ROK Central's (Recreation Opportunity for Kids) new resource/drop-in centre in Portage la Prairie is almost complete.

A free barbecue was held Thursday to get the word out to the community that things are moving along nicely at the location in the Manitoba Housing units on 11th Street NW. Executive director Lynne Parker says they're looking at a grand opening day in a few weeks.

"We're pretty close to being all set up here. We have numerous partners that will be here helping out including the Tupper Street Family Resource Centre (TSFRC), Southern Health Sante-Sud, Canadian Mental Health, Portage Friendship Centre, and Youth for Christ. This has really been a dream of mine for some time now because I've always said we need to get a resource centre on the north side of the tracks."

Parker in her new office at the Centre on 11 St NW in Portage. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

Parker finally has an office she'll be able to work full time from once programming has wrapped up in the fall. The unit will also hold a counselling room for people in need, and the Portage la Prairie School Division's looking at hosting some parent teacher interviews there as well.

"Anyone looking for some resources can get in touch with me personally, but I'll officially be in my office in a 9-5 role in the fall. We'd like to get toward having an after school program here in the fall, but it comes down to how well we can fundraise and any grants we receive."

Cathy Vanstone serving up some hotdogs and fries at the event. Fries were provided free of charge by Simplot. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

Tupper Street Family Resource Centre executive director Cathy Vanstone says they'll be running some programs out of the Centre as well.

"Once we get rolling here we'll have a calendar that will be posted with times that people are available from different resource places in town. So those will be the times that people can come out. It's going to be awesome to get to know more families, their kids, and just help people understand there are a lot of great agencies in the community that really care about families."

A draw was held to choose the name of the facility Friday afternoon. The winning name received a $50 gift card to Panko's from Manitoba Housing.