Ron MacLean's going to be back on Hockey Night in Canada next season, but he'll also be making a stop in Portage la Prairie. Last night, City Council approved a recommendation to take part in the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour, marking the first time the opportunity was mentioned in the public eye. Hosting the tour will see a two day festival held in Portage, March 25th and 26th, 2017. Mayor Irvine Ferris notes while last night was the first time the information was made public, this process started with a phone call a few months back. 

"I answered the phone, they were asking for the mayor, and they started talking about it. I set up a meeting with our recreation people and the reeve, and this is the result. At first I thought maybe it was a friend doing a crank call, and then I realized the fellow was serious."

Some details of hosting the event have yet to be finalized, such as the precise location. Currently the city's discussing the opportunity to host the events on Saskatchewan Avenue between Royal Road and Tupper Street, as was done with the Strawberry Festival in the past. If that site isn't available, they'll look at hosting the festival at the PCU Centre parking lot. Ferris says despite still having some logistics to figure out, they're excited about the opportunity.

"We're very excited they've decided to come and showcase our community. This will showcase our community during an NHL broadcast game. There will be a film crew here for the entire week in march, and it will bring a real boost the local economy, and a lot of visitors to the area."

Much of the activities and booths will be supplied by Rogers, while local hockey organizations will also be invited to take part, and possibly raise some funds for their organizations. Irvine Ferris says with Council's approval of the motion, they're looking forward to signing the final agreement. He notes you should expect more details on the events, and just what's expected, to come out in the near future.