MINNEDOSA, Man. – The townsfolk of Minnedosa are leaving the binoculars to the birders.
They’ve been watching a much bigger species of fauna: A herd of 20 bison in a 35-acre compound just off the downtown drag.
It’s the first time in 138 years that bison are swatting flies and stomping around in the brush in the Little Saskatchewan River valley of west-central Manitoba.
The 2,650 residents aren’t just observing the animals’ antics. They want to see if the bison will attract a steady stream of tourists.
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The bison are on loan from ranchers Lorne and Louise Miller of Binscarth, Man., who dropped them off in March and will return for them in October.
Local businesses are picking up the $1,500 feed tab and labor costs.
“It’s a living heritage exhibit,” said Bob Mummery, part of the group that brought the bison to town.
“If you want to see a stuffed bison, go to the Museum of Man and Nature (in Winnipeg). If you want to see a real one, come to Minn-edosa.”
And so far, organizers say tourists have been turning out to see the real thing.
The bison idea evolved from a community meeting held five years ago. Those at the meeting first considered trying to attract more agricultural processing. The town is already home to Mohawk Oil’s ethanol plant.
Tourists flying by
But then they looked again at the town’s resources: A lake in the middle of town, the picturesque valley, and a major highway packed with tourists heading to Riding Mountain National Park.
Minnedosa mayor Terry Drebit said local volunteer groups and the retail association provided plenty of people willing to roll up their sleeves and help.
“People want it to happen,” he said. “They’re not waiting with their hands stuck out saying, ‘Now what can government do for me?’ “
The groups bought 60 acres close to the lake. They built boardwalks through the marsh, a historical walking trail, and well-stocked fish ponds for kids.
The town spruced up its beach and campground and then brought in the bison.
Mummery estimated about 80 percent of costs so far have been paid for by donations and local fundraisers. The rest has come from matching grants from the government.
Except for over-night camping, all of Minnedosa’s attractions are free. But Mummery said more tourism means more commerce.
He points to nine new business starts so far this year as a good sign. There’s only one empty store on Main Street now.
This summer, a rock music festival was held a little way up the hill from the bison. And next summer, rowing and paddling events for the Canada Summer Games will be on Minnedosa Lake.
Lem Shuttleworth, 86, said he’s noticing he has to line up more often at the Co-op. But the retired farmer and former MP said he’s all for tourism.
“The traditional town that was built to serve the rural community has now changed,” he said, citing shrinking numbers of farmers and different agricultural trade patterns.
Organizers say the bison are just the start of things to come. But they’re tight-lipped about future ideas.
“We’ve got to be careful that towns like Neepawa (30 kilometres away) don’t find out exactly what we’re doing in our long-range plans,” Drebit added.
“Because I can assure you, they’re green with envy.”
