Thompson, Manitoba

A Northern Hub Reinventing Itself Through Collaboration and Innovation

Strategically positioning itself as a growing regional center in northern Manitoba.

Thompson, Manitoba, a northern hub with a population of around 13,000, sits at the crossroads of industry, nature, and growing community spirit. Historically known as a mining town, its roots are deep in the nickel-rich deposits that attracted INCO in the late 1950s. But the community has evolved, finding new ways to thrive beyond its industrial origins. Thompson has become a service town with an increasing focus on tourism and outdoor recreation, offering a balance between rugged wilderness and modern amenities.

Mayor Colleen Smook reflects on what makes the town special, describing it as “a very unique community” that offers something for everyone. “If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, we have a great little ski hill, Mystery Mountain, just north of us, and Paint Lake and Sask Rapids to the south. Pichu Falls, the highest falls in Manitoba, is another hidden gem nearby.” Her pride in Thompson’s natural surroundings is apparent, as she lists the abundance of snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing opportunities in winter.

As the conversation shifts to the development of green spaces within Thompson, Mayor Smook talks about the town’s continued investment in recreation. Each of the six main areas—Eastwood, Burntwood, Westwood, Southwood, Juniper, and Riverside—has its own park, with some featuring water parks for children. One standout is the $900,000 basketball park in the Burntwood/Deerwood area, built through a partnership between Canadian Tire and the Jumpstart program. “We’re all about working with partners to expand what we can offer,” she says, highlighting the community’s collaborative efforts.

Thompson’s appeal isn’t limited to nature and outdoor sports. It is also a regional hub for healthcare and essential services. However, Smook acknowledges that this infrastructure is currently “lacking a little bit” and is a work in progress. Still, Thompson’s role as the area’s service center is vital, primarily because it has hosted two sets of Winter Games in the past and has been asked to host again in 2026—an ode to the town’s growing prominence.

But even with these accolades and natural attractions, Thompson is still evolving, especially in terms of community spirit. Mayor Smook points out that before COVID-19, there was a noticeable lack of unity in the town. “I can see that starting to happen now. We have a lot more kids and youth involved in activities, and we’re seeing more older residents, too. We’re doing what we can to attract people and keep them here,” she says.

Downtown Transformation and Expanding Infrastructure

Thompson is experiencing a significant revitalization, with key projects aimed at reshaping the city’s infrastructure, housing, and commercial offerings. Historically dependent on the mining sector, the town is now broadening its scope, focusing on developments that will accommodate its residents and the broader region. Mayor Smook provides an overview of several ongoing projects that signal the city’s intent to modernize and expand.

“We’ve got our new airport, which will be completed in August of 2025, and an aquatic center set to open in July of 2026,” she shares, listing just a few examples of the city’s focus on future-ready infrastructure. In addition to these headline projects, she points out that Thompson is already in its third year of an $87 million roads and sewer renewal plan, which will drastically improve the city’s aging infrastructure. “We’re working on a new bridge as well, which will be done by October,” she says, highlighting how the city tackles the foundational elements needed to support its growing population.

The discussion turns to business and commercial development, where the mayor highlights Thompson’s expanding retail and service sectors. “Our Canadian Tire store is very busy and hoping to expand,” she says, noting that the store is one of several businesses seeing an uptick in demand. Thompson has also seen recent investments in its automotive sector, with Ford completing a $14 million center and GM partners finishing significant upgrades. Mayor Smook acknowledges the challenges of attracting larger companies to Thompson, noting that businesses often shy away from the town due to its relatively small population. “But we’re trying to educate them that they’re actually dealing with at least 65,000 people in the area,” she explains, pointing to the town’s role as a service hub for surrounding communities.

However, Thompson’s central role in the region brings particular challenges. As Smook outlines, the town has developed the Community Safety Well-Being Plan to address issues related to homelessness and addiction, providing support and resources to those in need. “We’ve helped house folks in Thompson but also made it possible for them to move on and get the help they need,” she says. The plan also helps strengthen ties with surrounding communities, ensuring that services extend beyond city limits.

Tackling the Housing Crunch in Thompson

The housing shortage is not just a problem for major urban centers—it’s also a pressing issue for northern communities like Thompson. As demand for affordable homes continues to rise across North America, Thompson faces similar challenges, with low vacancy rates and skyrocketing rent prices. This obstacle requires innovative solutions for a town trying to grow its population and provide for a diverse range of residents.

Mayor Smook is forthright about the current housing situation. “The vacancy rate in our apartments is very low, likely less than 2%,” she says, adding that rental prices have doubled in the last decade. “Right now, you’re paying approximately $1,000 for a two-bedroom apartment,” she explains, pointing to the difficulty of finding affordable housing in the area. This is a significant problem, especially for lower-income residents and seniors who struggle to keep up with rising costs.

To address the issue, the city has taken proactive steps to secure funding and partner with local organizations. Mayor Smook notes that the province awarded Thompson $1.3 million a couple of years ago to work on housing initiatives. “One of the things we needed was affordable housing, especially for seniors,” she says. The city allocated that funding to the Mamawi Tuck Friendship Centre, which is building a 12-unit apartment block. The hope is that this will alleviate some of the pressure, but it’s clear that more needs to be done to meet the growing demand.

Beyond senior housing, the city is looking at broader solutions to expand its housing stock. Mayor Smook mentions a massive 89-acre development project, Pusiko. “The Kuwait and Tribal Council purchased the land from the city,” she explains, adding that the development will include 340 housing units, a hotel, office buildings, and a medical center. “This is going to fill many of the needs we have downtown,” she says.

However, Thompson’s geographic limitations compound the challenge. “We have basically a very small footprint,” she says, explaining that the city is surrounded by Crown land and local government districts, as well as land owned by mining companies. This means any significant expansion requires coordination with both the provincial government and private entities. “We have to work together just to get any extra land,” she points out, emphasizing the complexity of planning for long-term growth.

Building Success Through Partnerships and Persistence

Strong partnerships, thoughtful planning, and key collaborations have driven Thompson’s growth and development over the past few years. From securing funding for critical infrastructure projects to overcoming the complexities of working with multiple levels of government, the city has made it clear that its success is no accident.

Mayor Smook describes the importance of persistence in these efforts, particularly regarding securing government support. One of the most significant examples of this is the new airport, a project that had been in the works for two decades. “People were working on the airport strategy for 20 years,” she says, detailing how the project finally got moving after city officials took visiting ministers on a tour beneath the airport’s exterior. “I said, well, you should maybe look underneath and see what we’re dealing with.” That hands-on approach paid off—within weeks, the province was talking, and within a month, the city secured funding. It’s a story that reflects Mayor Smook’s philosophy: you must show people what you need and why it matters.

Another key initiative was the five-year, $87 million roads and sewer renewal project. Smook credits Gill Singh, the city’s engineer at the time, for pushing the boundaries when the funding opportunity arose. “He came to us and asked, ‘Should I go for a couple of streets or a lot?’ And I said, ‘Why don’t you go for the gusto?'” That bold approach paid off in total—the city received the entire $87 million.

The power of collaboration is also evident in Thompson’s efforts to rebuild its aquatic center. Originally projected to cost $19 million, the center’s budget ballooned to $40 million due to pandemic-related cost increases. Instead of letting the project stall, the city mobilized its network of supporters. Mayor Smook recalls receiving letters from surrounding communities urging the provincial government to help fund the center because of its importance to the region. “We got everybody on board,” she says, adding that the recent NDP government stepped in with a $10 million commitment, with more funding expected.

For the mayor, transparency and relationship-building are the cornerstones of these achievements. When asked what sets Thompson apart from other communities, she doesn’t hesitate. “It’s all about being truthful,” she says. From the beginning of her tenure as mayor, she and City Manager Anthony McGuinness made it a point to clearly communicate Thompson’s needs and demonstrate how their projects were good for the city, the province, and the North as a whole. “When we go and ask for projects, we already know why we need them, how they’re a good investment for the government, how they’re going to save money, and how they’re going to support us.”

Future Priorities: Safety and Healthcare in Focus

As Thompson moves forward, the city’s priorities are squarely focused on enhancing essential services to support its growing role as a regional hub. Mayor Smook outlines key goals for the next 18 months. She explains that one of the most pressing issues is the outdated and overcrowded Thompson Fire and Emergency Services building.

“We’ve increased service by 150% over the last 20 years with the same complement of people in the same building,” she says, noting how this has placed significant pressure on the facility. With rising calls for emergency services, the current structure is no longer sufficient to handle the city’s growing needs. Mayor Smook envisions a comprehensive public safety building that could house fire services and the RCMP, whose current building is also in disrepair. “The RCMP building needs a lot of upkeep and isn’t very attractive, which doesn’t help us entice people to stay here,” she adds. Creating a modern, functional facility is key to improving safety and retaining essential personnel.

Healthcare is another top priority, and Thompson is pushing hard for a new regional hospital. The city is a critical healthcare center for the North, yet the current hospital needs help to keep up with the demand for services. “We’ve been working hard on a new regional hospital and staffing to go with it,” Mayor Smook says, adding that the need for improved diagnostics and medical care is urgent. Just a week ago, the Minister of Health visited Thompson, allowing city leaders to highlight the community’s challenges.

“There are so many people that have to travel,” the mayor points out, referring to the long and costly journeys that northern residents often endure to receive specialized medical care in Winnipeg or other southern centers. These expenses add up quickly, creating financial burdens for individuals and families alike. Addressing these concerns with a fully equipped regional hospital would not only ease the cost of transportation but also ensure better, more accessible care for residents in Thompson and the surrounding areas.

AT A GLANCE

Thompson, Manitoba

What: A growing regional hub focused on infrastructure, housing, and healthcare development

Where: Northern Manitoba, Canada.

Website: https://www.thompson.ca/