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Community FAQ

Q:   What facilities are going to be contained in the new PCU Centre?
A:   Facilities included in the new PCU Centre will include:

• two ice surfaces, (second, smaller arena is Phase 2) the main arena with a seating capacity of approx. 1700 and the ability to increase this to around 3,000 with temporary seating as an entertainment venue
• a leisure wave pool with 6 lap lanes
• a walking track with two lanes
• community room for programming
• men's, women's & family change rooms for aquatics & fitness centre
• multi-purpose rooms and meeting rooms
• club dressing room & 7 additional dressing rooms
• fitness centre
• concessions
• storage space

Q:  What benefit will the PCU Centre be to residents of the RM?
A:  The same as it is for the residents of the city. This will be a world-class facility in a central location that will provide a venue for hockey, ringette, skating, swimming and leisure activities for everyone. The RM community is a full partner in this project, and as such will enjoy the benefits of this complex on exactly the same footing as city residents. 

Q:  Is there a fund raising group working on this project.
A:   The Portage Recreation Committee co-chaired by Brian Gilbert (857-4836) and Warren Neufeld (857-5494) are heading up this part of the process.  For more information please see the “Fundraising” link on this website.

Q:  How do you plan to deal with traffic on the bridge during large events? 
A:  The existing bridge to the island offers two lane traffic and a causeway for pedestrians.  It has proven to be sufficient access for significant events such as the Portage Ex, Potato Festival and Canada Day Celebrations.  If necessary, controlled access with security personnel may be arranged in advance for the purpose of emergency access to the island during large events at the PCU Centre.  In addition the one lane heavy vehicle causeway that is nearing completion will also provide emergency access if required.  During regular events such as Terrier games, tournaments etc. it will be business as usual with regular traffic flow. 

Q:  How much land will the PCU Centre take on the Island?
A:  Under the agreement with the Portage Ex. Board the multiplex will take up a little over 20 acres, this includes the structure, road access, walking routes and landscaping. The design will be such that the Portage Fair will still be able to locate close to its original site and the Fair board will have access to the multiplex to enhance their program.

Q:  When will construction begin and when is the estimated completion date?
A: Construction began on September 29, 2008 with completion anticipated for January, 2010 in time for Portage and area to host the 2010 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games,

Q:  Is it going to be built in phases or all at once?
A:  The second arena will be built, funds permitting, in the near future as a second phase.

Q:  Who are the people working on the design and construction of the PCU Centre and what are their backgrounds?
A:  Guenter Schaub of Tower Engineering has been retained as the Project Manager. He brings with him over 30 years of recreation and multi use facility design and building experience including Dauphin, Headingley and Thompson recreation centres. Guenter will look after our interests on the project. He will oversee the project for the RM and the City and will be the liaison between the Multiplex Committee, the design team and the contractors.

Stantec Architecture, founded in 1954 provides the professional design and consultant services for this project. They are the prime consultants for planning, engineering and architecture and bring with them a strong team with a vast amount of experience.

Ted LaBlond is the Principal-in-Charge and has extensive education and experience in recreation and leisure facility design.

Jeff Penner is the project architect and will be responsible for the overall design. He has a Master of Architecture degree; Bachelor of Environmental studies as well as many other designations. His experience covers a wide range of recreational and leisure centres with an emphasis on wellness. These two individuals will lead the team that will concentrate on the specifics of this project.

On October 9, 2007, Dominion Construction Company Inc. was appointed the construction manager of the project.

The team includes:

• Victor Davies a world renowned aquatic design consultant who has been an integral design and construction team member in over 80 aquatic facilities in England, Australia, the USA, the Orient and of course Canada. His company is on the leading edge of both design and engineering of aquatic leisure centres.
• Brian Chrisianson managing principal of Stantec’s Kamloops office is the Arena expert. He has worked on numerous Arena projects both in the USA and Canada. His latest works are the Tournament Centre in Kamloops and the MCI Sport and Event Centre in Kamloops.
• Monica Giesbrecht is the project Landscape Architect. She is committed to creating an innovative and sustainable landscape that meets today’s high environmental standards.
• Zohreh Razavi our acoustics engineer will provide high quality sound solutions that will meet the stringent noise pollution standards in two very different surroundings (water and ice).
• Richard Kula is our LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specialist and will provide the expertise that will meet or exceed the Provincial standards for environmental protection.

These are the leaders on this project and are backed up with an amazing number of team members that will provide the expertise and hands on knowledge to design a state of the art, environmentally friendly and cost efficient recreation facility.   

Q:   If I want to make a donation towards this project how would I do that?
A:   Both the Rural Municipality office and City Hall will be taking donations and will issue a receipt or you can contact any member of the Multiplex Committee, RM Council or City Council and they will make arrangements for you to donate. For more information please go to the “Fundraising” link on this website.

Q:  Are the donations tax deductible?
A:  Under the Canadian Income Tax Act municipalities can issue tax deductible donation receipts. Any funds the RM or City receive for this purpose are held in trust and the funds plus any interest earned must be spent on this project. Any cheques that come in should be made out to the municipality that there are receiving them (either the RM of Portage or the City of Portage) and marked “PCU Centre”.

Q:  Will I need a receipt with a tax number to claim a tax deduction?
A:  No. As any donation to a municipality is tax deductible the receipt you receive will be identified as coming from the municipality and will identify the donation of monies is for the PCU Centre. This will be all you need at tax time.

Q:  Will we still have a Portage Ex and where will it be?
A:  The Portage Ex. will definitely continue to build on its 135 year history in Portage la Prairie. The Portage Exhibition Board will be looking at the site to determine the exact location but it will be close to where it has always been held only there will be a lot more paved areas to walk on. The horse barns and riding area will still be in place so there will be the traditional areas blending in with some newer areas.

Q:  What will the community do without the grandstand?
A:  With the majority of the events that have taken place at the grandstand, mostly entertainment acts (Doc Walker, Street Heart to name the last two) of this size can be held in the main arena for either the Portage Ex. Show or for any other large show. The large arena will have over 1700 seats with additional temporary seating around the walking track area. This would be in a temperature controlled environment and would not be at the dictates of the weather.

Q:  What types of green building ideas are being considered for the new PCU Centre?
A:  We have an environmental building specialist and an ecologically trained landscape architect on our team. There will be heat extraction from the ice plant to heat the pool water and building. We are, where possible taking advantage of natural light where we can, to lessen the need for standard lighting, use of recycled materials especially in the concrete works, waterless toilets, timed showers, light sensors for control of room lighting and a number of other energy saving methods for the building itself. As far as landscaping there will be a retention pond for water run off from parking areas and building surfaces that will use natural filtration for removal of foreign matter before this is sent back to the lake. We are also designing the area surrounding the building in such a way that we use the natural landscape as much as possible, using the trees that are there and enhancing them with berms and such from soil we will be moving for the building. The overall plan is to provide an environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing site.

Q:  What steps are being taken to ensure the protection of the environment during the construction of the multiplex?
A:  Part of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) process, which we have silver as our minimum goal, includes environmentally friendly building practices. This means that from the planning of this complex to the opening and everything in between must be completed with due regard to the environment in which we are operating.

Q:  Will user fees increase?
A:  We do not anticipate that the fee structure will increase due to the move to the new centre, however we expect there will be cost of living adjustments to the current rates.

Q:  Why did you choose the Portage Industrial Exhibition site?
A:  There were a number of factors that both Councils took into consideration in making the decision to locate the Recreation Multiplex on the Portage Industrial Exhibition Association property. The Exhibition Association lands are on the Lake adjacent to Island Park and the golf course, in an absolutely beautiful setting. The Multiplex will be situated on a landscaped site complete with trees, shrubs and a small retention pond that will enhance the area. The ability to locate the Multiplex in such an attractive location will enhance the experience local residents and visitors get from using the recreation centre.

The Island site is ideal in that it complements existing amenities such as Splash Island, Island Park, the Fairgrounds, the Tennis Courts, the Portage Golf Course, the existing Campgrounds, the new Rotary Park Playground and the new Crescent Lake Pathway.  In addition, this site presents the opportunity to efficiently manage the operations of both Splash Island and the new Indoor Aquatic Centre proposed in the new facility.  Locating the new recreation multiplex on the Fairground property is an opportunity to further develop the Island and provide accessible recreation amenities in the heart of the community.

The fact that the Portage Industrial Exhibition property is centrally located and more accessible to all forms of transportation (vehicle, bicycle and walking) was deemed to be an advantage. With Multiplex traffic traveling into the heart of the City, there will be economic spin offs for local businesses.

The Exhibition Association agreed to enter into a deal with the RM and City to provide land for the PCU Centre. The Exhibition Association will have access to the new arena and will benefit from having an all weather facility to stage their events in. The increased usage that can be made of the arena during the summer period for fairs and agricultural events will benefit everyone.

We believe that the impact on Island Park during the summer period will be negligible. The Multiplex aquatic facility will see minimal use during the summer months with Splash Island in operation. The large arena will be used primarily during the summer for fair events that already occur on the Island and will provide an all weather facility free of dust and mosquitoes. There will be an increase in traffic during the winter months for the arena(s), during a time when Island Park and the golf course see the least amount of use.

The other site that was of a sufficient size to allow construction of the multiplex, Republic of Manitobah Park, was an option that was considered by the two Councils. However, Republic Park also had some issues, including relocation of the athletic fields and disruption of baseball and soccer programs if the Multiplex was to be built there.

When the two Councils weighed the advantages and disadvantages of both sites, in their opinion, there were many more advantages to locating this facility on the Island than in Republic Park.

Q:  How will you honour the heritages of those who have contributed to the island?
A:  The City has honored a number of individuals and groups around the City in many varied and yet respectful ways. As they are identified, and in consultation with the City Heritage Committee, any contributors to the Island’s heritage will be honoured in an appropriate way.

Q:  How will you address the safety and security issues?
A:  The existing bridge to the island offers two lane traffic and a causeway for pedestrians.  It has proven to be sufficient access for significant events such as the Portage Ex, Potato Festival and Canada Day Celebrations.  If necessary, controlled access with security personnel may be arranged in advance for the purpose of emergency access to the island during large events at the new multiplex.  In addition the one lane heavy vehicle causeway that is nearing completion will also provide emergency access if required.

The Multiplex will have a security system with the ability to restrict access to various areas of the building as required.

The Multiplex will have water sprinklers installed in the ceiling of the building for fire protection. In addition, there will be fire hydrants on site with appropriate water flows available for fire trucks to hook up to.

An emergency response plan will be created for the building that will include provision for building evacuation and emergency access.  

Q:  How will you involve our community and keep them informed?
A:  Steps the City and RM plan to take in future to keep the public informed include:

• maintaining this website with information on the Multiplex
• post current pictures of the construction site on the website
• periodic release of information to the public through the web site and press releases as tenders are awarded, fundraising targets are attained and construction updates

Some of the steps to date that the City and RM have taken to involve the community and keep everyone informed include:

• engaging Stantec to undertake a recreation needs assessment
• distributing a survey throughout the region
• presenting the results of the recreation needs assessment at a public open house on January 24, 2007
• inviting the public to an announcement on March 29, 2007 heralding the partnership of the City and RM to proceed to build a recreation multiplex
• on September 20, 2007 publicly announcing the location of the recreation multiplex on the Island on Portage Industrial Exhibition Association property
• holding a public rally on December 7, 2007 to garner support for the recreation multiplex
• inviting the media to a meeting with Premier Doer, Mayor Brennan and the Multiplex Committee  on January 31, 2008 and subsequently reporting on the Province’s $5 million commitment to the project
• on May 15, 2008 holding a public meeting to announce the Class “B” cost estimates for the project
• in addition the Daily Graphic has invited questions from the public and members of the Multiplex Committee have answered a number of those questions in the paper

Q:  Is leasing land a good idea for such a major project?
A. The Portage Industrial Exhibition Association agreed to lease the property in question but indicated that they were not interested in an outright sale. The lease between the City, RM and Portage Industrial Exhibition Association is for a 99 year period. We believe that 99 years is sufficient to provide for the likely life span of this facility.

The City and RM are confident that the lease terms with the Portage Industrial Exhibition Association, a non-profit corporation that offers entertainment and leisure services to the Portage la Prairie area, for a large parcel of land in a very attractive location, is very beneficial to all parties involved.