Former names Keystone Arena Opened 2 April 1973 Province Manitoba | Surface Multi-surface Phone +1 204-726-3500 | |
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Location 1175 18th Street
Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 7C5 Owner Keystone Agricultural & Recreation Centre Inc. Operator Keystone Agricultural & Recreation Centre Inc. Capacity 5,102 (Hockey)
5,000 (Royal Manitoba Winter Fair) Address 1175 18th St #1, Brandon, MB R7A 7C5, Canada Similar Brandon Shoppers Mall, Commonwealth Air Training Plan Mus, Art Gallery of Southwes, Daly House Museum, ENMAX Centrium | ||
The Keystone Centre is a multi-purpose facility located in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Its main 5,102-seat arena, Westman Communications Group Place, is the home of the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League and the annual Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.
Aside from Westman Communications Group Place, the Keystone Centre also features an exhibition hall for trade shows and agricultural events, two smaller hockey arenas, and the Brandon Curling Club. A hotel complex operated by Canad Inns is located adjacent to the Keystone Centre and features accommodations, a waterpark, restaurant, pub, and gaming lounge.
The Keystone Centre has been the site of numerous major sporting events, most recently the 2010 Memorial Cup. The Wheat Kings, playing as the host team, advanced to the championship game, but came up short against the heavily favored Windsor Spitfires. Other major events held at the Keystone Centre include the 1999 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (co-hosted with Winnipeg), the 1995 Ford Men's and Women's World Curling Championships, the 1993 and 2002 Scott Tournament of Hearts, the 1997 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, and the 1994 Air Canada Cup.
The Western Canadian Junior "B" Hockey Championship, the Keystone Cup, is named after the Keystone Centre as it was the alternate site used by the original tournament in 1983 that took place in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
The original structure was built in 1973 and was a joint venture between the City of Brandon, the Government of Manitoba, and the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, which organizes the Royal Fair each March. The Keystone Agricultural and Recreation Centre Inc., a non-profit corporation formed by the three parties, owns and operates the complex and grounds. The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba contributed the original land and assets. The City of Brandon and the Province of Manitoba have agreed to cover any operating deficits of the Keystone Centre.
The Keystone Centre has seen numerous expansions since its opening, including the construction of the Canad Inns hotel that replaced the Manex Arena, the former home of the Wheat Kings. The complex underwent through an interior redesign in the summer of 2007. On May 1, 2007, Westman Communications Group purchased the naming rights to the main arena and viewing lounge.