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

Great Exchange of Ideas

  Thanks to Kim Longstreet and the organizers of last night's #thisismycommunity Town Hall at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Brandon.
  I was happy to be involved as one of the 19 candidates for the next City Council, but also to hear from other candidates on their thoughts and ideas on the five main issues on the discussion table (addiction, poverty, bigotry, mental health and crime).
  From my own standpoint, I'd have to say I feel more educated on the issues than I did before this exercise, and I can also say I've continued to research these issues in the time between submitting my initial response(s) and last night's Town Hall.
  I will continue to educate myself, and if I'm fortunate enough to represent South Centre on the next City Council, look forward to working with Mayor Chrest and other councillors on trying to address these issues.
  While I've already posted my response(s) to the 15 pre-questions, everyone in attendance also received the responses from every candidate during last night's function.  It's a 32-page document, but if you're interested in reading, here's it is.
  Other notes today...

• I'll be meeting with Michael Lee of The Brandon Sun to discuss the South Centre Ward particularly.  Michael has been doing profiles on each ward and the candidates the last couple of Saturday editions of The Sun and it's South Centre's turn.
• I've had a couple of additional requests for signs, but still have a handful left.  If anyone is interested in displaying their support, you can contact me at 204-730-2142 or luber@wcgwave.ca and I'll be happy to drop a sign off.
• The Brandon Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Federation of Independent Business have both sent questionaires/survey's to fill out, which I hope to complete in the next couple of days.
• Received an invite to a candidate's forum put on by BUSU (Brandon University Student's Union) on October 17th.  I'm going to try and fit it into my schedule and attend, if possible.

See you on the campaign trail.

Bruce

Bringing Back Memories

  Yesterday (Monday) brought back some memories for me as I spent the afternoon delivering information cards in the 500 to 800 block of 17th to 10th street in the South Centre Ward (see copies of the information cards below).

  While I had a chance to speak to a few residents in the area during my four-plus hours on the sidewalks, it also meant a return to the neighbourhood in a small way for me.

  You see, many years ago (20+), I was struggling with some debt and took a second job delivering flyers in that same area twice per week.

  I was amazed this week how many of the house remain in a similar condition as they were more than two decades ago, and how much I remembered the location of mailboxes on a lot of the homes.

  The other thing that struck me as how many of the houses in that area are actually sub-divided into multiple living quarters.

  For those of you in the South Centre Ward that have yet to receive my information cards, I hope to deliver to the rest of the Ward over the next 7-10 days.

  A copy of the cards is also posted below.

  Meanwhile, some other notes since my last post...

• looking forward to participating in the #thisismycommunity Town Hall tomorrow (Wednesday) nighit at St. Matthews Cathedral at 403 - 13th Street.  I will particularly looking forward to the exchange of ideas among other municipal candidates on dealing with the social issues that are in our community.
• you'll notice some of my campaign signs up on the perimeter of the South Centre Ward (Victoria Avenue, 1st Street, 18th Street and Richmond Avenue) - although they're being drowned out by the barrage of Brock McEwing signs on 1st (lol).  I have a handful left over so if any residents would like one, contact me at luber@wcgwave.ca or 204-730-2142 (Cell).
• one of the concerns brought forward by a resident in South Centre yesterday (Monday) was a lack of adequate crosswalk signs and/or crosswalks painted on the south side of Betty Gibson school. Hopefully, this is something the City of Brandon can be made aware of ASAP, though I will bring it forward if I am fortunate enough to be elected on October 24th.

That's all for now.  See you on the campaign trail.

Bruce Luebke