Please contact the Centre d’interprétation to book a campsite:
Phone: (204) 242-4374 or (204) 825-7215
Rates:
• Sites 1 & 2 – Hydro, water and sewer: $22.00/night
• Sites 3 to 6 – Hydro and water: $15.00/night
Shower available on site.
Guest wifi available upon request.
In Commemoration of the Four Labossière Pioneer Families.
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Pioneers Park is located south of Saint-Léon, near Lac Rond. In 1981, soil removed during church foundation work was used to shape this area by the lake. The land was leveled, grass was seeded, and trees were planted.
A cross surrounded by shrubs was added in tribute to the pioneers, honoring the heritage, faith, and courage passed down by our ancestors.
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Saint-Léon, located in the Bird Conservation Region 11 (Prairie Potholes), is part of the Greater Prairie Ecosystem — a landscape that attracts a remarkable variety of bird species. The region welcomes numerous migrating birds each year and is also home to many species that remain throughout the seasons.
When visiting our Interpretive Centre, be sure to stop by the Nature Calls Kiosk. There you’ll find information and photos of local birds, identification references, and a birdwatching checklist. Bring your checklist to the birding tower and see how many species you can spot!
A spotting scope is available on-site, and if you don’t have binoculars, a pair will be provided for your use.
Enjoy the beauty of our colorful fields, small lakes, and treed habitats. As you walk the trail, listen for the cheerful songs of warblers, chickadees, and vireos. This area provides essential habitat for over 100 species of songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl.
From spring to fall, you’ll likely see a variety of waterfowl on the lake, including Canvasbacks, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Pintails, Lesser Scaup, Northern Shovelers, Mallards, and many more.
Each year, we also host birding workshops led by Christian Artuso from Bird Studies Canada. These workshops — open to both beginners and seasoned birders — offer valuable guidance on identifying birds by sight and sound.
A playground is available for public use at the former school grounds. A Giant Red Adirondack Chair, part of the Bonjour Manitoba project recognizing bilingual municipalities, is located nearby at 36 Main Street in Saint-Léon.
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“Wind is the fastest-growing energy source in the world. Wind is also a resource Manitoba has in abundance, and it is putting the town of St. Leon on the environmental map as the site of the province’s first and one of Canada’s largest wind farms.” – Province of Manitoba
Saint-Léon proudly holds the title of Wind Capital of Manitoba and is home to the province’s first wind farm. Visitors are often amazed by the majestic beauty of the towering turbines—73 in total—which stand as powerful symbols of clean and renewable energy. This innovative technology generates electricity without polluting the environment or depleting natural resources.
St. Leon, Manitoba, is a farming community of approximately 120 residents located about 150 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg. The community played a key role in bringing the wind farm to life—fifty local landowners attended numerous meetings and partnered with Algonquin Power to make the project a reality.
The wind farm is situated on the Pembina Escarpment, which rises above the surrounding plains and exposes the turbines to strong prairie winds. The site is only 3 kilometres from a Manitoba Hydro transmission line and substation, providing a convenient interconnection point for supplying electricity to the grid. Its proximity to a railway line also supported efficient transportation during construction.
The St. Leon Wind Farm consists of 63 Vestas V82, 1.65-MW wind turbine generators, an arctic model built to withstand Manitoba’s winter climate. With a total installed capacity of 99 MW, the turbines span more than 93 square kilometres and produce enough electricity to power approximately 35,000 homes—an area comparable in size to the City of Brandon.
Wind resource studies and environmental assessments were conducted from 2002 to 2004. The first construction phase cost $46.1 million and included 12 turbines, access roads, and transmission lines. These turbines began producing electricity in the second quarter of 2005. After confirming financial viability, the second phase added 51 more turbines at a cost of $134 million, coming online in early 2006.
Algonquin Power holds a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement for the wind farm, expiring in 2030. Agreements with 50 local landowners provide annual compensation of $0.62 per MW generated per turbine, along with reimbursement for any crop or field damage caused during construction.
Visitors to the community can explore the Saint-Léon Interpretive Centre, which features a PowerPoint presentation, a short film produced by the Province of Manitoba, and an engaging wind energy gallery. Outside, guests can view impressive exhibits, including a 41-metre turbine blade and a nacelle shell.
Just before entering town, be sure to stop at Turbine K1—the very first turbine constructed in Manitoba. Visitors can even go inside the base of the turbine by booking an appointment (preferably one week in advance).