Brandon, Manitoba

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City of Brandon, Manitoba
The Riverbank Discovery Centre
Nickname(s): The Wheat City
Coordinates: 49°54′N 99°57′W / 49.9°N 99.95°W / 49.9; -99.95
Country Canada
Province Manitoba
Region Westman
Incorporated 1882
Government
 - City Mayor Dave Burgess
 - MLA Brandon West Rick Borotsik (PC)
 - MLA Brandon East Drew Caldwell (NDP)
 - MP Brandon—Souris Merv Tweed (CON)
Area
 - City 465.16 km2 (176.1 sq mi)
 - Urban 76.89 km2 (29.7 sq mi)
Elevation 409 m (1,343 ft)
Population (2006)
 - City 51,643
 - Density 539.9/km2 (1,398.3/sq mi)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) Central (CDT) (UTC-5)
Postal code R7A-R7C
Area code(s) 204
Website City of Brandon

Brandon is a city in southwestern Manitoba, Canada. The surrounding area is often referred to as "Westman".

The city started as a major junction on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and the Assiniboine River and was then incorporated in 1882.

Brandon, the second largest city and service centre in Manitoba after Winnipeg, is a major hub for the surrounding agricultural area. The population of its trading area is between 70,000 and 100,000 people, and the city proper has a population of 51,511. Brandon's industry reflects its agricultural history; its major industries are related to agriculture and include fertilizer and hog processing plants, as well as retail and government services for the surrounding area of Westman. Brandon is also home to Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College.

Spruce Woods Provincial Park is a relatively short distance (by car) to the southeast of the city. Minnedosa Beach is only half an hour to the North.

Brandon's Army Reserve unit is 26th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery and the Canadian warship HMCS Brandon was named after the city.

Contents

[edit] Politics

[edit] City Council

Current Councillors:

[edit] Former mayors

[edit] Provincial representatives

[edit] Brandon West

[edit] Brandon East

[edit] Federal representatives

[edit] Geography & Climate

The city is located in the Westman region of southwestern Manitoba. It is on the banks of the Assiniboine river valley and has a few natural hills within the surrounding area.

Brandon has a semi-arid mid-latitude steppe climate (Koppen climate classification BSk), with cold, dry winters and warm to hot summers. Brandon experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures often influenced by winds blowing in from the southern United States, and Winter temperatures often influenced by winds blowing in from the Canadian Arctic.

Brandon's average July high is 26.5°C and Brandon's average January low is -23.9°C. Brandon's total annual precipitation (including rain and snow) is 472.7 mm (18.6 inches).[1]


 Weather averages for Brandon 
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.3
(47)		 15
(59)		 25.6
(78)		 36
(97)		 38.5
(101)		 42.2
(108)		 43.3
(110)		 41.1
(106)		 37.8
(100)		 32.5
(91)		 22.2
(72)		 14.4
(58)
Average high °C (°F) -11.9
(11)		 -7.5
(19)		 -0.5
(31)		 10.7
(51)		 19.2
(67)		 23.5
(74)		 25.9
(79)		 25.4
(78)		 18.8
(66)		 11.3
(52)		 -0.6
(31)		 -9.1
(16)		 8.8
(48)
Average low °C (°F) -23.7
(-11)		 -19.3
(-3)		 -11.7
(11)		 -2.7
(27)		 4.4
(40)		 9.8
(50)		 11.9
(53)		 10.5
(51)		 4.9
(41)		 -1.5
(29)		 -10.6
(13)		 -20.1
(-4)		 -4
(25)
Record low °C (°F) -46.1
(-51)		 -46.7
(-52)		 -43.9
(-47)		 -27.8
(-18)		 -13.9
(7)		 -3.9
(25)		 0
(32)		 -3.3
(26)		 -11.7
(11)		 -26.5
(-16)		 -40.6
(-41)		 -43
(-45)
Precipitation mm (inches) 19.2
(0.76)		 16
(0.63)		 23.5
(0.93)		 29.3
(1.15)		 52.6
(2.07)		 75.7
(2.98)		 72.5
(2.85)		 69.2
(2.72)		 48.3
(1.9)		 28.5
(1.12)		 18.6
(0.73)		 20.7
(0.81)		 474
(18.66)
Source: Environment Canada[2] 2009-07-09

[edit] Education

Public schools in Brandon are governed by the Brandon School Division. The are a number of elementary and middle schools throughout the city. There are three highschools: Vincent Massey, Crocus Plains Regional School, and Neelin High School. Brandon is also home to three post-secondary institutions: Robertson College, Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College.

[edit] Sports

Brandon is currently home to the following amateur sports teams:

The Wheat Kings play at Westman Communications Group Place, the newly named main arena at Keystone Centre.

Brandon has hosted many curling events, including:

  • The Brier - the Canadian Men's Curling Championship in 1963 and 1982
  • The Scott Tournament of Hearts - the Canadian Women's Championship in 1993 and 2002
  • 1995 World Curling Championship - Men's and Women's Championship
  • 1997 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials - the first ever Canadian trials after curling became an official Olympic Sport

Brandon has held the Canada Games in year of 1979 Winter Games and 1997 Summer Games.

Brandon will be holding the Memorial Cup festivities in 2010.

[edit] Recreational facilities

The Keystone Centre, home to many sporting events and the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. In the background is a newly attached hotel by Canad Inns
  • Westman Communications Group Place/Keystone Centre (hockey, curling)
  • Sportsplex (indoor swimming pool, hockey)
  • Andrews Field (baseball)
  • Kinsmen Stadium (baseball, football)
  • Turtle Crossing (formerly Curran Park) (softball)
  • Simplot Millennium Park (baseball)
  • Optimist Soccer Park
  • Crocus Plains Field Hockey Pitch
  • Wheat City Curling Club
  • Riverview Curling Club
  • Thunderbird Bowl
  • Canada Games Rugby Pitch
  • Queen Elizabeth Park (baseball, tennis)
  • Deer Ridge Golf Club
  • Glen Lea Golf Club
  • Northern Pines Golf Club
  • Sunnyside Golf & Country Club

[edit] Transportation

Great North West Railway in Forrest, near Brandon
  • Taxi service is available from numerous local taxi companies.
  • The city of Brandon runs Brandon Transit, which provides daily bus service throughout the city. The system comprises 10 routes that operate only six days a week. (Monday to Saturday)
  • Brandon is serviced by the Brandon Airport, a municipal airport.
  • Brandon has a system of walking / bike trails throughout the city.

[edit] Events and exhibitions

southeast in Spruce Woods Provincial Park (near the city)
  • The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba is a non-profit organization established in 1872, which is now housed at the city's extensive Keystone Centre complex. It hosts the
    • Royal Manitoba Winter Fair (March)
    • Manitoba Summer Fair (June)
    • Manitoba Livestock Expo (November)
  • AgDays - Canada's largest indoor Agricultural Trade Show and Program, and one of the premier shows of its kind in North America. Held in mid January each year at Brandon's Keystone Centre.
  • Brandon Folk Music and Arts Festival is a weekend event held annually in late July. The festival is held outdoors on the grounds of the Keystone Centre.
  • The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, located at the Brandon Municipal Airport.

[edit] Media

Main article: Media in Brandon, Manitoba

[edit] Music and the arts

  • Russ Conway (1913-2009), an American actor was born in Brandon.
  • Brandon hosts the Brandon Festival of the Arts every February and March. This festival is associate with the Manitoba Festival of the Arts, and participants regularly represent Brandon at the provincial level of the festival.
  • Brandon hosts the Brandon Jazz Festival. This non-competitive, education based festival brings in over 3500 participants from schools across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, and the Northern USA. The 3-day festival hosts 20+ adjudicators and performers.
  • Brandon hosts an annual Folk Festival. Organized by the Brandon Folk Music and Arts Society, the Brandon Folk Festival takes place every summer 'under the trees' on the Keystone Center. The festival actively pursues local and regional talent. Notable past performers include Big Dave McLean, Murray Evans, Wally Landreth, Crash Test Dummies, Rheostatics, Ben Sures, Hugo Torres, Papa Mambo, Scruj MacDhk, Swing Soniq, The Hummers, The Wyrd Sisters, Bill Bourne, Fred Eaglesmith, Harry Manx, Ellen Mcllwaine, Fred Penner, Wailin' Jennys, D Rangers, Bob Evans, The Plaid Tongued Devils, Burnt, and Tagaq.
  • Brandon regularly hosts numerous musical and non-musical theatre productions every year, including shows by all three high schools (Vincent Massey High School, Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, Neelin High School), whom each put on a yearly production.
  • Brandon University School of Music hosts an annual 'Pro Series'. Guest artists from across North America are brought in to Brandon to perform at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall. Past performers include Bob Brookmeyer, George Crumb, The Penderecki String Quartet, and Charles Rosen. Numerous student performances and four annual visits from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra fill out the calendar, except in the Summer.
  • The Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition takes place each May, rotating between Voice, Piano and Strings events each year.
  • Brandon hosts the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba which hosts exhibitions from artists both local and from across Canada.
  • Brandon also plays host to three non professional theatre groups. 7 Ages Productions, Mecca Productions and the Outcast Theatre Company.
  • Brandon is fortunate enough to have an active community orchestra. The Brandon Community Orchestra meets weekly on Saturday morning at the University and performs various concerts throughout the year.
  • "Words Alive" is an annual literary festival held in downtown Brandon. Authors to have participated in this festival include Robert J. Sawyer, Maggie Siggins, Fred Stenson and Corey Redekop.
  • Brandon will be hosting the 2009 Western Canadian Music Awards on September 17 to 19, 2009.

[edit] City issues

Brandon at night as seen from the North Hill

[edit] ACC relocation to vacant Brandon Mental Health Centre (BMHC)

The Brandon Mental Health Centre is a picturesque group of buildings in the city's north end. The facility was abandoned in the 1990s as mental health services were moved away from an institutional setting, and into the communities of the patients. The provincial government announced in 2005 that part or all of Assiniboine Community College (ACC) would move to the site.

[edit] Public services building

Central Fire Station

The city's Fire and Police Services both require newer facilities as their main buildings have grown too small for their current uses. Despite public opposition as well as opposition from the Brandon Fire Services, city council has chosen a location on the north side of the 18th street bridge.

[edit] Downtown revitalization

With most of the city's retail activity having moved to the major Eighteenth Street shopping centres, downtown renewal and the viability of the Business Improvement Area (BIA), a downtown development organization with taxation powers, became a larger concern. The BIA was disbanded in 2006, however, the future of the downtown is still under debate.

[edit] Industrial Pollution

There is a significant presence of agri-chemical producers in eastern Brandon, including former Simplot Chemicals, now Koch Canada. As residential land has expanded eastward in the past thirty years, increasing residential complaints of smells, clouds and dust have been raised. To date, these issues have not been aggressively pursued by civic or provincial workers.

[edit] See also

[edit] Further reading

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1961-1990". Environment Canada. http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1961_1990_e.html?province=MB&stationID=562&stationName=&searchType=. Retrieved on 2009-06-02. 
  2. ^ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 09 July 2009

[edit] External links

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Coordinates: 49°50′N 99°57′W / 49.833°N 99.95°W / 49.833; -99.95

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