Discussions surrounding the future of the Manitoba Developmental Centre in Portage la Prairie continue. That was part of the focus of a state of the city address given by Mayor Irvine Ferris at a special Portage la Prairie Chamber of Commerce Luncheon today. Ferris indicated MDC is the third largest employer within the city, but a declining number of people in that facility means major changes are required to maintain those jobs in the city. He notes while there's not an immediate risk of closure, those conversations have been ongoing, and will continue.

"We've had some meetings with the former minister responsible, looking at how this institution can be repurposed, reused, so that those jobs and that positive economic impact stays in Portage. We'll be having a meeting with the new minister in mid-July, and we'll have more to announce at that time."

He notes they've established a committee to help look at the transition of MDC, with Southport Board Chair Sheldon Hiltz sitting at the committee's head. Ferris says he's a great fit for the position, citing their long relationship, as well as the success of Southport's transition from a former Air Force base.

"When I looked around at who's successfully done this, the only example I could find was the example of Southport. It was formerly a Canadian Forces base which closed in 1990. They've successfully transformed themselves into a very viable community, and an economic machine within our region."

While Ferris says MDC won't continue to remain viable in its present form, there has yet to be a decision on just what will become of the site.