Keystone seeks funding boost from council

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This article was published 02/11/2024 (479 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Faced with increases in paying for utilities and insurance, the Keystone Centre will be asking Brandon City Council for a boost in funding during its next regular meeting to be held on Monday.

The Keystone Centre is one of three public entities that are on the council’s agenda along with the Western Manitoba Regional Library and the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.

While none of the entities included how much they are seeking, the Keystone’s submission provided an outline of the financial challenges it has faced, with a preview of events it hopes will bring future financial gain.

The Keystone Centre reported an operating loss of $1.1 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year, and an unaudited operating loss of $547,923 for 2023-24, according to its operational update it will be submitting to mayor and council.

Additionally, a projected operating loss for 2024-25 is listed as $616,902.

When listing utility bills, the operational update document showed increases in water, natural gas, and hydro for the Keystone Centre.

The bill for Manitoba Hydro is listed as $366,600, which is a 74 per cent increase from 2020-21. Water usage cost the Keystone $97,000, which is an increase of 117 per cent from 2020-21, the document stated.

There was a 47 per cent increase in natural gas from 2020-21 adding up to a cost of $236,814, which includes about $90,000 in carbon tax.

The insurance bill is listed as $334,919, which is a 48 per cent increase from 2020-21. According to the document, it is expected to rise further to $438,805 in 2024-25, which would represent a 90.9 per cent increase over 2020-21.

New revenue of $700,000 is expected to come from an increase in “rental rates across the board,” including a 15 per cent rise in ice rental rates for the next two years, the document said.

The revenue from the loge box suites in Westoba Place is listed as $125,000 and another $75,000 is expected to come from additional sponsorships.

Canada’s National Arabian Championship Show is expected to bring spectators and about $350,000 in revenue to the Keystone Centre when it returns in August 2025.

Other potential events that the Keystone is hoping to secure included the 2025 Hockey Canada U18 Women’s Championship and the 2026 Memorial Cup.

In September, an official ribbon-cutting was held to unveil the new seats in Westoba Place that came with a price tag of more than $2 million. The new seats are 20 inches wide, replacing the previous 16-inch-wide seats.

In section 112, row K, and designated as seat 2 is the “Seat of Truth,” meant to serve as a commemorative gesture for truth and reconciliation.

Also, on the council’s agenda for its regular meeting Monday evening, will be a quarterly review and update of its 2022-26 strategic plan.

There are 17 strategies in the document including a net zero homelessness plan, improving communication between residents and the city, and adopting a climate change action plan.

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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