Thompson

Thompson, a city North of 53 in Manitoba, the largest city in northern Manitoba, and the third largest in the province. With a population of about 13,000 (2016), Thompson is the hub of the north. About 35% of the population is Indigenous.

Understand
The modern history of Thompson began in 1956 when a major ore body was discovered. The community was founded in 1957 following an agreement with the Government of Manitoba and Inco Limited. Thompson is a planned community and is named after Inco's chairman, John F. Thompson. The population has been estimated as high as 26,000 residents prior to the recession in the 1970s.

Thompson came to be known as "The Hub of the North", as it functions as a centre for politics and commerce in the region. However a decline in population occurred during the following decades, levelling off around 13,000 people.

Its most prominent local industry is the mining, milling, smelting and refining of nickel. Aside from Vale Ltd., Manitoba Hydro, Calm Air, MTS and the provincial government employ the majority of the people in Thompson.

Climate
Thompson is marked by a subarctic climate. Monthly means range from −23.9 °C (−11.0 °F) in January to 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) in July. Though a majority of the annual precipitation of 509 millimetres (20.0 in) falls from June to September, winter is by no means devoid of precipitation. Snow falls mainly from October to May, with generally small accumulation in June and September, totalling 187 centimetres (74 in) per year.

By car
Thompson is 761 km from Winnipeg via Highway 6, 384 km from Flin Flon via Highway 6, 10 and 39. From the Minnesota/Manitoba border via Highway 6, 101 and 75, it's 870 km.

By bus

 * Service to Thompson from Winnipeg (9.5 hours away) including a stop in Cedar Grove (4.5 hours away). Operates two days per week. Same day transfer available at Cedar Grove for travel to and from The Pas and Flin Flon.  Travel time to Thompson from The Pas is 7.5 hours and from Flin Flon is 9.5 hours.

By public transit
Thompson's public transit service is provided by Grey Goose Bus Lines. There is also one designated handivan, Thompson Handivan Service. There are 2 regular routes, Eastwood and Westwood, and an overload bus for before and after school service for R.D. Parker Collegiate. Hours of operation are M-Th 7:30AM-6:10PM, F 7:30AM-9:10PM, Sa 11AM-6:10PM, no Sunday service.

Thompson Transit operates two bus routes, which meet up at the Plaza Mall and Southwood as transfer points.
 * The Eastwood route stops at Plaza Shopping Centre (transfer point), City Centre Mall, Eastwood School, Princeton Towers, Highland Tower, Thompson General Hospital, Southwood (transfer point) and Wal-Mart.
 * The Westwood route stops at Plaza Shopping Centre (transfer point), Burntwood School, Norplex Pool, Southwood (transfer point) and R. D. Parker Collegiate.

By taxi
Taxi service is provided by: Driftwood-Nickel City, North Star Taxi , and Thompson Cabs.

The Spirit Way Walkway
The Spirit Way Walkway highlights 16 points of interest with historical, cultural, geological, industrial, artistic, and scenic perspectives.

Do
Take a brisk walk downtown past the post office, the liquor mart and the homeless shelter. See some of Manitoba's finest in action.



Buy
Thompson has a large retail sector, providing such things as clothing for all ages, a pet store, jewellery stores, travel agencies, vehicle dealerships, and grocery stores.

Connect
The local newspaper, the Thompson Citizen, is published on Wednesdays. A free newspaper, the Nickel Belt News, is distributed on Fridays.

Stay healthy
is in the southern part of the city.

Go next

 * Kwasitchewan Falls
 * Continue by train or car east to Gillam