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''For other uses, see [[Niverville]].''
''For other uses, see [[Niverville]].''
{{Infobox town
|official_name = Town of Niverville, Manitoba
|nickname =
|motto = Where you belong
|image_skyline = Inaugural1969.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_caption = First meeting of Council 1969
|image_flag =
|image_seal =
|image_map =
|mapsize = 205px
|map_caption =
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = [[Canada]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Manitoba]]
|subdivision_type2 = Region
|subdivision_name2 = [[Eastman Region, Manitoba|Eastman]]
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = [[Greg Fehr]]
|leader_title1 = Governing Body
|leader_name1 = [[Town Council]]
|leader_title2 = [[Canadian House of Commons|MP]] ([[Provencher (electoral district)|Provencher]])
|leader_name2 = [[Vic Toews]]
|leader_title3 = [[Legislative Assembly of Manitoba|MLA]] ([[La Verendrye (Manitoba riding)|La Verendrye]])
|leader_name3 = [[Ron Lemieux]]
|leader_title4 = [[Legislative Assembly of Manitoba|MLA]] ([[Steinbach (Manitoba riding)|Steinbach]])
|leader_name4 = [[Kelvin Goertzen]]


|established_title = Established
'''Niverville''' is a small town in the [[Canadian]] province of [[Manitoba]], located 28.6 km south of the Perimeter Highway which encircles the provincial capital, [[Winnipeg]]. It serves mostly as a dormitory community or [[Commuter town|exurb]] for people who work in Winnipeg but prefer to reside in a lower-cost environment. The town is located at the crossing of Provincial Road 311 and the CPR Emerson rail line, between Provincial Trunk Highways 75 and 59, providing an excellent rail link and two high-speed four-lane transport routes to and from the provincial capital, as well as to the USA ,which is 82.5 km to the south (41 miles as the crow flies). Niverville along with the rest of South Eastern Manitoba is growing quickly; its population as of the [[Canada 2006 Census|2006 census]] was 2464, up 28.3% from its [[Canada 2001 Census|2001]] level of 1921<ref>
|established_date = [[1874]]
|established_title2 =
|established_date2 =
|established_title3 =
|established_date3 =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 =
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_land_km2 =
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_water_km2 =
|area_water_sq_mi =
|area_water_percent =
|area_urban_km2 =
|area_urban_sq_mi =
|area_metro_km2 =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
|population_as_of = 2006
|population_note =
|population_total = 2482
|population_density_km2 =
|population_density_sq_mi =
|population_metro =
|population_density_metro_km2 =
|population_density_metro_sq_mi =
|population_urban =
|timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|postal_code_type =
|postal_code = R0A 1E0
|latd=49 |latm=51 |lats= |latNS=N
|longd=96 |longm=68 |longs= |longEW=W
|elevation_m = 252
|elevation_ft = 854
|website = [http://www.whereyoubelong.ca/ Town of Niverville]
}}


'''Niverville''' is a small town in the [[Canadian]] province of [[Manitoba]], located 28.6 km south of the Perimeter Highway which encircles the provincial capital, [[Winnipeg]]. This primarily farming community has seen an influx of people moving from the city looking to raise a family outside of the 'big city' influence. This migration has made Niverville one of the youngest and fastest growing communities in Manitoba. The town is located at the crossing of Provincial Road 311 and the CPR Emerson rail line, between Provincial Trunk Highways 75 and 59, providing an excellent rail link and two high-speed four-lane transport routes to and from the provincial capital, as well as to the USA ,which is 82.5 km to the south. Niverville's population as of the [[Canada 2006 Census|2006 census]] was 2464, up 28.3% from its [[Canada 2001 Census|2001]] level of 1921<ref>
Manitoba Bureau of Statistics, "[http://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/statistics/south_east.pdf 2006 Census of Population Southeast Region Population Counts]".</ref>.
Manitoba Bureau of Statistics, "[http://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/statistics/south_east.pdf 2006 Census of Population Southeast Region Population Counts]".</ref>.


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
The town lies well within the [[Red River Valley]], at an altitude of 773 feet above sea level. The land is extremely flat, though dotted with some small creeks and woodland, and the rich black soils bring some of the finest crops in the world, including hard red spring wheat and canola. Sugar beets have also been successfully produced here in former times.
The town lies well within the [[Red River Valley]], at an altitude of 773 feet above sea level. The Red River Valley lay, some 10,800 years ago, beneath the pristine and expansive glacial Lake Agassiz, and the resulting rich black soils produce some of the finest crops in the world, including hard red spring wheat and canola. Sugar beets have also been successfully produced here in former times. The area when originally explored was abundant in prairie wetlands, the result of large blocks of ice remaining for a time after the ice age, depressing the land in spots. These depressions provided a habitat for a wide range of bird and other species; however through artificial drainage for crop cultivation in the surrounding area, the early settlers of the area caused changes the natural order, and the natural ecosystems with their multiplicity of wildlife have been diminished.


The flat nature of the land, and an impervious underlying layer of clay, combine to provide suitable breeding areas for mosquitoes; it is a challenging place to be outdoors in mosquito season. Niverville is periodically threatened by spring flooding from the Red River of the North, most recently in "[[Red River Flood, 1997|Flood of the Century]]" when temporary dikes were hastily thrown up to protect the town from the amoeba-like spread of the river. To protect itself, the town has since 1997 constructed a permanent dike to the west of the town, shielding it from the Red, although it was not realized at construction time that, given the flat nature of the land, water could still run around the dike and flood the town. Aquifers which are charged to the east in Sandilands Provincial Forest extend beneath Niverville, providing abundant, but foul-tasting (sulphur and iron laden) water resources. Where they have been permitted to remain, poplar bluffs shade the land providing habitat for the rare yellow lady's slipper and the tiger lily. Many bird species (Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, English Sparrow, Wren, Killdeer, Meadowlark, Scarlet Tanager, American Robin, Yellow-Crested Klippenstein Warbler) choose the Niverville area for their summer range to take advantage of the exploding mosquito population.
The flat nature of the land, and an impervious underlying layer of clay, combine to provide suitable breeding areas for mosquitoes. Niverville was formerly threatened by spring flooding from the Red River of the North, most recently in "[[Red River Flood, 1997|Flood of the Century]]" when temporary dikes were hastily thrown up to protect the town from the amoeba-like spread of the river. To protect itself from future floods, the town has, since 1997, constructed a permanent dike to the west of the town, shielding it from the Red. Aquifers which are charged to the east in Sandilands Provincial Forest extend beneath Niverville, providing abundant water resources. Where they have been permitted to remain, poplar bluffs shade the land providing habitat for the rare yellow lady's slipper and the tiger lily. Many bird species (Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, English Sparrow, Wren, Killdeer, Meadowlark, Scarlet Tanager, American Robin) choose the Niverville area for their summer range.


== Sociology ==
== Sociology ==
The town offers decent services, as well as an elementary school (K-6), and a high school (7-12). Seven churches serve the distinctive threads of Mennonites, as well as other Christian faith communities. Niverville's signature event is the annual 'Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair' (www.nivervillefair.com), which is held the second weekend of June. There are several significant employers in Niverville, including Spectus Moulders, The Puratone Corporation and Wm Dyck and Sons. Services include: banking, hair care, construction trades, gasoline sales, restaurants, medical and dental clinics, massages, movie rentals, and a postal outlet (R0A 1E0). Many inhabitants are from Mennonite or British stock.
The town offers many services, as well as an elementary school (K-6), and a high school (7-12). Several churches serve the distinctive threads of Mennonites, as well as other Christian faith communities. Niverville's signature event is the annual 'Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair' ([http://www.nivervillefair.com/ Niverville Fair Website]), which is held the second weekend of June. There are several significant employers in Niverville, including Spectus Moulders, The Puratone Corporation, and Wm Dyck and Sons. Services include: banking, hair care, construction trades, gasoline sales, restaurants, medical and dental clinics, massages, movie rentals, and a postal outlet (R0A 1E0). Many inhabitants are from Mennonite or British stock.

== History ==
Niverville is named for an 18th century explorer and fur trader – Joseph-Claude Boucher, Chevalier de Niverville. This choice of name was made by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1877 – one year before the railway into town was built and an official town plan was actually registered.


<gallery>
== A Changing Future ==
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: Image:Elevator1.jpg|First Grain Elevator in Western Canada {{deletable image-caption|1={{subst:#time:l, j F Y| + 7 days}}}} -->
The expanding use of the automobile has markedly changed the way of life in small-town Manitoba. The 1950's placed towns like Niverville at the centers of vibrant local rural economies. Farm-implement dealerships, general stores, meat and dairy processing businesses and perhaps a local tavern, formed the economic framework for a tightly-knit idyllic Norman Rockwellian community; however all of that has changed in recent decades.
Image:Grain and Rail Scene.jpg|Elevator circa 1910
</gallery>
Niverville's history is closely tied to grain. Although first settled by folks of British ancestry, with names like Stott, Church, and Wallace, an influx of the first Canadian Mennonite farmers in 1874 soon saw their population eclipse that of the earlier group. These settlers, with farming skills vastly more suitable than those of the Anglophones due to their experience with farming on the Asian steppes, came from Russia, landing at the nearby junction of the Red and Rat rivers, making their way east to what was known as the East Reserve, essentially a gift of land from the Canadian government. The first grain elevator in western Canada, a unique round structure, had recently been built in Niverville by William Hespeler, a man whose name has recently been appropriated for Niverville's newest and largest park. It was from this elevator that the first western Canadian barley was shipped to overseas markets. The hardiness and determination of the early Mennonite settlers, coming from a harsh environment in Russia, ensured that this unforgiving land would be transformed into a place from which livelihoods could be wrested, albeit at considerable effort and cost. In later years, these generous settlers sent grain in relief to others suffering famine in Russia.


One odd piece of Niverville history is the Rock Festival which took place in the summer of 1970 on an abandoned farm 1.5 miles east of the junction of highways 59 and 305. Widely publicized, it attracted approximately 12,000 young folks, mainly from Winnipeg, to hear a variety of rock and folk bands. Having nowhere to park save a summerfallowed field and some dirt roads, everything turned into a sea of mud when a sudden thunderstorm struck, cutting the festival short. Not wishing to lose the opportunity, many festival patrons shed all clothing (including underwear) and splashed around in the rain and mud while waiting for any one of several local Mennonite farmers who cashed in on the opportunity, charging $5 apiece to tow cars back to the pavement of Highway 59.
Rapid and easy access to Winnipeg by car has allowed people who live in Niverville to work in Winnipeg. These commuters tend to spend little time in the town itself. Some might say the former community spirit of interdependence has given way to a more Orwellian, anonymous, self-protective way of life, and indeed, many townspeople no longer know their neighbors well, or express care for one another through shared responsibilities as was formerly the norm. Other "Nivervillains", as they're affectionately known, say the traditional values and ideals of a small town are still present in the community. However, the influx of city people into a predominantly agricultural community has led to some disagreements over building permits and land-use. Surrounding hog and poultry farms produce odours which city folk do not appreciate, though for long-time residents the smell of animal waste is almost sweet - part of their contract with the prosperity of the area. Niverville styles itself as the 'Fastest Growing Rural Community in Manitoba'.


== References ==
== References ==
<references/>
<references/>
* [http://www.niverville.com/ Niverville Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.niverville.com/ Niverville Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.whereyoubelong.ca/ Town of Niverville]


{{Manitoba}}
{{Manitoba}}

Revision as of 13:59, 31 July 2008

For other uses, see Niverville.

Town of Niverville, Manitoba
First meeting of Council 1969
First meeting of Council 1969
Motto: 
Where you belong
CountryCanada
ProvinceManitoba
RegionEastman
Established1874
Government
 • MayorGreg Fehr
 • Governing BodyTown Council
 • MP (Provencher)Vic Toews
 • MLA (La Verendrye)Ron Lemieux
 • MLA (Steinbach)Kelvin Goertzen
Elevation
252 m (854 ft)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total2,482
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
WebsiteTown of Niverville


Niverville is a small town in the Canadian province of Manitoba, located 28.6 km south of the Perimeter Highway which encircles the provincial capital, Winnipeg. This primarily farming community has seen an influx of people moving from the city looking to raise a family outside of the 'big city' influence. This migration has made Niverville one of the youngest and fastest growing communities in Manitoba. The town is located at the crossing of Provincial Road 311 and the CPR Emerson rail line, between Provincial Trunk Highways 75 and 59, providing an excellent rail link and two high-speed four-lane transport routes to and from the provincial capital, as well as to the USA ,which is 82.5 km to the south. Niverville's population as of the 2006 census was 2464, up 28.3% from its 2001 level of 1921[1].

Geography

The town lies well within the Red River Valley, at an altitude of 773 feet above sea level. The Red River Valley lay, some 10,800 years ago, beneath the pristine and expansive glacial Lake Agassiz, and the resulting rich black soils produce some of the finest crops in the world, including hard red spring wheat and canola. Sugar beets have also been successfully produced here in former times. The area when originally explored was abundant in prairie wetlands, the result of large blocks of ice remaining for a time after the ice age, depressing the land in spots. These depressions provided a habitat for a wide range of bird and other species; however through artificial drainage for crop cultivation in the surrounding area, the early settlers of the area caused changes the natural order, and the natural ecosystems with their multiplicity of wildlife have been diminished.

The flat nature of the land, and an impervious underlying layer of clay, combine to provide suitable breeding areas for mosquitoes. Niverville was formerly threatened by spring flooding from the Red River of the North, most recently in "Flood of the Century" when temporary dikes were hastily thrown up to protect the town from the amoeba-like spread of the river. To protect itself from future floods, the town has, since 1997, constructed a permanent dike to the west of the town, shielding it from the Red. Aquifers which are charged to the east in Sandilands Provincial Forest extend beneath Niverville, providing abundant water resources. Where they have been permitted to remain, poplar bluffs shade the land providing habitat for the rare yellow lady's slipper and the tiger lily. Many bird species (Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, English Sparrow, Wren, Killdeer, Meadowlark, Scarlet Tanager, American Robin) choose the Niverville area for their summer range.

Sociology

The town offers many services, as well as an elementary school (K-6), and a high school (7-12). Several churches serve the distinctive threads of Mennonites, as well as other Christian faith communities. Niverville's signature event is the annual 'Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair' (Niverville Fair Website), which is held the second weekend of June. There are several significant employers in Niverville, including Spectus Moulders, The Puratone Corporation, and Wm Dyck and Sons. Services include: banking, hair care, construction trades, gasoline sales, restaurants, medical and dental clinics, massages, movie rentals, and a postal outlet (R0A 1E0). Many inhabitants are from Mennonite or British stock.

History

Niverville is named for an 18th century explorer and fur trader – Joseph-Claude Boucher, Chevalier de Niverville. This choice of name was made by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1877 – one year before the railway into town was built and an official town plan was actually registered.

Niverville's history is closely tied to grain. Although first settled by folks of British ancestry, with names like Stott, Church, and Wallace, an influx of the first Canadian Mennonite farmers in 1874 soon saw their population eclipse that of the earlier group. These settlers, with farming skills vastly more suitable than those of the Anglophones due to their experience with farming on the Asian steppes, came from Russia, landing at the nearby junction of the Red and Rat rivers, making their way east to what was known as the East Reserve, essentially a gift of land from the Canadian government. The first grain elevator in western Canada, a unique round structure, had recently been built in Niverville by William Hespeler, a man whose name has recently been appropriated for Niverville's newest and largest park. It was from this elevator that the first western Canadian barley was shipped to overseas markets. The hardiness and determination of the early Mennonite settlers, coming from a harsh environment in Russia, ensured that this unforgiving land would be transformed into a place from which livelihoods could be wrested, albeit at considerable effort and cost. In later years, these generous settlers sent grain in relief to others suffering famine in Russia.

One odd piece of Niverville history is the Rock Festival which took place in the summer of 1970 on an abandoned farm 1.5 miles east of the junction of highways 59 and 305. Widely publicized, it attracted approximately 12,000 young folks, mainly from Winnipeg, to hear a variety of rock and folk bands. Having nowhere to park save a summerfallowed field and some dirt roads, everything turned into a sea of mud when a sudden thunderstorm struck, cutting the festival short. Not wishing to lose the opportunity, many festival patrons shed all clothing (including underwear) and splashed around in the rain and mud while waiting for any one of several local Mennonite farmers who cashed in on the opportunity, charging $5 apiece to tow cars back to the pavement of Highway 59.

References