the rejuvenation
of the cambpell soup
manufacturing plant
Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada
the rejuvenation
MUSIC CITY MANITOBA
All kinds of entertainment activities will take place at Music City Manitoba.
As a community service we will highlight all of them here.
Stay Tuned!
notes
In January 1957, Manitoba premier Douglas L. Campbell announced that the US-based Campbell Soup Company Limited would build a soup manufacturing plant on the west end of Portage la Prairie to supplement its existing plant at Toronto. Construction of the 125,000-square-foot plant, designed by the Winnipeg architectural firm of Green Blankstein Russell and Associates, began in June 1958. It consisted of five one-storey brick buildings, four of which were used for manufacturing, and a separate one-storey brick building for administrative offices, employee cafeteria, executive dining room, and staff changing rooms. A railway spur to the plant allowed up to five boxcars at a time to be loaded from its warehouse, and a tower on site provided water for the facility. Completed in mid-1960 at a cost of some $5 million, the plant became fully operational by the Fall of 1960, opening officially on 4 October 1960. It employed 170 people to take large quantities of peas, corn, potatoes, celery, onions, mushrooms, parsley, barley, poultry, and beef to produce 17 of the company’s 21 varieties of soup, as well as frozen food products, macaroni and spaghetti.
In its first decade of operation, the facility was expanded with a freezer-warehouse in 1964, a mushroom-growing farm in 1966, and a product warehouse in 1968. By the latter year, the plant was making 30 varieties of soup, using 90,000 tons of raw materials annually.
In August 1989, the company announced that the plant would close in December 1990, after 30 years of continuous operation, and transfer its production to a much larger plant near Toronto, Ontario. Today, parts of the huge former factory are used for storage by local businesses and private persons, and part is a factory for building materials. The administrative office building is abandoned and overgrown.
More information: Old.
The City of Portage la Prairie is moving ahead with the sale of the Campbells Soup lot.
Carpere Canada will be purchasing 161 acres.
City Councillor Brent Budz says the deal is a long time coming.
“We did have a sales agreement in place, and it was supposed to close this spring. Through further negotiations between the company and the city, that deadline was not met. Both parties stayed at the table and negotiated a deal, which sees the sale price remain the same, which the city is happy with and looking forward to that property being developed.”
Carpere will purchase the lot for $644,000.00.
Budz says part of the deal was changed for the best interest of both parties.
“The city is removing a caveat on the property, which allowed for the re-purchasing rights for the city. The city felt based on the price we had negotiated in the future of our negotiations with this company, for further expansion of industrial park development, it was best to move forward without the caveat.”
Carpere has snapped up similar amounts of land in Brandon, Tisdale, and Nipawin.
Last year, plans were leaked that saw Carpere planning to build a new hotel by Island Park.
Budz says this is a good opportunity for Portage la Prairie.
“We’re excited about it. It is the first step, hopefully, of a fruitful relationship between the City and Carpere as we see that area and hopefully more being developed.”
Possibly the latest owner: Anup Kuriya ???
The existing owners as far as we can tell.
Carpere Profile and History
Founded in Canada, Carpere is a development and investment company. We are building an exciting portfolio of projects that span multiple industries and geographic locations throughout North America. Key to our strategy is the creation of high-tech industrial parks situated in carefully selected communities. The goal is to take advantage of the location’s proximity to natural resources, infrastruct ure, research and innovation agencies as well as the talent within the community to attract new investment. Our primary focus is to accommodate industrial growth in agriculture, food and wellness, manufacturing, alternative energy and technology sectors with integrated commercial and residential uses to support our client’s needs. Each proposed park is guided by a long-term vision and will be developed in phases to meet market demand. When our clients succeed, we succeed. Carpere will offer a broad suite of services and solutions to bring our client’s projects to life. Our land servicing, engineering, facilities construction, project management; property leasing and management services allow flexible options for property needs. We help our clients move from idea to execution through Carpere’s financing, operations, distribution and market access solutions. The combination of our market intelligence, land resources, trusted relationships, and leading edge technology presents an unparalleled advantage for our industrial park clients, investors and partners. Generating long-term sustainable economic benefits for our clients and the communities in which we live is our difference.
Maybe it is Dave Provinciano, former owner of Pro Auto Parts now?
A landmark of Portage la Prairie’s industrial past is once again at a crossroads.
The former Campbell’s Soup factory, vacant for decades, is back on the market, prompting a community lookback at its significant history and a pragmatic discussion about its future. Local historian and heritage enthusiast James Kostuchuk reflects on the plant’s golden era and what should come next for the prominent property.
The factory was announced by the Premier in 1957. Kostuchuk notes it was an ambitious project for its time.
“It cost something like $5,000,000 back then to build it, which is a lot of money, and it was 125,000 square feet,” he says. “It was viewed as a very positive thing,” especially for the agricultural region, as the plant would process local vegetables into soup.
At its peak, the factory was a major community hub and employer.
“I think it was Campbell’s Soup that made 21 varieties of soup. I think 17 of those were made in Portage,” Kostuchuk points out.
The plant employed approximately 170 people directly and was deeply entwined in the city’s social fabric, sponsoring sports teams and fundraising for local charities. This camaraderie defined the era.
“They would have competitions where the Campbell soup staff would have maybe a tug of war with the McCain staff,” Kostuchuk recalls. “There was a lot of pride in being affiliated with your company.”
The Chosen Location for
Music City Manitoba's
Full-Service Entertainment Centre
We had been looking at a number of towns in Manitoba that we believed would have been a good fit for this amazing tourist program, and in which we were considering locating our soon to be built facility.
Once we have our facility up and running, like a well – oiled machine, and paid for, we are going to donate the entire company, building, transportation program, and everything to that town, managed by a collective group of participating local citizens & Manitoba musicians.
However, before we do that, we have to be sure that the town is capable in keeping it going for years to come, and that they are worthy of receiving such a generous donation.
We have decided that Portage La Prairie, Manitoba would be the perfect place!
This Tourism Program & Entertainment Centre will generate 100’s of millions of dollars per year for the community, employ 100’s of people with well – paying jobs, and will have the ability to deliver 100’s of thousands of tourists on a year – round basis. With dozens of amazing sponsors to help maintain it for years to come. In order to maintain our goal of keeping it all affordable to everyone, in every walk of life, no show will ever be more than $29. – $49. , so it can be affordable for everyone!
We have considered many things in our determination of this awesome gift, most of all the cooperation from the town, its leaders, their attitude to progress, customer service, and how much they care about their citizenry.
The town of Portage La Prairie, MB. definitely fits the bill. We will be proud to be affiliated with them, in our small and humble way.
music city manitoba's
purchase proposal
for 500 – 15TH STREET NW
Portage La Prairie, MB.
We will agree to purchase:
500 – 15th Street NW in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada (approximately 162,763 sq. ft. – 21.27 acres)
This is to include all the property & equipment, etc., including the lawns, and green areas, as we will need to utilize those, as well.
We believe that $4,644,000.00 (All In) is more than a fair offer, at this time,
(Without the benefit of viewing the building or being able to evaluate its condition, and the fact that
it is roughly a 70 + year old, dilapidated building, that will need millions of dollars, for renovations)
At this point, we are willing to pay for it in a manner, similar to the following.
The 1st payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on August 31, 2026
The 2nd payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on October 31, 2026
the 3rd payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on November 31, 2026
The 4th payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on January 31, 2027
The 5th payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on March 31, 2027
The 6th payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on May 31, 2027
The 7th payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on July 31, 2027
The 8th payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on September 30, 2027
The 9th payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on November 30, 2027
The 10th and final payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on December 31, 2027
The 11th payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on January 31, 2028
The 12th payment of $220,333.33 will be paid on March 15, 2028
The 13th & Final payment of $2,000,000.00 will be paid on June 30, 2028
At this point we will receive the bill of sale.
This is the only way we would be interested in purchasing this building, and still be able
to manage the restoration, renovations, marketing, and selling of our program, in a timely fashion.
There is another way of doing this, if the owner was open to it.
(Much more beneficial to the owner of the building. We can discuss this if there is any interest)
Conditional on the following:
* That the proper zoning and all other requirements are able to be met, in a timely fashion, so that we can implement everything we have planned over the next few years, and that we can get an engineering report done, just to make sure that the roof doesn’t leak, sprinklers are up to par, air conditioning is working, and that kind of stuff, and everything else is up to standards, and that we can bring in our architects, as soon as possible, to look things over, and to begin their planning.
* That we are provided with all the necessary plans, drawings, maintenance costs, etc. in the earliest possible time frame.
* An Onsite inspection tour of the property prior to August 26, 2025, be allowed, to determine its suitability for our project.
* That we are fully informed of anything that is not up to par. We assume that this everything to do with the heating, cooling, roof, water, sewage, security, and the like.
* That the City of Portage La Prairie cooperates in every way possible, to create this tourist boom. (permits, licenses, rental of other facilities we may require, etc.)
* That we are able to use this property from September 1, 2025 – March 15, 2028, for preparation, planning, a number of promotional events, an awareness campaign, selling our sponsorships, tickets, and products, required renovations, sound/light system, and basically everything else we need to do to get this place all ready, for Show Time, and to raise the money to help pay for the purchase and huge amount of renovations that will be required, of said building. At absolutely no cost. Other than what is described above.
No major load – bearing walls or pillars will be touched, without the consent of the owners. This is basically all cosmetic renovations. Although, we may not need all the loading doors, we may need those areas for lobbies, new entrances & exists, etc. If there are any major issues, we will get approval from the owners.
* That we will be able to get an answer (yes, they will do it, or no, they will not do it)
* The cost of the building of $4,644,000.00 will be paid in full, between now and March 15, 2028. Otherwise, the agreement can be declared null and void.
* The owner of the building can draft up the agreement. We will sign off on it, if we agree, with what’s in it.
* Our overall project will start on June 13, 2027, if possible.
* With the full payment amounting to $4,644,000.00 being paid on June 30, 2028, or sooner.
* That the bill of sale be provided to us, on the date, in which it is paid in full.
* We will make all temporary renovations, at our expense, required between September 1, 2025 – March 15, 2028, to bring it to the standards that we require, to move forward.
* As $4,644,000.00 is a lot of money for a dilapidated building, and a lot to pay for a 75 – year – old building, that will require a huge amount to complete the renovations, so timing is of the essence.
We don’t have to do this. We don’t need to do this. We want to do this!
Manitoba is our home, and we believe we should all try to give something back. It has been pretty good to us.
This project without a doubt will be the best thing ever to happen for Manitoba. That includes the Jets!
Thank you for your kind consideration and acknowledgement.
W.R. Flett
CEO/Founder
The Music City Manitoba Corporation
Questions needed to be answered:
Water Supply & Service – We would need the same supply of water as the city.
Sewage System – What is there now, and can we get that from the city, as well?
Power Supply – We will need a 600 – amp service, I suppose. Our architects will provide that info to us.
Heating/Cooling – Is it air conditioned? What type of heating is used now? Is the heating being utilized now?
Sprinkler System – Is there a sprinkler system, in the building?
Is there asbestos in this building? What about mold?
How much has been spent on renovations to date, and on what?
Snow clearing – Who provides that. Do we have to do it?
Could there be some land adjacent to the building that may be available for purchase?
Zoning must be conducive for all our needs.
Is the old dining area building, completely destroyed?
Promo Dates are Tentative.
Stay Tuned!
We will want to hold our promotional events on these tentative dates or relatively close to them:
June 15 – 27, 2026 (12 Days) $29.00 + $14.00 BCMfee + GST = $45.15
July 13 – 25, 2026 (12 Days) $29.00 + $14.00 BCMfee + GST = $45.15
August 10 – 22, 2026 (12 Days) $29.00 + $14.00 BCMfee+ GST = $45.15
September 14 – 26, 2026 (12 Days) $29.00 + $14.00 BCMfee + GST = $45.15
October 12 – 24, 2026 (12 Days) $29.00 + $14.00 BCMfee + GST = $45.15
November 9 – 21, 2026 (12 Days) $29.00 + $14.00 BCMfee + GST = $45.15
December 7 – 19, 2026 (12 Days) $49.00 + $14.00 BCMfee + GST = $66.15
January 14 – 23, 2027 (12 Days) $29.00 + $14.00 BCMfee + GST = $45.15
We will use the time period of December 20, 2026 – July 10, 2027
to renovate the building into what we want it to look like.
February 7 – 20, 2027 (14 Days) $49.00 + $14.00 BCMfee + GST = $66.15
June 13 – June 26, 2027 – (14 Days) $49.00 + $14.00 BCMfee + GST = $66.15
…after this, it is 312 days per year.
Quotes:
The greatest thing about ideas is being able to share them.
Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving.
There’s a difference between an open mind, and an empty head.
The only source of knowledge is experience.
offer expires in
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WE ARE PROUD TO HELP CREATE A long term economy BOOST TO
portage la prairie, mb.
You can contact us at any time at musiccitymanitoba@shaw.ca
or give us a call at 204.482.3490