Residents of Ste. Agathe didn’t let a little rainy weather put a damper on their spirits on Thursday, September 11. Instead of meeting outdoors, as planned, they gathered at the community centre for an evening barbecue and official grand opening of the town’s boat launch and floating dock park.

Hosting the event were Ste. Agathe Community Development Inc. (CDI) directors Shaun Crew and Joel Gagnon. They were joined by a host of invited guests, including MLA Ron Schuler, Craig Tomlinson on behalf of MP Ted Falk, and Madeleine Arbez, executive director of the CDEM.

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the newly installed boat launch signage, dedicated to the late Jeannot Robert, a longtime Ste. Agathe resident and community champion, as well as CDI member and Ritchot councillor.

There to perform the unveiling were Robert’s daughter Yvonne and sons Alain and Marco. Speaking on behalf of the Robert family was Jeannot’s granddaughter, Rheanne.

“My grandfather loved this community deeply, cared for its people like family, and found joy in seeing it grow and flourish,” Rheanne said. “[His] legacy is why four generations of his family proudly call this town home.”

Crew also offered remarks.

“Tonight we gather as a community to officially open one of the only publicly accessible, safe boat launches between the U.S. border and the city of Winnipeg,” Crew said.

The boat launch first became a community dream in 2003. Following the flood of 1997, however, the engineering stamps and feasibility studies required by the province made this riverside project feel daunting.

The dream was resurrected in 2018 when a boat launch committee joined forces with the local CDI. After much work, they were able to convince the province that it could be done without impacting the integrity of the riverbank too drastically. Permission was granted in 2020.

Grants were obtained through a variety of federal and provincial government initiatives, Manitoba Hydro, the Red River Basin project, the RM of Ritchot, CDEM, and AMBM.

Crew says that the overall cost of the boat launch project came to just under $700,000. For perspective, the original cost of the Ste. Agathe Bridge in the 1960s came to around $640,000.

Joel Gagnon and MLA Schuler made honourable mention of Crew’s efforts regarding this project from the time it began right through to its completion.

Deputy mayor Shane Pelletier also took the podium to bring words of congratulations on behalf of Ritchot’s council.

Many years ago, Pelletier said, it was at this boat dock location where he first learned to water ski.

“There’s been a lot of passion from this town to make this happen,” said Pelletier. “I’ve been a big believer in it from day one. The river that runs through our municipality has been a wasted resource for a long time and it’s nice to use it again.”

Having worked alongside Robert on council, Pelletier recalled his incredible dedication to the community of Ste. Agathe. He recognized even then that projects like the boat launch initiative are what help a community grow and give families a feeling of belonging.

Local resident Guy Gagnon closed the evening with a benediction on behalf of Abbè Gabriel Levesque, priest of the Ste. Agathe Parish.

“Help us to be thankful and respectful of this special meeting place in Ste. Agathe,” Gagnon prayed. “May the Manitoba winter winds be fair, the currents of the Red River be gentle, and may your spiritual hand guide the boats and their passengers away from all danger and bring them back safely home. Amen.”

Attendees were treated to burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream on behalf of the Ste. Agathe CDI.