Since Charles Asked

  Nine days ago, former city editor at The Brandon Sun and current owner of Tweedia, threw out this question on Twitter…

 

  As soon as I saw it, I thought this was somewhat in my wheelhouse, as my background is largely associated with sports and recreational organizations and facilities.

Keystone Centre

Westoba Place is currently one of the oldest buildings being used by a team in the Western Hockey League (in fact, I believe it’s the oldest).  It opened in April of 1973, and I’ve told a few people in the last couple of years that citizens of Brandon don’t realize it yet, but we’ll soon be facing the prospect of replacing the main arena at the Keystone Centre.  I believe planning needs to begin in the next four years.  To be clear, I’m not saying we need to commit to anything, but we need to start thinking about it.  As a prospective, Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw cost about 61 million dollars when it was built eight years ago, and in current dollars, that would equate to about 72 million dollars.

Sportsplex

The Sportsplex is an annual money loser for the City of Brandon (usually around $1,000,000 per year), but serves a purpose as a recreational facility for residents. It was built in the mid 1970’s, which means it will soon be 50 years old.  A replacement might be part of a larger project in Brandon (see below).

City of Brandon Park

  I have an idea about the creation of a large ‘recreational hub’ in Brandon that could include some type of large building, surrounded by green space.

  I’ve referred to this as a mini ‘Canada Games Sports for Life Centre’ for our City – a facility which could include:

• A Field House that would also include office space for the various sports organizations operating in the City of Brandon.
• Other items that could be included in the building might be a gymnasium, workout space, elevated classroom, and conference room.
• A portion of the space could be dedicated to a Brandon Sports Hall of Fame.  As part of that, perhaps an agreement could be worked out with the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame for a rotation of exhibits that have a Westman or Brandon theme.
• The facility could be surrounded green space for the development of soccer pitches, football field, cricket field, an outdoor rink, splash park, outdoor swimming pool, skating oval, etc.  In other words, a recreational area for use by all of the City’s residents.

   I looked at the City of Saskatoon, and the Gordie Howe Sports Complex, which has upgraded itself in recent years to include opportunities for ten different sports to use the Complex.  Closer to home, take a drive 90 minutes West and look at what the Town of Moosomin has established for its’ recreational opportunities at Bradley Park (http://www.moosomin.com/parksandrec/)

Other Thoughts/Questions

• I feel that one of the things holding back the further development of recreational facilities and opportunities in Brandon is the inability of sports organizations to work together.  I would like to see the City of Brandon take a lead role in establishing some type of Brandon Sports Alliance that would include representation from sports organizations and/or facilities in Brandon.
• Is there an opportunity to use the green space available in the infield at UCT Stadium (there's an area approximately 110 yards long and 60 yards wide of grass there).
• I see the Optimist Soccer Park is back in use.  Does this alleviate the need for a soccer only complex?
• Why is the City directly involved in supplying a facility for some sports (i.e. golf) and not others?
• Is an updated Recreation Master Plan in order?  The last one was completed more than ten years ago.

  I haven’t seen another candidate for council respond to Charles, but I’d be interested to see what others thought.

  See you on the campaign trail.

Bruce