News briefs

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/06/2017 (3239 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Removing graffiti in Portage
The Portage Community Revitalization Corporation is offering its free graffiti removal program to home and property owners throughout Portage la Prairie.

Now in its sixth year, the program is a partnership funded by the City of Portage la Prairie and a grant from Green Team Manitoba. PCRC has two summer students who will create a database of tags reported, then work with property owners on the best course of action to remove the graffiti – through chemical removal or painting over the tag.  

In 2016, the team removed 59 incidents of graffiti.

PCRC is asking the community to help the Green Team by reporting graffiti on any property by calling 204-240-0036 or by completing a liability waiver for any property type. The waivers can be found at https://www.facebook.com/portagecrc

Dancing continues at PDAC
The Portage & District Arts Centre will keep offering a diverse dance program to Portage la Prairie and area youth and adults.  

PDAC has hired the Sunrise Performing Arts Centre of Excellence Inc. (the SPACE) to facilitate its fall dance program. The 26-week program will include instruction in ballet, intro to pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. PDAC will continue to offer Ukrainian dance with local instructor Helene Lucko.

The fall session will begin the week of Sept. 18.

A summer dance camp for students aged seven to 13 in Portage la Prairie and district will run in August.

Parents and children are invited to attend an information and registration night on Tues., June 27 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at the Portage & District Arts Centre, 11-2nd St. NE. SPACE executive director Wendy Bobby, along with some of her instructors and students, will be available.

Please contact Lee Beaton at 204-239-6029 for further information.

Creating a Portage la Prairie brand
Portage la Prairie is partnering with Travel Manitoba on a “place branding” exercise to develop a tourism strategy to market local amenities and attractions.

Portage Regional Economic Development executive director Vern May said a town hall session is planned for Thurs., June 29 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the William Glesby Centre, 11-2nd St. NE, Portage la Prairie.

Community stakeholders and members of the public are invited to share their views on tourism, local assets and areas that they feel need improvement, May said.

Lunch will be provided.  Those interested to attend are requested to email vmay@plprecd.ca to reserve a spot.

A ducky Canada Day in Portage
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Portage la Prairie and the Portage Co-op is holding the “Big” Duck Race on Sat., July 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Splash Island Water Park (245 Royal Rd. S) in Portage la Prairie.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage la Prairie provides mentors and friendship to children within the communities of Portage la Prairie, RM of Portage la Prairie, Oakville and MacGregor.

Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Each ticket matches a duck with the corresponding number. All ducks will be placed in the pool at Splash Island, and the race will begin when the lazy river is turned on.  

The first duck through the finish line will win a $500 Portage Co-op gift card; second prize is two Winnipeg Jets tickets; and third prize is a private suite at a Manitoba Moose game and 10 game tickets.

Tickets can be purchased at: the Big Brothers Big Sisters office (15 Tupper St. S); Portage Co-op (2275 Saskatchewan Ave. W); Boston Pizza (2180 Saskatchewan Ave. W); McMunn & Yates (2712 Saskatchewan Ave. W); BDO (480 Saskatchewan Ave. W); Enns Brothers (65154 Road 41 W); Mayfair Print Shoppe (208 Saskatchewan Ave. E); and Mazergroup Portage (Hwy,. 1A West). You must be age 18 and over to buy a ticket.

La Salle School gets new VP
In September, La Salle School will have a new vice-principal/reading recovery teacher as Jayson Abraham joins the school staff.

Abraham now has the same role at Dawson Trail School in Lorette, Man., and La Salle School’s current vice-principal Evi Klostermaier will replace him at Dawson Trail School, according to a news release from Seine River School Division.

— Staff