library
*Art Gallery
*Restaurant
*Hotel
*Gymnasium
*Hockey arena
*Curling club (3 sheets of ice)
*Health Centre

Awards

Built in a semi-circle of residential bays around the Town Centre Complex, Leaf Rapids won the coveted Vincent Massey Award for Urban Excellence in 1975. The Town Centre Complex was built of a material that was supposed to turn bright blue as it reacted over time to air pollution; however, in this remote part of the world, there is no air pollution, causing the Town Centre Complex to remain rust colored. During the first four years of its life, architects and town planners from across Canada and around the world – some as far away as Japan – visited Leaf Rapids to view its unique design and infrastructure. Over the years, other towns followed suit and today Leaf Rapids is not alone in offering modern urban convenience in the midst of a commanding wilderness – but Leaf Rapids was the first.

The Ruttan Mine was closed down in the summer of 2002 - ending one chapter in the town’s history. Leaf Rapids achieved another first in March 2007 when they became the first municipality in Canada to ban the use of plastic shopping bags.

Ban on single-use plastic bags

As of April 2 2007, retailers will no longer be permitted to give away or sell plastic shopping bags that are intended for single use in Leaf Rapids: only multi-use, reusable bags are permitted. Anyone who contravenes this by-law is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction of a fine of not more than $1000.

In May 2006, the town had implemented a three-cent levy on every plastic shopping bag being given out by local merchants.

Transportation

Leaf Rapids is located adjacent to provincial highway 391. Highway 391 connects the communities of Thompson, Lynn Lake, the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, Granville Lake, and South Indian Lake. Six kilometres north of Leaf Rapids is the Leaf Rapids Airport. As of 2007, there was no regular commercial air service at the airport. A number of small local companies provide charter passenger and cargo services. Calm Air used to fly regular passenger flights from Leaf Rapids to Thompson, however these flights have ceased since the Ruttan Mine closed. Leaf Rapids is also served by Grey Goose bus service. Bus service connects Leaf Rapids to Thompson and Lynn Lake. Over the past three years, there have been attempts by Grey Goose to reduce the frequency of passenger bus service, however the schedule has not changed to date.

Education

Leaf Rapids is home to the Leaf Rapids Education Centre. The centre provides kindergarten to grade 12 services. The school is part of the Frontier School Division. In 2005/2006, the Leaf Rapids Education Centre has a student population of 163 [Frontier School Division - http://www.frontiersd.mb.ca/school.asp?SchoolID=43&SchoolCatID=303] .

Health care

The Leaf Rapids Health Centre is part of the Burntwood Regional Health Authority. The Health Centre provides a range of services to community residents. The Health Centre is staffed with a full time physician, registered nurses, a lab & x-ray technologist, and other support staff. The community is also served by a volunteer ambulance service [Burntwood Regional Health Authority-http://www.thompson.mb.ca/dbs/brha/] .

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.townofleafrapids.ca/index_flash.htm Town of Leaf Rapids]
* [http://www.frontiersd.mb.ca Frontier School Division]