Needs $6.2 million for its commitment to the multiplex project

Posted By Angela Brown, The Daily Graphic

Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie’s multiplex borrowing bylaw passed first reading at Tuesday’s council meeting despite opposition from some ratepayers.

About 40 people filled up the council chambers to hear the results of the vote.

First reading of the bylaw was carried 7-1, with Coun. Bill Alford voting against. The bylaw would allow the RM to borrow up to $6.2 million to cover its $8-million commitment to the new PCU Centre project.

To date, the RM has contributed about $1.8 million to the project from its reserve funds. That money went toward concrete pilings and foundation costs.

The new bylaw replaces a local improvement plan struck down by the Court of Queen’s Bench in December, which allowed the RM to borrow up to $8 million for its share of the $35.7-million project currently under construction at the Portage fairgrounds on the Island.

The new bylaw will now go to the Manitoba Municipal Board for approval before it is given second and third reading by council. The bylaw can proceed without a public hearing if approved by the MMB.

RM resident Kam Blight made a presentation to council asking for the bylaw to be tabled until the ratepayers have received more information.

“How can you vote on a bylaw without discussing it with the ratepayers?” he said to council.

Trimble said the multiplex project needs to proceed to meet specific deadlines.

“We’re in the middle of the project and there are time restraints, so we felt we should go ahead,” Trimble said following the meeting.

“At our last council meeting, we instructed our CAO to put the borrowing bylaw together to come to council at this meeting. So, it was done and we gave it first reading,” Trimble said following the RM meeting Tuesday.