Springfield , Manitoba

151 Years of Rich History and Significant Development

A Thriving Municipality Where Rural Charm Meets Modern Growth

Springfield, Manitoba, may have a peaceful rural landscape, but it is a community driven by innovation and progress. Established in 1873, Springfield is the oldest rural municipality (RM) in the province, boasting 151 years of rich history and development. Spanning 1,100 square kilometers, the municipality is one of the largest municipalities in Manitoba.

Mayor Patrick Therrien proudly emphasizes Springfield’s strategic location, saying,

“We’re situated straight east of the city of Winnipeg. We may border the city, but we have that rural way of life here. We have two major railroads, CN and CP, coming through our area, and four arteries leading into Winnipeg south and north, as well as Highway 1. So, Springfield is in an ideal location for business development.

A Recreation and Tourism Haven

Springfield offers an inviting array of natural beauty and attractions, including proximity to Birds Hill Provincial Park. The 10,000-acre Birds Hill Provincial Park hosts the annual Winnipeg Folk Festival and is a major draw for tourists to the region. Birds Hill Provincial Park Park also boasts two large Polo fields, and home to Springfield Polo Club , a small but motivated club. Springfield also boasts a large horse community, trails into Birds Hill, and around the northwest area of Springfield.

In addition, the municipality is home to two of Western Canada’s most prestigious golf courses, Pine Ridge and Elmhurst. “Donald Ross is an architect of renowned reputation, and he’s the designer of those golf courses,” Therrien details.

Another beloved attraction is Pineridge Hollow, a country shopping experience featuring a curated collection of furniture, clothing, home goods and décor, alongside a farmers’ market and a variety of artisan products. “We’re strategically very well located, and we’re very much sought after. It’s a really great place to live,” depicts the mayor.

The Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church and Grotto, a provincial and national historic site, is another popular attraction. Therrien describes, “It’s an exceptional church, visually speaking, and the grotto is something out of this world. They have a medieval festival there every two years that draws thousands of people over the weekend.

The municipality is also focused on providing recreational amenities to serve the whole community, with plans for a new recreation center in the works. The phased approach-two phases-will be more cost effective.

“That’s a project that we’ve been planning for a long time. Right now, we have grant funding in the amount of $4.7 million towards it,” conveys CAO, Colleen Draper. “Phase One of the project will cost approximately $18 million. That consists of a community kitchen, a gym, a multi purpose room, an indoor playground, and administrative offices.” Phase two, which is hoped to begin over the next few years, will include a multi-use turf area.

A Downtown Vision

With so much to offer, this rural municipality is far from complacent. Springfield is actively planning for the future, and continued downtown development in the village of Oakbank is on the agenda.

“We’re anticipating having some kind of a dialog with our community to see how we want to envision our downtown to be,” discloses Therrien. “We want to have a plan going forward where we can see what our vision is.”

A new sidewalk system was recently added, and Therrien describes beautiful walkways, perfect for walking or cycling, and a variety of shops and restaurants to bring people to the area. “We’re in a very rural setting. We’re close to the city, but we focus on keeping that rural lifestyle for the people that come here,” he notes. Currently Springfield’s downtown boasts mixed-use development and well-maintained facilities, including two malls, with plans for upgrades to keep pace with the town’s growth.

Housing and Infrastructure Expansion

Like many municipalities, Springfield faces the challenges of housing shortages and infrastructure needs. However, with a new water treatment plant in the works, the municipality is prepared to address both. “Once our water treatment plant is up and running, we will be able to expand at a better rate, because we’re at capacity now with our current and aging infrastructure,” Therrien acknowledges.

He shares that the RM has received a grant of $10.6 million for the new water treatment plant, adding, “That plant is going to be large enough that we can take in all the expansions that we need- obviously, in a graduated approach, we’re not just going to be throwing houses down. We have a great strategic plan.” The project will also bring additional fire safety measures, such as fire hydrants, to parts of the community that currently rely on well water.

The addition of high-density housing is essential for the town’s aging population. “We want to have aging in place, so our community demographics can stay within the area,” he relays.

“We’re starting soon on construction of the Dugald Place project, a senior housing, assisted living facility. We hope to have construction starting quite soon, which is going to include a commercial pool area that will be attached to the building, allowing the RM of Springfield to provide community programming.” A $1 million grant has been allocated to this development, which will have a central location in the municipality.

Attracting Business and Commercial Growth

Springfield’s ideal location is not only appealing to residents but to businesses as well. The RM has designated new lands for employment uses, focusing on light industrial and commercial growth.

Mayor Therrien expands, “We have several different business areas here that are doing very well. Our biggest one is the Springfield industrial park. It has a main artery for the CN and CP track and it’s right beside the City of Winnipeg. It’s got Highway 1 going by it. So that Springfield Industrial Park is very highly sought after.”  He mentions Plessis Road Business Park as another popular area, as well as the upcoming addition of a light industrial park adjacent to Highway 1. “We also have in our plans to have commercial along Highway 207, east on highway 1 going into Winnipeg.”

Draper shares that Springfield has worked hard to ensure that the RM remains a convenient place for businesses to locate. “We have an in-house building and permitting department, which makes it easy for developers to come in,” she says. “We have the expertise in house, as we do both part nine and part three permits, which are residential and commercial. That’s a big benefit for consultants to have that internal expertise.”

Along with this, the municipality continuously reviews its development fees and levies, to ensure they remain competitive. The municipal website also provides up to date demographic statistics for potential developers to review. “We have a very skilled workforce in Springfield. So that helps when people are considering where to locate their businesses,” Draper highlights.

When it comes to supporting existing entities, the RM maintains a strong relationship with the Chamber of Commerce, helping to showcase promotions and events. Draper underscores, “We want to encourage supporting existing businesses just as much as welcoming new ones.”

A Look Ahead

Looking forward, Springfield’s efforts are being put towards thoughtful development that balances growth with community well-being. Draper outlines, “Right now we’re focused on ensuring we have adequate water and sewer capacity. That brings in the business, but it also allows for more development that can give us more accessible housing options.”

Mayor Therrien points to infrastructure improvements such as upgrading the water treatment plant and decommissioning an old lagoon as pivotal for the municipality as it moves into the future. The $1.8 million lagoon project will create a marsh area, footpaths, and green spaces that reflect Springfield’s commitment to both growth and conservation. “That will demonstrate that it’s not all development that we’re looking at,” he reflects. “Of course, that’s part of our initiative as well because we have to bring in that tax base. Every RM has that same difficulty. It is a balance.”

The purchase of 39 acres of land was a significant acquisition for Springfield and will help address community needs for generations to come. “It was a very prudent purchase where we could expand and look at daycare for our citizens. It’s a perfect location for that. We’ve got a large park called Elm Park, and that’ll be attached to the lagoon rehab by way of a pathway,” elaborates Therrien. “So that 39 acres of land is crucial to our expansion.”

With a strong financial position and a clear path forward, the Rural Municipality of Springfield is paving the way for a vibrant future. “We are working for generations to come,” summarizes Mayor Therrien.

AT A GLANCE

The Rural Municipality of Springfield

What: The oldest and one of the largest municipalities in Manitoba

Where: Adjacent to the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba

Website: www.rmofspringfield.ca