Transcona

Transcona is a neighbourhood in Winnipeg, Manitoba, located about 6 miles (10 km) east of the downtown area. Until 1972 it was a separate municipality, having been incorporated first as the Town of Transcona in 1912 and as the City of Transcona in 1967. It is primarily a working class residential suburb with some light industry.

Transcona was founded in 1909 as the site of the repair shops for the Grand Trunk Pacific and National Transcontinental Railways. Its name is derived from combining Transcontinental with Strathcona, the name of Donald Smith, Lord Strathcona, a former Manitoban who was instrumental in building Canada's first railway. Today the successor to these railways, Canadian National Railway, is still a major employer in the community. CNR 2747 a Class N-5-c, 2-8-0 steam locomotive on display at the corner of Plessis Road and Kildare Ave. in the Kiwanis Park courtesy of the Winnipeg Railway Museum. The locomotive is the first steam locomotive built totally in the west at CNR Transcona Shops in 1926.

Transcona is home to 30,255 residents as of the 2001 census (source Statistics Canada) and is continuing to expand. Though the majority of the area consists of houses built several decades ago, there are newer developments located in the east and northwest sections of the community including Canterbury Park, Kildonan Meadows, Lakeside Meadows and Mission Gardens. Transcona's future development is limited by the presence of the Red River Floodway and the Perimeter Highway located immediately to the east of the built-up area.

Three major community clubs and two indoor arenas can be found within the neighbourhood. Park City West, Oxford Heights, and East End Community Clubs organize a variety of recreational activities, while East End and Roland Michener arenas host most on-ice activities.

The neighbourhood is peppered with several elementary and middle schools, and 3 high schools; Transcona Collegiate Institute (TCI), Murdoch MacKay Collegiate, and the French-immersion Collège Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau--the first public building named after the former Prime Minister.

The neighbourhood has produced several minor celebrities, including sports commentator Rod Black, former MuchMusic on-air personality Bradford How and Paris Hilton look-alike Natalie Reid, as well as athletes Terry Fox and Olympic speed skater Susan Auch.

Transcona is also the home of Football Manitoba sports team the Transcona Nationals which has age groups ranging from 7 all the way to 21.

It is represented in the Canadian House of Commons by Bill Blaikie of the social democratic New Democratic Party and in the Manitoba Legislature by Daryl Reid, also of the NDP.

Important Dates In Transcona's History

1907 - Canadian Pacific builds railway through district.

1908 - Grand Trunk Pacific decides on Transcona as location for railway shops and buys 800 acres (3.2 km²) of land. Name of Transcona adopted for future town.

1909 - Hanley Quinlan and Robertson start work on excavation for the foundation of the new shops.

1910 - On January 1 the first steel pillar raised in new shop building, And Post Office opened.

1911 - On February 10th the first Board of Trade organized.

1912 - On April 6th the Town of Transcona receives its charter, and on November 12th Municipal offices and Fire Hall opened for Public Inspection. The first electric light and power installed from Point du Bois. Central School officially opened.

1913 - On January 18th C.N.R. shops opened, on April 10th Mayor Transcona presents Morley Donaldson, Vice-President of G.T.P., with golden key as memento of shop opening. C.P.R. builds grain elevator and opens yards.

1914 - Sewage system installed.

1915-1918 - C.N.R. shops engaged in manufacture of munitions.

1918 - Shoal Lake water connection for Town. Transcona athletic organization.

1919 - Biggest Sports field in Transcona's history held.

1921 - Transcona's building permits reach all time record of $151,000.

1926 - First locomotive built in C.N.R. shops.

1929 - New Post Office built

1930 - Transcona Horticultural Society organized

2006 - Transcona Classics sports franchise wins Division 16 Men's Sponge Hockey Title

2007 - Transcona Classics sports franchise wins Division 5, C Side Co-Ed Slowpitch Title in the Kildonan Slowpitch League

2008 - Transcona Classics founding member, Brent Differ, leaves the franchise to pursue other interests

• Still More To Be Added*

References

1989: Kien Dang is elected Mayor of Transcona