A staple of Portage la Prairie has received one last cash boost.

The Rotary Club of Portage la Prairie handed the final $5,000 cheque for the Rotary Republic of Manitobah Park to the Portage Regional Recreation Authority (PRRA). This cheque marks the end of a 10-year, $50,000 agreement between the PRRA and the Rotary Club.

General Manager of the PRRA Angie Shindle says the funds have been crucial toward developing and maintaining the park.

"The park has been a hub of our city all through the summer and spring months," explains Shindle. "You will always see thousands of people throughout the park enjoying it, from football to softball to slowpitch. We believe that activity and physical fitness is such a crucial part of a community, and the Rotary Republic of Manitobah Park is definitely a hub of that."

She adds the PRRA will continue to look at ways to upgrade the park, including potentially adding a cricket pitch, as the sport has been gaining popularity throughout the city. Shindle mentions that bringing new sports and other ways to keep people active in the community is always a plus.

"Our partnership with Rotary Club has been amazing," notes Shindle. "It's such a great group of volunteers that dedicate so much time and funds to the community, and we've just been so been beneficial to have them partner with us."

Preston Meier, public relations director of the Portage Rotary Club, says he's proud the club has been able to band together to support the park for this long.

"Anytime you're investing in the community, it just really showcases what Portage has to offer," says Meier. "I know the Rotary Club has long been involved in many, many projects in the city, including this one to help bring that recreation into the community, so it's pretty exciting to be a part of it."

As part of the deal between the Rotary Club and PRRA, the name Rotary Republic of Manitobah Park will remain for another ten years.

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