The City of Steinbach is pleased to be working together with Southeast Events Group (formerly Southeast Event Centre Inc.) for the construction and operation of an events centre.
The facility will include a main venue that can be used for concerts, events, ice sports, tradeshows, and ceremonies as well as a multi-use hall/gymnasium and atrium.
The Southeast Event Centre will be located downtown, replacing the former Centennial Arena, and connecting to the existing community plaza, T.G. Smith Arena, Steinbach Curling Club, and Keystone Theatre.
The downtown location is in line with the City’s Official Community Plan, maintains downtown as a dynamic public space, and realizes significant construction benefits from existing infrastructure and services. The facility design also provides for ample parking.
This is a multi-use venue that supports recreation, arts, economy, and culture under one roof in a way that provides excellent value to our citizens and the southeast region.
Steinbach Mayor, Earl Funk
Where is the Southeast Event Centre being built?
The facility will be built in downtown Steinbach, connecting to the existing T.G. Smith Arena, community plaza, Steinbach Curling Club, and Keystone Theatre.
How much will the Southeast Event Centre cost and where is the money coming from?
The total project cost is approximately $74.3 million. Last year, it was announced that the City was approved for $17.5 million in Provincial and Federal government grant funding for the project under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. A total of $1 million is also expected from the Province of Manitoba's Arts, Culture and and Sport in Community fund. A total of $25.5 million is expected to come from private and community fundraising being coordinated by the Southeast Events Group Inc. The remaining required funding of $30.3 million will come from City funds through a combination of reserve funds, operating funds, and debt.
What features will the Southeast Event Centre include?
It will include two indoor ice surfaces, of which one will be able to convert to a concert and event venue, capable of holding up to 4,000 people, a multi-use hall where basketball, volleyball, and pickleball can be played and an atrium used as a public gathering space and a walking track.
Will we still have a rink during construction?
Yes. The City is proceeding with the development as a single stage, which saw the existing Centennial rink demolished during the summer of 2023. A modified ice usage schedule is applicable for the 2023-2024 winter season, as only the T.G. Smith Arena is available to use. As the project proceeds, updates about its development that may impact the community will be shared through the City of Steinbach website and social media accounts.
How long is construction going to take?
A groundbreaking ceremony took place in early 2023, and construction is expected to take 18-24 months.
Will User Groups be able to offer input into the project?
Yes, as part of the design process, community user groups have met with the design team and provided their feedback on the project, and the public has been invited to share their input through meet-ups with design tours and question/answer periods. More information about these meet-ups can be found below.
Will there be parking available during construction?
Yes, parking will be available to users throughout the construction process.
Will there be sufficient parking at the Southeast Event Centre?
Yes. Parking is an important factor in the design of this facility. There will be parking on-site as well as additional parking within a short walk to the new facility.
How do I find more information?
We will continue to update this website with information as it becomes available. If you have a specific question, please complete the online form on this page and we will be happy to get back to you.
The City of Steinbach is pleased to be working together with Southeast Events Group (formerly Southeast Event Centre Inc.) for the construction and operation of an events centre.
SEG is a non-profit group of private citizens committing personal funds and undertaking fundraising for this project.
Under expected development and operating agreements with the City, SEG will manage the facility while the City retains ownership ensuring the centre is maintained as a long-term community asset. View the original Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Steinbach and Southeast Events Centre Inc. (presently, Southeast Events Group).
On December 6, 2021, the city hosted a virtual design tour and presentation by the project lead architect, Jeff Penner, Verne Reimer Architecture Inc.
This was an opportunity to learn more about the Southeast Event Centre project, ask questions, and contribute valuable input during the early stages of design planning.
On April 20, 2022 the City of Steinbach hosted an open house at TG Smith Centre for the public to view and provide feedback on the latest designs for the Southeast Event Centre.
Anyone not able to attend can still view the design plans, watch a virtual walkthrough video, and provide their feedback by clicking on the link below.
The city thanks everyone who attended the open house and for the valuable feedback they provided.
June 2019 - SEC Inc. presents concept plans for an all-in-one events facility in a closed meeting to Steinbach City Council.
October 1, 2019 - Steinbach City Council commits $10M in city funds and the use of city land in and around the T.G. Smith Centre at the Council meeting. SEC Inc. pledges to raise at least $15M in private funding.
July 26, 2021 - Website Notice: Funding Application for Investing in Canada Infrastructure Grant Program Successful for Southeast Event Centre. (Read Notice)
September 21, 2021 - Verne Reimer Architecture Inc. awarded architectural and engineering services contract (Read SteinbachOnline Article)
November 2021 - 2022 Local Improvement Plan Public Notice Release for Event Centre Construction (View PDF)
December 6, 2021 - Multiplex Meet Up Virtual Design Tour and Presentation (Watch Presentation)
December 7, 2021 - City Council Approves First and Second Reading of By-Law 2186 Local Improvement 2022-01 (View PDF)
April 20, 2022 - Video: City Council Approves Third Reading of By-Law 2186 Local Improvement 2022-01 (Watch Video)
April 20, 2022 - Multiplex Meet Up 2 Design Tour Open House (Read Notice)
November 1, 2022 - City Council Approves Southeast Event Centre Construction Bid (Read Notice)
Construction - Click to Watch the Construction Site Live
January 27, 2023 - The City breaks ground on the Southeast Event Centre (Read Notice)
January 31–March 13, 2023 - Phase 1 of Pile Driving (Read Notice)
March 2023 - First Concrete Pour for Pile Caps (View Image)
May 5, 2023 - First Grade Beam Pour (View Image)
June 2023 - Demolition of Centennial Arena (Read Notice)
July 21, 2023 - Concrete Poured for Dressing Room Floor (View Image)
August 21, 2023 - First Concrete Columns, to Support Bleachers, Being Formed (View Image)
August 22, 2023 - First Concrete Block Wall Being Built (View Image)
October 24, 2023 - First Steel Column Being Erected (View Image)
November 22, 2023 - First Concrete Raker Beams Being Placed, to Support Bleachers (View Image)
November 23, 2023 - First Steel Roof Truss Arrived On-Site (View Image)
November 29, 2023 - First Hollow Core Concrete Floors Installed, Concourse Level (View Image)
December 2023 - Updated Concept Renderings (View Design Plans)
January 17, 2024 - First Full-Height Steel Column Installed (View Image)
January 22, 2024 - First Roof Truss Installed (View Image)
February 2, 2024 - First Roof Decking Installed (View Image)
February 12, 2024 - Sheeting of Exterior Wall Begins (View Image)
Renewal
The Southeast Event Centre (SEC), planned for downtown Steinbach as part of a renewal of the T.G. Smith Recreation Centre site and replacement of the former Centennial Arena, a facility that has served the community and region well for over 50 years. The overall program will connect the dynamic arts community with recreational use and will be a catalyst for redeveloping Steinbach's downtown into a destination site for the community.
Involvement
Significant private funding will be committed to this project and the facility itself is planned to meet the diverse needs of a growing and vibrant community and region. It represents the innovation of a community through unique partnerships with the purpose of building community, connection and promoting wellness for all.
Driven
The facility is designed to be open to the community and invite the community in. It will be used by several different user groups representative of the populous and demographics of the region.
The main venue, a 2,400 seat spectator facility is designed to adapt to the many needs of the community with multi-mode capacity for tradeshows, ceremonies, concerts, ice-related use and recreational activities.
As a concert and event facility, this venue will flex up to approximately 4,000 capacity. This venue will be supported by a large 500 seat multi-use hall/gymnasium and atrium (flex hall) designed to open the facility to the community. These combined facilities will connect to the existing T.G. Smith Arena, Steinbach Curling Club and other existing venues.
In addition to the various minor sports and community groups that use our current facilities, a number of additional opportunities would be created including trade shows, theatre, concerts, graduations, court sports, ice sports and conferences of all sorts, including national events.
Do you have a question or comment about the Southeast Event Centre? Submit them here and we'll get back to you.
Lacey Gaudet
City Planner
engage@steinbach.ca
Project information and updates will
also be posted on the city's
social media channels.
