First Nation's resort an ambitious effort, a great success

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The Buffalo Point Internationat Resort is an ambitious recreation initiative of the Buffalo Point First Nation. Over 20 years in the making, the multi-faceted complex has been developed into a wilderness holiday playground catering to an international clientele.

The ultimate goal, say the owners, is to develop the resort into the province's largest and most popular tourist attraction that is universally recognized as a world class facility.

Buffalo Point First Nation is located on a 1,600 hectare peninsula thrusting into Lake of the Woods in the southeastern corner of Manitoba on the Canada-U.S. border. The natural beauty of the location and abundance of wildlife, combined with an accessible location, makes it an ideal spot for a tourism resort.

The resort is geared to families wishing to enjoy the wilderness experience in comfort. Waterfront cabins are available for rent, offering comfortable homestyle accommodations. Guests have a choice of luxury and deluxe units featuring full bathrooms, equipped kitchens, satellite TV-VCR, propane barbecues, and fire pits. The luxury model also includes a two-person jacuzzi and fireplace.

For those who wish to "rough it", the resort has a 175-site RV campground with a variety of hookups.

Other facilities include a marina that resort owners boast is the most successful of its kind in the province. It offers 320 docking slips with additional overflow capacity. Expansion plans are already on the board to increase its capacity to 400.

The resort offers an impressive variety of activities that are sure to appeal to the interests of all its guests.

Avid anglers will be attracted to Buffalo Bay, which is considered by many as the best walleye fishing spot on Lake of the Woods. A fully-equipped marina has gas for both boats and vehicles as well as goceries, bait, tackle, licences and souvenirs. Guided fishing excursions can be booked through the marina. Other amenities include propane, mountain bikes, paddle boats, canoe rentals and a laundromat.

The public beach, with its fine "hourglass" sand is perfect for families with young children. Changing rooms and washrooms are located along the boardwalk, which runs parallel to the shoreline.

Nature lovers will appreciate Buffalo Point's extensive bike and hiking trails that lead you into the most beautiful wilderness settings imaginable. The peninsula abounds with wildlife, that is protected by the First Nation.

Many species of birds make their homes here. One might see great grey owls, bald eagles, and woodpeckers. In the spring and early summer months, ducks with their ducklings are seen swimming close to shore. White tail deer are so tame they will literally eat out of people's hands.

In the next few years the resort will undergo major changes with plans to build a hotel-casino complex and an 18-hole golf course. Work on the course is well underway and the back nine holes are tentaively scheduled to be open for business in the summer of 1997. The hotel-casino is now in the planning stages.

Other attractions under consideration include a cruise ship, wildlife game farm and horseback riding.