The Portage and District Chamber of Commerce saw a lot take place throughout 2022, and they're anticipating some vast improvements to the very look and feel of Portage next year. 

Interim president Guy Moffat shares how interesting the year really was.

"At the start of this year, we were still in major restrictions and lockdown," says Moffat. "That started to change toward March and April then things seemed to open up quite a bit. And so, it's been a busy year just because the Chamber, like many other businesses and people, started transitioning back to what we were used to pre-pandemic."

He explains more planning was initiated at this point. 

"We planned a golf tournament that didn't quite get out of the blocks," continues Moffat. "We were, maybe, a little too early with that, and getting back to that kind of normalcy, but we were back to in-person board meetings, which was fantastic. It was wonderful to see people around the table. We were at the end of our strategic plan, actually, during the pandemic, so Adrienne Mekkes (director) started to lead us through that process."

Moffat explains that process was quite interesting and more imaginative than merely sitting around a table all day and trying to think of the next best thing.

"We were able to put together some Business After Hours again, which our membership really loves," says Moffat. "Once a month, we will go to one of our Member businesses and they have a reception. There's usually some refreshments there, a little bit of food, and you get to learn about what that business does. And we have a lot of really interesting businesses in Portage, so that's a great opportunity."

He notes their Business Awards evening took place after that a few weeks ago, and one of the largest they've ever held. 

"We've had a lot of changes over the past year. It has been a busy year. I guess, the other piece, too, is that we've been working really, really hard to make sure that we were the voice of business when it came to the reconstruction of Saskatchewan Ave."

Moffat says interruptions of service and parking occurred as a result of that work, and the Chamber worked extremely hard to get ahead of what was slated next for the construction. He says this enabled them to communicate with the businesses that would be affected to allow them to be able to anticipate any of those interruptions before they came.

"We were also working with our MLA to make sure that things were progressing with the bypass improvement on the West End of Portage, as well as working hard to make sure that we recover the best that we can from the closure of Agassiz Youth Centre," says Moffat. "We're looking to have whatever pieces of land aren't going to the hospital, hopefully, to be rezoned for city use to recoup some of the tax dollars that are being lost there. We're also continuing to ask questions and try and find a new purpose for the Manitoba Developmental Centre that is slated to close in 2024."

He notes on top of all of that, they're getting their plan ready and working quite hard to advocate at the various levels of government. 

Moffat outlines a special evening that's coming up next year. 

"In March, for the businesses on Saskatchewan Ave. from 4th St. NW all the way down to, basically, MPI, where the construction is happening, we're going to be having an evening where we'll bring the businesses in," adds Moffat. "We're going to be reviewing the plans for what that's going to look like. We need to keep that goal in mind, and we're also going to be talking about the construction plan for 2023, so people know what's going to be happening, and when it's going to be happening."

He says some of the biggest and most exciting changes are taking place next year in the Saskatchewan Ave. construction, after having heard from City administration.

"All the ugly, dirty stuff underneath is almost all done now," notes Moffat. "They're still digging up a few things, but now they get to put the icing on the cake, as it were."

Last but not least, Moffat says they won't know until after the AGM who the next president will be. 

"There were some changes this year with the executive, as well, and we have been rebuilding as an executive and a board," adds Moffat. "I think you're not going to see many changes for 2023. We're going to keep doing what we've been doing now because it seems to be working well. And then we'll be positioning one of our board members to take over the presidency in 2024, I expect. I just want to thank the entire community of Portage la Prairie for supporting Portage and District Chamber of Commerce."

He adds they enjoy working for our community and also enjoy the support.