Posted from the Daily Graphic July 10 2008

A presentation was made to council on behalf of the citizens of Portage who are opposed to the location of the planned multiplex on Island Park.

A petition of approximately 1,300 names, hastily put together, as well as e-mails with personal comments was presented to the council. In addition, a rally of some 200 sign-bearing supporters gathered in front of city hall to make their voices heard. Unfor-tunately, no one from council saw fit to address the crowd.

Council (specifically the mayor and two of the members) were adamant in their refusal to change the location of the multiplex. The reasons given were pretty flimsy, and were backed by a threat to abolish the project altogether. Anyone who has been following the plan for a water park in Winni-peg cannot fail to see the same dynamics in effect.

Once again, it is big egos and big bucks running roughshod over the insignificant little people.

Criticism by the mayor of that particular location was to the effect outsiders would fail to see our beautiful Island Park, and also the local businesses would lose out. Does that sound like enough reason to disregard that location, when so many other factors come into play?

Indeed, we would be most happy to welcome visitors to enjoy the complex events from time to time. But what about our own regular daily participants? What is in their best interests? Or is the main purpose of the complex to accommodate out-of-town attractions at whatever the cost, people who would be totally unaware and even disinterested in the detrimental effect the Island location would cause.

The mayor called on the engineer to support his declaration that a delay would increase costs 10-20 per cent. No indication was given as to the reason, except for the fact tenders would have to be delayed. Neither was it explained what major changes would be required in order for the project to proceed at a different location. We assume each proposed location had already been thoroughly examined as to suitability.

The mayor declared he had a few calls opposing the location, and invited anyone wishing to do so to call him. It is my hope that many of you will take him up on it.

Mary Kohut

Portage la Prairie