Keystone Centre Launches Foundation to Enhance Community Impact

The Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, has officially launched a new foundation aimed at bolstering its operations, enhancing facility improvements, and increasing accessibility for the community. The announcement, made on October 26, 2023, marks a significant step toward ensuring the longevity and relevance of this vital regional hub.

During the launch event, Barry Cooper, the foundation’s volunteer executive director, emphasized the centre’s role as a key economic and cultural driver for the region. “The Keystone is one of the best value-for-money investments we could ever make,” he stated. Cooper highlighted the need to raise awareness about the centre’s importance, urging the community to reflect on what life would be like without it.

The foundation, established in partnership with the Brandon and Area Community Foundation, will focus on educating the public regarding the centre’s significance. Donations to the foundation will be tax-receiptable and will be invested over time, allowing the Keystone Centre to utilize annual interest or a portion of the capital for specific projects.

Community Engagement as a Priority

Cooper outlined the foundation’s strategy, which prioritizes community engagement before launching into fundraising activities. “I’m not selling anybody anything,” he remarked. “I’m just talking about the value of the facility, and I hope that people see that as something they want to support.”

The foundation plans to gather feedback from residents to identify areas where the centre can improve. Connie Lawrence, the Keystone Centre’s CEO and general manager, noted that the foundation’s establishment has been in the works for several years. She expressed the necessity of maintaining the building, which has served the community for over 50 years. “We want to make sure that our doors stay open for years to come,” Lawrence stated.

Despite operating deficits in recent years, which have been mitigated by funding from both the city and province, Lawrence stressed the importance of securing ongoing financial support. “By educating and teaching people the importance of the Keystone Centre, I think that gives people peace of mind about where they could invest their money,” she said.

Significant Events to Foster Awareness

As part of its community outreach efforts, the foundation has announced two signature events. A free family fun day is scheduled for December 20, 2023, followed by the inaugural Keystone Centre Foundation Dinner on May 14, 2024. The dinner will feature keynote speaker Israel Idonije, a former NFL player and Brandon native, lending further prestige to the event.

Local politicians, including Grant Jackson, the Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris, attended the launch, reinforcing the call to action for residents to consider the centre’s significance. Jackson remarked on the rarity of such a facility in smaller communities, urging citizens and government alike to invest in its future.

The Keystone Centre has been described as an “economic anchor” for Brandon by Jennifer Ludwig, president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. She emphasized the centre’s crucial role in driving economic activity through various events that benefit local businesses. “There is not another venue like the Keystone Centre in Manitoba, and dare I say, western Canada,” Ludwig remarked.

As the Keystone Centre moves forward with its foundation, the focus remains on fostering community involvement and ensuring the facility remains a cherished asset for generations to come.