The City of Steinbach has announced the groundbreaking of the new Southeast Event Centre. The overall project will be a catalyst for redeveloping Steinbach’s downtown into a destination site for the community.
“The Southeast Event Centre is a long awaited project that will improve the lives of residents today and for generations,” said Steinbach MLA and Finance Minister Kelvin Goertzen. “The Centre is the result of community leaders, the private sector, and all levels of government coming together to improve the region and province.”
The brand-new Southeast Event Centre will be located in downtown Steinbach and will replace the Steinbach Centennial Arena. The multi-use facility will connect to the existing community plaza, T.G. Smith Arena, Steinbach Curling Club, and theatre. Physical construction of the facility is set to begin this month and the anticipated completion date for the project is November of 2024.
“This is truly a project where all levels of government and the community have been able to work together and collaborate on making such a great event centre possible,” said Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk. “I and all of City Council are proud to be part of this project, but there were many councils before us that saw this vision. The groundbreaking for me is really exciting because it’s the start – we’re finally starting. We’re going to be able to turn the sod over and this project is moving forward.”
In 2021, the Government of Canada and Province of Manitoba announced a combined funding contribution of up to $17.5 million through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). At time of project approval, the estimated total project cost of the Southeast Event Centre was $42.5 million. In November of 2022, Steinbach City Council awarded the Southeast Event Centre construction contract to Graham Construction and Engineering Inc., with an updated estimated total project cost of $66.2 million. Through a combination of reserve funds, operating funds and debt, the City will provide funding for the facility of $23.2 million, with the remaining $25.5 million expected to come from private and community fundraising coordinated by the Southeast Events Group Inc.
