Portage Active Transportation and Canadian Mental Health Association Central Region have received some funding to help get the Community Bicycle Repair Shop in Portage up and running.

Project steering committee chair Ian Wassink says they received a total of $4,300 from Portage Community Revitalization Corporation and Southern Health-Sante Sud. He says the funds will really help get things moving in the right direction.

"We are really excited to get the two grants because they'll really help us start up the community bicycle repair shop. We'll be able to get the project going and purchase some bicycle tools, some work stands and we'll be able to have a bit of storage, and run some educational workshops as well."

CMHA Executive Director Jordan Friesen says it's really encouraging to see just how much support the community bike shop is receiving, especially as someone who's fairly new to the city. 

"It's nice to see a community rally around a project like this and show support for it. For me, being new to Portage and CMHA, to see the support and the partnership that's being built through this initiative is very encouraging for future work we're able to do with our partners in the community."

Wassink says it's only a matter of time before the shop is operational.

"We'll be purchasing tools and getting the space organized over the next few weeks. We've had over 70 bicycles donated along with all kinds of bike tires, wheels, rims, and stuff like that. We now have to get the space organized and set up, so we'll have some volunteer shops happening, and then throughout the summer and into the fall we'll have the shop open so that the public can come in and fix their own bike."

Wassink says getting funding like this is important because it shows that the project is important to the community and that it is worthwhile to start up. He notes he's heard a lot of positive things about the bike shop from people around the community. The repair shop will be located on the corner of 1st Street Northwest and Fisher Avenue.