Keystone Centre
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| Location | 1175 18th Street Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 7C5 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 49°49′51″N 99°57′36″W / 49.83083°N 99.96000°W |
| Owner | Keystone Agricultural & Recreation Centre Inc. |
| Operator | Keystone Agricultural & Recreation Centre Inc. |
| Capacity | 5,102 (Hockey) 5,000 (Royal Manitoba Winter Fair) |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | November 13, 1970 |
| Opened | April 2, 1973[1] |
| Expanded | 1982, 1992 |
| Construction cost | $3.4 million[2] ($24.4 million in 2023 dollars[3]) |
| Architect | Ward & Macdonald Associates[4] |
| Tenants | |
| Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) (1972–present) Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba (1972–present) | |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Keystone Centre is a multi-purpose facility located in Brandon, Manitoba. Its main 5,102-seat arena which is known as Westoba Place is the home of the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League and the annual Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.
History
The original structure was built in 1973 and was known as the Keystone Centre. It was a joint venture between the City of Brandon, the Government of Manitoba, and the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, which organizes the Royal Fair each March. The Keystone Agricultural and Recreation Centre Inc., a non-profit corporation formed by the three parties, owns and operates the complex and grounds. The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba contributed the original land and assets. The City of Brandon and the Province of Manitoba have agreed to cover any operating deficits of the Keystone Centre.
The Canad Inns hotel replaced the Manex Arena, the former home of the Wheat Kings. The complex underwent through an interior redesign in the summer of 2007. The Keystone Centre also features an exhibition hall for trade shows and agricultural events, two smaller hockey arenas, and the Brandon Curling Club.
On May 1, 2007, Westman Communications Group purchased the naming rights to the main arena and viewing lounge. Westman Communications Group ended their naming rights to the main arena in October, 2017, and signage was removed in January, 2018.[5] On February 2, 2018, Westoba Credit Union purchased the naming rights to the main arena and viewing lounge.[6]
Events
The Westoba Place hosted the 2010 Memorial Cup.[7][8] Other major events held at the Keystone Centre include the 1999 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (co-hosted with Winnipeg), the 1995 Ford Men's and Women's World Curling Championships, the 1982 Labatt Brier, the 1993 and 2002 Scott Tournament of Hearts, the 1997 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, and the 1994 Air Canada Cup. On October 13, 2017, Curling Canada announced that the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier will take place at the Keystone Centre from March 2nd to 10th.[9]
The Western Canadian Junior "B" Hockey Championship, the Keystone Cup, is named after the Keystone Centre as it was the alternate site used by the original tournament in 1983 that took place in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
WWE held their flagship Monday Night Raw event on October 23, 1995.
References
- ^ "The Official opening of the Keystone Center occurred on 2nd April 1973". eBrandon. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
- ^ "Work Starts on Brandon, Man. Exhibition Center". Amusement Business. 83 (3). Billboard Publications. 1971.
- ^ 1688 to 1923: Geloso, Vincent, A Price Index for Canada, 1688 to 1850 (December 6, 2016). Afterwards, Canadian inflation numbers based on Statistics Canada tables 18-10-0005-01 (formerly CANSIM 326-0021) "Consumer Price Index, annual average, not seasonally adjusted". Statistics Canada. Retrieved April 17, 2021. and table 18-10-0004-13 "Consumer Price Index by product group, monthly, percentage change, not seasonally adjusted, Canada, provinces, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Keystone Centre still on the go". Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. 1969-04-05. p. 18.
- ^ "Westman Communications Group Place out as name for Keystone Centre arena". Brandon Sun. 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
- ^ "WESTMAN PLACE TO BECOME WESTOBA PLACE". Brandon Wheat Kings. 2018-02-02. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
- ^ "Brandon Wheat Kings to host 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup". Western Hockey League. October 16, 2008. Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Brandon wins bid to host 2010 Memorial Cup". CBC Sports. October 15, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
- ^ "Brandon to play host to 2019 Tim Hortons Brier". Curling Canada. October 13, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
