The construction of a new event centre is now a reality for Steinbach.

That construction promise was made Monday afternoon by the provincial and federal governments.

The Southeast Event Centre will be a multi-use venue that will accommodate cultural, economic and recreational uses and events. The main venue, a 2,500-seat spectator facility, is designed to accommodate the many needs of the community with multi-mode capacity for trade shows, ceremonies, concerts, ice-related use and recreational activities. Once completed, the Centre will connect to the existing T.G. Smith Centre, Steinbach Curling Club and other existing venues.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $9.5 million in this project through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Manitoba is funding over $7.9 million. In October 2019 the City of Steinbach committed $10 million of City funds. The city also partnered with Southeast Event Centre Inc. who has pledged to raise the remaining $15M in private funding.

Under an expected operating agreement, SEC Inc. will manage the facility while the city retains ownership ensuring the centre is a long-term community asset.

Construction on the new facility is expected to begin in summer 2022 at the earliest.

Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen, Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk and Reg Helwer (Minister of Central Services) were all part of Monday's announcement.