Portage La Prairie

Portage la Prairie (pôr'tĭj lə prâr'ē) , city (1991 pop. 13,186), S Man., Canada. It is the center of a mixed-farming region and has diversified industries. The city is near the site of Fort La Reine, an important fur-trading post built (1738) by Vérendrye as a carrying point between the Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba.

Portage la Prairie (pronounced /ˈportəʤ la ˈpreri/ in English) is a city in the Canadian province of Manitoba. As of 2006, the population was 12,728. The population in 1996 was 13,077. The area of the city was 24.67 square kilometres.

Portage la Prairie is located approximately 70 kilometres (45 miles) west of Winnipeg. It sits on the Assiniboine River, which flooded the town persistently until a ditch north to Lake Manitoba (the Assiniboine River Floodway) was built to divert the flood waters.

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 Assinboine River and Lake Manitoba, over la prairie.

The city became a major transportation center due to its proximity to the river and later, the location of the main lines of the countries 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 afficionados to view trains.

Portage la Prairie has a civilian/military airbase south of the community known as Southport. It was established as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during World War II and trained thousands of pilots for military service from around the world.

Southport remains a training base for Canadian Forces' pilots, but today the base is the home to the Canada Wings Aviation Training Centre. A consortium of civilian contractors collectively known as Allied Wings work hand in hand with Canadian Forces military personnel providing state-of-the-art computer-based, instructor-led, simulator and flight training to ab-initio (primary) pilot candidates, as well as to advanced multi-engine and helicopter pilot candidates.

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. Can-Oat milling, one of the largest oat mills in the world, is also located in the municipality.

Portage la Prairie is a farming city. Agriculture is the city's main industry. Portage la Prairie hosts a Potato Festival each summer. It is the world strawberry capital{fact} and North American potato processing capital{fact}. Many U-pick strawberry and saskatoon farms are within 15 minute drive by car.

It is also the home of former Prime Minister of Canada, Arthur Meighen, who was a lawyer in Portage la Prairie during his residence. A school and an avenue are named in his honour.

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 waterpark, a one-half mile horse racing track with accompanying grandstand, 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. As well, Crescent lake is home to flocks of migrating and nesting Canada Geese.

The city has an aggressive treeplanting 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.

Portage la Prairie is also home to the world's largest Coca-Cola can. It was originally constructed from an old water tower and is now located beside the local Canadian Tire.

Attractions

City Hall

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 and declared a historical site in 1986.

Fort La Reine Museum and Pioneer Village

Fort La Reine depicts life in the 1800s complete with a blacksmith shop, trading post, country church, schoolhouse, and several restored homes. The original fort was built in 1738 by the French explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes and served as his headquarters for 15 years. The museum is also home to a railway caboose and the 1882 official rail car of William Van Horne, builder of the Canadian Pacific Railroad.

Manitoba Museum of the Titanic

The Manitoba Museum of the Titanic was the only museum dedicated to the RMS Titanic and had one of the largest exhibits of Titanic artifacts. Over 150 items from Titanic survivors and victims included pre-voyage promotional items and a deckchair, which were on display for visitors to observe. It was located at the Portage la Prairie mall. It is now closed.

Portage Arts Centre & Gallery

The Portage Arts Centre & Gallery has monthly exhibits, gift gallery, art classes, and art rental program.

Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame/Museum

The Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame/Museum is dedicated to the history of softball in Manitoba. It has memorabilia from 1930s to the present. Inductees to the Hall of Fame are showcased.

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 [2] ice hockey team, who play in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League. Both teams play in the Portage Centennial Arena.


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