The Town of The Pas Council has scheduled a public hearing for Monday, August 24, 2026, giving residents a chance to speak on a proposed $3.875-million upgrade to local recreation facilities before council votes on a borrowing by-law.
The hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. At issue is a plan to borrow $2.5 million to renovate arena spaces, rubberize a running track, and build a more accessible playground with an amphitheater at Centennial Park. The province’s Manitoba GRO program would cover the remaining $1.375 million.
Specific upgrades include new lobby and washroom fixtures inside the arena designed to cut water use, standard-sized glass around the rink, a rubberized surface for the running track, and a new play structure at Centennial Park with a safety-focused rubber base and an amphitheater.
If the by-law passes, owners of a home assessed at $200,000 would pay about $135.99 per year for the next decade through a local improvement tax. The town estimates roughly 2,314 taxable properties would be affected. The loan would carry a 4.925 per cent interest rate, with annual payments of about $322,583.29 over 10 years.
The Town of The Pas posted the draft by-law and hearing details online. The public hearing is a required step under The Municipal Act, meaning councillors cannot give first reading to the borrowing by-law until residents have had their say. Council has not yet set a date for a vote.
