From the Portage Daily Graphic
After months of debate at city hall and in coffee shops throughout Portage la Prairie, preliminary work has gotten underway on the construction of the PCU Centre.
A trailer has been set up at the location acting as the site office, construction crews have been busy building a safety fence around the 8.5 hectares of construction site, and the official sod-turning ceremony is scheduled for Monday.
“We’re really looking forward to this, for the community,” explained Portage Mayor Ken Brennan. “We know that the community has been waiting for this for decades, and it’s going to feel real good on Monday when we finally get this thing going.”
Officials from the federal, provincial and both municipal governments will be on hand at the ceremony to discuss their financial contributions to the project.
As well as the government funding, $3-$4 million of the $35.7 million the new multiplex is projected to cost will be provided by fundraising efforts from the Portage Recreation Committee (PRC).
The PRC will embark on the second of three fundraising phases this September. The second phase will see the PRC canvassing businesses, foundations and other organizations in the community for donations.
“The reason we didn’t do much through the summer, is because it’s just a lousy time to try and get people together,” explained PRC co-chairman Brian Gilbert. “Everybody is on holidays and businesses are under pressure because of staff shortages.
“By the time September hits everybody is kind of back down to a schedule and structure, and it’s a little easier to sit down and talk to these guys.”
The third and final fundraising effort will be started by the end of the year, and will involve going out into the community and asking individuals to donate money for the project, a feat that could prove to be difficult according to a recent unofficial web poll conducted by The Daily Graphic on its website, thedailygraphic.com.
The poll showed 93 per cent of those who responded would not contribute personally to the project, a fact that doesn’t concern Gilbert.
“I’m confident we’ll raise the money we need,” he said.