The provincial government will provide nearly $11 million to support the Keystone Centre
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
An important facility in Brandon, Man. is receiving support from the provincial government.
On March 31 during Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, Premier Heather Stefanson announced up to $11 million for the Keystone Centre.
“The Keystone Centre is a key contributor to the social, recreational, cultural and agricultural fabric of this region and of course our great province,” she said during the announcement.
Located on 90 acres in Brandon, the venue is home to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League and hosts multiple agricultural events like the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and Manitoba Ag Days.
In total, the venue plays host to nearly 1,500 events each year.
The building opened in 1973 and needs renovations.
Of the total dollar amount, about $3 million is in the form of a grant through the Arts, Culture and Sport in Community Fund.
These funds will be put towards $6 million in renovations including upgrades to air conditioning, washrooms, arena seating, sprinklers and loading ramps.
The remaining $7.9 million will help the Keystone Centre with its sustainability plan. Those dollars are also part of a five-year agreement between the province and City of Brandon, worth about $15.9 million.
“This agreement will give our board of directors and management the ability to build a robust plan for the next five years and to have some certainty when we strategically plan for the Keystone Centre’s future,” said Bruce Luebke, chair of the centre’s board of directors.