Arthur Jarvis, the man who designed largest roller coaster in the world at Coney Island, also designed the huge Winnipeg Beach Roller Coaster for the CPR. The wooden structure cost $45,000 to build, was 3,000 feet long and 80 feet high according to the Manitoba Free Press report. It was located at the south end of the Midway or Boardwalk. In 1924, new dips were added. It was the premier attraction partly because the wooden structure flexed as the cars careened over dips or around corners, adding to the thrill for excitable youngsters. Due to declining business and lack of maintenance, it closed in 1964 along with the midway and Pavilion, and all were dismantled in 1967.

By 1915, Beach Attractions Limited., on behalf of the CPR, had developed an amusement area near the Pavilion. It included a merry-go-round, moving picture theatre, billiards, shooting gallery and Dolly Stall. Later the midway was moved to the waterfront, across from the restaurants, amusements, and businesses on the west side of Railway Avenue, to the area previously occupied by the CPR station and rail line. Now called the Boardwalk, the midway had a restaurant, movie theatre, Penny Pitch, Shooting Gallery, Bowling Alley, Merry-Go-Round, Bumper Cars, Aeroplane Ride and Pony Rides. Every day the calliope, a mechanical steam organ, would begin playing to announce the opening of the Boardwalk. Local young people had to work the concessions for up to 12 hours, at low wages, to supplement family incomes. Unlike the summer residents, they had little time to play.

Watch rare actual footage of the Winnipeg Beach

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