Portage

Whether you're grabbing snacks before heading to Island Park for the Portage Regional Recreation Authority (PRRA)'s Canada Day Celebration or making a last-minute dash for sunscreen, here's a look at what's open around Portage la Prairie this Canada Day.

Canadian Tire: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Pankos Food Centre: 12-6 p.m.  

Sobeys: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.  

Homestead Co-op Food Store: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 

Co-op Gas Bar: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. 

It’s Canada Day in Portage la Prairie, and the community is coming together for a full day of family-friendly festivities at Stride Place and Island Park. Organized by the Portage Regional Recreation Authority (PRRA), the day promises to deliver fun at every turn, rain or shine.

Zapphira Major, Recreation Manager, says the PRRA is excited to invite everyone out to celebrate Canada’s birthday with them.

Former Olympian hockey player turned ace broadcaster, Jennifer Botterill, was named one of the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees and is set to join the hallowed halls later in the year.

2025 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Jennifer Botterill

The Association of Nigerians in Portage la Prairie has launched a new initiative aimed at fostering critical thinking and STEM learning among immigrant youth in the community. With the support of a $5,000 grant, the organization is preparing to roll out a science-focused pilot program this August.

Portage la Prairie is gearing up for its annual Canada Day celebrations, with a fireworks display planned for the southwest bank of the causeway this year.

The city has announced that fireworks will be primarily fired westward, with some shells launched to the east.

Residents and visitors can expect the causeway to remain open for vehicle and foot traffic until 9 p.m. on July 1, when it will close for the event.

The fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk, approximately 10:30 p.m.

The Vintage Cruisers Car Club rolled out a spectacular "Show Your Wheels" Show and Shine this past Saturday, June 28, 2025, transforming Rotary Republic of Manitobah Park into a dazzling display of automotive history.

Enthusiasts and families alike converged to admire a stunning array of vintage and classic vehicles, all while enjoying a vibrant community atmosphere.

The show truly delivered on its promise, with a diverse lineup of cars and trucks that captivated every gaze.

Irene Mary Yacucha (nee Kessler)

December 11, 1929 — January 10, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENT:

A watermain repair has prompted a temporary closure of 9th Street NW between Lorne Avenue and Fisher Avenue in Portage la Prairie.

The City is notifying residents that the closure and disruption to water services are effective immediately on Monday, June 30.

Officials say they intend to restore water services and reopen the road by the end of the day once repairs are complete.

Residents affected by the closure may experience water disruptions during the repair work.

Drivers in Portage la Prairie are seeing lower fuel prices at the pump this week, following a brief spike just days ago.

Prices rose to around 134 cents per litre last week, with most stations now at 129.9 ahead of Canada Day.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis with GasBuddy, ties the change to shifting conditions overseas.

Over the weekend, southern Manitoba saw several storms bringing widespread hail, though rainfall amounts remained light and scattered.

“We had storms for Friday into early Saturday, quite a few hail reports across southern Manitoba actually,” notes Environment Canada meteorologist Jason Knight.

He highlights the size of the hail: “Looks like to be tennis ball sized hail near Mulvihill in the Interlake; Neepawa, some golf ball sized hail.”

Rainfall totals, however, stayed modest with most sites seeing just 1 to 5mm.