Both the City and RM councils have indicated that their commitments of 16 million and 8 million will max out their borrowing limits.

This sounds like someone who maxes out their credit card to pay for a luxury item like a new car. If something happens in the near future and they have no way to pay for it…tough luck I guess.

It is rumored that the City will transfer money that is currently earmarked for other projects over the next few years to be allocated to the sportsplex fund.

Are Portagers willing to give up having their street or sidewalk repaired or watch other services decline so that they can have a new hockey rink and swimming pool?

What happens in the RM if we have some type of natural disaster that requires immediate actions. While provincial funding kicks in at a certain point, is there enough money in reserve to look after the RM? The wind storm that cost millions of dollars damage in the Red River valley is but one recent example of what can happen.

Since some people say we need this facility to attract more businesses to the City / RM, what happens if this is true? If there is another McCains/Simplot project coming to town is there any money to provide them with services?

Is there any money to upgrade Portage’s sewer system to meet future regulations to protect the Lake Winnipeg watershed?

Are the City and RM councils leveraging everything we have for the glory of standing and smiling at a ribbon cutting ceremony in 2010?

But if any of these thing worst case scenarios happen, they can always just raise taxes I guess.

What do you think?

There are many people upset or have serious concerns about the chosen location for the proposed multiplex.
While many are happy to see the jewel of the city further developed to make more use of island, there seems to be many others who want the to save the island as the jewel of the city and do not want it spoilt by this developement.

There are also questions asked about why the location was listed so far down the preferred locations list by the original feasibility study but surfaced as the prime location once the committee was done with the report.

There are also questions asked about the momorandum of understanding, what the true cost of the property will be over the 99 year lease and how the current shareholders of the Portage Fair Board may benefit.

With the extra costs of a temporay causeway plus bridge repairs that will only last 5 years, what is the long term cost going to be for a new bridge or a possible second access to the island.

What about traffic concerns for residents on Crescent Road or Royal Road that will have hundreds of extra vehicles a day travel through residential streets, or the traffic jam after a large event held at the Multiplex ? How will this affect the property values of houses located in the heavy traffic zones of Royal Road / Tupper Street during construction and after the complex is completed.

Everybody has an opinion on this, let’s hear yours below.

You can also vote in the poll on the right hand side of the homepage