Île-des-Chênes is a hopping little community where growth and change has become the new normal. Just seven minutes south of Winnipeg’s Sage Creek neighbourhood, Île-des-Chênes is located along the twinned Highway 59, meaning that commutes are a breeze.
This francophone town was settled in the mid-nineteenth century in an area prolific with oak trees, and that’s where the town gets its name, which translates to Oak Island. Today, the community is surrounded on all sides by rich farmland. You don’t have to get far from Winnipeg to rid yourself of the light and sound pollution that cities are renowned for.
Many have come to recognize this small community for Manitoba Wildlife Haven, located just to the north. A one-of-its-kind facility in Manitoba, the Haven provides shelter and a hospital for injured wildlife, as well as an Education Centre, ponds, and interpretive park for those interested in learning more about our region’s rich variety of wildlife.
The TransCanada Centre is another regional draw. Named after the TransCanada pipeline running near town, the environmentally friendly and sustainable facility offers an exceptional venue for weddings, trade shows, and socials, all at small-town pricing.
Live. No matter your housing preference, diversity is the name of the game. Condos are available in apartment and townhouse styles, Main Street features rental units, and there are lots of single-family homes on large lots.
Two schools offer both English and French immersion options from preschool through Grade Twelve. The high school boasts a prestigious athletic program for budding young athletes, as well as a community library.
Amenities include a wide array of licensed restaurants, including Thai food, pizza parlours, a coffee lounge, Subway, and the local bar and grill. You’ll also find a gas station chain, hardware store, credit union, automotive repair shops, convenience stores, and a whole lot more. New amenities pop up regularly in the commercial strip bordering the highway.
The community is also proud of its most recent addition, a community wellness centre which has become home to the local doctor, pharmacy, physiotherapy centre, and lawyer’s office.
Work. As new businesses move in, job opportunities multiply. Île-des-Chênes has been paving the way for new business for some time, with a new commercial development opening soon. Lease space is also available if you’re inclined to start a business of your own, at lease rates a fraction of the cost of Winnipeg’s. This community is home to the Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce, a group dedicated to providing services and benefits to businesses in the region.
Play. Optimist Park is home to the Seine River Minor Ball Association, and its well-maintained diamonds make this park a baseball hub for the entire region. Green thumb can rent garden boxes, a great place to meet other locals. Year-round arts and fitness programming include painting classes, yoga, pickleball, gymnastics, and karate. A local studio trains kids in a variety of dance disciplines, and the fitness centre will help you get your sweat on.
The Vintage Club, a group of active local seniors who enjoy staying fit and having fun, host a regular luncheon to maintain ties and share stories.
Of course, it’s rural Manitoba, where hockey and ringette take centre stage in winter. The arena provides free public skating and recreational hockey for all ages. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing along the community’s groomed trails are another great way to stay active. Avid snowmobilers can pick up a gourmet coffee, hit the gas station next door, and then get on the trails for some great riding in the wide-open countryside.
The Snowman Festival is an annual highlight, with organized family activities happening inside the TransCanada Centre after the snowman-building contest, skating, and toboggan run have chilled your fingers and nose. The festival offers a variety of art and play activities for the kids. Mom and Dad can show off their skills in the pea soup and chili contest and then take in the vintage car show. The event closes with a beer garden, social, and fireworks display.
For small-town fun on the edge of the city, Île-des-Chênes makes for an exceptional choice.
