Portage la Prairie's newest residents explored their civic heart during an engaging City Hall tour this Thursday. The Portage Learning and Literacy Centre partnered with the city to welcome attendees through the historic building's doors, revealing architectural gems and modern accessibility upgrades.
Mayor Sharilyn Knox personally guided the group, emphasizing the building's public significance.
"It's always great to show people City Hall because it is the citizens' building in Portage," Knox states, "This is one of our many city facilities, but it's pretty special with its historic nature."
Historical highlights captivated attendees as Knox shared fascinating details.
"People are always excited or interested to learn that when the building was built, it cost $25,000, and that the city actually bought it from the federal government for a dollar," she reveals, "The city has really worked hard at keeping the building in beautiful shape and being sort of a highlight of our community."
Interactive exploration engages all ages
The tour showcased modern accessibility features, including newly installed lifts and washrooms alongside historic spaces.
Attendees examined the finance department's vault, city council chambers, and the civic coat of arms. The basement jail cells spark laughter as visitors pretend to be locked up, while younger guests delight in trying the mayor's chain of office and chair in her wood-panelled office.
New resident Rizwan Arain expresses appreciation for the civic introduction.
"I really enjoy it. Walking with the group over here and through City Hall. I didn't know too many things about city hall, but today in the tour I learned a lot of things," Arain shares.
Historic building, modern community
Six-year resident Allana Downey experienced City Hall for the first time during the tour.
"The mayor was wonderful. She did a great job walking us through everything," Downey remarks, "I was interested to see the jail that was in the basement. That was definitely interesting, but also to know that it was originally built to be a post office. It's nice to know some of the history of the city that I live in."
Downey particularly admires the mayor's office space, and noted "how fresh and nice the view that everyone had" was.
She concludes with praise for her community, saying that, "As someone new to new to the city, I've really only had positive experiences living here. I really enjoy going to the island, and I'm always walking around town. Just take my dog out for a walk, and everyone's been really pleasant."
The 1898 heritage structure, designed by Chief Dominion Architect Thomas Fuller, remains one of Western Canada's last surviving small urban post offices from its era.
Designated a national historic site in 1983, the limestone building blends Second Empire, High Victorian Gothic and Richardsonian Romanesque styles while serving modern civic needs.
For these residents, they now not only have had the chance to experience that history, but can now feel a little more connected to their new home at the same time.
See more photos in the gallery below.
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