Posted from the Daily Graphic July 14 2008

Why demolish the racetrack and grandstand?

During the Sunday evening entertainment at the Portage Industrial Exhibition, I climbed to the upper reaches of the grandstand without any fear of the structure collapsing or crumbling as was indicated by the elected officials.

There were many other folks who did not think it was a hazard to be there. The grandstand is not as creaky as was professed to us citizens of the city and the rural municipality of Portage.

I scanned the scene from the east through the south and to the west and observed what a beautiful oval track we have and the serenity and peace surrounding it. I imprinted this scene in my mind because, in five years’ time, I’ll see a huge complex without the track and the grandstand and the sadness I have to bear forever. I stepped down from the stand, took one last look around, and, with a tear or two, walked out dazed and broken hearted.

Citizens of the city, please go there anytime and view for yourself what I had just witnessed. Your hearts would be affected the same as did mine.

Henry I. Romance

Portage la Prairie