# Selkirk (Manitoba)

Selkirk is a city of over 10,000 people (2016) in the Interlake region of Manitoba, about a quarter of whom are of Indigenous origin. The mainstays of the local economy are tourism, a steel mill, and a major psychiatric hospital. A vertical lift bridge over the Red River connects Selkirk with the smaller town of East Selkirk.

## Understand

The city was named in honour of Scotsman Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk, who obtained the grant to establish a colony in the Red River area in 1813.

### Climate

Due to Selkirk's position on the edge of the Canadian Prairies, there is a moderate 510.4 mm (20.1 inches) of precipitation annually. Selkirk has a climate with four very distinct seasons. A general year will include warm (sometimes hot) summers, cold winters, and a comfortable spring and autumn. Selkirk has 21 days with snowfall per year, from about November (sometimes as early as September or October) to around April (sometimes as late as May).

## Get in

Selkirk is 38 km northeast of Winnipeg on Highway 9. There is no longer a bus to Winnipeg (Jan 2018).

## Get around

* Selkirk Transit. M-F 6AM-6PM, Sa 8AM-6PM. Operates a single loop through the city every hour. Single fare is $2, no concessionary rates. (updated Jan 2018)

## See

* Marine Museum of Manitoba, Queen Avenue and Eveline Street, ☏ +1 204-482-7761, marinemuseum@mts.net. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su and holidays 10AM-6PM. One of Manitoba's Star Attractions, the Marine Museum of Manitoba contains six historic ships at the entrance to Selkirk Park. Adults $6.50, seniors (65+) $5.00, children (6-16) $3.50, family (2 adults, 2 kids) $18.00, children 5 & under free.
* Old Kildonan Presbyterian Church (PHS) and Cemetery, 2373 Main Street, ☏ +1 204-334-1591, fax: +1 204-339-0993, kpcinfo@mts.net. One of the oldest cemeteries in Manitoba, with markers dating back to 1854.
* Triple S Selkirk Fair and Rodeo, Selkirk Park, ☏ +1 204-485-4854. Fair held since 1883, to celebrate the area's agricultural history, now held annually in mid-July. Day ticket: adults $10, children $5; weekend ticket: $20/$10. (updated Jan 2018)
* Selkirk Steelers, Selkirk Recreation Complex, ☏ +1 204-482-7020, toll-free: +1-855-890-8171. Manitoba Junior Hockey League team. Adults $12, seniors $10, youth $8, children $5. (updated Jan 2018)
* Chuck the Channel Cat, On southbound Main Street next to McDonald's. Nothing says "Catfish Capital of North America" more than this 11-metre town mascot. (updated Jan 2018)
* Selkirk Lift Bridge, At the intersection of Eveline St. and Eaton Ave.. This Depression Era make-work project is one of the few remaining mechanisms of its kind. (updated Jan 2018)
* 50.1122-96.93191 Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site of Canada, # 5925 Highway 9 (7 km SW of Selkirk), ☏ +1 204-785-6050, toll-free: +1-888-773-8888, lfg.info@pc.gc.ca. History will unfold before your eyes at this restored 19th-century fort and fur trading post where costumed staff recreate the 1850s in the Red River Valley. Adult $11.90, senior $10.20, youth free. (updated May 2020)

## Do

* 50.1875-97.1251 Oak Hammock Marsh, 1 Snow Goose Bay on Hwy 220 (20 min north of Winnipeg), ☏ +1 204-467-3300, toll-free: +1-888-506-2774, fax: +1 204-467-3311, ohmic@ducks.ca. 36-km² Wildlife Management Area featuring guided tours of the restored prairie marsh, nature trails, wildlife, canoeing, snowshoe walks and interactive exhibits.

## Buy

* 50.157109-96.9011151 Selkirk Crossing Shopping Centre, 1014 Manitoba Ave. 28 stores including Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart. (updated Jan 2018)

## Eat

* Roxi's Uptown Cafe, 219 Manitoba Ave, ☏ +1 204-482-1903. M-F 7AM-10PM, Sa Su 8AM-10PM. Wide-ranging menu, including gluten-free. (updated Jan 2018)
* Ubuntu Cafe and Bakery, 806B Manitoba Avenue (in the Gaynor Family Regional Library), ☏ +1 204-785-2398. Tu-F 10:30AM-5:30PM, Sa noon-4:30PM. All goods baked in-house. Their coffee is locally roasted and sourced through fair trade practices and the beans are organically grown in a sustainable environment. (updated Jan 2018)

## Sleep

* Canalta Hotel, 1061 Manitoba Avenue, ☏ +1-204-482-7474. Pet friendly (fee), steam room, mini mart, in room Keurig coffee, kitchenettes, guest laundry, fitness centre, business centre, free breakfast, free high speed Wi-Fi, hot tub, heated indoor pool. From $145. (updated Jan 2018)
* Selkirk Inn & Conference Centre. A/C, fridge, Queen or King sized beds, kitchenettes, couch & table, free coffee, free high speed internet access, cable and two commercial-free movie channels, and a high speed computer work station. Restaurant and bar on site (updated Jan 2018)
* Lord Selkirk Hotel, 420 Main St, ☏ +1 204-785-8669. (updated Jan 2018)

## Connect

Selkirk has three community newspapers:
* The Selkirk Record
* The Selkirk Journal