Niverville

A Decrease font size. A Reset font size. A Increase font size. Niverville’s modest beginnings trace back to 1879, when William Hespeler organized Niverville’s first Mennonite immigration. Mr. Hespeler’s ambition led him to lay out an entire townsite, complete with business installations and residential layout, which unfortunately was not fully realized largely due to the many small and scattered settlements within several miles of Niverville. Niverville’s first railway station was built in 1879, providing train service for both passengers and freight. An additional pioneering landmark appearing in 1879 and constructed by William Hespeler was Niverville’s grain elevator, the first of its kind in Western Canada. On January 1, 1969, Niverville, by an act of the Manitoba government, was proclaimed an independent urban municipality – a “Village”. Motivated to chart its own course because of perceived missed infrastructure improvement opportunities, the community requested separation from the RM of Hanover. Self-governance was seen as the tool necessary to allow priority in achieving community aspirations. Glaring project deficiencies driving this action were the need for street rebuilding and asphalt resurfacing, construction of a sewage collection system, and business and residential development. Independence provided the framework whereby elected and non-elected community leaders, using the Village’s administration, financial and planning services, would provide focused, creative and clearly defined goals to achieve the expectations of the residents. The installation of a gravity sewer system in 1970 was an ambitious project for the newly incorporated Village. This project involved the installation of 8 1/2 miles of sewer main and resulted in a cleaner and more aesthetically appealing community. In 1994, a 91-acre parcel was donated to the Town which was developed into Hespeler Park. This park boasts 5 baseball diamonds, a paved walking path, exercise equipment, playground, Splash Park, picnic shelter, numerous soccer pitches, beach volleyball and a bicycle pump track. Niverville is also home to the Centennial Arena and Curling Rink, which is one of the few curling rinks left in Manitoba with natural ice. The former Keystone Hatchery building at 111 Second Avenue South, currently known as the Heritage Centre, was renovated into the Heritage Club in 1996 by Henry and Linda Suderman, whose vision for the property was a community centered recreational complex to meet the social and recreational needs and desires of the Town and area residents. The property was sold to the Town of Niverville in 2003, with the next phase of development involving the establishment of a Primary Health Care Centre. In 2007 an Assisted Living and Supportive Housing residence and timber-framed atrium was constructed. In 2011, construction began on an 80-bed personal care home. In 2012, the Heritage Centre Campus welcomed Hespeler’s Cookhouse & Tavern, a restaurant that provides services to those living on campus and the local community. Finally, in 2014, a four-story life lease residence featuring 46 units was added, making the Niverville Heritage Centre Campus a unique to Manitoba “age in place” community campus. The Niverville Fair has its roots that date back to the 1960’s when it was traditionally held in August. This annual tradition continued on until the early 1990’s when it was discontinued. The Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair as it is currently known, began in 1996, having an on the street fair annually in June. This event is run by a dedicated group of volunteers and receives sponsorship from local businesses. The fair is an annual highlight for local and area residents alike. Another feature of Niverville is the Old Drovers Run Golf Course, which was constructed in conjunction with the Crow Wing residential development (currently known as The Highlands) in 2002. Niverville acquired its first water treatment plant in 2002, and the curr