It is interesting to note that at the RM Council Meeting on February 24 2009 Warren Neufeld of CFRY and the Portage Recreation Committee made a presentation regarding Round 2. They only raised 410,000 from 18 businesses rather than the 800,000 plus they were expecting.
It was too bad the Reeve was more worried about bragging about his Round 3 contribution than he was asking about why they were over 50% short in their fundraising goal.
Too much hype, not enough substance. I guess that is why the current poll on the Daily Graphic website shows over 75% will not be donating to the project.
Good luck to the ladies of Round 3……They will need it.
From The Portage la Prairie daily Graphic March 2 2009
Phase-3 fundraising for the PCU Centre, which will see individuals targeted, is set for an April kick-off.
Getting ready to solicit funding from the general public is a big task, and volunteers who will be doing the fundraising want to be absolutely prepared, capital campaign co-ordinator Roberta Christianson said.
“We just want to be really ready to go,” she noted.
Right now, the process involves a lot of planning and getting printed material ready to distribute at what Christianson described as the “optimum time,” being spring.
With Phase-2 of fundraising just about completed, which involves the final details being worked out and passing City of Portage la Prairie and Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie council’s approval, the release of the final tally is expected shortly.
Phase-2 involved approaching local businesses and offering them the opportunity for naming rights for components of the building currently under construction at Island Park. It is expected to raise between $800,000-$1 million for the project.
Phase-1, which saw initial naming rights sold off, raised $1.1 million.
Christianson said Phase-3 could always use volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 239-8324.
The fundraising co-chair, along with Jody Fletcher, also mentioned people need not wait for the Phase-3 fundraising to kick off to donate money. To donate immediately, call the same number as volunteering.