‘Central park’ revamp in works for Keystone Centre

BRANDON — The Keystone Centre plans to revamp its ground space by adding an outdoor rink and trails, as well as enhancing the camping area.

“It’s showing that we can fill some needs in our community with some amenities that we’d get a lot of use and be appreciated by the public,” said city councillor Bruce Luebke, chair of the board.

“We’re at the very beginning, I would suggest, of trying to see the Keystone grounds become more than what they currently are.”

The city had identified the Keystone grounds as an area in which to create a “central park,” Luebke said.

“It’s … a nice enough green space right now, but there’s so much more that could be done there to make it a more attractive space for public use,” he said.

The plan was proposed last December at the board of governor’s meeting, and the centre is looking for financial support from multiple levels of government.

Initial discussions with the provincial government have gone well, he said.

Keystone Centre CEO and general manager Connie Lawrence said while the revamp is in the planning stages, it represents a long-term vision.

“For more than 50 years, the Keystone Centre has been the heart of western Manitoba, bringing together agriculture, sport, entertainment, business and community,” Lawrence said in an email statement. “As our facility continues to age, we have an opportunity to thoughtfully plan for the next generation of infrastructure that will serve our region for decades to come.”

The potential investments would “strengthen” the Keystone Centre’s ability to host events, she said.

Luebke said the plans, which include an open recreation lawn, skating oval and added amenities for campers, could change as the plans progress.

“You sometimes start with these plans and you put everything in there that you feel are good ideas, and then when you start costing things out, or you start building things, there’s some things that will likely maybe not come to fruition,” he said.

The final cost has yet to be worked out and it must be determined where a new arena would fit best. Building a new arena for the Wheat Kings, however, is “at least 10, if not 20 years” away, and the decision about its future location would only be made so the centre can plan better, he said.

He said consultants initially said the project would cost $30 million, minus the cost of a new arena or an outdoor aquatic complex, the latter of which is the city’s financial responsibility.

The timeline for the project, he said, depends on funding.

“Whether that’s 10 years or five or three, it all depends on the funding part.”

Luebke said creating a preliminary design before asking for funding is a good step, as it can also get the public on board. The Keystone Centre Foundation and Keystone Centre itself will likely start a funding push in the fall.

— Brandon Sun