The Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is set to transform its challenging parking lot into a safer, more accessible space after receiving a $14,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Portage and District. The funding will address the current dirt-and-mud terrain riddled with potholes and uneven ground, which has long hindered accessibility for visitors, particularly those with mobility challenges.
Current challenges and vision
Claudia Verwey, a volunteer on PAWS’ Board of Directors, emphasizes the urgency of the upgrades.
“The state of our current parking lot is that it's not accessible to the general public, especially if people have mobility issues,” she says. “We’re walking through muck pits and there’s big dips in the walkways. Once this is finished, it will not only be more visually appealing but allow us to have our official grand opening and have more people park and access our facility.”
The project includes levelling the entire lot, adding gravel to create stable parking areas, and converting grassy sections into landscaped spaces.
Verwey envisions “nice areas where people can sit and meet dogs, maybe a memorial garden in the future, and landscaping to make things look nice and add to the beautification of Portage.”
Project timeline and funding
PAWS aims to complete the parking area by early summer, pending dry weather conditions, with landscaping to follow. The total estimated cost is $20,000, meaning the grant covers roughly 72%.
"14,500 covers a good chunk of it,” Verwey says. “We’re happy with any support we can receive.”
Additional funding will come from past grants and ongoing fundraising efforts.
Verwey confirms the organization is ready to start work immediately.
“We can begin as soon as we have the people ready to come and do the work. Other fundraising initiatives can help cover the rest.”
Community invited to grand opening
PAWS plans to celebrate the upgrades with a grand opening once the parking lot is complete.
“Keep your eyes peeled to our Facebook page,” Verwey says. “We’d love everybody to come out and officially see the new facility with the upgraded parking lot and donor wall. All of that will be coming together nicely so we can officially be open and more accessible.”
The improvements mark a critical step in PAWS’ mission to serve Portage la Prairie’s animals and their adoptive families while fostering community inclusivity.