The Canadian Mental Health Association in Portage la Prairie is partnering with the Active Transportation Committee to make the Community Bicycle Repair shop in Portage a reality. CMHA executive director Jordan Friesen says the community bike shop is an exciting community development, so when he found out they needed a space for the garage, he didn't hesitate to help out.

"Biking is something that I do in my spare time, it's an interest I have on my own. The opportunity came up, along with the recognition that the CMHA has a garage that isn't being used for anything, so it seemed like a fairly natural fit. The other aspect of it was that the Active Transportation Committee needed a non-profit partner that would be able to manage funds until they are able to establish themselves, and CMHA has the capacity to do that."

Friesen explains why he decided to get the organization involved in the community project.

"CMHA is involved for a couple of different reasons. I believe we have a role in the community development and supporting local initiatives because of CMHA's history as a grass roots organization, and I want to keep that grass roots contact. We know that there are many different ways to stay mentally healthy and one of those ways is to be physically healthy, so if we can encourage people in Portage to use bikes more often, I see that as a very natural way to promote our message of positive mental health."

Friesen says he's excited to have the bike shop open to the community.

"It's exciting. I think there's a lot of momentum behind it and it's great to see the impact that it's having. There's already a lot of people excited about the project, there are a lot of people that are starting to donate bicycle parts, and it's generating a lot of buzz in the community. To be a part of that, as CMHA in terms of giving back to the community, it feels great."