Cities Civil and Municipal November 2024

Flin Flon, Manitoba – Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada

November 26, 2024

Flin Flon, Manitoba

A Northern Hub on the Cusp of Transformation

Paving the groundwork for a thriving future that bridges two provinces.

Flin Flon, Manitoba, may be a small city by population, but it offers a wealth of experiences and unique qualities that make it anything but ordinary. Located in northern Manitoba and straddling the Saskatchewan border, this border-town duality plays a significant role in the community’s identity. Emily Roberts-Young, the Regional Economic Development Officer for the area, shares some of the town’s outstanding qualities.

The first is its incredible natural surroundings. Positioned in the rugged Precambrian Shield of Canada, Flin Flon is a treasure trove of outdoor beauty. “We’re surrounded by natural lakes, rocky cliffs, and boreal forests,” Roberts-Young says. It’s this combination of unspoiled wilderness and city comforts that defines the town. One moment you’re enjoying a cozy café or browsing a local shop, and the next, you’re only a short drive away from untamed wilderness.

The town also boasts deep roots in Canadian hockey history. Known affectionately as a “hockey town,” Flin Flon is home to the Flin Flon Bombers, a junior hockey team with an impressive legacy. “Our connection to the NHL is something we hold dear,” Roberts-Young says with pride. The City’s hockey culture is profound, especially at the Whitney Forum, the historic rink built in 1960. “Our slogan for the Forum is ‘Welcome to the zoo’ because it gets so loud in there,” she adds, laughing as she describes how the decibel levels even require hearing warnings.

Flin Flon, founded in 1927 by the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company, also has deep roots in mining. “The mining industry was how Flin Flon really got its start,” says Roberts-Young, adding, “We were once one of the main mining hubs in Canada.” This heritage is reflected in the town’s identity, from its namesake hockey team, the Flin Flon Bombers, to nearby Creighton, named after an early prospector. The town’s thriving arts scene also plays a major role in community life. Flin Flon hosts the annual Blueberry Jam Music Festival, which saw just under 9000 attendees this year. “It’s all local artists, performing on stage in the City of Flin Flon’s expansive campground,” Roberts-Young notes.

Revitalizing Main Street

Like many communities whose economies have shifted over time, Flin Flon is focused on breathing new life into its historic downtown. Once bustling with business, the area has faced challenges in recent years, particularly following the closure of the town’s primary industry. But the town isn’t standing still.

One of the first areas of focus has been beautification. “Since we’re just building traction, we’ve been focusing on smaller wins,” Roberts-Young explains, pointing out the importance of manageable projects that can be completed by local artists and community members. So far, initiatives have included murals and art installations—projects designed not only to beautify but to also enhance community engagement.

The larger vision, however, involves more than just aesthetics. The city has launched a business retention and expansion plan. This plan seeks to work directly with local business owners to better understand current challenges and find ways to support growth. “We are trying to pinpoint exactly where barriers are,” Roberts-Young says, “whether that’s retaining existing businesses or attracting outside investment.” The goal is to ensure that Flin Flon’s Main Street has the infrastructure and business environment needed to thrive and grow.”

One key effort has been the introduction of a Business Storefront Improvement Grant, an initiative aimed at refreshing the face of downtown. “It’s a 50% matching grant, up to a certain amount,” Roberts-Young explains, allowing business to revamp facades and create a more visually appealing atmosphere that can attract new customers. The goal is to spark further investment and encourage new enterprises to set up shop.

In some cases, the City has looked at other ways to encourage investments through establishing a by-law on offering incentivization and offering residential lots for one dollar.

Unlocking New Development Opportunities

As Flin Flon looks to the future, a mix of challenges and opportunities shapes the town’s plans for growth, particularly when it comes to expanding beyond its current boundaries. The town is bordered by vast expanses of Crown land, a fact that both limits and enhances its potential.

“The potential here really is limitless,” Roberts-Young says, referring to the abundance of Crown land. However, she acknowledges the difficulties, describing it as “the never-ending mountain” when it comes to navigating the approval process. While some projects are already tied up in this red tape, the town is focused on pushing forward with developments that could redefine its economic future. Clean energy and innovation are at the forefront of these plans. “We’re having some conversations in that sector, and it’s definitely an area we’re looking at,” she notes.

Flin Flon is eyeing an expansion in developable land, with a specific piece of the land to the east of the city earmarked for its importance to Flin Flon’s future. The goal is to increase available land supply, something that has been limited by the Crown land issue. “We’re working on purchasing that land for diversified development,” Roberts-Young explains, noting that the slow pace of acquiring land has been a major roadblock for investment attraction and development.

We’re also working on the North Central Canada Centre for Art and Environment,” Roberts-Young reveals, a project that will bring a unique creative hub to the region, modeled after the Banff Centre for the Arts. The goal is to make the arts more accessible to northern communities, which typically have limited resources compared to urban centers. “It’s exciting to have this kind of arts industry talent in a northern community,” she says, emphasizing the importance of celebrating and nurturing that local creativity while also opening it up to nearby regions.

The municipality’s airport is also key to current and future economic growth and as a result considerable focus has been placed on ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place to meet aviation and commercial demand.

Airport Manager, Jeni East explains, “The Flin Flon Airport has scheduled commercial service to Winnipeg six days a week and weekly charters that deliver workers to their remote work sites. Because of our northern location, medevac traffic is an especially important service for not only Flin Flon but the surrounding communities. Exploration and geotechnical surveys are a common sight throughout the year.”

“Runway 01/19 is 5004 feet long and sees regular ATR and King Air commercial traffic, as well as recreational aircraft and we offer full-service Jet A1 with FSII and Av Gas fuel, with experienced and friendly staff that are ready to help, “ East continues.

“We pride ourselves with providing the highest levels of customer service. We have modern snow clearing equipment and a capable crew that always prioritizes safety during the challenging winter seasons. When you’re ready to leave, we have you covered with our state-of-the-art deice truck.”

Making reference to recent renovations East elaborates, “Our terminal lobby and offices have recently been renovated, staff and passengers are excited to see the change. New paint, flooring and efficient LED lighting have literally lightened and brightened the space. We are continually looking at upgrades and planning well in advance for any capital infrastructure that needs attention.”

“We have long term commercial hangar tenants as well as private hangar owners, with lots of room to grow. A wildfire prevention helicopter base is currently being built on-site for summer operations. An extremely reasonable lease rate and yearly parking rate make the airport an attractive option.”

Furthering its infrastructure capabilities, East also relays that over the next few years the Flin Flon Airport is focused on increasing accessibility for passengers, including electric door openers and washroom renovations in our Terminal.

From the skies above to the soil, natural resources remain a key pillar of Flin Flon’s economy.

“We’re looking at sustainable forestry, fisheries, and of course, mining,” says Roberts-Young, noting that mining continues to be a cornerstone, with recent expansions fueling optimism for economic growth. Tourism is another focus, especially experiential tourism, with visitors drawn to fishing, hiking, and outdoor recreation. “Adventure is our big sell,” Roberts-Young explains. To foster local entrepreneurship, Flin Flon has partnered with Travel Manitoba and Tourism Saskatchewan to launch a tourism accelerator program.

Tackling Infrastructure Challenges

Infrastructure is often the backbone of any community’s growth, but for a remote town like Flin Flon, maintaining and expanding that backbone comes with unique challenges. “Our winters can create hurdles that other regions may not face,” Roberts-Young explains. The extreme cold and fluctuating temperatures cause extra wear and tear on roads and transportation systems. “Our road infrastructure requires more attention just because of that constant cycle of freezing and thawing.” This makes roadwork not just a necessity but an ongoing challenge.

But it’s not just the cold weather causing problems. Flin Flon’s connectivity took a major hit this year when a wildfire burned through a crucial internet and cell service line south of town. “We were without cell service and internet for about three or four days,” Roberts-Young recalls. In today’s world, especially in an emergency situation, losing communication for that long is a significant disruption. Manitoba Hydro and other key players were quick to rebuild that infrastructure, but the incident highlights the importance of maintaining essential services.

Flin Flon, however, continues to make strides in infrastructure and services. “We have community services that are fully operational, like our rec center and hockey arena and the new aqua center that is currently under construction. These will serve our community, neighbouring areas, and newcomers,” says Roberts-Young. The Flin Flon hospital is a crucial asset, especially in northern regions where healthcare access can be limited. “Having access to healthcare is a major benefit,” she emphasizes.

Cross-Border Collaboration

Flin Flon’s unique location on the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border presents not only logistical challenges but also opportunities for collaboration across jurisdictions. “We’ve taken a regional approach on a lot of our projects,” Roberts-Young says, mentioning both the town of Creighton and the village of Denare Beach in Saskatchewan. These nearby communities are vital partners, particularly when it comes to large-scale initiatives that require broader support. Roberts-Young adds that this collaboration extends beyond local municipalities to include provincial organizations like Tourism Saskatchewan and Travel Manitoba. “

Tourism is one area where this regional partnership is particularly important. With both Manitoba and Saskatchewan providing resources and expertise, Flin Flon has been able to leverage support from both sides of the border to enhance its tourism offerings. As Roberts-Young notes, this type of cross-border cooperation will be a benefit to the region as it moves forward with ambitious plans for economic growth.

Healthcare partnerships are also vital, especially with the Flin Flon Hospital, which plays a key role in providing medical services to the region. “We’ve had good partnerships with the hospital, and more projects are on the horizon,” Roberts-Young notes. Flin Flon’s long-standing relationship with Hudbay continues to benefit the town. “Hudbay has been part of the community for almost a century,” she explains. While mining remains important, nearby operations such as with Foran Mining in Saskatchewan also contribute to the region’s economy, creating positive ripple effects for Flin Flon.

A Vision for the Next 18 Months

As Flin Flon gears up for the future, the groundwork being laid today is expected to transform the community in the coming months. “Tourism is really going to develop over the next year and a half,” Roberts-Young says, noting that several capital-based projects are in the works. The town has plans to relaunch and expand its trail systems, with the goal of achieving both provincial and federal recognition. One notable project includes work with the Trans-Canada Trail, a major initiative that Roberts-Young is excited about but unable to fully disclose just yet. “It’s on a larger scale, and it’s one of those projects that could put us on the map in a new way,” she hints.

In addition to trail development, Flin Flon is also focusing on more infrastructure-based enhancements for tourists. The town is installing benches and tables along its ski trails, as well as creating new photo opportunities at scenic spots. “We’ve just installed two oversized photo chairs at a lake on the border—one in yellow for Saskatchewan and one in red for Manitoba,” Roberts-Young says with a smile. These playful installations are part of the town’s effort to celebrate its unique cross-border identity and draw more visitors to experience its natural beauty.

On the economic side, Flin Flon is equally focused on laying a solid foundation for future growth. “We’re getting ready to take some bigger leaps economically,” she explains. This involves everything from marketing the area to revitalizing the downtown. Beyond beautification changes, the city is also building out practical tools to make Flin Flon more investment-ready. Roberts-Young is working on creating a land vacancy and business directory, as well as other resources that can help potential investors see the opportunities available in the area.

Between tourism, infrastructure, and economic initiatives, the next year and a half will be a crucial period for Flin Flon. Roberts-Young’s vision is one of steady progress, setting the stage for a more vibrant and economically diverse community. “We’re building the foundations now, but in 18 months, we’ll be ready to face the next big projects,” she says with confidence, looking toward a future where Flin Flon is ready for its next chapter.