Article 2 – Exploring the Town of The Pas Manitoba
by Christopher Charbonneau
Making the decision to relocate from one’s comfort zone to an uncertain destination is one that is full of difficult choices. Choosing the location that is best suited to meet ones unique needs requires planning, research, and most of all, interest. In order to surmount this daunting task, one will need the advice of friends and/or family members who have firsthand experience about the desired location. Whether relocating from abroad or within Canada, there is the usual misconception about anywhere in northern Canada that the winters are exceptionally harsh, and the summers are exceptionally cold. However, to the informed and experienced, the truth is that there is something for everyone in any location in Canada, even in the North. Suffice to say, one of the best places to experience the beautiful landscape for which Canada is renowned is here in this small northern town of The Pas, in the province of Manitoba.
At first glance, The Pas seems like a small, remote town in the middle of nowhere. It is surrounded by trees on all sides, with urban civilization existing is a lonely 7-hours away. In contrast however, The Pas is a bustling hub for many surrounding communities. The stores are full of friendly people throughout the week, all with a story they are more than willing to share, should you have the time. The many restaurants are filled with friends and co-workers conversing over some of the best foods in Manitoba. For upscale and fancy eating, one could head on over to Goodtymes and enjoy a meal in the booths or in the lounge. For something more authentic and historic, one could pay a visit to Miss the Pas. There is always somewhere to go to see the busy lives of the community residents. Most of these places provide some form of entertainment, but the real entertainment is found outside of town.
The land surrounding The Pas is filled with things to do, depending on your interests. Lakes can be found a short drive away, and they provide some of the best swimming, boating, fishing, and views in all of Canada. These lakes are complemented by trails built for hiking, snowmobiling, ATVs, and cycling. Each path takes travelers to new areas around the lakes, all of which provide great opportunities for exploration. During the summer months, one can take a short trip to Pioneer Bay, Camper’s Cove, or Sunset Beach and enjoy a day at the beach, complete with fire pits to roast some hotdogs or marshmallows. You don’t feel like swimming? Fish off many of the rocky coastlines or go fishing on a boat for the most relaxing experience. If being around the water is not your idea of time well spent, take a trip up to the Clearwater Lake Caves for an exploration hike. The experience doesn’t end when winter arrives; rather, it opens new paths. Explore some of the snowmobile paths built and maintained yearly by community groups. Rent an ice shack and spend a day on the lake ice fishing, or go skiing and snowboarding at one of the many hills located near town. For outdoor entertainment that remains within the town limits, The Pas provides access to multiple baseball diamonds, a soccer field, a track, tennis court, multiple skate parks, and new splash park currently under works as well as an outdoor ice hockey rink during the winter months. The Pas combined with OCN also plays host to many community cultural and historic events that draw in crowds from all over the north such as the annual Trapper’s Festival and OCN Indian Days. I do understand however, that not everyone may enjoy outdoor activities. In that regard The Pas has many alternative sources of entertainment.
The Pas is mostly known for its outdoor experiences, but for those who prefer to spend their days inside, the community has you covered. The Pas contains many indoor alternatives for entertainment, especially the Winton Pool. The pool is located in the local high school. It has provided members of the community with year-round indoor swimming for years as well as lessons and training for school swim teams. For late night entertainment, The Billiards is a great opportunity to not only play some pool but participate in or watch competitions while enjoying some drinks or deep fried foods. The establishment has many pool tables meaning you can always find a free table to play. One can also attend many of the events hosted at The Legion which include socials, meat draws, and card games. Finally, The Pas and OCN is also home to the Aseneskak Casino and Restaurant. There are many options for the indoor socialite to pursue within the community. For those who would prefer to spend a cold winter day indoor or perhaps avoid the rainy weather or a spring or summer day, one could pay a visit to the local library and check out a variety of reading material.
Another misconception that many people have about northern communities is poor internet. This is not the case in The Pas where service providers can provide homes with high-speed, stable internet, rivaling that of larger cities. This means that living in The Pas does not mean sacrificing online streaming, downloading, or social networking. Entertainment is a large part of choosing a community to relocate to; however, securing financial stability to support entertainment ranks higher on the priority list. For this reason, The Pas offers a better alternative.
The Pas has many avenues one could pursue for temporary or permanent employment. There are many business establishments seeking dedicated employees year-round providing any potential job-seeker multiple options. There are major employers in the community such as Kelsey School Division, The Municipal Government, Canadian Kraft Paper, University College of the North, and the local hospital. There are always employment opportunities to be found within the community, and those who demonstrate strong work ethic are quick to rise up in their chosen employment. Should you need further education to pursue the career you want in town, UCN offers many flexible programs which will enable you to work towards your goals. It certainly does not take long to settle into a worthwhile career in this community.
Relocating, whether to a new location or a familiar one, requires a lot of planning and thoughts in order to ensure that one is making the decision that is in one’s best interest. Making this decision often includes considering whether or not the community will be able to provide adequate entertainment as well as financial security. In both of these regards, The Pas, Manitoba provides strong options for consideration whether one prefer the indoors or the outdoors. It’s worth experiencing in person.
About the author: Christopher Charbonneau was born in Ottawa, Ontario and raised in The Pas, Manitoba. Christopher moved to The Pas with his family at the age of 10 transitioning from a life in the city to a life in the small city. Chris is a 5th year student of the Bachelor of Arts and Education Integrated Program with an interest in Math, English, and Science. He enjoys working with technology, problem-solving, and creating narrative, all of which he hopes to incorporate into his teaching.
Instructor’s Remark: Christopher Charbonneau was in my Composition and Rhetoric class of Term 20, 2018. Christopher is a strong writer. In this piece, he tries to represent his community of The Pas in a very positive light. Through this persuasive writing, he explores the beauty and the many attributes that make The Pas a desirable place to live.