Support continues to roll in for Phase 2 of Winkler's Meridian Exhibition Centre, allowing the project to go ahead sooner than expected, according to the City of Winkler.

On Monday, the Manitoba Government announced it has come on board with more than $3.1 million through its Arts, Culture and Sport in Community Fund.  

"When it comes to every place in Manitoba, especially opportunities here in the Winkler and Morden area - it's a growing region and its important we work with cities like Winkler to make sure we invest in quality of life," said Doyle Piwniuk, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, who made the announcement in Winkler on behalf of Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Obby Khan. "That's why we came up with Arts, Culture and Sports grant. We're looking at, in the future, to work together to make sure that wellness is in our communities, and that also takes care of health. So, it's important that we work together and create partnerships when it comes to (things) like this major project."

Phase 2 will see the renovation and rehabilitation of the existing Centennial Arena as part of the Meridian Exhibition Centre and the overall recreation campus. The City says renovation will complete the vision for a fully accessible and functional regional facility, and serve as a place to gather, connecting with new immigrants, seniors, youth, and the diverse demographic profile in the rapidly growing region. The renovation will redevelop the existing arena tying in energy efficient systems, extensive code upgrades, safe spectator viewing, and inclusive public amenities.

“The City of Winkler is excited about this announcement of funding from our Provincial partners," said Mayor Henry Siemens. "The Centennial Arena currently hosts the MJHL Winkler Flyers in addition to other local teams and this funding will provide much-needed improvements. This facility was built 56 years ago in conjunction with Canada’s centennial celebrations. It’s been updated at times through the years but’s really starting to show its age. We will now be able to bring these facilities to today's standards and add some of the amenities that today’s users and fans crave. When we built the multi-use, multi-sport Meridian Exhibition Centre just a few short years ago we planned a phase two renovation of the Centennial Area. In our wildest dreams we couldn’t have imagined that we be able to do it so quickly. This is truly a project built on partnerships with both the Federal and Provincial Government, the City of Winkler, and our community all at the funding table to make it a reality.”

In September, the Government of Canada announced it would provide $7.9 million towards the renovation.

"The Winkler Flyers organization is incredibly excited with this announcement and what these arena upgrades will mean for the community, the Flyers, and our amazing fans," added Caleb Suderman, President of the Winkler Flyers club. "The Centennial arena has been a staple in this community for so many years and we are happy to know that with these improvements it will continue to be for many more years to come. Thank you to the City of Winkler, the Province, the Government of Canada, and all that made this possible.”

The City has already begun work with local stakeholders to ensure the design of the renovation results in a highly efficient and functional facility.

Monday's announcement also saw the City unveil a naming partner sponsorship for the arena. 

According to the City, an agreement, in principle, has been reached with Triple E Canada.

"We were really really blessed to have the Triple E Group, who are all about building community, come to the table and say that they wanted to be involved," explained Mayor Siemens. "As we were looking to try to cost this initially and looking at the numbers, and being a little bit bigger than something we could swallow on our own, to be able to have somebody like the Triple E Group where partnership and community support is in their DNA, it's what they do every single day, to have them involved now in helping us to be able to build the right sized project for our community, for southern Manitoba, was something that really helped to make this decision to move forward a little bit easier."

Terry Elias with Triple E Canada said in a news release that the company is pleased to be part of the project. 

"We are pleased to see the City has been able to partner with both the Federal and Provincial governments to make this project a reality. It's great to see the city being able to take an existing facility and give it many more years of community use."

With the projected cost expected to exceed the initial estimate of $12 million to $15 million, Siemens noted there will still be challenges along the way but says having all of these partners at the table makes it easier for Council to get behind the project and move quickly. 

The hope, added Siemens, is to start demolition at the current facility on the last day of the Winkler Flyers 2023/24 schedule.

"An awful lot of things have to go right in our planning process between now and then because it's not that far away," he said. "But we have exceptional staff. We have a dedicated group of hard-working people who are going to do everything they can to get there."

Part of that includes a community fund raising push in order to cover the balance of the project cost, which is yet to be confirmed. 


With files from Pam Fedack

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