Ongoing growth in the town of Oakville has the RM of Portage la Prairie preparing for a major project. The community has seen multiple new developments moving forward, and the industrial park has been filled, meaning the lagoon needs to grow along with the town. This week's Council meeting saw no shortage of discussion surrounding the project, which is anticipated to cost a total of $817,299. Reeve Kam Blight says they're now able to move forward with the project, now that funding for the work has been approved.

"Oakville's expanded quite a bit, especially to the north. In order for any future expansion to take place, we need to expand our lagoon to satisfy the commitments and demands from our water supply. Council put forward an application to the federal government in one of the grant applications and was successful, so we're now moving forward."

The federal and provincial governments are each providing $272,433 toward the project to cover half of the cost of the work. Reeve Kam Blight says the remaining half of the work will be covered through a combination of revenues.

"The developers are going to have to pick up a portion of that for the future lots that are coming in. Also, there will be a local improvement levy for the town of Oakville, there will be some borrowed by the municipality, and some coming out of the general operating reserve."

The amount borrowed by the municipality will be $90,811, which will be paid through a local tax levy for Oakville residents and those at the Oakville Industrial Park over a period of ten years.