By Norm Picard

From The Portage Daily Graphic

The new proposed multiplex for the City and Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie does sound like a very entertaining proposal. Hopefully, it will be built to standards that would attract large scale completions such as provincial and Canadian swimming and diving meets. Perhaps Canadian and World Junior Hockey Championships, and even year-round provincial and

Canadian track and field competitions.

As I sit here and peruse the colourful brochure put out by the City of Portage and the RM, that is what I envision.

Unfortunately, what has transpired over the past months my vision is becoming obscure and hazy. Is this just a “Field of Dreams”? It may just be that.

It certainly would be nice for a small city such as Portage la Prairie to have a big city complex. But are we approaching this with big city ideas and small town planning?

Because of municipal blundering (this is not the first time) and poor planning by the city, this project is already being downgraded to the point where the city will have a very nice community complex for its citizens, but will be unable to entertain large-scale competitions to help pay for the complex and bring money into the community and businesses.

Another interesting aspect to add to the bizarre is why are we building this complex on land the city does not own and, therefore, will have to pay a lease forever and a day> Also, why build it on an old river bed where we can not find bedrock to build on? At this time, there is no proper access to the site; a causeway will have to be built off residential streets.

It has become apparent that land was available at very reasonable prices and in proximity to hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. Are we missing part of the puzzle?

As President George W. Bush said in his farewell speech. Maybe we are “misunderestimating” your capabilities as a true council body.

Are taxpayers going to become the carriers of of a multi-million-dollar mortgage?

Planning and going ahead without proper planning and and not looking at the possible consequences can be destructive. Let’s not burden taxpayers with the consequence of poor planning, blundering or foresight in this venture.