Portage la Prairie
City of Portage la Prairie
Motto: Progress
Portage la Prairie Location of Portage la Prairie in Manitoba
Coordinates: 49°58′22″N 98°17′31″W / 49.97278°N 98.29194°W / 49.97278; -98.29194Coordinates: 49°58′22″N 98°17′31″W / 49.97278°N 98.29194°W / 49.97278; -98.29194
Country	Canada
Province	Manitoba
Established	1738 (Fort La Reine)
Settled	1851 (village)
Incorporated	1880 (town) 1907 (city)
Government
- Mayor	Earl Porter
Area
- Total	24.67 km2 (9.5 sq mi)
Elevation	262 m (860 ft)
Population (2006)
- Total	12,728 (4th)
- Density	515.9/km2 (1,336.2/sq mi)
Time zone	Central Time zone (UTC-6)
Area code(s)	204
Website	www.city.portage-la-prairie.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie ( /ˈpɔrtɨdʒ lə ˈprɛərɪ/) is a city in the Central Plains Region of Manitoba, Canada. As of 2006, the population was 12,728. The area of the city was 24.67 square kilometres (9.53 sq mi). It is located approximately 70 kilometres (45 miles) west of Winnipeg and sits on the Assiniboine River, which flooded the town persistently until a diversion channel north to Lake Manitoba (the Assiniboine River Floodway) was built to divert the flood waters. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie.

According to Environment Canada, Portage la Prairie has the most sunny days in warm months in Canada.

History

The name is derived from the French word portage, which means to carry a canoe overland between waterways. In this case the "portage" was between the Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba, over la prairie.

Topography

The city became a major transportation centre due to its proximity to the river and later, the location of the main lines of the country's national railways passing through the community, all within a few hundred meters of each other. This has made Portage la Prairie one of the most ideal places for railway aficionados to view trains.

The city has an aggressive tree planting program and is known for its mature urban forest. A collection of some of the largest cottonwood trees in Canada line the west end of the main street known as Saskatchewan Avenue, and, along with many other varieties, are present throughout the city, and is also a large agricultural area.

It is also the home of former Prime Minister of Canada, Arthur Meighen; a school and an avenue are named in his honour.

Climate

Transportation

Portage la Prairie railway station is served by Via Rail with both The Canadian and Winnipeg – Churchill trains calling at the station.

The Portage la Prairie Canadian Pacific Railway Station no longer receives passenger rail service, and is operated as a museum.

The Portage La Prairie/Southport Airport is a former air force base and the primary airport in the city. The Portage La Prairie (North) Airport is a also located near Portage la Prairie and consists of a grass field.

Local media

Newspapers

• Daily newspaper, The Daily Graphic
• Weekly newspaper, Herald Leader Press.
• The Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Sun are also available.

Radio

• CFRY (AM) 920 - country music
• CFRY-FM 93.1 - country music
• CJPG-FM 96.5 - classic hits
• Rez Radio 101.7 self request

All three owned by Golden West Broadcasting.

Television

• CBWT, CBC
• CKY, CTV
• CKND, Global

Cable television is also available through MTS Ultimate TV Shaw Cable Systems.

Parks

In central Portage la Prairie, there is a peninsula known as Island Park, bounded by an oxbow lake called Crescent Lake. Every winter, the "island" has a festival of lights consisting of Christmas lights decorating a driving path around the perimeter. In addition, a highly popular winter lights parade is held. The island has an 18 hole golf course, Portage Industrial Exhibition grounds which hosts various agricultural competitions and midway, an outdoor water park, a large pen enclosure for deer, a birdcage area featuring peacocks, playgrounds, walking trails, tennis courts, a duck pond, various monuments, and an extensive arboretum. It is also the site of the new Portage Credit Union Centre; the new home of the Portage Terriers Hockey Club and an indoor water park. As well, Crescent Lake is home to flocks of migrating and nesting Canada Geese. Also not far southwest lies Spruce Woods Provincial Park and not far north lies St. Ambroise Beach Provincial Park.

Attractions

Other attractions include the world's largest Coca-Cola can. It was constructed from an old water tower and is now located beside the local Canadian Tire and Canad Inns hotel; as well as a Potato Festival each summer. It is the world strawberry capital and North American potato processing capital. Many U-pick strawberry and Saskatoon farms are within 15 minute drive by car.

The PCU Centre opened in February 2010 and features two NHL regulation size indoor arenas, one with seating capacity for 1680, as well as an indoor pool and wave pool. Fort La Reine Museum is a museum located on the east end of Portage. The original Fort la Reine was built in 1738 by the French explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes and served as his headquarters for 15 years. Today the museum is home to an array of buildings from Portage and the surrounding region and covers local prairie history from the 18th century (the period of French Exploration) to the present day. Currently there are 25 buildings open to the public and each has hundreds of artifacts on display. Some of the highlights of the museum are a railway caboose and the 1882 official rail car of Sir William Van Horne, builder of the Canadian Pacific Railway; a fully restored Ukrainian Pioneer Church; a number of houses that are more than 100 years old; a replica of Fort la Reine; a firehall with a fully restored 1931 Seagrave Fire Truck; the Old Officers Mess from the now retired Canadian Forces Base in Southport; and a school house and church built in the 1880s from West Prospect (a pioneer farming community that no longer exists).

The Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame/Museum is dedicated to the history of softball in Manitoba. It has memorabilia from 1930s to the present. It is housed in the Fort la Reine Museum in a former barracks, moved from nearby Canadian Forces Base Southport.

Portage la Prairie's City Hall is a limestone structure that was designed by Thomas Fuller, who also designed the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. It was opened in 1898 as a Dominion Post Office and became City Hall in 1960. The building was declared a historical site in 1986. On the roof is a bell which tolls for a few seconds daily at 9am, noon, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm.

There are several events held in Portage la Prairie which include the Manitoba Hydro Power Smart Island of Lights, The Portage Exhibition is held annually in July, The Portage Potato Festival is held annually in August, and Canadian Forces Day.

Military

Portage la Prairie had a military airbase south of the community known as Canadian Forces Base Portage. It was established as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during Second World War and trained thousands of pilots for military service from around the world.

In 1990, the federal government transferred the assets of the property to Southport Aerospace Centre Inc., a not-for-profit property management and development company who's goal was to successfully manage the site.

The 13th Field Battery of the 26th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery is based out of Portage la Prairie.

During the Second World War an Algerine-class minesweeper commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy was named after Portage la Prairie. The Portage was active during the war as an escort and afterwards as a training vessel. As part of the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy, in 2010, the Navy provided the city with a display on the ship that is currently located in City Hall.

Economy

A field outside Portage La Prairie

The local economy is largely dependent on agriculture and supporting industries. Portage la Prairie is also home to the McCain Foods and Simplot potato processing plants, which provide French fries for McDonalds, Wendy's, and various other commercialized restaurant chains. Viterra, previously known as Can-oat milling, one of the largest oat mills in the world, is also located in the municipality. The city has developed into a regional retail service center as large big box style stores have been recently locating on the fringes of the city. Many small towns and Native reserves use this as their primary shopping destination. Portage la Prairie is a farming city, with around 120 to 125 frost free days, and a USDA Plant Hardiness Zone of 3a. Agriculture is the city's main industry.

City issues

Problems that plague the city include auto theft and vandalism. Various programs have been created to deal with these issues with limited success.

The city is also faced with a significant housing problem. Many homes are in poor condition resulting in a negative net effect on the neighbourhoods that they are located in. As well, in-effective by-laws and their enforcement policies have in part, allowed the continuation of activities in residential neighbourhoods that further contribute to negative quality of life factors and property de-valuation. Such issues include derelict or unkempt properties, noise and activities that are inappropriate to residential areas ( autobody work, excessive amplification of music, noise disturbances by animals or people etc.), and absentee landlords. The by-law enforcement system works on a complaint base system which city officials claim is successful but which is anecdotally regarded as a failure by the affected populations. This is evidenced by recurring and on-going un-resolved problems. Housing projects, both government and private in various areas have led to significant devaluation of property in areas they are located in. As well these areas have become recognizable due to the social problems and criminal activities which radiate from them to the rest of the community.

In contrast, various new residential developments and an upsurge in renovating older homes is contributing to the improvement of housing stock in the community. All of these new housing developments are occurring on the south side of the town, on or near Crescent Lake and Garrioch Creek.

Flooding also poses an occasional problem in the rural area of Portage la Prairie especially during the spring.

In 2010 MoneySense as part of MSN's news site rated Portage La Prairie in a tie for Canada's worst city to live in, with relation to population decline.

Sports

Portage la Prairie is home to the Portage Terriers ice hockey team, who play in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, and the Central Plains Capitals [1] ice hockey team, who play in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League^{[dead link]}. Both teams play in the Portage Credit Union Centre. Portage la Prairie is the home of NHL player Arron Asham, who has played for the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers and currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Portage Terriers were also the junior home of J.P. Vigier, who played for the Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL. The Terriers also played host to Junior Lessard, who was named Canadian Junior 'A' Hockey Player of the Year while he played in Portage. He was the winner of the Hobey Baker Award, which is presented to the best player in NCAA hockey. He currently plays for the American Hockey League's San Antonio Rampage in the farm system of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. Native Portager Troy Bodie is a recent call-up to the NHL's Anaheim Ducks and was featured in a two-page photo in the "Leading Off" section of the January 25, 2010 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine.

Portage's old Centennial Arena also shared hosting duties of the 1999 World Junior Hockey Championships with Winnipeg and Selkirk.

Scenes of the hockey movie "Goon" were filmed in the Portage Credit Union Centre.

The Uniroyal/Goodrich World Junior Curling Championships were held at the Portage Curling Club in 1990. Canadian women skiped by then Cathy Overton, won bronze. The Portage Curling Club has also played host to the National Senior and Mixed Championships in Curling. It was also a longtime stop on the World Curling Tour hosting the McCain Super Spiel West drawing curling celebrities such as Jeff Stoughton, Vic Peters, Kerry Burtnyk, Ron Howard, Wayne Middaugh, Ed Werenich and others.

Portage is represented in the Manitoba Major Soccer League by the Portage Aeros in the MMSL Second Division and by the Portage United in the MMSL Fourth Division. The Portage Blaze Women's Soccer Club plays in the Second Division of the Winnipeg Women's Soccer League. Their home fields are located in the Republic of Manitobah Park in the south-east corner of the city. The park has a dozen different sized soccer pitches, many baseball/softball diamonds and a rugby pitch.

Portage used to be a popular stop on the Great Western Manitoba Harnass Racing circuit, but in 2009 the ½ mile horse race track and stands were removed to make way for the Portage Credit Union Centre, a new community centre with two arenas (one the new home of the Terriers) and a water park. The former horse race stands were known as the Pan-Am Stadium and played host to baseball during the Winnipeg Pan-Am Games in 1967.

Portage la Prairie also has a large amount of youth sports. Hockey, soccer and baseball have youth sports leagues within the city. Football is played in the Winnipeg Youth Football League with many teams of varying ages using the name Portage Pitbulls. Also there is a healthy competition between the 4 junior high schools in sports such as basketball, volleyball and curling. The local high school, Portage Collegiate Institute, fields boys' and girls' teams in the Manitoba High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) in sports such as curling, hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer, track & field, cross country running, badminton and others.

Sister cities

Portage la Prairie has formalized sister city agreements with the following cities:

See also

• 26th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• Murder of Tim McLean
• Propagandhi

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