Portage la Prairie’s City Hall is opening its doors to newcomers with a special tour aimed at building community connections and providing a behind-the-scenes look at how local government works.
The guided tour takes place Thursday, July 17, from 2 to 3 p.m., and is organized in partnership with the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre.
Mayor Sharilyn Knox says she’s always happy to lead these tours and meet residents who are new to the city.
Understanding how city government works
Knox adds the visit helps participants learn what City Hall is all about and how local government services operate, something that can differ greatly depending on where someone is coming from.
“It’s great for them to see the building that is their municipal government in the city and understand what happens there,” she notes. “It can be similar or different from the country that they’ve come from.”
She continues that one of her main goals is to make sure people feel included and comfortable.
“I like to make sure that they know that they’re welcome there and where they can find services that they need,” she says.
Tour highlights local history
City Hall is more than just an office space, it’s also one of the city’s oldest buildings.
Knox enjoys sharing that part of the experience during the tour.
“City Hall is a beautiful historic building that has lots of history, so it’s fun to show it off,” she continues. “We have recently renovated it, but it still has the historic charm.”
One of the more popular stops on the tour is the lower level, which offers a surprising piece of local history.
“There’s still a jail down there," Knox explains. "Everybody loves to go see the jail cells.”
The building’s history dates back more than a century, with a few changes along the way.
“It was actually built as a post office to start off and then over time different services until it became City Hall,” she comments.
A welcoming invitation for all newcomers
The upcoming tour is free, but space is limited.
Anyone involved with the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre is encouraged to sign up early to save a spot.
The event includes a walk through council chambers, the chance to ask questions, and a friendly introduction to municipal services.
Knox says it’s all about helping newcomers feel connected to the community from the very beginning.
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