New seats unveiled in Westoba Place

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This article was published 21/09/2024 (564 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Keystone Centre unveiled upgraded seats at Westoba Place with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday evening.

The seats, worth more than $2 million and designed to enhance spectators’ experience at the arena, are 20 inches wide, replacing the previous 16-inch seats

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Ian Bushie and Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Glen Simard, MLA for Brandon East. Also present were Brandon Deputy Mayor Glen Parker, Keystone Centre board chair Bruce Luebke and Provincial Exhibition president Clint Swain.

General manager Connie Lawrence said the efforts of the partners, including J&G Commercial, TBD Architecture, Brandon Heating and Plumbing, MCM Architecture, the City of Brandon, the Province of Manitoba and the Provincial Exhibition, made the project a success.

“Today’s ceremony highlights our vision and mission to build and strengthen community one experience at a time. Reaching a major milestone like this can only be achieved through incredible teamwork,” she said.

The new seats, she said, will draw more people to the centre.

“If you’re comfortable sitting in a seat, you’re more likely to come to events,” she told the Sun. “The old seats served their purpose, but now we have more comfort, cup holders and a range of seat sizes. There’s no reason this arena shouldn’t be full.”

Among the new seats is the unique “Seat of Truth,” which was unveiled by Premier Wab Kinew earlier on Friday.

Jared McKenzie, Keystone Centre’s marketing and ticketing director, explained the single orange seat, which is located in section 112, row K and designated as seat 2, is meant to serve as a commemorative gesture to honour the spirits and lives lost to historical violence, residential schools and the Sixties Scoop, as well as to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

“It’s a reminder of our commitment to truth and reconciliation,” McKenzie told the Sun. “There will be a QR code on the seat directing people to our website, where they can learn more about its significance.”

Bushie emphasized the importance of the collaboration between the city and provincial entities.

“For us, it’s a true partnership, and we want to be able to give back,” he said. “This enhanced experience that you’re going to see in the game here today is imperative for us to continue that going forward.”

Simard cited the long-standing significance of the Keystone Centre to the community.

“The investments made in the Keystone Centre and Westoba Place will continue to keep this facility vibrant,” he said. “It’s a facility that all Brandonites can be very proud of. I can’t wait to see a full arena and that first goal — it’ll be better than the teddy bear toss.”

Parker said the city is excited about the upgrades.

“It’s an amazing enhancement for this facility, and hopefully, we’ll be hosting a major hockey tournament in this building soon,” he said. “Go Wheat Kings!”

Luebke highlighted the significant capital investment involved in the project.

“This is just the latest in a series of investments into Westoba Place,” he said. “We have a lot of exciting things happening here at the Keystone Centre, and this is the first of many more things to come.”

Following the speeches, the dignitaries gathered to cut the ribbon, officially opening the upgraded Westoba Place to the public. Guests were then invited to explore the renovated arena and enjoy the enhanced facilities.

The seat-replacement project, which was executed by the Jacobson & Greiner Group, involved the installation of about 4,500 new chairs, expanding seating features around the main concourse and significantly enhancing the arena’s comfort and accessibility.

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