Opinion

Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION

Louder!

By: Uncredited

Saturday, May. 26, 2012 | Comments: 0

“We are going to become increasingly frustrated and loud.”

— Mayor Shari Decter Hirst on working with the province

The city had some very good news this week when it was announced that the Brandon Wheat Kings will call Westman Place home for the next five years.

Ask anyone across Canada what they know about Brandon and it’s very likely the first thing you’ll hear is “Wheat Kings.”

As Brandon Sun sports editor James Shewaga put it in his column yesterday, the WHL franchise provides us with “priceless national publicity.”

Not only does the team play a key role in raising the city’s profile, but Kings’ owner Kelly McCrimmon pegs its economic impact at between $12 to 14 million.

Simply put, Brandon loves our Wheaties — and we want the team to stay put.

“As owner of the Wheat Kings, I run a business, plain and simple,” McCrimmon told the media after he endorsed a deal that replaces a 15-year lease set to expire on May 31.

“It just happens that this business is a hockey team. As we went through negotiations, I have a responsibility to ownership to do a good lease, but I also have a responsibility to the city and our fans to reach an agreement. We are a major part of the fabric of this city.”

While specific financial details were not released, both McCrimmon and Keystone Centre general manager Neil Thomson confirmed the team’s rent will quadruple what had been paid under the expiring lease.

That will give the Keystone Centre a much-needed ongoing revenue boost. But it needs much more cash right now for some emergency repairs and key upgrades.

A pledge was made to improve Westman Place to ensure it meets the standards set by the Western Hockey League. That pledge, which McCrimmon characterized as an “implicit good faith understanding,” includes a plan to improve the seats in the arena, better lighting in the arena as well as improving the player facilities offered by the team.

“In the 15 years of the lease just expiring, there were basically no improvements in the main arena, with the exception of the (2010) Memorial Cup, a process spearheaded by our organization,” McCrimmon said. “As a result, we have fallen behind WHL standards in arena lighting, sound and seating. It’s imperative these areas get addressed and through the negotiation process, there’s a shared understanding of the importance of this.”

The Keystone Centre was established through an agreement between the City of Brandon and the Province of Manitoba that saw the two parties share equally in any deficit of the Keystone. The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba contributed the land and assets of the day and the three parties formed the Leadership Group.

However, one of those partners isn’t playing nice these days.

In fact, pleas to the Selinger government to help with urgent immediate repairs are falling on deaf ears.

Hence, the mayor’s need to yell.

And we’re about ready to scream ourselves.

Shari Decter Hirst threw out a $10-million figure when describing the desired capital upgrades, which includes roof repairs.

“It would be $5 million to (the city) because we have a funding partner,” Decter Hirst said. “We have known about this need and the priority of what needs to happen for at least a year. Until we can get both partners to the table, nothing is happening.”

Your Worship, we hear you.

But we’re not so sure your being heard at the Manitoba legislature.

Here’s what Brandon East NDP MLA Drew Caldwell had to say this week when asked by a Sun reporter about coming to the aid of the Keystone Centre:

“We will continue to work together with our funding partners at the City of Brandon to build economic development opportunities at the Keystone Centre.”

That attempt at a spin-doctored platitude from our man on Broadway isn’t going to help stop the Keystone Centre’s roof from leaking today.

Let’s separate the wheat from the chaff, Mr. Caldwell — as it stands now, it will be largely the province’s fault if Brandon loses its hockey team in five years.

Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition May 26, 2012

Rate this
This article has not yet been rated.

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments

You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

There are no comments at the moment. Be the first to post a comment below.

Post Your Comment

The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

“We are going to become increasingly frustrated and loud.”

— Mayor Shari Decter Hirst on working with the province

Please subscribe to view full article.

Already subscribed? Login to view full article.

Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup

“We are going to become increasingly frustrated and loud.”

— Mayor Shari Decter Hirst on working with the province

Subscription required to view full article.

A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.