The Keystone Centre has announced the beginning of the process to replace the arena seats in Westoba Place, the main arena and home to a wide variety of events, including Manitoba Ag Days, Dakota Nation Winterfest, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, numerous concerts, and the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings.
TBD Architecture + Urban Planning and OCL have been working with the Keystone Centre team on several projects in a strategic, operational, and design capacity. The modernization of the Westoba Place seating will transform the fan experience and will provide the guest with new seating opportunities. TBD Architecture + Urban Planning will be responsible for the seating design, project delivery, and contract management while OCL will support with operational modeling and business planning.
The new seats will be will be bigger, padded, and fitted with cup holders. Two rows of premium seating will also be installed at ice level – also rail seating, and loge suites will be built around the top of the concourse. The projects, to begin in May and completed by late August, will reportedly cost close to $5 million in total.
Image – Artist rendering – Westoba Place rail seating – Submitted
“The interest and enthusiasm we have seen from potential partners in the project speaks volumes about the leadership at the Keystone Centre and the desire to work in the great community of Brandon,” said Brian Bengert, Principal, with TBD Architecture and Urban Planning. “Westoba Place is at the heart of live sport, entertainment, agricultural and cultural celebrations in Manitoba and this seating revitalization project will provide the guest with most modern and competitive seating products in the industry” said, Tim Reid President with OCL.
“We are excited to continue creating a first-class experience for all of our guests at Westoba Place,” said Connie Lawrence, general manager of the Keystone Centre. “From new rink boards to a state-of-the-art centre-hung scoreboard, this seat replacement project further elevates the comfort and enjoyment of the current fan experience, and aims to create a new, premium experience available to a larger number of fans than ever before.”
The project is made possible by the Arts, Culture, and Sport in Community Fund grant from the Province of Manitoba, which was awarded in March of 2023. This grant will allow the Keystone Centre to make these much-needed upgrades to Westoba Place, enhancing the experience for all attendees.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Province of Manitoba for their support in realizing this project,” added Lawrence. “We are excited to welcome fans to experience the enhanced seating options and premium amenities at Westoba Place, as we set a new standard for live entertainment in the region.”
To learn more about the Keystone Centre visit Keystone Centre
