Steinbach, Manitoba

Infobox city
official_name = City of Steinbach, Manitoba
nickname =
motto =


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image_caption = The Steinbach Millennium Clock Tower in downtown Steinbach


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mapsize = 205px
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Manitoba
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Eastman
leader_title = City Mayor
leader_name = Chris Goertzen
leader_title1 = Governing Body
leader_name1 = Steinbach City Council
leader_title2 = MP (Provencher)
leader_name2 = Vic Toews
leader_title3 = MLA (Steinbach)
leader_name3 = Kelvin Goertzen
established_title = Established
established_date = 1874
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 25.57
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_km2 =
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area_water_km2 =
area_water_sq_mi =
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area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
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population_as_of = 2006
population_note =
population_total = 11,066
population_density_km2 = 432.8
population_density_sq_mi =
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
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population_urban =
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
latd=49 |latm=31 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=96 |longm=41 |longs= |longEW=W
elevation_m = 268
elevation_ft = 879
website = [http://www.steinbach.ca/ City of Steinbach]

Steinbach is a city of over 11,000 people in the province of Manitoba, Canada, a short distance from the capital Winnipeg. It is the fastest-growing city in Manitoba, with a population growth of 19.9% between the 2001 and the 2006 census periods, which places it as the fifth largest community in Manitoba. [cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4602044&Geo2=PR&Code2=46&Data=Count&SearchText=Steinbach&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=46&B1=All&Custom= |title=Community Highlights for Steinbach|publisher=Statistics Canada|year=2006|accessdate=2008-04-23] [cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=801&SR=1&S=11&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=0&CMA=0 |title=Population and dwelling counts, for urban areas, 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data|publisher=Statistics Canada|year=2006|accessdate=2008-04-23]

History

Steinbach (meaning "Stony Brook" in German) was founded in 1874 by German-speaking Mennonite settlers from Russia. The Mennonite Heritage Village museum, located in the city, provides a glimpse at the life of these settlers through a reconstructed village and interpretive displays. Its Dutch windmill, which was rebuilt (with help from Dutch millwrights) after the 1972 replica was destroyed by arson in 2001, is a recognized symbol of the city. Steinbach is known as "The Automobile City"; in 1914 the first Ford automobile dealer in Western Canada was established here.

In 2003 Steinbach residents narrowly voted in a local referendum to end liquor prohibition. Steinbach made the news again in 2004 when it was satirized under an alternate name in Miriam Toews' best-selling novel "A Complicated Kindness".

Economy

As the economic centre of Southeastern Manitoba, service/retail industries employ the majority of the working population. Large manufacturing plants, especially those operated by Biovail and Loewen Windows (which is also based in Steinbach) also create a significant number of jobs. Agriculture, the traditional industry in the region, continues to dominate the economy as well.

Transportation

Access

Steinbach is located 50 kilometres from Winnipeg. Half this distance is covered by the Trans-Canada Highway East, the other half by Highway #12 South, both are four-lane divided Highways. Highway 12 South is single lane and connects Steinbach with the United States border at Sprague, Manitoba. Steinbach is also served by Grey Goose Bus Lines. Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is less than a one hour drive from Steinbach.

Airports

The City Of Steinbach owns and maintains a federally licensed airport (Steinbach Airport). The main runway is 914 m in length by 23 m in width (3000 ft x 75 ft) and has an asphalt surface. The runway is serviced with lighting and a beacon for night-time use. Fuel and servicing are available on site and are provided through the Steinbach Flying Club. The airport also features aircraft tie-downs, a heated lounge building and restroom facilities.

Additionally, Harv's Air Service operates a private airfield to the south of the city (Steinbach (South) Airport). The main runway is 945 m in length by 30 m in width (3100 ft x 100 ft) and has an asphalt and turf surface. An additional runway measuring 559 m in length by 30 m in width (1835 ft x 100 ft) intersects the main runway to the north.

Education

Steinbach is part of the Hanover School Division. Three elementary schools provide education from kindergarten through Grade 6. Grades 7 through 9 are currently provided by Steinbach Christian High School and Steinbach Junior High School. Hanover School District plans to construct an additional middle school by 2010 and run both schools from grade 5 through 9. [cite web|url=http://www.hsd.ca/reporttothe/0506/0506reporttothe.html#june20|title= Highlights of the June 20, 2006 Regular Board Meeting|publisher=Hanover School Division|accessdate=2008-04-23] Steinbach Regional Secondary School provides grades 10 through 12 for Steinbach and the surrounding region. In addition, Steinbach has a private high and junior high school, Steinbach Christian High School. [ [http://www.schs.ca/ Steinbach Christian High School] ] Steinbach has a campus of Red River College and a Christian college, Steinbach Bible College.

Media

Steinbach oldest media outlet is the "Carillon News", an award-winning weekly newspaper that covers the news of Southeastern Manitoba. Steinbach is also home to two radio stations run by Golden West Broadcasting. AM 1250 is an easy listening station, while Mix 96.7 FM plays current and classic hits.

Sports

Steinbach is home to the Eastman Selects ice hockey team that plays in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League. It is also home to the Eastman Raiders football club of the Manitoba Minor Football Association.

Soccer is becoming increasingly popular in the area, and currently has more kids in the soccer program than any other sport. "The Links at Quarry Oaks" is a four-star golf course just a few miles northeast of Steinbach. "Steinbach Fly-in Golf Course" is a picturesque 18 hole course, adjacent to the local airport.

Notable residents

*Scott Bairstow, actor
*Jake Epp, politician
*Patrick Friesen, poet
*Kelvin Goertzen, MLA
*Allison Hossack, actress
*The Pets, rock band
*Miriam Toews, novelist
*Vic Toews, Federal Treasury Board President
*The Undecided, pop-punk band
*Erich Vogt, physicist
*The Waking Eyes, alternative rock band
*Ian White, Professional hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)

References

External links

* [http://www.steinbach.ca City of Steinbach Website]
* [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/Details/details1.cfm?SEARCH=BEGINS&ID=7942&PSGC=46&SGC=4602044&DataType=1&LANG=E&Province=46&PlaceName=steinbach&CMA=&CSDNAME=Steinbach&A=&TypeNameE=City%20%2D%20Cit%E9&Prov= Statistics Canada 2001 Community Profile - Steinbach, Manitoba]
* [http://www.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=steinbach+manitoba&ie=UTF8&z=14&ll=49.528105,-96.686382&spn=0.026017,0.086002&t=k&om=1&iwloc=addr Steinbach on Google Maps]