Building a new ‘old’ fort
Decades-old log fort needs to be rebuilt
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This article was published 30/11/2017 (2953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Fort la Reine needs to be rebuilt and money is being raised to pay for the construction.
Fort la Reine was originally built in 1738 by French Canadian explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye as a fur trading post on the Assiniboine River where the City of Portage la Prairie is now located. A replica of the fort was constructed in 1970 and serves as one of the main attractions at its namesake, Fort la Reine Museum (2652 Saskatchewan Ave. E) in Portage la Prairie.
When interviewed by The Headliner on Nov. 28, museum executive director and curator Tracey Turner was hoping that donors would take advantage of Giving Tuesday to make online financial contributions to the Fund the Fort campaign that has a $200,000 target.
“The fort is aging — it’s close to 50 years old,” Turner said. Because of safety concerns, public access to the fort’s bastions and exhibit areas was curtailed in 2011.
The work needed to construct a replica of the log fort is specialized, and Turner said there aren’t many people who have the necessary skills. “Log builders are hard to find.”
While the fundraising campaign’s goal is $200,000, Turner said the actual cost will be considerably higher and she will be applying for government and foundation grants.
She is aiming to have the new “old” structure in place by 2020. “I definitely think that date is doable.”
Turner said the Fund the Fort campaign will continue. For more information see http://www.fortlareinemuseum.com/flag-the-fort-campaign
— Staff