Sportsplex arena reopens after $7M reno

The City of Brandon reopened the Sportsplex arena on Saturday afternoon after completing a two-year, $7-million renovation of the facility on Knowlton Drive.

The retrofit includes a new state-of-the-art ice plant, upgraded boards and lighting, and refurbished seating for 800 spectators, marking a milestone for one of the city’s recreation hubs, which first opened its doors in 1971.

The reopening celebration drew residents, skaters and representatives from Assiniboine College hockey, who took to the ice for the first skate on the new surface.

“We’re thrilled to have people back,” recreation manager Heather Reimer said. “The Sportsplex has always been a gathering place, and with this renewal, it’s ready to serve our community for decades to come.”

The extensive upgrade, jointly funded by the city and the Manitoba government, is a significant investment in both the city’s recreation network and its community spirit, Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett told the Sun at the event.

“It was about $7 million to do the complete retrofit,” Fawcett said. “The province was involved for, I think, about $3 million, but it was a big undertaking overall. The entire arena needed to be redone, including the brine lines under the concrete that keep the ice frozen.

“It’s all brand new — the ice plant, the boards, the lines, everything. People wanted the rink back, and we listened. It’s a fresh, clean, community space again.”

The upgrade, which began after the arena’s unexpected ice plant failure in 2022, took just about two years to complete.

During that time, city officials held public consultations to determine whether to rebuild the facility as an arena or transform it into a multi-sport field house.

The response from residents was clear — they wanted ice back in the building, Reimer said.

“About $5 million of the total cost was for the new ice plant and the arena slab. We also put in new HVAC systems to improve air circulation, brand-new boards and glass, energy-efficient LED lighting and refurbished player benches made with composite materials,” she said.

The revitalized Sportsplex, she added, now meets modern safety and accessibility standards, offering a comfortable viewing experience for spectators and a high-quality playing surface for teams.

“This milestone would not have been possible without the incredible effort of so many people,” Reimer said. “While we can all appreciate this beautifully refreshed space, the real star of the show is behind closed doors — the new ice plant, which ensures the safety of our patrons and provides excellent-quality ice for years to come.”

Brandon-Souris MP Grant Jackson, who grew up playing hockey at the Sportsplex, reflected on the facility’s importance to local athletes.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to be here,” Jackson said. “I know ice time has been at a premium since this facility went down, so it’s fantastic to see it back up and running. I commend all the partners and the funding support that made this possible. This facility is vital to the Brandon area and will serve future generations of players and fans.”

The renovation is both a restoration of local tradition and an investment in future community wellness, Spruce Woods MLA Colleen Robbins told the audience.

“This arena has long been a place where athletes take their first strides and families cheer in the stands,” Robbins said. “It has served many generations, and with this renovation, it will serve many more in a safe, modern and accessible space. Congratulations to everyone who made this happen.”

Fawcett said more additions are on the way, including a new privately operated canteen expected to open in January 2026 and the return of the outdoor rink on the north side of the building later this fall.

“This is a great community facility,” he said. “It’s home to youth hockey, recreational skaters and college athletes alike. It’s a place for everyone — from those just learning to skate to the teams chasing championships. And when the canteen opens and the outdoor rink returns, it’ll bring even more life to this space.”

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