Altona & District Chamber of Commerce

The Oasis of the Prairies: Altona

	The Oasis of the Prairies: Altona

Looking for an oasis in the prairies? Altona, conveniently located just an hour outside of Winnipeg and 10 minutes from the US border is home to 3,900 residents. Altona is that oasis! This town provides a lifestyle that is simply second to none.

Coming into Altona, the Sunflower Capital of Canada, one is welcomed by the giant Vincent Van Gogh sunflower painting which signifies the importance of agriculture to the area. Van Gogh saw the sunflower as a sign of life and hope and this is what this community thrives on.

Quality of life is offered in a tranquil setting where children can play safely and families can take an evening bike ride on the multi-use trail system or stroll the mature tree lined streets.

Altona has many of the amenities of a city but has the heart and soul only a community like Altona can create. Affordable housing with large lots and a low unemployment rate are attracting young families to the area.

Excellent employment opportunities exist in this community which is home to head offices for Friesens Corporation, Golden West Broadcasting, Loewen Manufacturing, Red River Valley Mutual Insurance, Bunge and many other businesses.

Living in Altona means a positive change in lifestyle where there is more time to enjoy and live life to its fullest rather than simply speeding through time in a rush. Imagine a five minute bike ride, or a 10 minute walk or a two minute drive to work.

The recreational facilities in Altona far surpass what one would expect in any small town. Altona’s latest development features a 75,000 sq. ft. multi-use recreation facility which features an ice rink, curling rink and a running/walking track on the mezzanine.

The beautiful Centennial Park with trees and vast green spaces is home to the 7000 square foot Aquatic Park which features a 133 foot waterslide, a smaller kiddies’ slide, beach volleyball, Junior Olympic pool, wading pool and a play area with sprinklers and water canons. The Park also features four ball diamonds, two tennis courts, an outdoor concert stage, serviced campsites, a brightly colored safe playground for children, and an eight foot wide asphalt multi-purpose trail that runs through southern Manitoba’s prettiest park and around town connecting to the Trans Canada Trail.

The Oakview Golf Club located just a short distance South of Altona features a challenging 9-hole golf course complete with water and sand hazards.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Buffalo Creek Nature Park which provides a variety of educational and recreational opportunities for all ages through all seasons. Together the contrast of “natural” zones (lake, wetlands, tall grass prairie) with additions like the field house, lighting, bridge, boardwalk and rock shoreline produce a unique experience in the Pembina Valley region. Summer activities include catch and release fishing, bird watching and nature walks. In winter, the lake doubles as a skating area along with a huge hill that screams for toboggan and snowboards.

A professional venue for music, drama and the performing arts located in Gretna (just 10 kilometers outside of Altona) is said to be one of the best small halls in Western Canada with great acoustics, professional sound lighting systems in this 470 seat facility.

Altona hosts the Manitoba Sunflower Festival annually on the last weekend of July and attracts thousands of visitors to the area for entertainment, great family events, the Legends Car Show, Motocross races and more.

Altona….the hidden jewel in Southern Manitoba. For more information visit www.townofaltona.com or www.shopaltona.com.