Keystone Centre Establishes Foundation to Enhance Community Engagement

The Keystone Centre, a significant venue in Brandon, Manitoba, has launched a new foundation aimed at bolstering the facility’s operations, improvements, and accessibility. This initiative was officially announced on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment for the non-profit organization as it seeks to enhance its role as a regional hub for community engagement and support.

The newly formed Keystone Centre Foundation will prioritize educating the local community about the centre’s importance, according to Barry Cooper, the foundation’s volunteer executive director. At the announcement, he emphasized the centre’s dual role as an economic and cultural driver for both Brandon and the surrounding Westman region. “The Keystone is one of the best value-for-money investments we could ever make,” Cooper stated. “We need to talk more about this.”

The announcement event attracted a diverse audience, including local politicians, business leaders, and board members from the foundation, which operates in partnership with the Brandon and Area Community Foundation. The foundation will manage tax-receiptable donations, allowing the Keystone Centre to utilize annual interest or a portion of the capital for specific projects.

Cooper highlighted the necessity of reminding the community about the centre’s value. “Being part of a community for over 50 years, it’s easy to overlook how truly important this building is,” he remarked. He posed a thought-provoking question about the potential impact on the region if the Keystone Centre were no longer operational.

To foster community engagement, Cooper stated that the foundation will first focus on understanding how residents perceive the centre and its offerings. “I’m not selling anybody anything. I’m just talking about the value of the facility,” he explained. He shared that many individuals have personal stories related to the centre, underscoring its significance in shaping local experiences.

The foundation’s strategy includes seeking community input on improvements, aiming to build a stronger connection with residents. Connie Lawrence, CEO and general manager of the Keystone Centre, noted that establishing the foundation has been a long-term goal. “We want to ensure that our doors stay open for years to come,” she said. Lawrence pointed out that maintaining a 50-year-old building can be costly, and a structured foundation is essential for securing its future.

Recent years have seen the Keystone Centre operating at a deficit, a situation managed with financial support from the city and provincial government. “I need to ensure that it is properly funded as we move forward,” Lawrence added. She stressed the centre’s role as a community pillar, cautioning that its closure would negatively affect local businesses, including hotels and restaurants.

In an effort to raise awareness and encourage community involvement, the foundation will host two signature events. The first is a free family fun day scheduled for December 20, 2023, followed by the inaugural Keystone Centre Foundation Dinner on May 14, 2024. The dinner will feature a keynote speech by former NFL player and local resident Israel Idonije.

Local political leaders also expressed their support for the foundation. Grant Jackson, MP for Brandon-Souris, highlighted the centre’s importance to the community, particularly for young residents. “As a small-town kid getting to come into a facility like this, you just don’t see that every day,” he stated. Jackson called the foundation a “call to action,” urging residents to consider the centre’s value and the importance of its continued presence in the community.

Jennifer Ludwig, president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, reflected on her evolving understanding of the centre’s significance. “The Keystone Centre is an economic anchor of this community,” she noted. “There is not another venue like the Keystone Centre in Manitoba, and dare I say, western Canada.”

Through its foundation, the Keystone Centre aims to strengthen its ties with the community and secure its future as a vital resource for Brandon and the surrounding areas.