July 2009

The Portage Regional Recreational Authority (PRRA) is one step closer to actuality, as both the city and the RM councils have passed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to join forces on Tuesday.

The PRRA was one of a grab bag of issues dealt with at a special city council meeting over the noon hour. “It seemed very opportune to do it all at once,” said Coun. Dave Quinn. “Rather than dealing with 20 separate agreements, it was easier to deal with (them all at once).”

In the MOU, the city amends several existing agreements with the RM as part of a joint approach to ensure the RM will remain on board for the new PCU centre and the freshly formed PRRA.

These concessions include not charging the Portage RM for fire inspections, taking over sewer and water line maintenance for some portions of the RM, and providing two-thirds of the funding for the Fort la Reine Museum, approximately $40,000 annually. The estimated total of these amendments is $60,000.

According to the MOU, the RM will pay for 25 per cent of the annual operation costs associated with the city and RM’s recreation facilities, while the city covers 75 per cent.

Quinn said the yearly recreation operating deficit should run around the $1-$1.2 million range, and the $60,000 will be basically taken off of the RM’s portion. This would mean the RM is on the hook for $190,000-$240,000 annually for recreation expenses while the city covers the rest.

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