Leamington
Leamington is a municipality in Essex County, Ontario, Canada. With a population of 27,595 in the Canada 2016 Census, it is the second-largest municipality in the Windsor-Essex County area (after the separated municipality of Windsor, Ontario). It includes Point Pelee, the southernmost point of mainland Canada.
Known since the 20th century as the “Tomato Capital of Canada”, it is the location of a tomato processing factory owned by Highbury-Canco; founded in 1908, the plant was owned until 2014 by the H. J. Heinz Company. Due to its location in the southernmost part of Canada, Leamington uses the motto “Sun Parlour of Canada”. In 2006, MoneySense Magazine ranked Leamington as the No. 1 best place to live in Canada.
Leamington was incorporated as a village in 1876, but by 1869, the European-Canadian settlement already had a population of 350.[6] The community was named after Royal Leamington Spa in England, after having originally been called “Gainesville” or “Gainesborough” for local mill owner William Gaines, and before that, Wilkinson Corners.
According to the Canada 2016 Census there were 27,595 people living in Leamington. The Leamington Census agglomeration (metro area) includes Kingsville. Leamington is the most populous urban centre on the Canadian side of Lake Erie, with a slightly larger population than both Fort Erie and Port Colborne. Migrant workers, mostly Mexican and Caribbean seasonal labourers, annually arrive in the region to work in Leamington’s greenhouses and farms. Several Mexican and Jamaican shops and a Mexican consulate have opened to serve the migrants.
Tourism contributes significantly to the economy, and the city has many attractions. Its attractions include cycle paths along the lake and the nearby Point Pelee National Park. It is a major site for migrating birds, especially in the autumn. As such, it plays host to many birdwatchers from Canada, the United States, and around the world. The region is also known for the migration of monarch butterflies, which congregate in the fall at Point Pelee before making their way across Lake Erie on their route to winter quarters in central Mexico.
Another important natural area near Leamington is the wetland at Hillman Marsh, located six kilometres east of the town.
Leamington has a large and modern marina, as many people enjoy sailing and other water sports.
The town’s water tower, visible for kilometres in the flat southern Ontario landscape, is in the shape and colour of a giant tomato. The tourist information booth in the centre of town is shaped like a large fiberglass tomato.Celebrating its position as an agricultural powerhouse and its heritage as the H. J. Heinz Company’s centre for processing “red goods,” the city hosts a “Tomato Festival” each August, as a kickoff of the tomato-harvesting season. Car shows, beauty pageants, parades, and a fair are featured at the festival.
Leamington has several parks including Seacliff Park, the Marina Park, Mersea Park and Garrison Gardens, Henry Park, and Chestnut Park.
As noted, Point Pelee National Park contains the southernmost point on mainland Canada and draws thousands of visitors annually. It is on a flyway of migrating birds and one of the largest annual migrations of monarch butterflies.
Leamington has a variety of transportation. Transportation around the city is offered by the Leamington Transit bus system. The city has a small private airport located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the east of town. The town is also connected to the provincial highway network by Highway 3 (to Windsor), and Highway 77 (to Highway 401).
A rail line that Heinz built from its plant to the harbour has been converted to a bicycle path going from the middle of town to the Marina. Popular with tourists and day visitors, two ferries, (MV Jiimaan and MV Pelee Islander) owned by the Owen Sound Transportation Company run on a regularly scheduled seasonal basis from Leamington to Pelee Island.
Elementary Schools
Leamington has five public elementary schools, Margaret D. Bennie, Queen Elizabeth, Gore Hill, Mount Carmel – Blytheswood Public School and East Mersea. Leamington has two Catholic elementary schools: Cardinal Carter Middle School and Saint Louis. Leamington also has one French speaking Catholic School, St. Michel. South Shore Christian School is a private elementary school located in Leamington. Leamington has two main school boards, the Greater Essex County District School Board and the Windsor-Essex Catholic School Board.
Secondary Schools
Leamington has three secondary schools: Leamington District Secondary School (LDSS); Cardinal Carter Catholic High School (Leamington), and U.M.E.I (United Mennonite Education Institute).
