View From the Legislature

On Friday, January 27th of this year, a group of individuals representing various levels of government and the private sector stood outside on a bitterly cold Manitoba day and did the ceremonial honours of turning sod to officially begin construction on the southeast event centre in Steinbach.

I was honoured to be among those who were able to participate in a ceremony that has been long awaited in the community. In some ways, it was a bittersweet event in that it also brought back the many memories that were made in the Centennial Arena which is scheduled to soon be torn down as construction on the new facility advances.

As a young person, some of my fondest memories were of watching the Steinbach Huskies compete for the Allan Cup in that old arena. It felt like the most important hockey in the world. But it is time not just for a new generation to make new memories in a modern facility, but to be able to host the type of events, like graduations, or tradeshows or concerts, that just are not possible without a new facility.

Getting to the point of the ground-breaking spanned literally decades. Past City Councils, MLAs, MPs and business leaders have all brought forward ideas and visions for this type of facility in Steinbach. And while those efforts may not have come to fruition, they should not be seen as unsuccessful. Quite the contrary. Each of those individuals and each of those proposals were a stepping stone to getting to the construction of this new facility and each helped lay the foundation. While each of those past elected officials, business people and city visionaries were not represented at the ceremonial ground breaking, all of them played a part in this important project that has spanned generations.

Ultimately, the southeast event centre does not happen without the leadership and financial commitment of private sector investors. They have not only led the vision but have made it a financial reality. While they have not undertaken the project for credit, they certainly deserve recognition for making this community dream a reality.

Now residents will see, and sometimes hear, the construction of this new facility take place. Pile driving is already taking place and over the next many months of construction, the facility will literally begin to take shape. And as it does, observers should remember that all of this work is about building a better future for our city and region. But it is only possible because many in the past worked toward a vision that is now taking shape.

There are many positive things happening in the southeast region. It continues to be a place of growth and opportunity that is literally drawing people from around the world. There is much to be optimistic about and much to look forward to.