#10: Healthy Communities use their natural advantages.

Steep Rock

When we look back on the spring of 2020, hopefully we will be able to recall that, in a time of crisis, we were able to come together, and that, through thoughtful community actions were able to face a pandemic, and mitigate the consequences.

The times give one lots to think about around the topic of "Healthy Communities". I'm sure we will learn a few things.

I said in the introduction to this series that in order to make things right we must face what we've been doing wrong.
That is more true than ever, but at the same time, given the crisis, I intended to tell happy stories for a bit.
This week I'm going to profile another of my favorite Manitoba places, and look at some things that are being done right.

 
Steeprock is about a three hour drive from Winnipeg or Brandon.



The interesting limestone cliffs are just south from the village and have been saved from commercial or residential development.

The campground site a few kilometres north of the village sits along a great sandy beach. It has a cafe and store. 



So far, the water hasn't been plagued by the algae blooms and zebra mussels found in so many of the beachside locations on Lake Winnipeg.



One can access the cliff trails from the village or from a convenient parking lot near the southern end of the cliffs.



Goat Island - and easy paddle in good weather.


Some History....

In the fall of 1913, Canada Cement Lafarge Co. opened the quarry pit for operation. The plant operated only in the summer months during the 1930s, which led people to supplement their incomes through winter fishing and farming. These industries caused Steep Rock to become a growing and thriving community. Only a few reminders remain.

From 1913 to 1992, high-calcium limestone for the production of Portland cement was quarried nearby and shipped to its production plant in Winnipeg. Production of limestone reached 494,000 tonnes in 1978 and it continued at that level until 1982. From a machine where the quarried stone was crushed, the quarry extended toward the shore of Lake Manitoba. By 1971, the quarry was about 2,600 feet wide and 3,000 feet in length, and ranged from 35 to 40 deep.

More photos ...

http://www.virtualmanitoba.com/Places/S/steeprock.html