History

The lake was proposed to alleviate annual spring runoff and flooding problems in South Transcona. For many years the residents of South Transcona had endured annual spring flooding. After the Great Flood of 1997, funding was available to rectify to flooding problem. Construction on the lake began in the Fall of 1997 and concluded in the Spring of 1998, funded jointly provided by the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. Total cost of the project: $3.5 million. Water levels are controlled using a damming system at the entrance of the lake and a pumping station which lowers water levels.

Water Ski Wakeboard Manitoba provided technical assistance on the dimensions and specifications of the lake to be used as a world class water ski facility. Construction concluded with the intention of the lake to be used for water skiing.

Water Ski Wakeboard Manitoba leases the lake from the City of Winnipeg for the sole purpose of operating a water ski facility. Development of the lake into a water skiing facility is the sole responsibility of Water Ski Wakeboard Manitoba. The site has been built with countless volunteer hours by Water Ski Wakeboard Manitoba members, friends and families.

Site Programming

The site hosts Learn to Ski clinics, Learn to Wakeboard clinics, volunteer ski nights, walk-up member skiing/wakeboarding, as well as Dragon boat races. Planning continues to ensure that Water Ski - Wakeboard Manitoba offers the best programs while at the same time meets the needs of the members and community.

Past seasons at the site have seen some exciting events like these:

• 1999 Pan Am Games
• 2004 Western Canadian Championships
• 2005 Canadian National Championships
• 2007 Canadian National Adaptive Championships
• 2008 Western Canadian Water Ski Championships
• Annual Provincial Championships