Community Information

EMPLOYMENT

Employment in the area consists mainly in the forestry and mining industry. There are a number of small mines in and around the Matheson area. The forestry industry in the area is quite active as Matheson has a secondary highway leading to the Province of Quebec which opens a large geographical area suitable for timber and mining development.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

The quality of life available in Black River-Matheson is superior. This is a wonderful place to visit and an even better place to live and raise a family. If you are planning a trip north, be sure to see for yourself all that Black River-Matheson has to offer.
Matheson provides the greatest variety of goods and services of the four town sites. It is also the administrative centre for the Township of Black River-Matheson. As the administrative centre, the Town of Matheson houses the township offices including the Public Works facilities. Local business occupations are involved primarily in small businesses such as: a drug store with Pharmacy, two banks, grocery store, two convenience stores, a gifts and sundries store, hardware store, a feed supplies store, two service stations, two auto parts outlets, hotel, restaurants, liquor store, museum, a number of mining, logging, lumbering and farming operations and a beautiful golf course all help to create a sense of community pride amongst our residents. A number of Accountants and a law firm also provide professional services. Matheson also has an active Chamber of Commerce. Access to post-secondary and continuing education courses are offered through Contact North site and a satellite outreach campus of Northern College. Travelling from Matheson is conveniently arranged at the local train and bus station. Air travel is available via the airport in Timmins.

In the Township, we are fortunate in having several active Equestrian facilities. Camp Munro provides cottages and facilities for the mentally challenged. The facilities are also available to rent for local functions. A scout camp is also supported in the Township. The Perry Lake Wilderness Lodge provides a scenic resort location with outfitting facilities. There are also two nearby Provincial parks at Kettle Lakes and Esker Lakes.
There are numerous outdoor recreational opportunities for the hunting and fishing enthusiasts, as well as numerous winter activities that include hockey, skating and snowmobiling on some of the finest skidoo trails in Ontario. If you enjoy being out in the woods surrounded by trees and snow, the Township has some of the best groomed trails in the north - great for riding with family and friends. With more than 250km of trails between our three Snowmobiling clubs, you'll have to come and see it and experience the ride for yourself. The feedback we get from our riders is always positive and the best we've heard is that our trails are like a "snow highway".

ETHNIC GROUPS

The Township contains a mixture of people whose ancestors were immigrants from the British Isles, Francophone's, other European countries and the United States. The community has been enriched with the recent influx of a number of citizens of Asian ancestry. There is also a first nations reserve about 40 km east of Matheson.

SCHOOLS

There is one English-public school centrally located in the Town of Matheson. Both town sites of Ramore (16km) and Val Gagne (10km) each have a French-separate school. There is a secondary school in Iroquois Falls (35km) that houses two distinct secondary schools one English and one French with bussing available for residents of Black River - Matheson. Post-secondary education is available through Northern College with campuses located in Porcupine and Kirkland Lake. An early childhood education program is also available at the Matheson Public Library.

HOSPITALS/MEDICAL FACILITIES

There is a hospital in Matheson that provides 24-hour emergency care, eleven (11) active care beds, six (6) chronic and twenty (20) extended care beds. The hospital also provides for administration of chemotherapy, video consultation with specialists via North Network and hosts visiting specialists in obstetrics, gynaecology, surgery, internal medicine, urology, orthopaedic and gastro-entomology. The hospital has on-site laboratory, radiology and physiotherapy departments. Two full-time doctors support the population with offices located in the hospital. Land ambulances staffed by paramedics are on site and air ambulance services are available when needed. The hospital also contains a satellite office of the Porcupine Health Unit. A Chiropractor has an office in the town of Matheson and practices two days per week.

CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Matheson has a curling club and an indoor arena facility which offers several programs such as hockey, figure skating and public skating. The Township also supports outdoor arenas in each of the town sites. World-class snowmobile trails abound in the Township and are used by locals as well as tourists and visitors from many parts of Canada and the US. Volleyball and softball are available with organized teams for both children and adults. Other clubs or groups include: a dart league, a snowmobile club, the Matheson Family Lodge, the Agricultural Society (that sponsors an annual fall fair), a Rotary Club, a Library in Matheson and Ramore, and a state-of –the-art museum. Other outdoor activities include hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Matheson also has an excellent golf course with a driving range and a clubhouse. Canada day celebrations have become a special community event with wide public participation. Cable and satellite television is available. High speed Internet is available in the town of Matheson.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

The rising price of gold has spurred a number of major mining exploration programs and the expansion of existing mining operations in the township. There is a strong possibility that new mines may open in the area.

CHURCHES

United, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Gospel Hall, Jehovah Witness, Pentecostal

Created on 01/31/2005 01:28 PM by verdon
Updated on 09/28/2007 10:49 AM by admin