The Rural Municipality of Hamiota is
situated in picturesque western
Manitoba, and can be reached along
Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 21, or
PTH 24. The municipality is only 84
kilometres northwest of Manitoba's
second largest city of Brandon. The
municipality's largest centre is the
Town of Hamiota, which has a population
of approximately 850 residents. Oakner,
Decker, and McConnell are other
significant small communities in the
municipality. Besides the Town of
Hamiota (the largest community), the
majority of the municipality's residents
are rural based, with the population
(ecluding the town of Hamiota), being
approximately 520 people.
History
As with most municipalities in western
Manitoba, Hamiota owes much of its
development to the influx of immigrant
settlers and the laying down of tracks
by railway companies, in the late
1800's.
The municipality and town originally
received its name from Thomas Hamilton,
one of the original settlers who settled
close to the town of Hamiota, and from
the native word "iota", which means
"plenty". Immigrants looking forward to
settling on the rich agricultural
farmlands of Western Canada began
settling the area by the late 1870's.
The laying down of tracks in the region
by the Great North West Central Railway
from Rapid City, quickly settled the
area around the Town of Hamiota, and its
outlaying communities.
Economic Base
A large majority of the Hamiota's
residents are employed in the
agricultural businesses. Agricore,
Cargill, and Redfern Farm Services
employ many of the municipality's
residents. The future Premium Pork
facility in the municipality will also
be a prominent employer, employing
approximately 30 residents. The Town of
Hamiota also plays a significant role in
the economic situation in the
municipality. The town's largest
employers are its health care and
education industries. The Hamiota
District Health Centre is the town's
largest employer, employing
approximately 135 residents. The
Birdtail River School Division is the
town's second largest employer.
Major Attractions
The Town of Hamiota and the surrounding
areas, provide much of the entertainment
and recreational activities for the
municipality. As the "Baseball Capital
of Manitoba", the municipality is proud
to host many provincial and national
baseball tournaments.
Sporting and recreational activities
play a very strong role in Hamiota. A
curling club, arena and many baseball
fields around the town sustain the
recreational life of Hamiota's
residents. One of Hamiota's largest
recreational attractions is the Hamiota
Municipal Park just on the outskirts of
the Town of Hamiota. The park features a
campground, 9-hole golf course,
agricultural grounds, the Hamiota
Aquatic Centre, and the Hamiota Sports
Complex. Lawn bowling greens, a soccer
field and several baseball diamonds,
also are found in the park.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
Hamiota plays hosts to many activities
year round. Summer events not to miss
include: the Triple-H Rodeo at the
Sports Complex during the last weekend
in April, which provides thrilling rodeo
action; and the Hamiota Agricultural
Fair at the Agricultural Grounds in
July, considered one of the best fairs
in Western Manitoba. The Dog Days of
Summer celebration on August long
weekend, is also one of those events not
to miss before the coming of fall.
