Portage la Prairie

Explore Portage la Prairie!.

The first Europeans, credited with the "discovery" of the Portage area, were Radisson and Groseilliers, who explored the region in search of furs between 1658 and 1690. Pierre Gaultier de Varnes Sieur de la Verendrye established Fort la Reine on the site of what is now known as Portage la Prairie in 1738. The name Portage la Prairie reflects this early voyageur heritage because it derives its meaning from the "Prairie Portage" that the early explorers had to endure when transporting goods from the Red and Assiniboine Rivers across to Lake Manitoba.

In 1851, the Reverend William Cochrane (later Archdeacon Cochran) began a new settlement at Portage la Prairie. Settlers, farmers, and tradesmen from Eastern Canada began to pour into the region in the late 1800s along the old Boundary Commission trail. With the prospect of establishing a rail link with the east, the community saw a period of rapid growth.

In the early 1800s the community itself was outside the District of Assiniboia so consequently the settlers formed their own local council. Businessmen such as Thomas Spence persuaded the local settlers to form their own republic. In 1867, the short-lived "Republic of Manitobah" was established, which was dissolved one year later.

Portage la Prairie was incorporated as a town in 1880 with a population of 800 and in 1907 became the City of Portage la Prairie. Today, with a population of 12,976, the City is the residential, commercial and industrial hub of the Heartland region and is enjoying a continued success as a thriving regional centre.

Truly a City on the move, Portage la Prairie is home to JR Simplot’s new $120 million potato processing plant! As well, the City has responded to the need for prime, serviced, industrial sites, and set aside over 130 hectares exclusively for the location of manufacturers and processors, and small businesses, which require larger amounts of land. Developed and undeveloped industrial park land will be offered for sale at no cost as per the land development policy approved by Council.

PortagEX – A Timeless Fair with an Old Fashioned Flare

Welcome to PortagEx, Western Canada ’s “oldest continuously running fair”. The fair includes great entertainment, exhibits, a light and heavy horse show, a midway - something for the whole family !

Come and enjoy a summer tradition, the PortagEx.

Fort la Reine Museum celebrates!

New to the Museum is the arrival of St. Nicholas church from Arbecca. The Ukrainian Heritage church was located to the Museum through the hard work of the Ukrainian Connection of Portage.

In front of our Military Building is our Military Memorial Garden . “Rest, Reflect, Be Thankful” is the theme for the garden. It is a tribute to the living and the dead, who either served or are serving in all Military Forces. Through the initiative of Sharkey Kilbourne, the garden is 62 feet long and 12 feet deep; containing two 20 foot walls topped by pyramid shaped Tyndall stone. Brass plaques on the stones have the donors military particulars inscribed. The crushed rock area also contains a garden. White crosses with red poppies are present as is an embedded rifle. Centered in the earthen area is the flag of the wartime Veterans, our Canadian Red Ensign.

Open year round for inquiries and artifact donations, our season opens in May. The Annual Heritage Day weekend is in June. Our Vintage Cruisers Car Rally is scheduled for July.

The museum is a great place for picnics, tours, family socials, weddings on our well groomed grounds. Season passes are available; family passes are $20.00 and individual passes are $15.00. For more information and bookings, call 204-857-3259, e-mail - frmuseum@mts.net . Be sure to visit our website, www.geocities.com/frmuseum1 .

Southport offers many athletic facilities

Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. (Southport) is a not-for-profit property management and development company located 3 km south of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. For 50 years it was home to the Canadian Air Force.

In 1990, when the venue was released by the military, Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. was established to manage the commercial development of its over 1,500 acres of property.

The company’s goal is to establish a world-class business centre featuring aviation and aerospace training facilities, research and development of new products, light manufacturing, and educational institutions. Today, Southport has become a dynamic location for commercial, educational, retail, residential, and recreational use.

Southport prides itself in its ability to offer highly competitive lease rates for a variety of industrial and commercial properties. It also offers on-site residential (2,3 and 4 bedroom rental duplexes), recreational (swimming pool, weight room, bowling alley, and golf course), and retail (post office, convenience store, and hair salon) opportunities, and is home to leaders in textiles, education, aviation training and services.

Some of Southport’s commercial tenants include: Bombardier Aerospace Inc., ATCO-Frontec Corp., Field Aviation Company Inc., Regional Health Authority – Central Manitoba Inc., Airport Technologies Inc., Atkins & Pearce, Red River College, Assiniboine Community College, Red River College - Stevenson Aviation & Aerospace Training Centre, and In Cahoots Hair Salon.

For more information:

Tel:                   204-428-6030

Toll Free:           1-800-558-4680

Fax:                  204-428-6060

Website:           www.southport.mb.ca

Attractions

For its relatively small size, Portage la Prairie offers top-notch attractions. Visitors can spend hours visiting the museum or enjoying the natural beauty of Island Park. In the winter, our Island of Lights and Winterfest help to speed up the cold months. No matter what your interests are, we can fill your leisure time with plenty of exciting and unique experiences. Year round, there is always a lot to see and do in our city!

No trip to Portage la Prairie would be complete without checking out the multitude of shopping opportunities. The friendly staff at the indoor Portage Mall provides a unique range of products from fashionable to functional. The downtown is home to many specialty stores and shops that offer quality, affordable items. After a busy day of sight seeing or shopping, Portage offers an array of restaurant experiences that will satisfy any palate or taste. 

Of course, there are many other great places you can visit, all within a few hours drive of Portage al Prairie. The beauty of Manitoba is that we have a little of everything! Portage la Prairie is the perfect destination for both professionals and families alike.

New Outdoor Leisure Water Park

Portage la Prairie’s Splash Island opens in May to September. It  features two giant water slides, a double-wide kiddie slide, aesthetic fountains and mini geysers, an interactive spray area, a “lazy river”, green grass areas, a relaxing, therapeutic “bubbler” bench situated along side a miniature waterfall, three 25-meter swimming lanes, decorative non-slip decking, and a zero-depth, beach-like entry.  There are fully equipped, wheelchair accessible washrooms, shower facilities, and family change rooms available, and lockers can be used for a refundable fee of $2.00. Great concession services are also located on-site, completing Splash Island ’s unique and fun aquatic experience.

Splash Island is located on Island Park at 260 Royal Road South in Portage la Prairie and has a maximum capacity for 479 people.  We offer a number of swim opportunities seven days a week. Visit our website for detailed public, family, & teen swim times at www.city.portage-la-prairie.mb.ca!

For more information: Call our general information line at 204-239-8399 or contact the Aquatic Program Supervisor directly at 204-239-8398.  During the off season, contact us at 204-239-8321 or email:  aquatics@city-plap.com

  Splash Island Fun Facts

n  Over 30,000 visitors in the first year

n  Over 100,000 bricks were used to create the pool deck

n  There are 953,400 litres (210,000 gallons) of water in the pool

n  The waterslide tower is 45’ high from base to peak

n  The “Splash Attack” waterslide is 195’ long

n  The “Funnel Tunnel” waterslide is 175’ long

n  All the water in the pool is filtered, heated and chemically treated every 3.3 hours

n  The total surface area of the pool is 7,729 square feet

The waterpark offers something for everyone:

• Lazy River
• 25 M Lap 3 lane area
• Tot pool with Water Umbrella and Spray Arches
• A relaxing Rock Waterfall
• Bubbler Bench
• Mini Geysers
• Double-wide Kiddie Mini River Slide
• Fountains
• 194’ Open Winding Waterslide
• 175’ Enclosed Super Waterslide
• group rentals available

Did you know?

• *Portage la Prairie's Fort la Reine Museum is the home of Canada's Only Allis Chalmers Museum, which is recognized world-wide by collectors and hobbyists. The museum has been visited by a consortium of British, Scottish and American farmers, wanting to see the collection at the museum, and its curator, Gilbert Vust. The annual North American get together, a 3-day event called "The Gathering of the Orange" was held here in the fall of 2004.
• *Fort la Reine Museum has seen visitor number to the Museum almost double in the last few years. The popularity has increased from all areas of Canada and the world. The most dramatic increase however, has come from the local community. From just a trickle 5 years ago, Portage la Prairie and district visitors far outstrip Winnipeg and provincial numbers. Local attendance has increased by a whopping 2500%. 

Attractions and Events (Web Sites)

• City of Portage la Prairie
• Portage On-Line