Cake CuttingThe grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the expansion of the Portage Clinic took place Friday. Clinic president and family physician Mike Omichinski outlines the event.

Dr. Mike Omichinski"This was an opportunity for us to celebrate the completion of our expansion project. Today was our official opening with us going full and live on Monday, August the 15th. It's very rewarding, very satisfying, and brings together a lot of work and culmination of a vision we had for a while. It's nice to see the people smiling and enjoying themselves, which is really important. The typical dignitaries were here, the politicians and such. And we had all of our staff here because they're very central and the paramount focus of what we do here. Our staff is like our family. We had some family members and also our builders and some of the trades people just to recognize the contribution they made to the project."

Mike Omichinski speaking to the crowdHe adds he's happy to have the opportunity to expand their services and continue to provide services to Portage and surrounding area.

Dr. Lou AntonissenLong term resident Doctor Lou Antonissen says, "This is a fantastic building and a fantastic facility for the City of Portage la Prairie. I'm a long term resident here. We built the old clinic in 1992, and this is going to serve all the citizens in the area very well for many years. And the biggest thing is that it is going to be an attractant for more medical services, physicians, nurses, and all of the professions."

Doctor Jim Ross was there, and says it's a proud day for Portage.

Dr. Jim Ross"It's a very proud day for all us in the community to be able to do this for the best place on earth, Portage. Doctor Robin Carter was the real driving force behind the original clinic. The partners got together. Robin really drove us to build that place. Then Lou Antonissen took over and ran it very well for us. And then the four people that were mentioned today, Brett Finney, Mike Gray, Mike Omichinski, and Jen St. Goddard were the real driving force behind the new clinic."

See video of entire ceremony following Photo Gallery below.