From the Portage Daily Graphic

Portage RM council postpones approval as final wording fussed over by lawyers

Posted By Shane Gibson, The Daily Graphic

Posted 13 hours ago

A hastily called Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie council meeting on Friday was supposed to give the proposed PCU Centre the green light to start construction — but the full gallery of citizens who came out in opposition were told the special meeting had been just as hastily cancelled.

Council had planned to approve the final agreement between the RM and City of Portage and the Portage Industrial Exhibition Association for a 99-year lease of the fairgrounds on Island Park to be used for the multiplex. The first of five tenders for the construction of the $35.7-million sports facility was also to be voted on at that short-notice meeting.

Reeve Toby Trimble explained to the roughly 16 surprised citizens in attendance the lease agreement was still in the hands of lawyers with a couple last-minute wording changes. He also said although the first tender came in within budget, council had a few wrinkles to iron out before voting on that as well.

“(The project manager) had some concerns about what was in and what was out of one of the tender packages, so he just wanted to talk to the bidder before we accepted it,” explained Trimble after the meeting.

After learning about the cancelled meeting, many of the residents voiced concerns about how much notice was given prior to the hearing.

The meeting had been advertised on the RM’s website since 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 13, fulfilling the municipal government’s requirement to give 24 hours notice of a public hearing.

Oakville area resident Dwayne Leslie questioned how fairly the RM gives public notices.

“We have to give 96 hours to come and speak (in front of council),” he noted in the council chamber. “It would be nice if you could at least give half of that to us, so we know what you’re up to.”